Things to do with family at The Firs
Spend time surrounded by musical inspiration in the pretty cottage and garden at The Firs and make music with instruments in the sound garden.
Planning your family visit
- Baby changing facilities in the Visitor Centre.
- Highchairs are available in Little Al’s Kitchen.
- Please be aware you need to cross a bridleway to get to the cottage and cottage gardens.
The gardens
There’s a whole world of outdoor adventures waiting for you!
Wander into our enchanting woodland glade where fairies flutter and giant’s roam. Take a seat on the giant’s chair or build your very own fairy kingdom—let your imagination run wild!
Ready to make some noise? Join the woodland band and jam out on our wooden drumkit and sound wall. Then stroll beneath our beautiful tree-lined pagoda and discover three amazing instruments:
- The vertical xylophone
- The hammock xylophone
- The metallic swirl
Each one is ready to help you create magical tunes!
We’ve got the instruments—you bring the creativity. Come play, explore, and let nature inspire your next adventure!
Join us for a Wassail at The Firs
Fri 13 Feb to Sun 22 Feb 2026
Step back into an age‑old winter tradition and create your own lively Wassail Celebration in the orchard at The from Saturday 14 February to Sunday 22 February 2026. In traditional wassailing, noise drives away bad spirits - use pots and pans and help fill the orchard with merriment! Raise your voices and sing a traditional Wassail song to celebrate warmth, community, and the promise of spring. Hang toast on your favourite fruit tree as a symbol of gratitude and to encourage a fruitful harvest. Whether you’re continuing a tradition or discovering a new one, creating your own Wassail Celebration is an unforgettable way to brighten the winter and spread good cheer to all—trees included!
Easter Adventure Trail at The Firs
Sat 28 Mar 2026 and Sun 12 Apr 2026, 10am to 5pm, with last entry at 4.30 pm.
This Easter, step into a world of music, mischief, and springtime wonder as you aim to make the Robin Sing!
Our little robin has lost its song, and only the help of curious explorers can bring it back. Follow a trail of 10 enchanting nature‑themed stations, each bursting with sound, movement, and hands‑on fun.
Prices are £3.50 per trail which includes an Easter trail sheet, bunny ears and dairy or vegan and Free From* chocolate egg.
*Suitable for people with milk, egg, gluten, peanut and tree nut allergies.
Elgar Soundscapes: Creating Musical Journeys through Nature.
Discover a musical family experience in the garden at The Firs to find the 5 ingredients needed to build musical compositions.
A composer’s job is to create musical recipes using sounds, which the orchestra performers can follow to recreate compositions.
Elgar Soundscapes is an interactive activity inspired by our Curating Elgar project, developed with over 200 participants to respond to Elgar’s story, music and connection to landscape and nature. Visit The First to have a go at creating your own musical journeys by exploring sounds within the garden and try it out in your own green spaces.
'50 things to do before you're 11¾'
Do you know about the National Trust '50 things to do before you're 11¾'? You can tick off some of the activities while you're at The Firs; build a den, create some wild art, join natures band and much more.
Which will you take on?
Find out more here: 50 things to do before you're 11¾ | Visit | National Trust