Family-friendly gardens

A family walks through a garden of ferns towards the camera in autumn clothes — Gardens are great places for the whole family to explore | © National Trust Images/John Millar

Find natural play areas, go exploring on buggy-friendly paths and spot lots of wildlife along the way. Here’s our pick of gardens that the whole family can enjoy.

Blickling Estate, Norfolk: Blickling’s gardens are an ideal natural playground, with 55 acres full of hide-and-seek spots and places to play rounders. Follow the winding paths and see if you can find the two secret tunnels.Explore the garden at Blickling
Chirk Castle, Wrexham: There's a colourful garden to explore at Chirk Castle full of plants and wildlife to spot. Count how many different types of birds you see, hunt for insects or fungi, or let off some steam in the natural play area.Explore the garden at Chirk Castle
Cliveden, Buckinghamshire: Head to the Storybook Play Den for a game of make-believe or find your way to the centre of Cliveden's Giant Maze. Take the steps down to the River Thames and you can even go on a boat trip.Explore the garden at Cliveden
Cotehele, Cornwall: Take the buggy-friendly route around the garden, quay and down to Cotehele Mill to see everything this place has to offer. Burn off energy in the natural play area, enjoy apples from the orchard, or set each other a den-building challenge.Explore the garden at Cotehele
Cragside, Northumberland: Venture along stone paths that weave between giant rocks and look out for wildlife, including red squirrels, along the way. Go exploring in the labyrinth and search for the wizard and storyteller's chair.Explore the garden at Cragside
Dyffryn Gardens, Vale of Glamorgan: Escape the city with a relaxing wander through Dyffryn's many outdoor spaces. Look out for secret garden rooms, burn off some energy on the enormous Great Lawn and let your imagination run wild as you balance on the huge felled trees in the Log Stack play areas.Explore the garden at Dyffryn
Felbrigg Hall, Norfolk: In the Walled Garden at Felbrigg, spot resident hens and see which seasonal fruit and veg are growing. There are lots of buggy-friendly paths in the garden and places to play hide-and-seek.Explore the garden at Felbrigg Hall
Florence Court, County Fermanagh: Look out for red squirrels foraging for food around Florence Court's garden or head to the play area, complete with rope swings and slides. Borrow a balance bike free of charge from the visitor centre to help teach the next generation of cyclists.Explore the garden at Florence Court

Two children and one woman play with leaves in the early autumn sunshine — Enjoying the early autumn sunshine | © National Trust Images/Arnhel de Serra

Fountains Abbey & Studley Royal, North Yorkshire: There are acres of space where little legs can explore and imaginations run riot at Fountains Abbey & Studley Royal. Investigate the water garden, climb up to the Banqueting House lawn and hunt for the three follies.Explore the garden at Fountains Abbey & Studley Royal
Gibside, Tyne & Wear: There's lots to do in the gardens at Gibside. Investigate the explorer trail, or let your imagination run free at the Strawberry Castle play area. Explore a nature playscape, low ropes course and den-building area, and see what wildlife you can spot from the bird hide.Explore the garden at Gibside
Glendurgan, Cornwall: If you're feeling adventurous, why not take on Glendurgan's maze? Or have a turn on the Giant's Stride rope swing, or explore the Apple Shed, where you can try on bee-keeping outfits and design a bug hotel.Explore the garden at Glendurgan
Killerton, Devon: With space and freedom to explore and play, the gardens have wide-open spaces and winding paths through shady woodlands. Explore the buggy-friendly path around the garden or take an adventurous climb up to the top of the Clump and test your den-building skills.Explore the garden at Killerton
Kingston Lacy, Dorset: With its acres of colourful gardens and parkland to explore, Kingston Lacy is a favourite spot for a family day out. An adventure awaits you whatever your age or the time of year.Explore the garden at Kingston Lacy
Montacute House, Somerset: The gardens at Montacute House are perfect for families, offering a mix of history and play. The 'wibbly wobbly' yew hedges add a whimsical touch that delights children. The Garden Orchard is a great spot for some outdoor family fun.Explore the garden at Montacute House
Mottisfont, Hampshire: With its chalk stream and bridges, Mottisfont is a great place to play Pooh sticks. Follow the river walk to fields behind the house where there's plenty of space to run around. In the garden, Mottisfont’s paddock area has benches and room for games, or you can test your limits in the Wild Play area.Explore the garden at Mottisfont
Mount Stewart, County Down: Voted one of the world's top 10 gardens, there are lots of different areas of Mount Stewart to explore with your family. Don't miss the mythical animals on the Dodo Terrace – see if you can count them all.Explore the garden at Mount Stewart
Nymans, West Sussex: Stop by the Play Glade for fun and games. Build a den, put on a performance on the mini stage or explore the nearby bamboo jungle. Then, head out into the woodland and see how many wooden sculptures you can spot.Explore the garden at Nymans

Family visitors in the garden in autumn at Wallington, Northumberland — Visitors at Wallington, Northumberland | © National Trust Images/Chris Lacey

Penrhyn Castle and Garden, Gwynedd: Penrhyn Castle has two playgrounds – Rook Wood and Cwt Ogwen – to enjoy, and lots of trails to explore. The spacious castle grounds are perfect for families with lots of energy.Explore the garden at Penrhyn Castle
Polesden Lacey, Surrey: Embrace your inner animal in the natural play area at Polesden Lacey. Hop on the swings, race through the rabbit tunnel and climb the giant bird's nest. The bottom level of the bird's nest is wheelchair accessible and a hub for sensory play.Explore the garden at Polesden Lacey
Rowallane Garden, County Down: Search for wildlife at Rowallane Garden, home to ladybirds, butterflies, bees, hedgehogs and much more. Look high up in the trees and under rocks and you’ll be sure to find some friendly creatures. Then head to the Explore and Play natural playground and see the sculptures of exotic animals.Explore the garden at Rowallane
Scotney Castle, Kent: Head to the Badger and Pepper play area, complete with musical instruments, a toddler swing, play hut, ball chute and mud kitchen. There are accessible all-weather paths through much of the garden so you can bring the buggy along with you.Explore the garden at Scotney Castle
Seaton Delaval Hall, Northumberland: The garden at Seaton Delaval Hall features a fun play area, alongside the Mirror Cube, which provides visual surprises. There's also a Games Chest packed with sports equipment for outdoor fun. Seasonal family events are hosted at the Oval, which is an excellent spot to stretch your legs.Explore the garden at Seaton Delaval Hall
Speke Hall, Liverpool: Fire up young imaginations when you explore Speke Hall's garden. Find your way out of the hedge maze, discover the secret garden or follow the Giant Childe of Hale play trail to find out more about the local legend of John Middleton.Explore the garden at Speke Hall
Stourhead, Wiltshire: There's lots for families to explore in the garden at Stourhead. Follow the path and enjoy the magnificent vistas from one of the many grassy spots by the lake, or discover the historic grottos and temples around the site.Explore the garden at Stourhead
Tyntesfield, Somerset: With space to stretch out and explore, Tyntesfield is a great place to have a go at some of our '50 things to do before you're 11¾' activities. Find different types of fungi; try some den building; or get to know some of the oldest, widest trees in the grounds.Explore the garden at Tyntesfield
Wallington, Northumberland: Zoom along the Dragon cycle trail, let off steam in the play areas, tick some activities off your ‘50 things’ list and look out for Wallington's 'Garden of Imagination' – a place to sit and reflect, with beautiful planting and a giant storytelling chair.Explore the garden at Wallington