Family-friendly things to do at Lanhydrock

A family playing in the garden at Lanhydrock, Cornwall | © National Trust Images/John Millar

Find out about the different things you can do with your family at Lanhydrock, from visiting the refurbished Victorian nursery to exploring the estate by bicycle.

Planning your family visit to Lanhydrock

Free entry for under 5s
Baby changing facilities available
Buggy-friendly route around the garden
Play area at the Hub (next to Park Cafe)
Children's options available at the Park Cafe and Stables tea-room
Pocket money gifts and children's books available in the shop and Plant Centre
Hands-on activities and play along the Family route

Summer of play at Lanhydrock

20 July - 3 September, 10.30am-4pm daily

Get active with animal-themed play at Lanhydrock this summer.

Based around the animals found on Lanhydrock's Long Gallery season with activities and challenges for you to have a go at. Jump like a kangaroo, run like a cheetah and balance like a mountain goat as you play your way around Lanhydrock's gardens.

All activities are free of charge, general admission fees apply

Children in the garden at Ascott, Buckinghamshire — Family fun at Lanhydrock | © National Trust Images/John Millar

Things for families to do inside the house

Play in the nursery

Lanhydrock’s newly refurbished Victorian nursery invites visitors to interact with a range of items and learn stories about the Agar-Robartes children. From board games and a theatre with props, to Punch the rocking horse, there's lots to get involved with.

Explore the kitchen

How many days did it take a Victorian bread oven to heat up? And how did they keep their clotted cream cold? Find out all about working in a high-tech, 19th-century country house kitchen.

Discover conservation in the Long Gallery

Get hands on through the mansion route as you find out what it takes to restore the huge Long Gallery ceiling. Climb the scaffold and discover the ceiling up close. How many different animals can you spot moulded into the plaster?

Meet the Victorian staff

On Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays during the open season come and meet the Victorian staff including the butler, housemaids, gardeners and Mrs Candy the cook, all brought to life by Lanhydrock's team of Experience Makers.

Family and volunteer room guide in the Victorian kitchen at Lanhydrock, Cornwall | © National Trust Images/Chris Lacey

Things for families to do on the estate

With the Lanhydrock estate covering 900 acres, there are plenty of adventures to be had. Explore the parkland, ancient woodland and riverside walks at your leisure.

Go for a bike ride

Enjoy one of the exciting cycle trails, which are designed for a range of abilities, or burn off some steam around the parkland.

Don’t have a bike? No problem – you can hire one from our cycle hire team. You’ll find them at the Hub.

Find out more about cycling at Lanhydrock

Let off some steam in the play area

Next to The Park café, you'll find the children's play area, which is equipped with everything needed to keep kids enthralled.

Play a ball game

If you want to play games then make your way further onto the parkland, where there's plenty of open space to throw a ball, make goal posts with jumpers, or simply spread out your picnic rug.

Take a stroll

Wander the parkland via one of the many suggested walking routes – ask one of the team for a leaflet.

Can you find the old Victorian swimming pool that was used by the Agar-Robartes children? It's a great place to spot wildlife. 

Family cycle trail Lanhydrock | © NTI/James Dobson

'50 things to do before you're 11¾'

No. 18 Create some wild art: Forage in the woods for some quirky craft materials. What will you create?
No. 31 Make friends with a bug: The garden is the perfect habitat for all kinds of creepy crawlies – come and explore under rocks and in trees. There are plenty of butterflies, caterpillars, beetles and spiders for you to spot all over the estate
No. 44 Watch a bird: The estate is alive with birds all year round