A family-friendly day out at Lyme

Family playing in the woodland area near the lake at Lyme Park, Cheshire | © National Trust Images/Annapurna Mellor

Looking for things to do with the kids? Whether you're looking for rainy day indoor activities or an adventure outdoors, there’s something to occupy all ages here at Lyme. A short drive from Manchester and on the edge Stockport, Lyme is a full day out for families living in or visiting the North West and the Peak District.

Planning your family visit

If you're planning a day out at Lyme with the family, here is some useful information

Getting around Lyme:
- It's a long walk across Lyme, so check if the free shuttle bus is running to drive you between the admissions hut, house and main car park area.
- The garden is buggy friendly, with step free access from the North Front of the house. The Timber Yard, Crow Wood Play Area, and Mill Pond are a popular area for families.
- Walk past the house, along East Drive to see views of The Cage and go deer spotting as you pass the deer sanctuary.
Buggy-storage:
- Buggy parking and free lockers to store heavy or bulky items can be found at the house. Storing prams are a £1 refundable deposit.
- Front-carrying baby slings and hip-carrying infant seats are also available to borrow from the Ticket Office at the house.
Pick n mix children's lunch

There’s a 'pick and mix' style picnic box available for children in each cafe. Choose a sandwich, drink and a selection of three snacks for £5.25. There are highchairs available to use indoors – ask a member of staff to bring one to your table.

High chairs

High chairs are available to borrow at each of the cafés - please ask a member of staff to bring one to your table.

Summer of Play

24th July-3rd September

Play your way, every day from 24 July - 3 September and with 1400 acres to explore there's plenty of space to do it in. Visit Lyme for a Summer of Play, with six weeks chock-full of games and activities. From Make Believe to Adventure, each fortnight will be celebrating different ways to play with brand new activities and experiences so to come back again and again.

Weeks 1 and 2 - Make Believe

Welcome to a World of Whimsy at Lyme. Run through the ribbons, dress up and make magical memories.

Weeks 3 and 4 - Adventure

Calling all adventurers! Test your skills as you get ready to explore Lyme's estate.

Weeks 5 and 6 - Traditional Games

Welcome to the game zone! Children have lived and played at Lyme for hundreds of years. Enjoy recreations of some traditional games that have been played here over the decades.

Dates for your diary

Saturdays in June and July - Tunes at the Timberyard join us for a series of live acoustic performances featuring local artists and bands in the historic Timber Yard between 1pm and 3pm.

6 & 7 July - Tick off one of your '50 Things to do Before you're 11 3/4' in Lyme's annual mass kite flying event. Kites will also be available to buy.

7 August - Bogtastic Van full of interesting and exciting games, videos and interactive experiences to educate and inspire everyone about the mysterious world of blanket bogs.

See all events at Lyme

Family visitors walking in woodland — Get closer to nature on a family walk at Lyme | © ©National Trust Images/Annapurna Mellor

Popular family walks

Ditch the technology, breathe in the fresh air and get closer to nature on a walk. Here are some favourite walks chosen by families which are suitable for buggys or little legs. Looking for longer or more challenging walks? Look at our top trails or just pick up a map and lose yourself in the estate.

Child enjoying the Crow Wood play area at Lyme Park, Cheshire — Visitors at Crow Wood play area, Lyme Park, Cheshire | © National Trust Images/Annapurna Mellor

Discover Crow Wood Play Area

Let off some steam and unleash your wild ones in newly refurbished Crow Wood play area. The perfect place for younger adventurers to run, skip and slide. Get closer to nature on a walk through Crow Wood and see what you can spot on a buggy-friendly walk around the mill pond. With toilets and a café close by, you're only a hop skip and a jump from all you the facilities you need.

Rainy Day Activities

Even the best laid plans can be ruined by a sudden downpour. Never fear, we’ve got a few ideas up our sleeves with our top indoor adventures for rainy days at Lyme. From dressing up at little Leghs to playing billards in the Long Gallery, there's plenty of interactive fun indoors. Here's some ideas for your visit:

1) Dress up!

Visit the Dressing Room between 11am and 2pm to step into the shoes, bonnets and tophats of Regency England and what life was like for the people that lived at Lyme. Suitable for the whole family with children's sizes, mens sizes from XS to XXL and from women's size 6 to size 24.

2) Pick up a free Animal spotter trail in the Entrance Hall

From Ram's heads to red dragons, there are dozens of animals to spot in Lyme's house in this new family trail for 2024. See how many you can find hidden on objects, walls and ceilings throughout the house. Pick up a free trail from the entrance hall to find out about Lyme's history and see how many you can spot!

3) Play billiards in the Long Gallery

Looking for a fun and relaxing activity for the whole family? Why not try your hand at billiards in the Long Gallery at Lyme? Billiards is a classic game of skill and strategy that can be enjoyed by players of all ages and abilities.

4) Play with toys of a bygone era in the Nursery Bedroom

Look and touch in the Nursery Bedroom and play with Victorian-style toys. Who will win at dominos or get the most balls in the cup?

50 Things to do before you're 11¾

Want your kids to run free in the fresh air and trying exciting new things? What better way to spend your day than trying new family-friendly activities from the list of '50 things to do before you’re 11¾'?

Here's just a few ideas to get you started:

No. 1 Get to know a tree: With so many to choose from, which will you get up close and personal to? Look out for leaf shapes, textures on the bark and tiny creatures that might live on the tree.
No. 12 Have fun with sticks: Let your imagination run wild. Build a den, make a trail or create your own game...they make perfect wands.
No. 44 Watch a bird: To be a successful bird watcher, you'll need to be as quiet as a mouse while you keep a look out for our feathered friends. What will you spot?

Explore all 50