Family-friendly things to do at Packwood

Parents with small child sitting on a bench beneath a blossoming pink magnolia tree — There's plenty for the whole family to do at Packwood whatever the season | © National Trust Images/James Dobson

With lots of open space and freedom to explore and play, the garden and parkland at Packwood are an ideal place for a family day out. The house is ready for explorers on rainy days, with new treasures to discover in every room. From picnics to welly walks, there's something for everyone to enjoy.

Planning your family visit

Here's the information you need at a glance to make the most of your family day out at Packwood:

Baby-changing facilities are available in the toilets in the barnyard and café
There are grass and loose gravel paths in the garden with some steps and terraces
The café serves hot and cold drinks and snacks. Indoor and outdoor seating is available
Picnics are welcome on the tennis lawn, and there are also picnic benches next to the car park and in the barnyard.

Cherry plum tree blossom at Packwood House, Warwickshire — Come and experience the beautiful spring blossom | © National Trust Images/Abi Cole

Blossom Week at Packwood

To celebrate the National Trust’s 2024 Festival of Blossom, Packwood is hosting a series of creative workshops from 20-25 April with ARTconnects.

The workshops are being run by Salma Zulfiqar BEM, a multi-award winning visual and participatory artist who has had her work exhibited across the globe exploring a variety themes from climate change to gender.

The workshops will be running within the grounds of Packwood every day from 11.00-16.00 exploring the overall theme of blossom through a variety of creative methods with a specific piece of art being created each day. Visitors of all ages are encouraged to take part in the multiple workshops across the week and engage in some of other blossom-based activities also happening across the property. All the artwork that is created during the weeks’ worth of workshops will be displayed throughout the gardens at Packwood House for the duration of the blossom festival running until the end of May.

The workshops are free to all visitors, but non-members will need to pay normal entry fee.

Here are all the details.

Family fun all year round

We've got lots going on to keep the family entertained whatever the season:

Tell it to the bees: Join Pyn Stockman and Kate Luxmoore in the Orchard on Saturday 11 May for a musical storytelling performance. Expect shapeshifting magic, wise women, and bee lore, nature imagery and travelling companions who are not of this world.
Story Tea: Storyteller Pyn Stockman returns on Saturday, 21 September, as the days even out and the Sun and Moon share equal sway. Use all of your senses to explore tales of myth, legend and local folklore and let your imagination run wild as you sip and savour unique herbal teas, blended by expert herbalist Arlene Burnett.
Artizan Bazaar: Join us here at Packwood on 30 November and 1 December for a weekend of unique artisan shopping. Peruse the wonderful selection of talented artists as they showcase their wares.

For all the details, see our Upcoming Events page.

A family walk along a path, shaded by trees at Arlington Court — Bring the family for a walk on the estate | © Chris Lacey

Family-friendly things to do in the garden and estate

The Packwood welly walk is an ideal trail for families. There are lots of things to see and do along the way including building dens in two of the four play glades, woodland hoopla, stepping logs, bird spotting and picnicking on log tables and chairs that you can arrange yourself.

The circular walk around Packwood is also a nice easy stroll and you can spot lots of wildlife along the way.

'50 things to do before you're 11¾'

The National Trust's '50 things to do before you're 11¾' is a checklist of activities that will encourage kids to get mucky, discover their wild side and most of all enjoy what Mother Nature has to offer. There are lots of activities that can be ticked off at Packwood, here are a few recommendations to get you started:

No 31. Make friends with a bug

Next time you're out on the welly walk or enjoying a stroll there are plenty of bugs to make friends with on the way. Don't forget to pop them back where you found them afterwards.

No. 34 Discover wild animal clues

There are lots of different things that you can look for when you're on the trail of an animal or bird. Keep an eye out for footprints, feathers, fur and poo and you might find something sooner than you think.

No. 44 Spot a bird

There is a wealth of wildlife in and around Packwood with many species of birds making their home here. To be a successful bird watcher you'll need to be as quiet as a mouse while you keep a look out for our feathered friends. What will you spot? 

No. 48 Keep a nature diary

Keep a record of your amazing adventures in nature, capturing your memories of the animals and plants you’ve seen. Decide how you’ll record your experiences of nature, will you use words, pictures, sounds or a mixture of everything? You could even write a poem or a story about your adventures.

Find yourself a diary, a scrapbook or a sound recorder and get started. Make a note of all the things you’ve seen and done in nature, whether it’s a picnic in the wild, rolling down a huge hill or getting to know a wild animal. Which activity did you enjoy the most?