Discover more at Beningbrough
Find out when Beningbrough is open, how to get here, things to see and do and more.
Family-friendly things to do at Beningbrough
Beningbrough is the perfect place for a family adventure. Explore the wilderness play area to build a den and climb some trees or meander through the garden on a steady stroll. 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.
Summer free family trail
Good day, bad day
Until 31 August
Step into the shoes of a servant at Beningbrough in this game of life. Spin the wheel to discover whether it’s a good day or a challenging one as you take on the role of the groom, a kitchen maid, or other hardworking staff. Experience the highs and lows of life behind the scenes in this fun, interactive family adventure in the garden, hall and laundry.
Three ways to complete the trail depending on ages or how challenging you want to make it...
- For the youngest visitors, find the cat and mouse
- Hunt for the missing tools and match with the servant who has lost it
- Turn the spinner to determine if your servant's day has been good or bad.
- We've even got extra score cards for the spinner if the adults want to have their turn.
Please remember to return your pencil after use... it's amazing how many we can go through and we'd hate for them to end up in your washing machine.
Summer of Play activity days
Wednesdays from 23 July - 27 August, 11am - 3pm
23 July - help the staff in the hall to polish the brasses and make an activity spinner to play your way around the garden.
30 July - make a peg doll crafting in the garden.
6 August - make a finger puppet crafting in the garden and help to clean the hall carpets like the Victorians... there will be dust!
13 August - make an activity spinner to play your way around the garden and meet the team from the Tansy Beetle Action Group to search for bugs and play nature games.
20 August - meet the team from the Tansy Beetle Action Group to search for bugs and play nature games and make a peg doll crafting in the garden.
27 August - make a finger puppet crafting in the garden.
Summer of Play is sponsored by Starling Bank
Outdoor storytelling
Monday 11 & 25 August, 11am - 3pm
Head to the outdoor storytelling den, hidden among the twisting branches of the giant Laurel tree, great shaed if it's hot, or shelter if it's showery. Meet Stories Alive who will be sharing a captivating folk tale or two.
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
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?
You might also be interested in
Article
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.
Article
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.
Article
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.
Article
Things to see in Beningbrough Hall
Explore what to expect visiting the historic rooms on the ground floor, from feats of engineering, striking architecture and symbolic pieces of the collection marking moments in time. Find out about the next exhibition in the first floor Reddihough Galleries.
Family-friendly places in Yorkshire
Plan an adventure in Yorkshire this summer. 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.
Summer of Play
Ready for a fun-filled summer? Take part in Summer of Play, sponsored by Starling Bank, and create memories with the whole family. However you choose to play, your adventure starts today.
‘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’.