Family days out in London and the South East

Visitors enjoying the Christmas decoration in the house at Hatchlands Park, Surrey — Visitors enjoying the Christmas decorations in the house at Hatchlands Park, Surrey | © Natonal Trust Images/Arnhel de Serra

Looking for something to do with the kids? Discover the best family-friendly places to visit in London and the South East and enjoy great days out all year round.

Plan your next family adventure this winter and discover special places across the South East, from fairy-tale castles to medieval deer parks and more. Families can play in thousands of acres of woodland and parkland or let off steam in natural play areas. There’s buggy friendly routes, tree houses, story trails and children’s menus to fuel fun-filled days out, and on rainy days you can step inside sprawling mansion houses and explore famous homes to uncover secrets and stories from long, long ago. We've also got brand new family-friendly maps at Nymans, Hatchlands Park and Sheffield Park and Garden to help you create your family's own unique adventure. This Christmas, join us for festive family fun and enjoy a magical programme of events at our places; from themed trails to glittering deocrations. There's hot chocolates, Christmas trees and festive food and drink too!

Enjoy a magical Christmas with all the family and make memories to treasure. Discover Christmas events near you below, from a Narnia themed Christmas at Nymans in West Sussex to a Nutcracker Christmas at Mottisfont in Hampshire, and much more

Article

Shaun the Sheep™ – Find the Flock at Winkworth Arboretum

23 Nov - 19 Jan (closed 24 & 25 Dec). Get ready for a baa-rilliant winter adventure at Winkworth Arboretum this festive season. We’ve teamed up with Wild In Art, to bring to life Aardman’s mischievous Shaun the Sheep™ with a Christmas trail around the Arboretum. Come and find twelve super-sized Shaun sculptures, each uniquely designed and decorated by talented artists. With fun games, children's carousel, engaging activities and delicious winter treats from the tearoom, a visit to Winkworth Arboretum this Christmas will be an unforgettable day out for all ages (selected dates for some activities).

A mannequin dressed with a foliage skirt and Christmas lights in a hall corridor with red carpet at Polesden Lacey

Article

A Christmas Masquerade at Polesden Lacey

23 Nov - 5 Jan (closed 24 & 25 Dec). Celebrate Christmas in style at Polesden Lacey with family and friends. See the extravagantly decorated house styled as a Christmas masquerade ball, ride on the Christmas carousel and enjoy festive food and shopping.

Mr Tumnus and Lucy walking through through snowy wood.

Article

Christmas at Nymans: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe

23 Nov - 5 Jan (closed 24 & 25 Dec). Step through the wardrobe into Narnia at Nymans this Christmas. See the house decorated as the Professor's home, go through the wardrobe into the world of Narnia and peek into the Beaver's burrow and Mr Tumnus' cave. Upstairs see the witch's castle, while out in the garden get together with friends and family and have a go at The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe family trail designed by TIN SHED scenery.

Nutcracker statue in front of hedge decorated for Christmas

Article

A Nutcracker Christmas at Mottisfont

23 Nov - 5 Jan (closed 24 & 25 Dec). Experience the magic of The Nutcracker at Mottisfont; as sparkling trees, music and light effects bring the story to life, with frosty wonderlands, twirling Sugar Plum Fairies, and a family adventure trail.

The Snowman™ at Sheffield Park and Garden this Christmas

Article

The Snowman™ at Sheffield Park and Garden

30 Nov - 12 Jan (closed 24 & 25 Dec). Families are invited on a festive walk, re-living the magic of Raymond Briggs’ heart-warming picture book. Look out for twelve decorated sculptures of The Snowman™, along a winding wintry path, past beautiful lakes and trees. Games and activities add to the festive fun, then warm up with hot chocolate and mince pies in the cafe. On 7, 14 & 21 December 2024 The Snowman™ will be making personal appearances at intervals throughout the day, perfect for family photo snaps.

