Family-friendly things to do at Tatton Park

A child walking through the snow, being held by his hands, at Lyme, Cheshire — Winter days out at Tatton Park | © National Trust Images/Annapurna Mellor

There's lots of family friendly adventures this Christmas at Tatton Park, journey to Oz through the festive Mansion, follow the glittering Yuletide trail in the Gardens or join Billie the Beetle and friends on a fun and educational nature trail through Dairy Wood Way.

Planning your family visit

Toilet facilities and baby changing you’ll find in the Stableyard (please note there are no toilets in the gardens).
There are garden mobility scooters available to hire from the garden entrance on the day of your visit (not available to pre-book and for use in the gardens only).
The adventure play area is located a short walk from the main car park, where there are some picnic benches. There is also a woodland adventure area at the Farm.
The Stables Restaurant is baby friendly, with highchairs and children’s lunchboxes on offer.
Please note that Tatton Park is a National Trust estate, managed and financed by Cheshire East Council. Parkland charges apply for everyone, including National Trust members. More details at tattonpark.org.uk.

Christmas family days out

Journey to Oz through the festive Mansion, follow the glittering Yuletide trail in the Gardens or join Billie the Beetle and friends on a fun and educational nature trail through Dairy Wood Way. Visit the farm at the weekends during the winter for family activities in the mill, play barn and woodland play area, learn lots of farm facts and meet the rare breed animals.

For more information visit the Tatton Park website.

Scarecrows in front of Tatton Park Mansion Cheshire | © Tatton Park

February half term

For a Fee-fi-fo-fun day this February half term, visit the 50 acres of winter gardens for the annual Tatton Scarecrow Festival from 15 February - 2 March (closed on Mondays). For 2025 the theme is Fairytales, so keep your eyes peeled for Rapunzel, Goldilocks and the three bears, and Jack with his beanstalk. The fun continues at the farm where you can also see Aunt Mary and the miller and listen to their tales.

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Interpretation board, part of the Billie the Beetle trail in Dairy Wood Way, Tatton Park, Cheshire | © Tatton Park

Billie the Beetle Trail - New!

Join Billie the Beetle and friends on a fun and educational nature trail through Dairy Wood Way. Little explorers will love this peaceful guided walk through the woodland, learning about the habitats and important wildlife that live there in the trees and leaf litter. This trail follows a gentle, circular route, taking approximately 20 minutes to complete.

Winter activities for the whole family

There’s plenty of ways to spend time together with the family at Tatton Park.

Allen Birdhide

Enjoy a spot of birdwatching on Melchett Mere, a haven for wildlife. The wildfowl numbers on the meres will now be at its peak as visitors join us from the north to winter with us during our relatively mild winter. More unusual species can often be seen such as wigeon and shoveler. Tatton is one of the best local places to see goldeneye. They may also be joined by a rarer diver or smew. The Hide is situated on the edge of Melchett Mere alongside Knutsford Drive, immediately after the turning to the Old Hall. The Hide can accommodate 10 people and can be used during park opening times (closed 30 minutes before the park closes.) Please note, binoculars are not provided.

Visitor in the Parkland, Tatton Park, Cheshire | © Tatton Park

Grab a takeaway coffee and head off on a trail

Grab a takeaway coffee from the Stable Restaurant and head out for a winter walk to blow the cobwebs away. You could try the Beech Avenue Conservation Trail – a 2 kilometre long trail which takes approximately ¾ hour to fully appreciate. The avenue was originally planted in 1739 and many of the trees have now reached the ancient phase of their lives, the most valuable for wildlife. The holes, decay, fissures, and dead wood host numerous invertebrates (including nationally scarce species) and provide legally protected roosting and nesting sites for birds and bats. Along the way walkers will be able to learn about the history, wildlife and landscape features of the avenue and its immediate surroundings. 

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Family time together

There’s plenty of ways to spend time together with the family. Here’s some activities to enjoy with your little explorers:

Play in nature

If you're a wildlife lover – why not pack your binoculars and head to the Allen Bird Hide to see what wildlife you can spot across Tatton’s Mere? Perfect for little ones, take a short, circular woodland walk in Dairy Wood Way or head to the Adventure Play area – right next to the car park.

Visit the farm

Say hello to your favourite farmyard friends and look out for piglets and new arrivals! Little ones can head indoors to the play barn for a tractor ride and meet Aunty Mary and the Miller who have tales to tell (weekends only).

A garden for all seasons

There’s 50 acres of gardens for little ones to burn off some energy. The Japanese Garden looks stunning in every season and from the Italian Garden you can take in the vistas over the parkland with the Peak District in the distance. Warm up in the Fernery and Conservatory and admire our indoor tropical fernery – it’s inviting space all year round. And if the sun is shining, there’s plenty of garden spots to enjoy a picnic with a spectacular view or head to the many picnic benches in the Stableyard and Play area.

Treat yourself

Browse in the pre-loved bookshop, full of great reads for all ages, before heading to the Stables for a full works hot chocolate. The Housekeeper’s Store is stocked full of local and artisan food, with a selection of delicious sweet treats. The Gift Shop and Garden Shop offer a choice of souvenirs of your visit to take home with you.