Family-friendly things to do at Tyntesfield

Children playing in the gardens at Tyntesfield, North Somerset. | © National Trust Images/Rob Stothard

There's plenty for everyone to see, do and enjoy around the estate at Tyntesfield. If games, crafts and learning sound like a good day out for your family, you’ve come to the right place. Find out everything you need to plan your family day out, from joining us for events and activities for kids, to where to find the play areas.

Planning your family visit

Baby-changing facilities available.
The woodland adventure play area, home farm play area, pavilion play area and sculpture trail are open.
The home farm play area is open. There is a limit of 10 people at one time. Please don’t consume food/drink inside the play area.
If the play area is full, please wait outside until other visitors leave.

Family-friendly events

Echoes from the Aviary

Colour, collage and sound are filling the aviary this spring. A group of young people from Hartcliffe have been working with artists Oshii and Jono Gilmurray to create a sound and visual art installation for Tyntesfield’s aviary. The group explored the history of the building and the bird life that would have inhabited it. They also delved into the significance of birds to Tyntesfield’s wider history and how the mining of seabird droppings (guano) for fertilizer made William Gibbs his fortune. The final artwork not only explores these histories but encourages us to learn from them and think about how we can look after nature and our birdlife in future.

Summer of Play 2024

We've got a summer jam-packed with fun for your family at Tyntesfield. Visit between 22 July and 2 September to take part in our six-week programme of activities and games, finding new ways to play as you explore the estate.

Victorian Games: 22 July - 5 August

Travel back in time and try your hand at our Victorian games. Test your aim with skittles, team up for boccia, unleash your competitive side with croquet and see if you’ve got the skills to excel at playground games of the past.

Happy Campers: 6 - 19 August

Set up camp this summer in one of our three bell tents, each with a happy campers activity. Get cosy with some storytelling, make some noise in our music tent or role play cooking on the campfire. There’s also plenty of space for a kick around or some outdoor games!

Let's Play: 20 August - 2 September

Pick up a free Let’s Play map and activity sheet at the welcome building, then head out into the estate to discover the many ways to play at Tyntesfield.

Build your tallest tower or best balance beam course in our ‘Let’s Build’ area. Head to ‘Let’s Discover’ to become a woodland explorer or ‘Let’s move’ to try your hand at tennis.

Check here for our family-friendly events taking place this autumn at Tyntesfield.

Family playing Victorian games on the Croquet Lawn at Tyntesfield | © Katie Jefferies

Family-friendly things to do in the house at Tyntesfield

As you make your way to the library you're greeted by some huge narwhal tusks. Did you know narwhal tusks can grow as long as 10 feet?

There is also a dapple-grey Victorian rocking horse in the library which would have entertained the Gibbs children for countless happy hours.

You can discover some of the family favourites the Gibbs liked to play on the tables in the room, with card games such as rummy on display.

There's also carved animals dotted all over the route such as lion heads and dogs. How many can you spot on your visit to the house today?

Statues of Albinia and Alice stand proudly outside the dining room. As you stand there before them can you imagine what a statue of you would look like?

Buggies aren’t allowed, unless required for mobility. We do have Hippychick carriers and child holders to borrow.

There is ramped access at the front of the house but not at the rear, so visitors needing ramped access will need to exit from the front.

Family-friendly things to do in the garden and estate

Outdoor play

For those who prefer to take things at their own pace, Tyntesfield has three play areas. In the Home Farm courtyard, there’s the farm play area, with a big tractor to climb up, and slides to slide down.

For bigger kids, there’s the orchard play area by Tyntesfield’s Pavilion Café at the lower end of the estate, where they can play under the watchful eye of parents. For a real outdoors escape, the woodland play area features a den-building village and sculpture trail.