Article

Christmas at Hatchlands

1-31 Dec (closed 24 & 25 Dec). Soak up the magic of Christmas at Hatchlands this winter. Inspired by the carol ‘I Saw Three Ships', look out for nautical touches in the beautifully decorated rooms in the house, and enjoy family activities on the festive parkland trail.

Toys under the Christmas tree at Hinton Ampner

Article

An enchanted Christmas at Hinton Ampner

16 Nov - 5 Jan (closed 24 & 25 Dec). Hop on a Christmas journey with us and discover the house brimming with bright Christmas colours, sparkling lights and charming festive scenes. From the world of the Ice Queen to a Woodland Ball and a Gingerbread Village there is surprise and delight around every corner. Don't miss the North Pole Workshop where our mini Santa Express train is delivering the toy parts to the elves! Christmas elves are busy making toys & games – and getting in a muddle!

Paper snowflakes falling from the ceiling and large Christmas tree covered in cool white lights

Article

A Nordic Christmas at Hughenden

25 Nov - 3 Jan (closed 24 & 25 Dec). Celebrate a Nordic Christmas at Hughenden, drawing inspiration from the time-honoured traditions of Northern Europe, where the enchantment of long winters is celebrated with warm light amongst the beauty of nature. With references to Norse Gods, fairytales, and traditions of the Arctic and Nordic regions in both the manor and garden. Outside, the adventure continues with a Nordic fairy tale, family trail. Set a date to meet family and friends at Hughenden to come together in a cosy Christmas setting and make lasting memories.

Hampshire

Treat the whole family to a fun-filled day out at our places in Hampshire. Discover a mansion house surrounded by babbling brooks perfect for playing pooh sticks at Mottisfont, or explore a Tudor house turned family home at The Vyne where your little ones can explore the outdoors in a natural play area created especially for younger children. If you're feeling adventurous, pull on your wellies and head out for a walk on the Hinton Ampner estate.

Kent

Explore a medieval deer park, moated manor house, fairy-tale castle and more on a family day out in Kent. There’s all sorts of fun to be had, from playing in acres of gardens and parkland to spotting fish at Ightham Mote and deer at Knole. Children can climb the two-storey treehouse and enjoy the brick built play house at Chartwell, reach new heights on the swings at Emmetts Garden and have fun in the Badger and Pepper play area at Scotney Castle, complete with mud kitchen, play house, toddler swing and a natural drum kit

Woman and two young boys taking a selfie in a white wooden sleigh in front of Hatchlands house

Surrey

Discover the best places to visit with your family around Surrey, home to an Edwardian party house, the Surrey Hills and a classic landscape garden. Children can enjoy the new adventure playground at Polesden Lacey or the natural play areas at Hatchlands Park.

Sussex

Enjoy a family day out this autumn in Sussex. You can stroll along buggy friendly paths at Nymans to discover a Play Glade complete with mud kitchens, games and even a mini stage to let children's imaginations run wild. Wander through the Capability Brown designed landscape at Petworth, or step back to medieval times at Bodiam Castle where families can climb the steep towers, walk across the battlements, find the gun loops and spot 50-year old carp swimming in the castle moat.

Family visitors enjoying a woodland walk

Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Berkshire

Explore a world of lakes, hidden woods, enormous temples and twisted trees as you play and have fun on a family adventure at Stowe. Or head to the wild play trail at Basildon Park where little explorers can get adventurous on the balance beam, jump on the hopscotch and play with the ball run - there’s also plenty of space for some den building too. There's a natural play area at Hughenden and a woodland playground at Waddesdon, as well as plenty of opportunities to get closer to nature on a family walk at Cliveden and Grey's Court.

London

Escape the hustle and bustle of the city, and make memories to treasure on a family day out to National Trust places in and around London. There’s plenty to do, from a family bike ride and den building at Osterley, to a game of hide and seek at Ham House where over a mile of hornbeam hedge swirls around in an intricate geometric pattern.

