Family fun at Wimpole

Wimpole Estate is full of adventures waiting to happen. Whether your children are fascinated by impressive architecture, want to get up close to animals on a working farm or just need to burn off steam in the great outdoors, families can have a lot of fun together at Wimpole, whatever the weather.

Colour Spring parterre filled with yellow and red tulips

Visiting Wimpole Estate: What you need to know 

The house, gardens, farm and parkland at Wimpole Estate are open. Here you’ll find everything you need to know about what to expect from your visit.

You may not be able to explore everywhere with your family on your first visit to Wimpole, but here are some family favourites by area to help you decide where to head to first. And if you don’t get to them all, you can always come back!

Home Farm 

Home Farm is one of the UK’s largest rare breed centres and a working farm with horses, sheep, pigs, goats and more. Meet the gentle giants - our Shire Horses, in their brand new stable block or take a look around the barns on a rainy day.

A white cow and calf in the traditional cattle shed at Home Farm

Down at Home Farm 

A visit to Home Farm is a favourite with all the family. Home Farm has now reopened and entry is included in your pre-booked ticket. Discover our rare breed animals and make friends with familiar farmyard favourites.

Discover our family-friendly trails

Our seasonal children's trails are a great way of keeping the family entertained on their visit to the estate. Keep an eye out here for the latest adventures. 

A colourful display of squash, pumpkin and gourd in the glasshouse at Wimpole

Hunt for Wimpole's Tasty Treasure  

Celebrate the harvest season with us and embark on our autumn recipe trail. Your autumn recipe card is missing some ingredients, can you head out into the gardens to find the missing items and complete the recipe? Follow the clues to find the ingredients whilst learning all about sustainable food and farming on the Estate. Click here for more information.

Visitors enjoying an autumnal walk beneath the autumn trees on the estate at Hardwick, Derbyshire

Autumn activities for all the family 

Vibrant colours, bold trees and rich harvests... explore the best experiences of the season with our range of autumnal activity packs. Whether you're after family fun or some quiet time, there's something to enjoy for all ages and tastes.

The Folly and Parkland

Set on top of a hill in the 300 acres of ancient parkland is the gothic Folly, a ruined tower straight out of a fairy story. Cross the Chinese bridge and climb to the top of the hill to enjoy the views over the roof of the Hall below. Most of the trails through the Parkland are accessible to prams and buggies, but please note the paths across the grazed parkland up to the Folly may not be suitable for some buggies.

Whilst you're exploring the Parkland, why not try some of the ‘50 things to do before you’re 11¾’? 

Family fun at Wimpole
Summer holidays at Wimpole
Family fun at Wimpole

Multi User Trail

Explore the wider estate on with our new multi-use trail. Designed for runner, walkers, cyclists and adapted wheelchair users, this safe off-road trail is ideal to explore the outdoors and get into nature as a family. 

A family cycling through a wood on an Autumn day

Wimpole's Multi User Trail 

Discover our brand new multi use trail, supported by Sport England. The trail takes a circular, 5.5 mile (8.5k) route around the wider estate, suitable for walkers, runners, cyclists and adapted wheelchairs users, whatever the weather.

Wimpole Hall and Gardens

Children love to explore the servants quarters in the basement or discover some of the more unusual features of Wimpole Hall such as the huge sunken bath inspired by Roman bathhouses in Pompeii. 

Explore in the gardens - see if your children can find the secret laurel tunnel in the Pleasure Grounds or seek out the Walled Garden to enjoy the bright colours and learn about fruit trees.

Stop for a treat

Our cafes serve hot and cold food, delicious bakes and treats, hot drinks and ice creams and the Farm Cafe is particularly popular with families. There are picnic and toilet facilities very close by. Please check our opening times for current information. 

At the stable block there is a book shop, and a toy shop if you would like a different sort of treat or memento from your visit. 

Please note, the playground at Home Farm currently remains closed.