Top natural play areas for kids

A family playing on a zipline in the natural play area at Erddig, Wrexham — A family playing on the natural play area at Erddig, Wrexham | © National Trust Images/Trevor Ray Hart

Splashing through streams, clambering around tree houses and building a woodland den – there’s nothing quite like playing outdoors. We’ve picked some of our favourite natural playgrounds for children at the places we look after. You may also be able to cross some of the '50 things to do before you’re 11¾' off your list during a visit.

Anglesey Abbey, Cambridgeshire: Discover Anglesey Abbey's natural play area at the end of a woodland path. There are swings, spots for birdwatching and plenty of opportunities to run around and get closer to nature.Come and play at Anglesey Abbey
The Argory, County Armagh: Explore the playground at The Argory, where the local team has created an interactive environment that feels like part of the landscape. Or why not try a balance bike, available to hire for free from the Visitor Reception?Come and play at The Argory
Belton House, Lincolnshire: You could spend hours exploring our largest natural play area, which is at Belton House. Climb and swing your way through more than 30 play features, including tree houses, towers, rope swings, climbing nets and zip wires.Come and play at Belton House
Brownsea Island, Dorset: Learn to leap, balance and play – just like the resident red squirrels – on climbing frames, seesaws and obstacles at the squirrel-inspired natural play area on Brownsea Island.Come and play at Brownsea Island
Calke Abbey, Derbyshire: When you go down to the woods you'll discover Calke Explore – a base for outdoor family adventures, including a natural play area. Venture inside the human-sized badger sett, balance on tree trunks and make your own den from fallen branches.Come and play at Calke Abbey
Chartwell, Kent: Head out into the wider estate for woodland adventures at Chartwell. Explore the tree house, see how high you can go on swings and seesaws and discover the place where Canadian troops once camped during the Second World War.Come and play at Chartwell

Three young boys hop along wood rounds in Dyffryn Gardens' play area — Children exploring the play area at Dyffryn House and Gardens, Vale of Glamorgan | © National Trust Images/Arnhel de Serra

Chirk Castle, Wrexham: Discover Chirk Castle's outdoor play area at Home Farm and keep the whole family entertained. Clamber around on the climbing frames, swing as high as you can, or enjoy a game of tag. It's also conveniently located next to the refreshment kiosk.Come and play at Chirk Castle
Dyffryn Gardens, Vale of Glamorgan: Covering half an acre of wild play area, The Log Stack at Dyffryn Gardens has plenty of space for games. Why not balance on enormous trees, jump along stepping stones and check out the hand-carved stumps?Come and play at Dyffryn Gardens
Emmetts Garden, Kent: Explore the wild play area at Emmetts Garden, just past the Old Stables tea-room, complete with play net and balance beams. Wind your way up the climbing frame, tell stories in the fairy ring of toadstools and race through the tunnels.Come and play at Emmetts Garden
Erddig, Wrexham: The Wolf's Den at Erddig, built entirely from resources found on the estate, offers nearly two acres of wild play space. Take budding explorers to try out the balance beams, let loose on rope swings or have a go at den building.Come and play at Erddig
Florence Court, County Fermanagh: Let your imagination run wild as you let off steam in a beautiful setting at Florence Court's play area. There are rope swings, a slide, a natural play area and swings. On the red trail, there's also an area for making dens.Come and play at Florence Court
Fountains Abbey, North Yorkshire: Hop, skip and jump in Fountains Abbey's play area. There are swings, slides, a woodland lookout, rope bridge, a long zip wire – and a wooden abbey too. Just bring your sense of adventure and lots of energy.Come and play at Fountains Abbey
Kingston Lacy, Dorset: Have adventures in not one, but two play areas at Kingston Lacy. Head to the woodland trail for a playground that encourages children to connect with nature. Explore the Kitchen Garden play area next, where you can have a ride on a wooden cow, plant wooden veg in the mini greenhouse and relax on the buddy swing.Come and play at Kingston Lacy

A group of children walking across a rope bridge in the adventure playground at Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Garden, North Yorkshire — Children exploring on a rope walk | © National Trust Images/Chris Lacey

Mottisfont, Hampshire: Mottisfont’s Wild Play area has climbing apparatus suitable for all ages. Three large wooden structures, set in a less formal part of the garden, have been specially designed to encourage climbing, balancing and exploring. Elsewhere, Mottisfont's wooden bridges over the river make it a great place for playing Pooh sticks.Come and play at Mottisfont
Mount Stewart, County Down: Discover the natural play area at Mount Stewart, themed around the adventures in The Magic Inkpot by Edith, Lady Londonderry. Don't forget to check out the Squirrel Hide for a chance to spot some of Mount Stewart's red squirrels.Come and play at Mount Stewart
Penrhyn Castle, Gwynedd: Head to the Cwt Ogwen woodland play area at Penrhyn Castle to test your climbing skills. Find a playmate for the seesaw, balance carefully along beams and discover the nearby wooden hide, where you can enjoy views across the river Ogwen.Come and play at Penrhyn Castle
Polesden Lacey, Surrey: Explore the play area at Polesden Lacey, which has a giant bird's nest, burrows to clamber through and lots of swings to choose from. The Bird's Nest, which has a wheelchair-accessible ground level, is a great place for sensory play.Come and play at Polesden Lacey
Stourhead, Wiltshire: Located just outside the gardens at Stourhead, you can clamber, swing and balance to your heart's content in the children's natural play area. There are climbing ropes, swings and much more to enjoy here.Come and play at Stourhead
Tyntesfield, Somerset: Look out for the enchanted tree house in the woods at Tyntesfield, where there's also a rope swing and plenty of places to play hide and seek. Can you spot the giant guano bird and other sculptures? See how many you can find.Come and play at Tyntesfield
Wallington, Northumberland: With four play areas to explore at Wallington, there's something for children of all ages. Fly through the air on the zip line in the adventure play area, become ruler of the play fort, take a journey on the play train or get closer to nature in the Little Acorns nature play space.Come and play at Wallington
Wimpole, Cambridgeshire: Discover this new space for younger visitors to explore and play, nestled within the surroundings of the estate’s Home Farm. The play area includes climbing frames, an adventure trail and accessible swings made of natural materials.Come and play at Wimpole

Family playing with autumn leaves in the garden at Osterley Park, London, with the house in the background

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Looking for places the whole family will enjoy? Discover family-friendly cycling trails, places to get closer to nature and historic buildings where you can learn about the past.

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