Family-friendly things to do at Arlington Court
A day spent at Arlington is a day full of family fun; there's always something to keep your little ones occupied. It doesn't have to be school holidays to come and have fun at Arlington.
Christmas at Arlington
Experience Christmas at Arlington as never before. The house will be dressed to impress with each room themed on a Victorian Christmas carol, from ships sailing down the dining room table to sheep taking over the drawing room an exciting display awaits in every room.
Take part in a festive family activity trail around the gardens and grounds, snap a photo on the sleigh or explore the wider estate for a winter walk.
Click here to find out more about what's on this Christmas.
Father Christmas
SOLD OUT Father Christmas will return for 3 days this year on the 21,22 and 23 of December in the lead up to Christmas Day. Time slot are available from 11:30am to 3:00pm, £6 per child inlcuding a present.
Book your Father Christmas visit here
Looking for a sensory friendly visit? Running between 3pm - 3:30pm, these sessions feature quiet surroundings (no music), soft lighting, and reduced capacity to help create a relaxed atmosphere.
Book a sensory friendly visit here
Trail of things that dont belong
Daily, during house opening hours.
The perfect activity for when the rain arrives, explore the house and keep your little ones entertained with the Trail of things that don’t belong. Can you spot the out-of-place objects hidden throughout the collection? From Lego figures to Pokémon cards, see what you can find.
Outdoor play
Explore our outdoor play areas, complete with sit-on diggers, balance beams, and a mud kitchen. Plus, this year, discover our new log stack climber for older kids to enjoy.
Out and about at Arlington Court
With over 20 miles of walkways, bridleways and cycle routes through woodlands, along streams and across farmland to explore, there's plenty of family fun to be had outdoors. Look carefully and you might even spot a deer.
Discover Arlingtons walks here: Walking at Arlington Court | Devon | National Trust
'50 things to do before you're 11¾'
There are lot of '50 things' activities you can do with the family at this time of year. How about a wintery adventure full of fun and discovery? Or maybe you could get to know a tree, appreciate the shape of their branches and the caverns that animals can hide in?
There are many more '50 things to do before you're 11¾', you can find the full list here: 50 things to do before you're 11¾ | Visit | National Trust Although many of them can be completed in the countryside, there are also lots of things to do at the coast, perhaps Woolacombe or Croyde or maybe even Heddons Mouth. Why not make a nature diary and write about or draw all the things you see and do over the winter, another '50 things' activity.
Help us care for nature at Arlington Court
Please respect our trees, wildlife and other visitors to the site. The woods are full of special trees and wildlife. Protect them by only playing with items from the ground; if it’s still attached to the tree, it still needs it!
The fresh air at Arlington encourages the growth of many rare lichens on our trees. To help them grow and to create homes for bugs we leave fallen logs across the estate. Take care not to disturb these too much when hunting for creepy crawlies.
The boring bit for adults
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Children must be supervised at all times.
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The lake is full of mud which acts like quicksand, please keep children and dogs away.
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Cattle may be grazing in the parkland, please keep dogs on a lead and pick up after them - dog bins are found just outside the carriage museum and behind the visitor reception building, next to the building compound.
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There are two small ponds in the formal gardens and a larger pond in the pleasure grounds.
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If you need any help during or planning your visit, the property team can be reached on 01271 851101 or 01271 851116 between 10am and 4pm.
Dogs at Arlington
The Chichesters, who owned Arlington Court for 11 generations, were a family of dog lovers, proven by a memorial at the back of the house. Today dogs on leads are still welcome in the grounds, formal gardens and carriage museum when open.
Find your favourite walk: Walking at Arlington Court | Devon | National Trust
You might also be interested in
Visiting Arlington Court with your dog
Find out how to have a dog-friendly visit to Arlington, when to keep them on a lead and what facilities are available. Arlington Court is a three pawprint rated place.
Eating and shopping at Arlington Court
Explore your options for eating and drinking at Arlington Court and the National Trust Carriage Museum, including what’s on the menu throughout the day.
Lake walk at Arlington Court
Enjoy the most popular and established walk around the designed landscape of Arlington Court, where you can get closer to nature at the bird hide and heronry.