Things to do for families at Brockhampton

A family walking along a brown path that leads through the orchard. The woman is pushing a pushchair, and the man walks alongside a young boy on a small bike. — Get outdoors and explore all that Brockhampton has to offer this winter | © National Trust Image / James Dobson

Immerse the whole family in the magic of nature as you explore the accessible orchard play trail, ride balance bikes and follow school holiday trails — all set in a secluded valley bursting with orchards, woodland, and wildlife waiting to be discovered.

Planning your visit

Orchard play trail with hardstanding accessible paths
Baby-changing facilities near manor house
Highchairs available in the cafe
Balance bikes available to borrow
Sensory items available to borrow

Orchard Orienteering - February half term trail

Sat 14 Feb to Sun 22 Feb 2026, 10am to 4pm

This interactive and playful trail invites young explorers to run around Brockhampton’s orchard on our orienteering course.

Wrap up warm and go on an adventure in Brockhampton’s orchards with a family fun trail celebrating nature in late winter.

£3 per trail, includes a prize. Normal admission applies.

Close-up of an orienteering schedule & compass at Brancaster being used as part of the programme provided for children by the Activity Centre. — Wrap up warm and go on an adventure in Brockhampton’s orchards. | © National Trust Images/Ian Shaw

Orchard play trail

The orchard play trail is fun for all the family. Wind your way along the hard-standing, accessible orchard paths through the old and new orchards. Discover the largest orchards cared for by the National Trust, including 21 acres of newly planted fruit trees, which span three fields. Can you spot all of the wooden orchard sculptures, hidden among the long grass?

Step inside the apple core, designed by artist, Walter Jack. These five chambers house different fruit trees from around the world and visually describe the tale of the eating apple.

Run, jump and skip around the natural play equipment that you find along the way, including tunnels, stepping logs and more. Become the captain of the 'Hereford Bull' trow boat, which takes pride of place in the new orchards. Although you might be surprised to find a boat in the middle of the orchard, trows used to transport goods, such as fruit and cider, from Herefordshire down the River Severn and River Wye. Step aboard and imagine sailing down the river with your freshly harvested orchard apples.

Children on the deck of a trow boat in the new orchard at Brockhampton. | © Barbara Evripidou

Family fun in the house

Throughout the year, you can take part in seasonal, family friendly craft activities as well as pick up a spotter sheet to keep the family entertained. Follow our social channels to see what's coming up. There are also sensory objects in most rooms and the 1950's Lounge is particularly child-friendly with lots of objects to hold and touch.

During the winter season, the manor house has different opening hours. See our homepage for full details.

Walking on the wider estate

You can download or take a photograph of the walks map of the estate if you feel like going a little further. The walks meander through woodlands, dingles, streams and orchards and consist of some great panoramic views at the top of the estate.

If you’re planning a woodland walk then keep your eyes peeled for deer and birds of prey such as red kites, buzzards and kestrels. Lawn Pool, on the yellow walk, is a great spot to stop and watch fish and closer to the manor, in the moat, you can sometimes see newts sunbathing on warm days, as well as the resident mallards and moorhens.

An aerial view of the apple core orchard, with it's 5 circular areas that over lap in the centre. The path ways wind through and around the circles, leading out into the rest of the reimagined orchards. — An aerial view of Brockhampton's apple core orchard | © National Trust Images/James Dobson

Free to borrow sensory items

There are resource stations at Visitor Reception and in the house. They offer free to borrow sensory bags and individual sensory items including noise cancelling headphones and fidget toys.

50 things to do before you’re 11¾

Another fun self-led thing to do is to download or print a copy of the National Trust’s ‘50 things to do before you’re 11¾’ guide to bring along with you. Here there are 50 activities to try as a family outdoors which can be used over and over again.

Eating and Shopping at Brockhampton

Find out the places you can rest and refuel or treat yourself to a pre-loved book to take home at Brockhampton. From classic favourites in the café to pre-loved stories in the second-hand bookshop, every penny spent in the café or shop helps us to look after Brockhampton for future generations.