Family fun at Nostell
Discover a world of adventure and imagination at Nostell — from exploring beautiful gardens and wild woodlands to uncovering secrets in the historic house, there's something to spark every child's curiosity.
Planning your family visit
- The main car park is 800 metres from the entrance, with accessible blue badge parking spaces conveniently located nearby. The walk to the entrance takes around 10 minutes, but little ones will love scooting along the path.
- On busier days, we offer a buggy service to make your journey to and from the car park easier if little legs are tired.
- You’ll find baby-changing facilities the toilets in the Stables courtyard.
- Most of the gardens feature accessible paths with mostly even terrain, but please note that some parkland paths can be uneven and muddy in wet weather, which might make them challenging for pushchairs.
- Feel free to bring bikes and scooters to explore the parkland. However, we ask that you leave all bikes, trikes, balls, and scooters at the garden entrance.
- Whether you're after a full meal or a light snack, the café offers a selection of family-friendly options, from hot meals to quick bites and lunch boxes or pack a picnic and find the perfect spot in the gardens or parkland.
- The Grab and Go takeaway is open at weekends selling drinks, icecreams and snacks
- If you're bringing your dog along, you might find this information useful.
What's on
May half-term Feathered Friends Trail at Nostell
Saturday 24 May - Sun 1 June 11am – 5pm (last entry is 4pm to the gardens and 3:15pm to the house)
Bring your binoculars and set out on a birdwatching adventure! Follow the bird trail through the gardens, pausing to identify the unique calls of woodland birds at the trail points along the way. It’s a great opportunity to learn about birds while enjoying the woodland playground at the same time.
Keep your eyes peeled for vibrant bluetits, cheerful blackbirds, and striking bullfinches among the trees and listen out for the distinctive calls of the green woodpecker as it echoes through the woodland. Down by the lower lake, keep an eye out for elegant swans, sleek goosanders, and, if you're lucky, the majestic grey heron.
Before you leave, don’t forget to visit the craft room in the Orangery. Get creative and make your very own bird to take home—a perfect keepsake to remember your day surrounded by the nature.
Half-term in the house
Rowland and Sabine’s mischievous pet myna birds have escaped — and they’ve left a trail of clues behind! Pick up your trail sheet and set off on a fun-filled adventure through the house to track down where the birds have flown.
Step into the Library
Uncover the fascinating story of John and Elizabeth Gould, a dynamic duo who travelled the globe sketching birds of every shape and size. Peek inside one of their beautifully illustrated books and see the incredible creatures they discovered.
Be Inspired in the State Apartments
Marvel at the stunning bird-covered wallpaper, then let your creativity take flight. Head to the Housekeeper’s Room and create your very own bird-inspired masterpiece. What feathered friends will you draw?
Family fun in the gardens
Our gardens aren’t just a beautiful backdrop — they’re bursting with opportunities for families to explore, play, and make lasting memories. Whether you’re hunting for bugs, enjoying a picnic, or soaking up the scenery, there’s something for everyone.
Accessible and gentle paths: Perfect for prams and little legs, with sensory-friendly spots with colourful flowers, butterflies and buzzing bees. A relaxing, easy stroll leads you to the middle lake, with accessible route markers for mobility scooters, wheelchairs, and pushchairs.
Time to chill: Take a moment to relax on one of the benches while your kids run off some energy, or snap some family photos in the stunning floral settings.
Kitchen garden:The Kitchen Garden is a fantastic place for kids to see how fruits, vegetables, and herbs grow. Little ones can explore rows of colourful crops, from juicy strawberries to giant cabbages.
Orchard: The Orchard offers a peaceful, nature-filled space where kids can wander through the meadow beneath the apple trees.
Down by the lake: Spot the resident wildlife including swans, herons, and geese – the babies arrive in the spring and they’re adorable to watch.
The Menagerie Garden is a bit of a longer walk around the far side of the lake, but it’s well worth the journey. It’s the perfect place for kids to feel like they’ve stepped into a fairytale. Explore the enchanting garden, keep an eye out for the quirky lion statues. It’s also the perfect quiet spot to pause for a picnic.
Sensory backpacks Make your visit more comfortable with one of our sensory backpacks which include handy items like fidget toys, sunglasses, and ear defenders. Pick one up from the ticket office to borrow for your visit.
Play area
For younger adventurers: Let little ones explore the woodland adventure play area in the gardens. They can climb, hide out in the wendy house, slide down, swing in the bucket swing, or play on the wobble boards.
For the older ones: Test their bravery with a tower climb and abseil, traverse rope bridges, conquer wobble paths, or zip through the trees on the thrilling 30-meter zip wire.
Design your own adventure
There's plenty of room to roam and burn off some energy
Down at the bottom of the Kitchen Garden, amongst the shoots and the leaves.
Step into Nostell’s Kitchen Garden and discover a world of wonder. With giant rhubarb leaves and a towering ornamental banana palm reaching for the sky, it’s the perfect spot for families to explore and learn together. See cabbages, onions, berries, apples, pears, and more growing in the vibrant garden beds, and find out how fresh produce is nurtured from seed to harvest.
Adventures in the house
Step into a world of stories and secrets. Our historic house isn’t just for grown-ups — it’s a place where imaginations run wild, and families can explore together. Discover hidden treasures, unravel fascinating tales, and make memories as a family. Its also a great option for a rainy afternoon.
Ready to explore?
- Follow our new family trail to discover more about Nostell’s stories and secrets. Join Simon the Dolls’ House Footman as he shows you around the house, introducing you to the people who called Nostell home and sharing some surprising stories! Look out for the pick-up trail boards as you explore.
- Step into a world of dreams where every bed is fit for royalty. Imagine drifting off to sleep surrounded by grand canopies, luxurious linens, and stories of old whispered through the walls. Whether your little one dreams of being a princess, a daring knight, or a bold adventurer, our historic bedrooms are the perfect place to let their imaginations soar.
- Come and look at Nostell’s amazing Dolls’ House. Full of tiny furniture and beautifully dressed dolls, it is also home to a tiny glass mouse. He likes to move around so see where you can spot him.
- Lay back on the benches in the Top Hall and look up to discover the intricate ceiling patterns.
- Stop off in the Housekeeper’s Room to try hands-on activities. There are puzzles to complete, or you can try your hand at designing your own Georgian-inspired room with our magnetic Dolls’ House.
- Watch out for craft activities in the house around school holiday time.
Explore the parkland
Our beautiful parkland is always free to explore, offering plenty of space to unwind, picnic, and connect with nature.
Wild play in Joiner’s Wood: Head into Joiner's Wood in the parkland and discover the new wild play area in the clearing in the heart of the woodland. This area has been created by Nostell rangers using natural materials. Test out your balance on the log walks, leap from stump to stump, weave though the maze and climb on the back of the wooden horses. Take your picnic down and spend time relaxing under the trees whilst young adventurers get creative with den building.
Lakes: Head down to the lower lake to watch the ducks and swans gliding across the water. If you’d like to feed them, please stick to duck food, oats, or peas — bread isn’t good for them.
Orienteering: If your family is up for an adventure, older kids will love trying their hand at orienteering! Grab a map from the Ticket Office and set off to find the hidden markers around the parkland.
Cycle trails: 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.
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.
You might also be interested in
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.