Family-friendly things to do at Nunnington Hall

Three children running along the avenue away from the house in spring — There is always plenty to do with all the family at Nunnington Hall | © 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.

May half term play trail

Saturday 23 - Sunday 31 May, 10.30am - 5pm

Enjoy a playful trail around the garden packed with hands‑on activities inspired by real bugs. Try the waggle dance, have ba go at the greenfly feast beanbag challenge, or test your steady hands in a balance of bees - a giant Jenga‑style game. Race over froghopper hurdles or take on the time trials to see which insect matches your speed. For something a little calmer, do some bug spotting, mix and match wings with build‑a‑butterfly, stretch out at caterpillar yoga, and get creative making your own bug bookmarks.

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.

Family playing croquet on front lawn at Nunnington Hall in spring — Try your hand at the activities in the school holidays | © 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.