There is plenty of family fun to discover on a visit to Hatchlands Park this summer. Pick up a family map from visitor reception on arrival and explore the open parkland and ancient woodland. Visit the natural play areas and don't forget to say hello to our resident donkeys. Find out more and plan your visit.
Events coming up this summer
Moomins at Hatchlands Park
Saturday 9 May to Sunday 5 July
We invite you to take a magical wander inspired by Moominvalley this spring with a family trail around the garden meeting characters from the Moomin stories. Delve into discovering the Moomin family and their friends living an adventurous life in the idyllic and peaceful Moominvalley in harmony with nature. The event is presented by the award-winning creator of interactive theatrical events, Bakehouse Factory.
Summer of Play is back for 2026! Spend long summer days enjoying outdoor games and activities in the delightful grounds at Hatchlands Park. Summer of Play is free to enjoy after normal admission has been paid.
Where are the donkeys? How long does it take to walk to the play area? What is the Admiral’s Dog? All these questions and more are answered in the Hatchlands Park family map specially designed for little ones and their grown-ups. So if you’re wondering where's the best place for a picnic or which is the coolest tree, then we have you covered. Pick up a free map when you arrive, plan your lap of the woods and make a visit to Hatchlands Park your new family tradition.
Speak to our friendly team at visitor reception to find out the best waymarked route for buggies and wheelchairs. Don't forget to visit our early years play area, next to Morris and Callum's stable block by the courtyard.
Natural adventure area at Hatchlands Park
Head out into the parkland to Great Wix Wood. As you enter the wood, you'll find Wizard Wix's Willow Warren, a natural adventure area for children. This is the perfect spot to run around, get active and enjoy nature. Here are a few ideas for fun things to do when you get there:
Balance beams and leaping logs
Follow the willow tunnels to find the beams then balance your way along to the wizard sculpture. Head back along the other side leaping from log to log, how many can you do in a row?
Tree House
Let your imaginations run riot. The Tree House could fill the role of an enchanted castle, haunted house, secret hideaway or just a dry spot to shelter on a rainy day. It's also a real-life lookout post where you can get up into the trees for a bird’s eye view through the beautiful woodland.
Bug burrow
The bug burrow could turn into a hobbit hole, spooky cave or secret hideaway. It’s also a real-life opportunity to get down into the earth and up close to nature, enabling you to watch the creepy-crawly world slither past on its way through Great Wix Wood.
Den building
Underneath the trees you'll find a big pile of logs, branches, bark and leaves. You can play with them however you like but they're great for making dens. This is one of the most popular pastimes at Wizard Wix's – it's also one of the ‘50 things to do before you’re 11¾’.
Hatchlands Park tower
Show off your climbing skills on the wooden tower. At just over three metres tall, it's ideal for older children to explore.
Sculptures
You'll find wizards, a falcon, a badger, a green man, mushrooms and more. The biggest sculptures are made from the trunks of old trees that used to stand here, but you can pick up some of the little ones and move them about. How many can you find?
Get closer to nature with the ‘50 things to do before you’re 11¾’. There’s plenty of outdoor activities to do all year round, so get out in the fresh air and build a den, make your world spin by rolling down a hill or tickle the taste buds with a picnic in the wild.
Many could be done at home or in your garden, but here are a few that you can enjoy as part of your visit to Hatchlands Park:
No. 1 Get to know a tree: Some trees have spaces big enough to get inside, others can be climbed, many have colourful leaves to catch. You can find ancient trees to study in the woodland and, halfway along the driveway at Hatchlands Park, you'll find a huge hollow trunk to explore.
No. 12 Have fun with sticks: There are so many ways that you can have fun with sticks. Build a den, play the drums, make a wand, lay a trail, create a home for wildlife – the list is endless. Check out the woodland areas at Hatchlands Park for all your stick-based needs.
No. 31 Make friends with a bug: Because of the dead wood we leave when trees fall, Hatchlands is an amazing place to hunt for bugs. There are hundreds of species for you to find, including some that are really rare. Check under logs or stones, in the dead wood piles or holes in trees that are still standing. Be gentle, and avoid wasps, snakes and crocodiles.
No. 33 Go cloud watching: If the weather's dry, find a comfy patch of grass, lie back and watch the clouds go by. Using a little imagination you can create whole worlds and the tall tales that might take place there, from the shapes you see in the clouds.
Explore over 400 acres of parkland and ancient woodland at Hatchlands Park whatever the season. Follow a waymarked walk or grab a map and find your own path.
Enjoy sweet and savoury snacks, cakes, light lunches and hot and cold drinks at the Kitchen and Coach House cafés located within the historic buildings of the cobbled courtyard. Drop by the Engine Room second-hand bookshop to find your next great read and help raise vital funds to help protect and preserve Hatchlands Park.
Hatchlands Park is an ideal place to walk your four-legged friends, offering more than 400 acres to explore, the majority of which is dog-friendly. Encounter wagging tails on woodland trails and padding paws in wide open parkland.
Enjoy a day out in Surrey with your family. Explore activity trails, natural play areas, cafés and plenty of wide open spaces waiting to be discovered.
