Family-friendly things to do at Mottisfont

Planning your family visit

Here's all the information you need at a glance, to make the most of your family day out at Mottisfont:

• Baby-changing facilities in access-friendly toilets are located at the welcome centre, stables, lower corridor in the house and kitchen garden
• Pushchairs are welcome everywhere except inside the house. There are gently-sloping areas and wide pathways around much of the grounds. Pathways are uneven in some places so sturdy, all-terrain tyres are recommended
• Drinks, snacks and light lunches with family-friendly options are available from the café and additional outlets, with indoor and outdoor seating areas and picnic benches around the grounds
• Breastfeeding is welcome anywhere around the property.

There's no need to book, but Mottisfont may get very busy during school holidays and bank holidays. Mornings tend to be busier than afternoons. If you have the flexibility, a weekday visit is generally quieter than a weekend, even during school holidays. If you can only visit over the weekend, Saturdays are usually less busy than Sundays.

What do you need to know when visiting the garden?

• Toddler push-along bikes operated by a parent/guardian are welcome, but please be aware that bikes, trikes and scooters are not allowed
• There are areas of open water around the garden and grounds so close supervision is strongly advised
• Please don't bring windbreakers, gazebos, pop-up tents, parasols or barbecues.

Family-friendly events

Leaf litter collecting

We make huge amounts of compost at Mottisfont, so we can feed our plants organically, without artificial fertiliser. Can you help us out this autumn? The leaves are beginning to fall, and we’ve got mini wheelbarrows and rakes at the ready, so our younger visitors can scoot around gardens gathering leaves and pouring them into the special leaf bins.

Mini Adventures at Mottisfont

Our Mini Adventure activities are back this November. Join us with simple, seasonal, self-led activities aimed at pre-schoolers, to enjoy while you explore the gardens at Mottisfont. This year the sessions include: wands and potions, leaf rubbing, making treasure boxes, creating leaf creatures, and some leaf challenges too. These sessions take place on weekdays during November.

To find about more about theses activities here.

A Nutcracker Christmas

23 November 2024 - 5 January 2025

Experience the timeless magic of the Nutcracker at Mottisfont this Christmas, with a decorated house and family trial. Discover the enchanting story as you wander though the house with rooms filled with sparkling trees and decorations, music and light effects. Property admission applies (free for National Trust members, Art Fund members and under 5s), plus suggested donation for the trail. We are introducing a trail house booking system, based on vistor feedback last year.

Find out more about A Nutcracker Christmas here.