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Family-friendly things to do at Beningbrough

Young boy in paper bunny ears walking ina garden ahead of his family
Lose yourself in nature this Easter school holidays | © National Trust Images / 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.

Easter trail

28 March - 12 April, open daily 10am - 5pm (last chance to start 4pm)

Discover the 10 fun trail points as you make your way around the garden. Try out the tilting topple blocks, stretch at the yoga station and test yourself on an a-maze-ing memory meander.

Prices are £3.50 per trail which includes an Easter trail sheet, bunny ears and a dairy or vegan and Free From* chocolate egg. Both eggs are made using Rainforest Alliance Certified cocoa.

*Suitable for people with milk, egg, gluten, peanut and tree nut allergies.

 

Crafting in the garden

Wednesday 1 and 8 April, 11.30am - 2.30pm

Drop-in to the team in the Walled Garden during your visit and get creative. Have a go at one of the Easter themed ideas to make and take home.

A girl looking very happy in a raincoat in a garden
Find your reflection on the still ponds in the Mediterranean Garden | © National Trust Images / Rebecca Hughes

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

Easter egg hunt at Beningbrough 

Make your way along the trail and find 10 activities for the whole family. The trail takes place between 28 March and 12 April 2026 from 10am – 5pm with the last chance to start the trail at 4pm, so come along and explore the beautiful gardens of Beningbrough.

A family with young children on the Easter trail at Beningbrough Hall, North Yorkshire

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.

A dog holding a stick with owner in the background

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.

A family of three, one on a mobility scooter, passing the daffodils in the gardens of Beningbrough Hall, North Yorkshire

Art at Beningbrough 

Discover more about the Reddihough Galleries on the first floor of Beningbrough Hall. Currently on show, Whispers of the Wilderness: Exploring Wilderness Gardens is a full sensory exhibition linking history and fashion, with contemporary sculptures and sketching. See past exhibitions and what's coming next.

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

Easter egg hunts 

Find out more about the Easter trails being held at many of the places in our care for 2026. Get your trail sheet, put on your bunny ears and get hunting.

Visitors enjoying Easter activities at Gibside, Tyne & Wear