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back to Uppark House and Garden

Family-friendly things to do at Uppark

Four people sit together on a grassy lawn in a park, having a picnic. One person holds a purple drinks bottle while a child in the foreground eats from a lunchbox. Two other children sit nearby with their backs partly to the camera. Trees and buildings are softly blurred in the background, and bags and picnic items are placed on the grass.
A family enjoying a picnic in the garden | © Megan Taylor

Our gardens are free to enter - bring the whole family along for a stroll around the gardens and lots of space to play. Look out for wildlife around the meadow, enjoy a picnic with spectacular views or try flying a kite on the breeze over the South Downs.

Planning your family visit

  • Our garden, cafe and Second-hand bookshop are free to enter Sunday - Wednesday.
  • We have baby-changing facilities available in the accessible toilet in the Second-hand bookshop which sits in the main garden area.
  • There is a hard path around the Wide glade garden, to the café kiosk, the Second-hand bookshop and to the House. The Meadow path is natural and can be muddy in wet weather.
  • The garden is a short walk (100 metres) from the car park and there is a step free hard path.
  • Pushchairs are welcome in the house, we ask that the wheels are clean. The downstairs of the house can be accessed via the lift. You're welcome to bring a front baby carrier and leave your pushchair at the house entrance if this is easier.
  • Children are welcome on Tuesday tours of the house - our brilliant volunteers will do everything they can to help keep everyone entertained.
  • We do ask that there are no ball games played in the garden and meadow - due to the risk of damage to historic buildings.
  • During the summer months there are some games on the lawn next to the house - you are welcome to bring your own games too.
  • You're welcome to bring a picnic. Ice creams, drinks and light snacks can be purchased from the cafe kiosk.
  • In the colder months you'll want to bring along wellies and a coat.

Family fun at Uppark

Come along and enjoy some family fun with the beautiful South Downs as the backdrop. Pick up your free nature activity trail at Visitor Reception and explore the meadows and gardens. You're welcome to play on the East Lawn - the perfect space to let off some steam! In the house you will find a soft toy spotter trail in each room. Don't forget to pop into the cafe kiosk to get some ice cream and take in the views.

Group of three people examining a display of traditional kitchen tools in a historic-style kitchen, with a wooden table in the foreground holding a mixing bowl, eggs, a vintage weighing scale, copper pots, and printed recipe sheets; shelves behind are lined with blue-and-white plates and copper cookware.
Visitors in the Still Room | © Chris Lacey

Visiting the house 

The house is open on Sunday and Monday with bookable volunteer led tours available on a Tuesday. Families are very welcome on house tours and the guides will tailor the tours to suit who is on the tour. To access all areas of the house with ease we recommend brinigng along a front facing baby carrier. Pushchairs are welcome, we may ask for the wheels to be cleaned off in wet weather. To access the lower floor with a pushchair a lift must be used and there may be a wait to use this facility.

There is a soft toy spotter trail around the house. Each room has a different animal related to Uppark for families to search for.

‘50 things to do before you're 11¾’ activities

No. 2 Roll down a really big hill

We're perched high on a hill - there are plenty of opportunities to roll down big hills! Bonus point - if you climb back up the hill, then that'll be no.28 - Climb up a huge hill! 

No. 7 Fly a kite

Thanks to Uppark's position high up on the South Downs, the meadow is also a great place to fly a kite

No 33: Go cloud watching

Head to the sloping South Lawn, lie back and watch the clouds go by. Delve into your imagination to create whole worlds, and the tall tales that might take place there, from the shapes you see in the clouds.

No. 50 Take a friend on a nature adventure

Double your fun by sharing your next nature adventure with a friend. Explore your secret wildlife hideouts together and make the great outdoors your new playground.

Download all 50 things to do before you're 11 3/4 here

The West Pavilion at Uppark, West Sussex, with a white cupola on top

Discover more at Uppark House and Garden

Find out when Uppark House and Garden is open, how to get here, the things to see and do and more.

Plan your visit

You might also be interested in

The house at Uppark 

Take a look inside this classic historical house, filled with exquisite furnishings from all over the world, and discover what life was like below stairs for serving staff.

The south front of the main house showing the steps to the entrance at Uppark House and Garden

The garden at Uppark 

Our gardens and meadow are free to enter for everyone. Discover different spaces and lots of places to sit, relax and take in the world around you. The meadow offers views over the South Downs and a picturesque walk around the House.

A neatly trimmed green lawn with a single white wooden chair in the foreground, set in a lush garden filled with dense greenery, shrubs, and trees. Purple flowering bushes and low pink flowers add colour among the foliage in the background.

Explore the grounds at Uppark 

The garden and grounds at Uppark are free to visit. Uppark is perched high on a ridge and offers panoramic views across the South Downs.

A view of the red brick house and parkland at Uppark

Family-friendly places to visit 

Looking for a family day out that'll keep everyone entertained? Find things to do with the kids at the places we care for near you.

A family plays near the sun sculpture in the centre of the parkland, Lacock Abbey. It is summer, the sun is shining and the children smile towards the camera.

Family-friendly places to visit in Sussex 

Find an autumn family adventure to spark the imagination in Sussex, including Nymans, Bodiam Castle, Petworth and more. Discover the best play areas, family trails and café stops.

Girl looking through binoculars

‘50 things to do before you're 11¾’ 

Plan fresh-air activities, discover facts about nature and wildlife or learn a new skill with our suggestions for ‘50 things to do before you’re 11¾’.

Children bug hunting amongst coastal grass.

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