Family-friendly things to do at Barrington Court

Visitors embracing the cold and enjoying the sensory delights of the season — A family relaxing in the orchard | © National Trust Images / Trevor Ray Hart

Lots of activities and space for family fun and learning at Barrington Court. See what's new to help plan your next visit.

May half-term activities

The wonderful birds and handlers from Xtreme Falconry are returning Tuesday 27 May. They will be here all day, but two impressive flying displays are taking place on the South Lawn at 11.30am and 2.30pm.

Also back are the popular guided drop-in 'visiteering' activities with the South Somerset Ranger team on Wednesday 28 and Thursday 29 May, 11am to 3pm. Get hands-on with hand and battery-operated tools and help the Rangers to build wildlife nest boxes for the estate. You might build a home for a robin, a wren, a dormouse, a bee or little owl.

Seed sowing is happening on Monday 26 and Friday 30 May, 11am to 3pm. You can make individual seed pot and sow some flower seeds to take home and grow.

For more information on all the events, please visit our upcoming events page.

When it rains

After splashing around in puddles, you can dry off in the Design and History Sheds. Enjoy a game of table tennis, complete the design puzzle, create your own Barrington Estate in building blocks, or sit in the giant chairs and learn about the great characters that helped rebuild Barrington Estate. The nearby Book Barn is great to explore and pick up a preloved story to take home.

The ground floor of Strode House reopened in June 2024 and here you can explore the historical timeline of Barrington Estate. Whilst wandering around the Lyles’ family home, take a moment to sit and sketch, or dance to some 1920s music. There is also the mystery of the missing parrot–will you be able to find Polly?

Beagles Café has indoor seating and a variety of options for refuelling before your next adventure.

Sensory backpacks to support families on self-led visits

Sensory backpacks are now available on loan and can be signed in and out at our visitor reception. The content of the backpacks has been designed to enhance the experience of the visitors especially those with autism and sensory processing disorder. Each standard pack has noise cancelling headphones (child size), sunglasses (child size), apple fidget toy, cuddly hand puppet, now/next/later board, and a crunch ball. There is also a selection of other pick ‘n’ mix items so that bags can be customised to suit individual needs.

Interactive installations in the farm buildings

The History Shed encourages visitors to take a seat, view site plans and debate the historic design decisions made by key characters from Barrington’s past. The Design Shed is a more hands-on space with windows to look through, gates to open, puzzles to complete, votes to be cast, building blocks and even a farm building smell table.

Barrington Court sensory packs | © Ian Watkin, National Trust

Family-friendly things to do in the garden

Fun on the South Lawn 

When you see the huge stretch of green grass that reaches out from the house to the boundary of the ha-ha, you’ve found the South Lawn. It’s great place with space to enjoy, surrounded by the sights and sounds of the changing seasons in the garden and countryside.

Bringing your wheels to Barrington Court

If you love riding your scooters, tricycles and bikes, then head to the Avenue. The garden paths and lawns are fragile and narrow in places and you can help us conserve them by keeping wheels away. If in doubt, please check with a member of staff where you can ride. 

Family-friendly things to do in the parkland

The cricket field offers a great spot for family frolics. Bring whatever games you fancy – whether you’ve got a frisbee, skipping rope, rounders set or, of course, a cricket bat and ball.

There are some lovely spots for picnics too, and don’t forget to follow the winding paths in the little copse for a woodland adventure. 