Skip to content

Family-friendly things to do at Lacock

A family walking with pushchairs surrounded by autumnal trees
A family walking in the grounds at Lacock Abbey, Wiltshire | © National Trust Images/James Dobson

There are lots of things at Lacock for families to enjoy all year round. With a busy programme of activities from family crafts to the magic of live theatre, find out more about what you could discover on your next visit.

Autumn and Winter at Lacock Abbey

Start your visit with the story of Lacock's photographic history. The Fox Talbot Museum is dedicated to the inventions and discoveries of Henry Fox Talbot, Lacock's 19th century resident who invented the photographic negative at the abbey. Feel inspired by the new exhibition in the gallery space upstairs, showcasing pieces from the Royal Photographic Society's International Photography Exhibition (open until 27 April 2024).  The house is closed for winter until March 2025, but stand on the South Lawn and see if you can spot the window made famous by Fox Talbot's invention. 

Watch the woodland change with the season as autumn colour pops up among the evergreens. Follow the paths to the Orchard and pause among the fruit trees there, and take a nature walk and spot funghi and wildlife preparing for the season ahead. 

Finally don't forget to visit the Cloister, not only famous for its cameos in film and tv productions, but an almost 800 year old medieval marvel. 
 

Christmas at Lacock


Christmas begins on the 23 November in the abbey, with the Great Hall re-open from the annual deep clean decorated in traditional style. The Community Christmas Tree Festival returns to the Cloister, which will be sparkling with the lights and handmade decorations from the trees decorated by local community groups. Children are invited to write their letters to Father Christmas in the pop-up postroom, and join in a Storytime with Mother Christmas in the Lacock Christmas grotto. Booking essential for Mother Christmas. 

Storytime with Mother Christmas
Todder Time with Mother Christmas

 

Planning your family visit

Here's all the information you need at a glance to help plan your next day out to Lacock Abbey:

  • Baby-changing facilities are available in access-friendly toilets in the courtyard at the Abbey and in the Red Lion car park toilets
  • A children's menu is available in the Stables Café, including ice creams 
  • We welcome breastfeeding everywhere at Lacock, including in our cafe and we can provide hot water for making up baby bottles. 
  • Picnics are allowed in the grounds (the orchard is a great place for a picnic) and there are picnic benches in the Pound by the play area in the village
  • Pushchairs are admitted in the garden, but not in the Abbey or cloister
  • Children’s scooters and bikes (including self-propelled or balance bikes) are not permitted in the garden.

 


 

 

Close-up of the feet of a child wearing green wellies and red waterproof trousers, amid leaves, at Colby Woodland Garden, Pembrokeshire
Welly boots crunching autumn leaves | © National Trust Images/James Dobson

Family-friendly things to do in the village 

Lacock is a beautiful village with plenty to see and do (how many locations will you recognise from the Harry Potter films?). You might want to marvel at the majesty of the Tithe Barn, or head over to the children's play area in the village playing field, which is perfect for ball games.

There's a range of great village shops, including a National Trust shop in the High Street ,where there are family gifts and pocket-money toys available to take home and treasure. 

If you’ve got the energy to stretch your legs a bit further, explore the countryside around and see the Abbey from a different angle on one of the walks.

‘50 things to do before you're 11¾’

Lacock Abbey is also a great place to tick off some of the National Trust's ‘50 things to do before you're 11¾’. Here's some of the top activities to tick off your list:

Check out the full list of 50 things and see what else is waiting for your imagination . 

Row of cottages in the village at Lacock, Wiltshire

Discover more at Lacock Abbey and the Fox Talbot Museum

Find out when Lacock Abbey and the Fox Talbot Museum are open, how to get here, the things to see and do and more.

You might also be interested in

An adult and child walk in the Lacock woodland. They are both wearing winter hats and coats and are looking at the trees.
Article
Article

Visiting the garden at Lacock Abbey 

Lacock Abbey's peaceful garden is a place to relax. Discover the Botanic Garden, greenhouse, orchard and woodland along with the sounds of nature at this green natural setting.

A visitor takes a photo of a half-timbered house in Lacock village, Wiltshire on a summer day
Article
Article

Exploring the village at Lacock 

Explore the historic streets of Lacock, a quintessential English village with timber-framed cottages and local shops. With its central grid of four streets, Lacock today looks much as it did 200 years ago.

A visitor explores displays at the Fox Talbot Museum at Lacock Abbey, Wiltshire
Article
Article

Discover the history of photography at the Fox Talbot Museum 

Learn about the history of photography at the Fox Talbot Museum, with a collection spanning photographic developments up to the present day.

A family of two adults and two young children eating outside the Courtyard Cafe at Lacock, they're wearing winter coats and smiling with mugs in their hands.
Article
Article

Eating and shopping at Lacock Abbey 

The Stables café is ready to welcome you for refreshments, while the High Street Shop stocks a wide range of gifts and souvenirs.

Family walking down staircase with Christmas decorations at Scotney Castle, Kent

Family-friendly places to visit 

Find the best family-friendly places to visit and discover the fun-filled activities on offer at the places in our care.

Child walking on a log at Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Garden, North Yorkshire

‘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’.

A young boy wearing a blue knitted tank top points at a natural woven bauble on a Christmas tree glowing with fairy lights

Family-friendly places in Wiltshire 

Ancient landscapes, world-famous gardens and outdoor adventures await in Wiltshire.