Family-friendly things to do at Sheffield Park

A stroll with the kids and dogs — A stroll around Sheffield Park with the kids and dogs | © National Trust Images/Laurence Perry

Visit Sheffield Park and Garden for a family adventure in nature. There are always plenty of new things to discover, fun ways to get active in the great outdoors and quiet corners of the garden to enjoy together, whatever the weather. Take a look at what's waiting to be explored on your next visit.

Family-friendly events

Christmas with Mouse and Mole Family Trail
1 Dec 2023 to 2 Jan 2024
Take a winter wander around the garden with Mouse and Mole as you join in their irrepressible excitement for the festive season and help them prepare for Christmas. Based on the enchanting story book by Joyce Dunbar and James Mayhew, the Christmas trail will follow Mouse and Mole's festive adventures around Sheffield Park and Garden. From playing festive music to posting a Christmassy letter to woodland friends – the 25 December just can’t come soon enough. The trail is free but normal garden admission applies. No advanced booking required.
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SOLD OUT Christmas with Mouse and Mole: Children's Felt Making Workshop
Sat 2 Dec
Get in the festive spirit with our Christmas felting workshop with the help of local art group, So Sussex.
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Mouse and Mole preparing for the festive season | © James Mayhew and Graffeg Limited

Planning your family visit

Here is the information you need at a glance to help plan your next day out to Sheffield Park and Garden:

Food and facilities

Baby changing facilities are located in the toilets near reception and the café.
Lunch is served between 12 noon and 2.30pm with assemble your own children's lunch boxes, hot meals, snacks, soup, sandwiches, ice cream and cakes on the menu.
There is plenty of space for pushchairs in the cafe.
For a picnic, take advantage of one of the benches in the garden or a picnic bench in the parkland (opposite the car park) , or simply pick a spot to put down a blanket wherever you like.

The garden
The paths in the garden are buggy and wheelchair friendly whatever the weather, but bring your wellies if you want to enjoy a day on the parkland in wetter weather.
We kindly ask that children only climb on the trees in Ringwood Toll on the parkland.
Bikes and ball games are welcome on the parkland rather than in the garden.
There are areas of open water around the garden and grounds so close supervision is strongly advised.
Do ask at reception if you would like to try one of our autism-friendly visitor packs, and let us know if there's anything we can do to make your visit more enjoyable.

Family-friendly things to do in the garden and parkland

Run free in the parkland

Head out across the parkland and see what adventures unfurl as nature guides the imagination, little explorers run wild and bigger kids build dens and let off steam. The ideal place to tick off some of your '50 things to do before you’re 11¾’. Head on a longer walk to the River Ouse for wildlife spotting. Maps are available from reception.

Discover Walk Wood

Enjoy a gentle stroll through the leafy glades of Walk Wood. Soak up the ambience of this historic woodland area of the garden and delight in the abundant wildlife that shelters here.