Family-friendly things to do at Tyntesfield

Two children in jumpers sitting in a tree den at Tyntesfield — Children playing in trees at Tyntesfield | © 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.

Inspired by 'Echoes from the Aviary', you can also join us during May half term (25 May - 2 June) to create your own colourful collaged birds in our free family drop in.

Sunshine on the Fallen Tree

Pif Paf’s Sunshine on the Fallen Tree is an immersive sound and light sculpture, made from Ash trees felled due to Ash Dieback, traditionally steam bent and set with re-usable innovative technology.

Walk through its branches and be seated in the canopy, bath in its flickering light as a sound composition takes you through movements of a requiem and sonic memories of the tree, inviting you to reflect on the decline of the Ash Tree and the energy and optimism we need to fill the spaces as we lose so many species to climate change.

The sound composition was created by Eleanor Hooper and Kate Griffin, and together makes a very moving 12-minute experience for visitors of all ages.

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

Sunshine on a Fallen Tree, a child walks through the installation, admiring long threads of bright blue light. — Sunshine on a Fallen Tree | © Pif Paf

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.