Discover natural play areas and woodland play trails, perfect for children to let their imaginations run wild and spend time playing outdoors in nature. Here’s some of our top picks below.

Play area at Hughenden in Autumn, Buckinghamshire

Article

Family-friendly things to do at Hughenden

With plenty of space to run, jump and play there's lots to keep children of all ages busy at Hughenden, including a 'Wild Play' area and activity trails in school holidays. Explore on your own, across acres of parkland and woodland, or keep a look out on our events page for seasonal activities, crafting or workshops.

Children enjoying the natural woodland play trail at Sheffield Park and Garden, East Sussex

Article

Family-friendly things to do at Sheffield Park

Whether you are visiting with friends or family, there are plenty of new things to discover and fun ways to get active in nature at Sheffield Park and Garden.

Child enjoying the Badger and Pepper play area at Scotney Castle, Kent

Article

Family days out at Scotney Castle

Discover your very own fairy-tale castle tucked away amongst acres of park and woodland, or get involved with some of the family-friendly events and activities running all year round at Scotney Castle and start making memories.

Two children climb up the steps of a wooden tree house in the adventure play area

Article

Family-friendly things to do at Hatchlands Park

Stuck for something to do outdoors with the family? Look no further. With a fantastic children’s adventure area and loads of space to run around in, Hatchlands Park is the perfect spot to get some fresh air.

Children in the natural play area at Winkworth Arboretum, Surrey: one walks across a bridge made of rope netting, while others watch from both sides

Article

Family-friendly things to do at Winkworth Arboretum

Come out and play at Winkworth Arboretum. Whether you’re joining in with outdoor activities, walking the dog or creating some wild art there’s plenty of fun to be had.

A mother and child in the play area at Cliveden, Buckinghamshire

Article

Family-friendly things to do at Cliveden

From fun walking trails to boating on the Thames this autumn, this is your one-stop shop to help you get the most out of your family visit to Cliveden.

Families in the 'Play Glade' at Nymans, West Sussex

Article

Things to do with the kids at Nymans

Join in the fun with 'The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe' this Christmas with a family trail and magically decorated house. Discover natural play in the Play Glade, activities and events in the school holidays and an ancient woodland and garden to discover, there's lots of fun for families at Nymans. Picnic anywhere in the garden, or pick up a snack from the cafe or kiosk. Baby change available by the house and in the cafe and car park.

Exploring the 'Wild Play' area at Mottisfont, Hampshire

Article

Family-friendly things to do at Mottisfont

Join in the magic this Christmas with The Nutcracker decorated house and family trail. There’s sparkle indoors and adventures outside. Discover Mottisfont’s Wild Play area, river and meadow. There are activities every school holiday, plus lots of places to picnic, plus snacks in our cafes. Baby changing facilities available.

We know dogs are part of the family too. Find out more about our Pooch Passports and top dog friendly places to visit.

Two people are playing in the snow with their small dog at Lyme, Cheshire

Article

Pooch Passports

Find out more about the Pooch Passport scheme and discover dog-friendly places to explore together. Collect stamps from participating places on your days out and your dog(s) will receive a special treat from our partners at Forthglade.

Article

Nymans, West Sussex

Join in the fun with 'The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe' this Christmas with a family trail and magically decorated house. Discover natural play in the Play Glade, activities and events in the school holidays and an ancient woodland and garden to discover, there's lots of fun for families at Nymans. Picnic anywhere in the garden, or pick up a snack from the cafe or kiosk. Baby change available by the house and in the cafe and car park.

Article

Hatchlands, Surrey

Stuck for something to do outdoors with the family? Look no further. With a fantastic children’s adventure area and loads of space to run around in, Hatchlands Park is the perfect spot to get some fresh air.

Article

Sheffield Park and Garden, East Sussex

Whether you are visiting with friends or family, there are plenty of new things to discover and fun ways to get active in nature at Sheffield Park and Garden.