Family-friendly things to do at Nunnington Hall

Boy playing piano in Nunnington Hall Oak Hall at Christmas — Let your aspiring musician try their hand on the piano | © Rebecca Hughes

Discover the latest art exhibition, try craft, play games indoors and out and don't miss the Lion's Den play area. Visit during school holidays for extra activities and trails.

Planning your family visit

Here's all the information you need at a glance, to help plan your next day out to Nunnington Hall:

Baby-changing facilities are available on the first floor of the hall.
Pushchairs are unable to enter the hall, please leave them outside in the storage sheds or return them to your car.
Picnics are welcome in the garden - find a bench or in summer ask to borrow a rug.
Dogs on short leads are welcome in the garden. Please pick up after your four-legged friend.
Peacocks roam freely around the garden.

February half term Jungle Book trail

Saturday 14 - Sunday 22 February, 10.30am - 4pm

Colonel Fife lived at Nunnington in the 1920s when it was inherited by his wife, Margaret. He was an officer in the British Army and went on expeditions across India and South Africa. While in the army, he often played golf with Rudyard Kipling.

Taking inspiration from the classic book the Jungle Book, step into the hall for this indoor trail. Can you tip-toe like Shere Khan the tiger or do you have the memory of an elephant like Hathi? Be like Mowgli and master the laws of the jungle.

Easter trail

28 March - 12 April, open daily, 10.30am - 5pm with last entry 4pm

There are 10 fun trail points to discover as you make your way around the garden. Can you splat the egg, try your hand at archery or guess the noisy neighbours.

Prices are £3.50 per trail which includes an Easter trail sheet, bunny ears and a dairy or vegan and Free From* chocolate egg. *Suitable for people with milk, egg, gluten, peanut and tree nut allergies.

Children enjoying drawing activities at Nunnington Hall — Children can get creative in the exhibition space at Nunnington | © James Beck

Things to do when it rains

For the inevitable rainy days, there is plenty to see and do indoors at Nunnington Hall. Next to the exhibition space on the top floor there are colouring in activities for children, board games and a childrens second-hand bookshop.

Elsewhere in the hall, musicians can play us all a tune on the piano, explore the Carlisle Collection of miniature rooms and, of course, head to the tea-room in the old dining room for a well earned treat.

The Lion's Den play area

Enter the Lion's Den play area where little explorers can climb up, over, and wobble along a natural obstacle course. There are tree stump steps to jump across, a rope bridge to climb across as well as a wooden climbing frame to conquer. There's also a picnic bench for mums, dads, or grandparents to sit and have a rest whilst your little ones burn off some energy.

Bird watching and observation area

Come and see how we garden organically at Nunnington. We've got our compost beds up here so you can see how we break down our waste to reuse around the garden. Help us by feeding your food waste to the RolyPig. Wander along the path to our bird watching area - see if you can spot some of our resident feathered friends. Use the chalk board to write down and tell us what you've seen.

A man lifts his child up to look through a viewing gap in the reed fence of a bird hide — See what feathered friends you can spot on your visit | © National Trust Images/Annapurna Mellor

50 things to do before you’re 11¾ at Nunnington Hall

Let the adventure continue and tick off some items from the ‘50 things’ activity list. Here's a few suggestions to get you started:

No. 1 Get to know a tree: Head to the orchards and admire our blossoming trees. Which will be your favourite?
No. 33 Go cloud watching: Lie back on the lawn and watch the clouds go by. What shapes can you spot?
No. 36 Make a home for wildlife: Be inspired by the bug hotel and hedgehog house in the garden - could you help animals in your garden or local area?
No. 44 Watch a bird: Head to the cutting garden and take a peep through the bamboo bird hide to see what you might find. Birds can be easily scared, so be as quiet as a mouse and watch them fly in to feed. You might also spot a frog or newt swimming in the pond.

Discover more at Nunnington Hall

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

Plan your visit

Easter egg trail at Nunnington

Make your way along the trail and find nature-inspired activities for the whole family. The trail takes place between Saturday 28 March - Sunday 12 April 2026, from 10.30am to 5pm, with last entry at 4pm, so come along and explore the beautiful gardens of Nunnington Hall. Prices are £3.50 per trail which includes an Easter trail sheet, bunny ears and a dairy or vegan and Free From* chocolate egg. *Suitable for people with milk, egg, gluten, peanut and tree nut allergies.