Family days out in London and the South East

A family kicking through the fallen autumn leaves in the garden at Stowe, Buckinghamshire — Autumn at Stowe, Buckinghamshire | © National 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 autumn and discover special places across the South East, from fairy-tale castles to medieval deer parks and even a lighthouse. 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 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 October half-term, there's pumpkin trails, Halloween fun and spooky adventures waiting for you at our places too.

Help Wilma the Witch find the ingredients for her magic potion at Hinton Ampner, wield spooky spells to save Bodiam Castle from the clutches of a wicked warlock, or go on a pumpkin filled adventure at Mottisfont, and much more. Click below for event information on some of our top picks, or head to your nearest National Trust property websites to find out what's on near you this October half-term.

Family in fancy dress for October half-term, with Bodiam Castle in the background

Bodiam Castle, East Sussex

Young witches and wizards are wanted to take part in a thrilling quest to save the castle from the clutches of a wicked warlock. With the guidance of Midnight, a mischievous bat, unlock your magical powers and wield spooky spells to conquer the warlock's magic. Prepare for an immersive family-friendly trail filled with suspense and mystery.

Mottisfont, Hampshire

This half term you’ll find colourful pumpkin-themed fun with a spooky twist in the gardens at Mottisfont. Follow the Pumpkin Parade trail to find loads of fun activities, from pumpkin noughts and crosses to pumpkin rolling. Spot skeletons in the medieval cellarium, and climb, balance and crawl in the Creepy Critters climbing area. For little ones, there are tiny doors to discover, with cute Halloween pictures behind each one. The stableyard is Halloween Central, where kids can create their own pumpkin design to add to bunting on display, and pumpkin-filled carts which create the perfect autumnal backdrop for family photos. And as the leaves begin to fall, families can scoot around the grounds with mini wheelbarrows and rakes, filling leaf bins that supply the garden’s home-grown compost.

Hughenden, Buckinghamshire

Experience Aesop’s fables at Hughenden this October half-term! Enjoy an interactive trail with challenges along the way, inspired by our library’s fable-themed plasterwork. As you explore the beautiful grounds, you'll encounter a variety of fun tasks and puzzles that bring Aesop’s timeless tales to life. From the clever fox to the determined tortoise, each stop on the trail offers a chance to learn valuable lessons through play and discovery

Hinton Ampner, Hampshire

If you’re looking for some frightfully good family fun this half term, then come and join Wilma the Witch on her potions trail. Double, double toil and trouble… Stir the cauldron and watch it bubble! Hidden in the spookiest corners of Hinton Ampner's gardens are the ingredients Wilma needs for her magic potion. You'll need to race on your broomstick, toss a ring onto the witch's hat, move your pet spider through the maze and more to complete the challenge and make the potion!

Nymans, West Sussex

Join us for a spooky half term at Nymans on a trail with Halloween-themed fun and games, pumpkin faces, witches’ hats and a bubbling cauldron.

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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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Things to do with the kids at Nymans

Join in the fun with a Halloween half term trail in the school holidays and see 'The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe' this Christmas with 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

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Family-friendly things to do at Mottisfont

From activity trails in the garden to playing pooh sticks on the bridge, there's something for every young explorer to do at Mottisfont.

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

Mother and son looking at the autumn leaves

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.

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.

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

Visitors in the autumn garden at Kedleston Hall, Derbyshire

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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.

A family admires a Christmas tree in the Orangery at Knole, Kent, with orange and silver baubles and a dried orange slice decoration

Christmas in London and the South East

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

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Nymans, West Sussex

Join in the fun with a Halloween half term trail in the school holidays and see 'The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe' this Christmas with 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.

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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.

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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.