Family-friendly things to do at Sheffield Park

 

Outdoor Theatre: Wind in the Willows

19 July 2025 

Pack your picnics and join Ratty, Mole, Badger, and the fantastically irrepressible Toad as they embark on the adventure of a lifetime culminating in a colourful battle to save Toad Hall from the mischievous weasels!

Recommended age: 4+. Booking required.

Exotic Spots Summer Trail

19 July - 7 September 2025 

This summer, follow our free family trail to discover nine big and beautiful animals from around the world. Each one is hanging out near its favourite exotic tree or plant.

From monkeys in palm trees to anteaters ambling past giant gunneras, at each exotic spot you’ll find amazing stories about the plants, animals and awesome habitats they share in the wild.

Summer of Play

19 July - 7 September 2025

Play your way through the summer holidays with an eclectic mix of fun-filled, active games and playful musical activities!

Head down to our Play Glade for another active summer of fun! We will be filling the garden with a wide variety of joyful games and music for all ages. Or why not settle down with a good book at our book nook, before getting stuck into a race through the woods, curling up with a picnic or building a den. This is one for all the family throughout the summer holidays!

Summer of Play is sponsored by Starling Bank.

Kwik Cricket on Wednesdays in the summer holidays

23 & 30 July and 6, 13, 20 & 27 August 2025

10.30am - 1.30pm & 2.30pm - 4.30pm

Practise your skills this summer with our Kwik Cricket sessions on Sheffield Park and Garden's famous cricket pitch every Wednesday during the holidays.This is a great chance to get your under 12s active and enjoying themselves.

Normal garden admission applies but there is no need to book your cricket session in advance - just turn up and play as long as you like.

Big Camp Out

Thursday 28 August 2025, from 12:00pm

Visit Sheffield Park after dark and camp out under the stars on our cricket grounds!

We will be running bat walks, bushcraft and den making, moth watch, kwik cricket games, crafts, wellbeing sessions and more, all of which are included in the ticket price. 

Booking for this event is essential. For more information and to book your pitch please visit: Big Camp Out | National Trust

 

 

New family map

Where are the ducks? What's the best place for picnic? And which is the best bridge for playing pooh sticks? All these questions and more are answered by our new family maps. We asked visitors what their favourite parts of a visit were and drew them on the map - from the new peacocks to the waterfall cascades. Pick up a free map when you arrive, plan your lap of the parkland or garden and make Sheffield Park and Garden your new family tradition. 

Download the family map here

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 pushchair 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 sensory 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. 
 

Discover Sheffield Wood 

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

 

Catch a cricket match 

The cricket pitch in the gardens hosts regular matches and is home to the Armadillos CC. You are welcome to take a stroll to the pitch and enjoy a match. Check the Armadillo's website for the latest fixtures.