Family-friendly things to do at Godolphin

A family enjoying 'Summer of Play' activities in the garden at Godolphin | © National Trust Images/James Dobson

From getting mucky in the mud-pie kitchen to getting creative with arts and crafts in the Cider House, there is plenty going on for all to get involved with and make memories at Godolphin. Find out what's on offer and plan your next visit.

Planning your family visit

Free entry for under 5s.
Baby changing facilities & toddler toilet seat available in the Piggery toilets.
Toilets in the garden.
Three quarters of the garden is accessible to pushchairs/wheelchairs, but they may encounter steps at points.
Seasonal activities during school holidays throughout the year.
All activites are free (unless otherwise stated) but normal admission applies. Booking not needed.

Summer of Play

Play is on repeat this summer at Godolphin, from 27 July - 1 September.

Join us for a summer jam-packed full of fun activites for all the family to enjoy. Play badminton in the orchard, try something new with archery sessions, hold a hobby horse race, venture into Mary's wood and find the games area, get crafting in the Cider House and lots more.

Archery will run on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 10.30am-4.30pm.

Summer of Play activities are free (normal admission applies), so you can try them all and come back again and again. Summer of Play is sponsored by Starling Bank.

Heritage Open Days

We are celebrating England's biggest festival of culture and heritage from 6-15 September by offering you, our visitors, free entry for the duration of this event.

As this festival coincides with our monthly House Experience week, you will be able to explore Godolphin House between 7-12 September, and the gardens and outbuildings throughout the festival.

Discover the rich and vibrant history of this ancient site, learn more about those who lived and worked here and explore the tranquillity of the gardens.

foreground shows man playing with a young boy, swinign him around. In the background more children play and run around on the lawn with Godolphin house in the background. — Playing on the lawn at Godolphin | © National Trust Images/Arnhel de Serra

Places to Play

Mud-Pie Kitchen

Tucked away in Mary's Wood you will find the Godolphin Mud-Pie Kitchen. Get mucky and let your imagination take over as you create something amazing out of mud! Why not have a go a making some nature art or creating a muddy bee bole and making a new home for the bees at Godolphin.

Taps for handwashing can be found in the nearby orchard.

Barefoot Trail

Kick off your socks and shoes and feel the different textures of nature beneath your feet by exploring our barefoot trail! Follow the orange footprints to find your way there!

Polly the Milkable Cow

Make sure you meet Polly, Godolphin's cow who lives in the Shippons barn. Grab a stool and the bucket and have a go at milking just as generations of farmers at Godolphin have done for hundreds of years.

The Cider House

On the first floor of the Cider House you can find different arts and crafts activities to match the season. Plus this is a great escape if it is raining.

family enjoying a picnic in the garden at Godolphin — A family relaxing in the garden at Godolphin | © National Trust Images/Arnhel de Serra

Places to Picnic

Godolphin is a perfect spot to bring the family for a picinic to enjoy the beautiful surroundings of nature. Grab a spare picninc blanket from the Piggery tea-room and settle on the grass in the Orchard to enjoy lunch, or on one of the benches dotted around Godolphin. Or take a tour up to the peak of Godolphin Hill and enjoy a picnic over-looking the spectacular views across Mount's Bay, where you may be able to see two coasts at once.

Children's sandwiches, snacks, drinks and ice-creams are avaliable from the Piggery tea-room.

'50 things to do before you're 11 3/4'

No.13 Make a Mud Creation -wander down to Mary's Wood and get mucky in our very own mud-pie kitchen.
No.28 Climb a Huge Hill - climb to the top of Godolphin Hill and see how far you can see into the distance.
No.48 Keep a Nature Diary - record the nature that you spot here at Godolphin from birds, bees, butterflies and much more. How many different species will you spot?