Family-friendly things to do at Nostell
Nostell is the perfect place for a family adventure. Spend some time zipping though the trees in the woodland play area, visit the wildlife on the lake, cycle through the woodland or build a den. 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 800 metres from the main entrance
- There are baby-changing facilities and toilets in the courtyard
- There are accessible paths and you'll find mostly even terrain in the gardens but, some of the parkland paths can be uneven and muddy in wet weather so pushchairs might struggle
- Bikes and scooters are welcome in the parkland but we ask that you leave all bikes, trikes, balls and scooters at the garden entrance
- If you have a dog, you might find this information useful.
Summer of Play
This summer, Nostell is the place to be for fun and games as part of our Summer of Play, sponsored by Starling Bank.
Fun with the Featherstone Rovers Foundation ( 20 July - 1 September, 1pm - 4pm)
Every Monday and Thursday, join the Featherstone Rovers Foundation for free play sessions that will entertain the whole family. From athletics and cheerleading to tug of war and wigwam building, there’s something for everyone. Keep an eye out for special appearances by some of the Featherstone Rovers players and their mascot, Percy the Pit Pony. We recommend booking your free place in advance to secure your spot.
These exciting events take place on the Vista (in front of the house), so there’s no admission fee—just a parking fee if you’re driving.
If you are visiting any other day of the week, there will be self-led sports activities instead, with trolleys full of equipment for everyone to use. Bring a picnic, settle down and play all day.
Playful Moments in the Gardens
Step into our vibrant gardens this summer for more fun and exploration. Wander into the woodland adventure playground and look out for pause and play stations where you can challenge your family to games like giant snakes and ladders, boules, and quoits.
Crafts, Games, and More in the House
The fun doesn’t stop outside. Inside the house, have a go at traditional games in the saloon, or play with the life size, magnetic dolls house in the workshop. Join in with paper crafting activities every Thursday.
Make this summer one to remember with a variety of activities for the whole family at Nostell from 20 July to 1 September.
Cycle Wednesdays
Wednesdays from 24 July - 28 August
Bring your bike and join the Wakefield District Cycle Forum event on the vista every Wednesday in the school holidays. These free events for children are run by volunteers and include cycle skills courses, bicycle safety and health checks, basic maintenance classes as well as information and advice stalls. No need to book, just bring your bike and safety gear and get pedalling.
Playground adventures and nature exploring
- Jump, swing and slide in the woodland adventure play area. Feel the wind in your hair as you zoom between the trees on the zip wire - it's a whopping 30 metres long
- Go nature exploring and spot the resident wildlife, including swans, herons and geese
- Take an easy stoll down to the middle lake, following accessible route markers for mobility scooters, wheelchairs and pushchairs.
Explore the parkland on two wheels
Bring your bikes and enjoy a traffic-free adventure on one of our family-friendly woodland cycle trails. Head out into the parkland along the Carriageway path and up to Obelisk Lodge. You can turn left for the green trail, which is great for little legs, or right to whizz around a few more twists and turns on the blue trail. Both sections are for bikes only and are approximately 1km long. Find out more.
Discover the woodland adventure play area
Unleash your wild ones in the woodland adventure play area. Smaller children can climb and hide out in the wendy house on stilts and make their escape down the slide, get dizzy in the wonky spinners, balance on the wobble boards and swing the day away in the bucket swing. Older adventurers can test their adventurous spirit to climb the tower and abseil back down, charge around the rope bridges and wobble paths, bounce to new heights on the cantilever swing and zip through the trees on the 30-metre zip wire.
Planning for a rainy day?
Avoid a passing shower with a swift retreat into the second-hand book shop or cosy up with a hot drink or sweet treat in the cafe.
The playground is under the woodland canopy which offers some shelter but, of couse, you can just bring your wellies and enjoy a good old splash in the puddles and stomp in the mud.
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Things to see in the gardens at Nostell
Discover edible delights in the kitchen garden, unwind beside the orangery or escape to the menagerie garden before exploring the winding paths of the pleasure grounds.
Visiting Nostell with your dog
Nostell is a two pawprint rated place. Find out how to make the most of your visit to Nostell with your dog and why you and your canine friend will enjoy taking in the Yorkshire air here.
Eating and shopping at Nostell
Visit the Courtyard Café with its range of seasonal treats, then head to the National Trust shop, where there’s a range of products inspired by the places we care for.