Summer adventures for families at Waddesdon Manor

Children running through the gardens at a National Trust site

Wednesday to Sunday this July and August bring the whole family to enjoy your summer school holiday. With lots of family friendly events to choose from, our magical woodland playground and plenty of open green spaces to run about in, you'll be guaranteed a great time. Don't forget we are closed on Mon & Tues.

Mimi the Mynah reading a map at Waddesdon Manor
Waddesdon Manor   Buckinghamshire

The Five Arrows trail

1 - 31 August, 10am-4pm: explore the history of the Rothschild brothers and their banking history with Mimi on our fun, interactive trail.

Learn more about what's going on this summer
Small child splashing in puddles, Waddesdon Manor, Bucks

50 things to do before you're 11¾ at Waddesdon 

Have outdoor adventures and at the same time tick off some of you're 50 things to do before you're 11¾ in the grounds at Waddesdon. Run around in the rain, build a den or track wild animals along Miss Alice's Drive.

Explore inside and out

Photograph nature at Waddesdon, a National Trust property in Buckinghamshire

Photography School at Waddesdon 

We've teamed up with Sharp Shots Photo Club Children to run this photography school for children aged 9 to 15 years old. Club. Over this three day course learn how a camera works, what exposure means and hot to compose amazing photographs. Your photos will be displayed in a photographic exhibition at the end of the course.

The elephant automaton at Waddesdon Manor, Bucks

Be our guest children's house tour 

Be a guest of Baron Ferdinand and discover what life was like at a 19th-century house party, on this special tour of the house. Suitable for children aged 8 to 12. Wed 16 August, £5 per child, normal admission charges also apply. Booking essential, call 01296 653226.

Child drumming at Waddesdon Manor, a National Trust property in Buckinghamshire

Kid's drumming workshops at Waddesdon 

Let your children make some noise this summer with our fun-filled workshop that explores African and Latin music cultures. Fri 10 & 24 August, 10-4.

A group of friends enjoying a picnic

Can I bring a picnic?

We have some great areas in the grounds to enjoy a picnic. Head past the Aviary on the way to the Rose garden and lay your blanket under the shade of the trees. Or you can use one of the picnic tables near the bottom of our woodland playground.

Children enjoying Waddesdon Manor's Woodland Playground

Into the woodland 

Play all day long in our magical woodland playground. Tiny tots can enjoy gentler play at the bottom of the hill, with plenty of soft bark to land on, while young teens can go fast on a zip wire or whizz down our giant contour slide. Sitting right next to the Stables café it's a great place for families to enjoy. Open Wed to Sun, 10am-5pm. Check our full opening times for school holiday opening details.

A plate of delicious fairy cakes from one of the restaurants at Waddesdon Manor, Bucks

The Stables Café for families 

Perfect for little ones and mums and dads, just next to our woodland playground. Serving hot drinks, snacks, lunches and afternoon tea, so you can refuel ready to carry on playing. Open Sat-Sun 10am-4pm.

The ultimate chilli experience at Waddesdon Chilli Festival

Chilli Fest Sat 1 & Sun 2 September  

Turn up the heat at our annual Chill Festival taking place in the gardens and beautiful Aviary Glade. Whether you're a chilli fanatic or chilli novice, you'll find handpick exhibitors, all passionate about chilli. Enjoy live music, family fun and children's craft activities, as well as being able to explore the grounds and visit the house (pre-booking recommended). 10am-5pm.

Discover all things chilli
Useful info for grown-ups
  • Baby-changing and feeding facilities at both the Manor and Stables
  • Front-carrying slings and hip-carrying infant seats are available for loan when visiting the house
  • Children's menus are available in both our restaurants
  • Plenty of open spaces for running about
  • Under 5's can bring their scooters and small bikes into the grounds. We suggest the pathways near the aviary and rose garden are the best places to use