Family-friendly things to do at Lacock

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, Unseen Colour by Werner Bischof. You'll exit the museum into Talbot's Botanic Garden, find out more about the connection between botany and photography here. 

The abbey rooms are closed for the season, but take a walk through the woodland and you might spot some fairy versions of the doors you'd normally find inside. What have the magical folk hidden behind them? 

Lacock Abbey Snap Packs

Borrow an interactive discovery backpack in the abbey, where the photographic negative was invented in the 1830s. Full of hands-on activities to help children explore colour and light, two important elements of photographic image making. Use the prompts and props as you walk around the abbey rooms and imagine how Victorian inventor, Henry Fox Talbot, felt when he was experimenting with early photographic techniques. The snap packs will be available for play when the Abbey rooms re-open in the spring.

 

Christmas at Lacock Abbey

Open the door the the Great Hall and find yourself immersed in a Christmas Spectacular! Sparkling trees, mini winter scenes, a children's Christmas hideaway and dressing up perfect for a festive selfie in front of the fire. Spot the cheeky elves hiding amongst the decorations and choose a Christmas book to curl up by the fire with. Afterwards, you can visit Santa's Sleigh in the Courtyard where the showstopper central tree sets the scene. Post your Christmas lists in the Bakehouse North Pole Post Room, and then visit the Community Christmas Tree festival to pick out your favourite. 

Don't forget to stop in at the Botanic Garden Bothy, where Christmas crafts and colouring are available every day. 

Finally what's more Christmassy than a cosy storytime in a Christmas grotto? Mother Christmas returns to the Servant's Hall to read stories and hand out gifts. £10 per child which includes entry and a present, booking essential. Choose from a Toddler Time Friday, standard session on weekends or a relaxed session for those with additional sensory and emotional needs. 

Storytime 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.