Things to do for families at Brockhampton

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. 

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.  

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.