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, the Waddesdon mascot, eating an ice cream
Waddesdon Manor   Buckinghamshire

Summer holidays with Mimi

10am-4pm from Wed 24 July - Fri 30 August 2019, Wed-Sun: join Mimi for a summer of sport. Try your hand at a range of different sports, some enjoyed by the Rothschild family, over five weeks. Come back and try each one to see if you can master croquet or golf. If you're a member of Mimi's club, don't forget to bring your special lanyard along with you to claim your badge.

Join us for five weeks of fun
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

Enjoy the Midsummer mowed maze in the gardens at Waddesdon Manor, Buckinghamshire

Midsummer Mowed Maze 

10am-5pm, Wed-Sun, 21 June - 1 September 2019: navigate your way around a maze that has been mowed into the grass. Keep an eye out for the maze below the Parterre. Mowed into the grass, the puzzle has been created by our gardens team inspired by a design from the collections. Can you find your way into the middle and back again? Free with your grounds admission

Enjoy object handling as part of your house & grounds ticket at Waddesdon Manor, a National Trust property in Bucks

Object Handling 

Touch and handle different items from the collection in this free object handling session. Every day at 1.30pm in the Ante Room. No need to book, part of your House & Grounds ticket.

See Wind in the Willows performed in the gardens at Waddesdon Manor, Buckinghamshire

Wind in the Willows with Quantum Theatre 

7pm in the grounds, Fri 23 Aug 2019: Join Mole, Ratty and Badger on their mad-cap adventures in Quantum Theatre's brand new adaptation of this family favourite - a treat for all ages! Bring a chair and a picnic and settle down for an evening watching this adaptation of a beloved children's book.

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 31 & Sun 1 September 2019 

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