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Family-friendly things to do at Hidcote

Father playing with toddler son among colourful autumn leaves in a wooded area with fallen leaves on the ground.
There's so much for families to get involved in this autumn at Hidcote | © Chris Lacey

You’ll never be stuck for things to do at Hidcote. Whether you’re spotting things around the garden or looking for fun activities such as seasonal trails and local walks, we’ve got it all. Find out how you can make the most of your next visit – and discover all the facilities available for families.

Upcoming family activities and events

Tiny Tots Tuesdays

Join us for a series fun afternoon of storytelling and crafts for pre-schoolers. These sessions take place from 1 - 3pm in Hidcote's cosy Potting Shed.

- Tuesday 17 September

- Tuesday 24 September

Free of charge. Normal admission applies.

A child looks through yellow binoculars directly at the camera with a big smile on his face.
Pre-schoolers can enjoy free crafts and storytelling at Hidcote on Tuesday afternoons in September | © National Trust Images/Annapurna Mellor

Witch's Potion Children's Trail

1 October - 2 November

Explore the witch’s garden and help find the missing ingredients from her recipe. Be careful, choosing the wrong ingredient might make the potion poisonous…

£1 per child. Normal admission applies.

A young child dressed in a fancy dress witch costume for Halloween, holding an orange witches hat in her hand and smiling at another child also dressed in a fancy dress witch costume
Little visitors will love our Witch's Potion trail, launching on 1 October | © National Trust Images/Annapurna Mellor

Planning your family visit

  • Free entry for under 5s.
  • Baby-changing facilities, located in the Gardener's Courtyard.
  • Limited access for pushchairs, prams and wheelchairs, due to small and uneven pathways. Please ask for a copy of our map at Visitor Welcome which includes the accessible route which takes in a third of the garden.
  • Please note that there is no play area or play facilities located at Hidcote and that in the winter the lawns are closed for key lawncare to take place. Children's scooters, balls and bikes are not allowed in the garden.
  • The wider estate at Hidcote is an active sheep farm, with livestock in the fields and working farm dogs, please keep dogs on leads when walking through the fields and car park.

Notice Nature

Underwater world

The pools are teeming with an abundance of underwater creatures that can be seen swimming around. Protected species like great crested newts and the more common frogs and toads enjoy the quiet pools for feeding, breeding and raising their young. It's great to look out for these amphibious species but please refrain from throwing stones and pennies into the water as it's damaging to their habitat.

Nature spotting

The orchards and Wilderness at Hidcote are great places to spot the wildlife at Hidcote. But signs of our local nature can find found around every corner!

Sit and watch the birds in the New Orchard as they feed on our birdfeeders or on the windfall apples.

Listen to the Red kites flying high above the garden in the Beech Allee.

In the spring and summer months watch the newts in the Lily Pond before they move on to dry land for the winter. If you are lucky you may even spot our resident grass snakes taking a swim.

Look out for badge footprints or signs of squirrels hiding their nuts.

Take a moment in our Silent Space

We have partnered with Silent Spaces to provide a dedicated silent space in the garden, this is located in the Italian Shelter - please note that this space is located off of the accessible visitor route and has steps leading to it. Other quieter areas of the garden to enjoy are the Wilderness, Beech Allee, the Nuttery Orchard and the Old Orchard.

Local Walks

We have a selection of local walks which take in the wider Hidcote farm estate, or local villages and viewpoints. These walks cover a mixture of terrain, abilities and length. Please ask at the Visitor Welcome for a copy, or for advice on which would be the best fit. All walks start from our car park, we advise parking in the top car park (to the left as you come up the drive).

Picnic in nature

Pack a picnic and enjoy the lunch al fresco at the designated picnic area which has wonderful views out over Gloucester and Oxfordshire. You can always find a quiet corner in the garden to relax and unwind. Why not bring a book or newspaper, and while away the afternoon?

Free Wi-Fi is available in Winthrop's Café. Give surfing the web a whirl while enjoying a cuppa and slice of home-made cake.

View of a beech avenue with green leaves starting to turn gold, and a garden building with thatched roof

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Find out when Hidcote is open, how to get here, the things to see and do and more.

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