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Things to do for families at Brockhampton

A bright red balance bike rests against a table at on the porch of the Welcome Hut at Rowallane Garden
Borrow a balance bike | © Catriona Corrigan

Follow accessible paths to find wooden animal sculptures, step inside the unique apple core art installation, crawl through tunnels, leap across stepping logs and don't miss the chance to play make believe on the trow boat. Look out for seasonal family trails too.

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

Summer of Play at Brockhampton

Saturday 19 July to Sunday 31 August 2025. 10am to 4.30pm.

Treat your little ones to a playful day out at Brockhampton this summer, with garden games and outdoor activities for the whole family to enjoy. Borrow play and sports equipment for free from Visitor Reception and try out classic lawn and garden games with your friends and family.

Summer of Play is sponsored by Starling Bank and supported by Sport England.

Summer of Play at Brockhampton
Borrow a balance bike from Visitor Reception | © National Trust Images/Rebecca Hughes

An apple a day trail

Saturday 19 July to Sunday 31 August 2025 10am to 4.30pm

Celebrate 600 years of apples at Brockhampton through fun apple themed activities and crafts. As you stroll through the orchard, embark on an exciting adventure filled with interactive stations to learn about different apple varieties, their origins, and discover some fun facts.

Trails cost £3 per trail which includes a prize, normal admission applies.

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.
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.

An older man raises a steaming hot drink in a takeaway cup up to his mouth
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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.

A view across Lawn Pool over the countryside, with trees and hedgerow reflected in the water at Brockhampton
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Exploring the estate at Brockhampton 

Explore the wider estate and parkland and look for the flora and fauna you can spot on a seasonal walk over this 1,700-acre estate.

Children exploring the pond in the Italian Garden at Mount Stewart

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.

Three small children laugh as they play at big swing surrounded by greenery.

Family-friendly places to visit in Worcestershire and Herefordshire. 

From playing in nature and outdoor trails, to seasonally inspired crafts, activities and games, there are lots of family events and activities on offer with the National Trust in Herefordshire and Worcestershire.

Children on bikes at Blickling Estate, Norfolk Children on bikes at Blickling Estate, Norfolk Children on bikes at Blickling Estate, Norfolk Children on bikes at Blickling Estate, Norfolk

‘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’.