Family-friendly things to do at Sheffield Park

A child looking at a Easter Trail map — Easter adventures in nature at Stourhead, Wiltshire | © National Trust Images/Betsy Ogilvie

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.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar Trail

3 May - 22 June 2025

Swing by our beautiful garden this May and June to enjoy a fun-filled trail based on Eric Carle’s beloved book ‘The Very Hungry Caterpillar’. You will find a wide variety of trail stops including fruit sculptures, nostalgic illustrations, and insect themed activities throughout the trail. This trail is suitable for little legs and will be situated along a short route down to Aucklandii Walk.

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.

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 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 sensory packs, and let us know if there's anything we can do to make your visit more enjoyable.
The Shant takeaway cafe in the gardens is cash only.

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.