Rainy day activities
Don't let the rain stop you from visiting and having fun, we've lots to keep you occupied until the sun starts to shine. Enjoy varied children's activities, or just take advantage of lots of space to run around in.
Things to see & do indoors on your visit
Be Our Guest Children's House Tour
10.45am-12pm, Wed 8 Aug 2018
Discover what life was like at a 19th-century house party and watch our special musical elephant be wound up. Tours for children aged eight to twelve. No adults allowed.
Information for grown-ups
- we have a new grass path with plastic matting and additional woodchip which takes you to and from the car park. It can be muddy in places, and because of the surface it is not suitable for pushchairs, wheelchairs or mobility scooters. The path is lit all the way
- baby-changing and feeding facilities can be found at the Manor and Stables
- bottle feeding is not permitted in the house due to the delicate nature of our textile collection. Please ask for details of our designated baby feeding facilities. Breast feeding is welcomed anywhere on site
- high-chairs are available at both the Stables Café and Manor Restaurant
- undercover seating at the Stables Café
- indoor, heated space in the Powerhouse by the Manor Shop, to eat, drink and get out of the cold
- front-carrying baby slings and hip-carrying infant seats are available at the house entrance free of charge
- our shuttle buses have space for up to five unfolded pushchairs
- prams and pushchairs are not allowed in the house as the visitor route is narrow and they may inadvertantly cause damage
- for safety reasons children may not be carried on your shoulders during your house visit
- under fives can bring small bicycles into the grounds but please keep to the pathways. These can be taken on our visitor shuttle buses
Outdoor activities
Brave the elements, bring your wellies and brollies as there’s plenty to see and do in the grounds. Kids can take part in the 50 Things nature challenge and tick off no. 6 to run around in the rain.
May-half term
Take a sensory journey through a labyrinth of light, colour and sound with Colourscape, enjoy our latest exhibition, and treat yourself in the Treaterie. 26 May-3 June.
Woodland Playground
Our playground winds through the trees, making the most of the natural environment. Little ones can play safely, on seesaws, swings and soft bark, while older children can whizz down our giant contour slide or traverse climbing frames.
Garden walks
Brave the damp with a brolly and we have great walks, short and long, to get you exploring the gardens, discovering some of our wildlife and jumping in puddles. Download and print them off from our garden walks page.
Places to eat and shop
Stables Café
Open 10am-5pm, Wed-Sun, 21 Mar – 28 Oct
The Stables Café is a short walk from the Manor, next to the Woodland Playground. With inside seating if you’re using the restaurant and an open courtyard with umbrellas if you wish to eat outside. An ideal place to refuel before your next playtime.
Manor Restaurant children's menu
Open 10am-5pm, Wed-Sun, 21 Mar – 28 Oct
Served from 12pm-2.30pm
Kid’s get their own menu with burgers, bangers, pizza and delicious desserts. A juniors menu is also available to suit kids of all ages and appetites, as well as set two or three course option.
You may also be interested in
Bringing your dog
Dogs are allowed anywhere in the grounds with the exception of the Aviary, Parterre and Woodland Playground. Help us protect our beautiful surroundings by adhering to our doggy do’s and don’ts.
Family events
We’ve lots of events this year for kids, camp in the grounds with Big Camp, hunt for Easter eggs or even design your own comic strip. There’s loads to choose from.
Aviary
Our Aviary, a registered zoo, is full of rare and endangered exotic birds. Make it a part of your visit.