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Family-friendly things to do at Beningbrough

A little boy climbing a tree with a man holding his hand to help
How high can you go? | © National Trust / Annapurna Mellor

Beningbrough is the perfect place for a family adventure. Explore the wilderness play area and build a den, join an activity day or meander through the garden on a steady stroll following the latest trail. Whatever you do when you visit, here's what to expect from your family day out.

Planning your family visit

  • The main car park is around 50 yards from the main entrance
  • There are baby-changing facilities and toilets by the shop and entrance/exit area and in the laundry courtyard, close to the play area
  • Please leave your pram or pushchair behind when you first enter the hall, there are indoor alternatives, hip seats or baby slings available to use in the hall
  • There's even terrain in the garden but the parkland paths can be uneven and muddy in wet weather so pushchairs might struggle
  • Balance bikes and foot-propelled scooters for under fives are welcome in the garden but we ask that you use larger bikes and e-scooters in the parkland only.

Watch as you wander

There's a ha-ha with a sudden drop running the length of the southern edge of the garden. The garden has several open water features and ponds, part of the parkland runs alongside a river.

October half term

Code-breaker challenge

25 October - 2 November

Brush up on your code-breaker skills, free, all day, every day. Decipher the symbols around the Walled Garden and use your skills to uncover the autumnal nature words.

Nature crafting 

Tuesday 28 & Thursday 30 October, 11am - 2pm

Drop-in during your visit for some outdoor crafting, inspired by the ever evolving autumn scenes all around.

Please note we change to winter opening times from 27 October, closing at 3.30pm. 

 

Storytime with Father Christmas

Weekends, 6 - 21 December

Tickets are now on sale to see the man in red on the top floor of the hall. He needs your help to solve the riddle, there's a gift for each child and time to have photos or a good chat. 

£14 per child, £7 per adult plus normal admission charges apply / free entry to National Trust members and under fives. 

These small group sessions are popular and sell out. Find out everything you need to know about Christmas and book your place... 

A child investigates some fungi on a tree on the grounds of Beningbrough Hall, North Yorkshire
Autumn is the perfect time to get closer to nature | © National Trust Images/Annapurna Mellor

Winter family trail

Friday 7 November - Sunday 22 February, on open days

Grab your woollies and your wellies and head out into the garden to see who you can spot hiding in the bird boxes. The animals have all been invited to the woodland party, but who will you see?

 

Things to do in the rain

Once you've finished splashing in puddles and testing the build quality of your den, it might be time for something indoors or with a little more shelter. Test your little people to spot the faces in the carvings and count animals in the tapestries. Call into the laundry and imagine life before machines and electricity. 

 

Discover the wilderness play area

Unleash your wild ones on the 7-metre pyramid tower and slide, or explore the zone for smaller children, where they can climb and get creative in the Wendy house or soar to new heights in a bucket swing.

There's the ever-popular den zone and, for older children, the cantilever swing and clamber stack will test their adventurous spirit.

 

We always laugh and eat ice cream when we're there. Those are the best days...Oh and fish are always happy to see me!

A quote by Wesley Age 4
Man with two children bending over looking in a pond
How many fish can you count? | © National Trust Images / Annapurna Mellor

Perfect picnic spots

Bringing a pack up? There are plenty of great places around the hall and gardens where you can make the most of the weather and eat your lunch alfresco. Head down to the laundry courtyard where there are generous sized outdoor tables with shade or shelter, take a pew on the benches in the garden or find your patch of lawn.

 

Fancy a snack?

Conveniently placed by the play area, and dog friendly, the brew house is a great place to pick up refreshments to take away and serves scoop ice cream - it is open Friday - Sunday, Bank Holiday Mondays, and every day during the school holidays (unless it's a very wet day!)  

 

50 things to do before you’re 11¾

What better way to spend your day than trying new activities from the list of '50 things to do before you’re 11¾'? Beningbrough is a great place to become an explorer and you can do around half the '50 things' activities here throughout the year.

Here's just a few ideas to get you started:

  • No. 1 Get to know a tree: With so many to choose from, which will you get up close and personal to? Look out for leaf shapes, textures on the bark and tiny creatures that might live on the tree.
  • No. 12 Have fun with sticks: Let your imagination run wild. Build a den, make a trail or create your own game...they make perfect wands. 
  • No. 44 Watch a bird: To be a successful bird watcher, you'll need to be as quiet as a mouse while you keep a look out for our feathered friends. What will you spot?
Overhead shot showing countryside, gardens, hall, walled garden and tree lined avenue

Discover more at Beningbrough

Find out when Beningbrough is open, how to get here, things to see and do and more.

You might also be interested in

Christmas at Beningbrough 

Father Christmas is returning to the hall and new for 2025, he's taken up room on the top floor. Book your place for storytime, find out about crafting workshops and what else to expect on a Christmas visit, including places to eat and what's on offer in the shop.

Head and shoulder of Father Christmas telling a story surrounded by lights and festive decorations

Eating at Beningbrough 

Choose from a range of tasty snacks and drinks at Beningbrough's restaurant and two other eateries, open on selected days. Find out where to refuel with your dog, indoor and out.

Three children sitting at a table outside while eating cake and drinking juice boxes

Visiting Beningbrough with your dog 

Bring your dog to Beningbrough and you'll both have a great day out on one of Yorkshire's finest estates. Here are some ideas to help you get the most out of your visit. Beningbrough is a three pawprint rated place.

Family of three walking two dogs outside of the house at Beningbrough

Things to see in the garden at Beningbrough 

Discover the formal gardens, walled kitchen garden, herbaceous borders and wildlife areas, each with its own style and beauty. Experience the tranquillity of the Mediterranean Garden, the latest new space designed by Andy Sturgeon. Find out more about this RHS partner garden in Yorkshire.

Two people, one in a wheelchair, coming through a garden gate looking at the flowers all around

Art at Beningbrough 

Discover more about the Reddihough Galleries on the first floor of Beningbrough Hall and highlights of previous art displays. Currently on show, Whispers of the Wilderness: Exploring Wilderness Gardens is a full sensory exhibition linking history and fashion, with contemporary sculptures and sketching.

Two people looking at a large willow sculpture in a grand historic room with wooden floors and golden pillars

Family-friendly places in Yorkshire 

Plan an adventure in Yorkshire. With play areas, activities for kids, wildlife to spot and plenty of things to do when it rains. Bring the whole family to make memories during your time together.

Autumn fun with leaves on the west green of Fountains Abbey 4 kids

‘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’.

A boy playing in a tree at Nunnington Hall, North Yorkshire