A family on a winter walk along a path with lights at Chartwell, Kent — A family on a winter walk at Chartwell, Kent | © National Trust Images/Megan Taylor

Family-friendly places in Kent

Let little explorers loose in the outdoors. They'll love squelching in mud kitchens, scrambling across natural play areas and running free across open meadows, whatever the weather. When it's time to refuel, grab a coffee and kids lunchbox from the café or pitch up a picnic blanket on the lawn. There's no need to book in advance for most of our places, and with wide parking spaces, baby changing facilities, picnic benches and buggy-friendly paths they are ready to welcome you.

Family sitting in the garden at Chartwell in Winter

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Family-friendly things to do at Chartwell

Meet the royal residents of Chickenham Palace, or pop into the enchanting ‘Marycot’, a little brick house built by Sir Winston Churchill for his daughter Mary. Climb the two-storey treehouse and reach the sky on the swings in the Old Quarry. Chartwell is a great place to play and let imaginations and little legs run wild.

A family walks along a path covered in fallen leaves, with the house in the background at Knole, Kent

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Family-friendly visits to Knole

Book into the Knole Fawns toddler group on Friday mornings. There's babyccino coffee mornings and stories on Mondays too. Discover the royal treasures in the showrooms using the new children's spotter trail. Go deer spotting on a stroll around the parkland.

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Family days out at Scotney Castle

Swing, climb and squelch in the Badger & Pepper play area. Peer into the moat to spot the swish of a fishy tail. Can you find the dinosaur footprint in the rocks of the Old Quarry, a relic from when iguanodons roamed?

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Visiting Ightham Mote with the family

Celebrate the seasons with nature eye spy. Race through the living willow tunnel, practice your balancing skills and make mud pies in the natural play area. Change of clothing advised!

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Family days out at Emmetts Garden

Guard the fort and hop into the enchanted fairy ring in the new natural play area, located just past the Old Stables Tearoom. Can you walk across the balance beams without falling off? Why not challenge each other to see who can build the biggest den? Play the giant wind chimes and clamber to the top of the climbing frame – the fun is never ending.

A family exploring the Lime Walk at Sissinghurst in Spring

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Family activities at Sissinghurst Castle Garden

Head to the natural play area down by the lakes for den building. Meet the resident dragon and find the fairy door hidden in the trees. Pick up a free seasonal spotter sheet from visitor reception.

Family playing on thrones in the courtyard at Bodiam Castle, East Sussex

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Family-friendly things to do at Bodiam Castle

Experience the feeling of walking over the bridge, through the gatehouse and stepping back into Medieval times. Spy the original portcullis, ancient stone unicorn, murder holes, gun loops and medieval bread oven. Pick up a new illustrated autumn spotter sheet or try the castle trail with Nosy Crow.

Visitors on the bridge, looking over the River Dudwell in the garden at Bateman's, East Sussex

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Family-friendly things to do at Bateman's

Drop in for story time in the garden, with short sessions perfect for little imaginations. Run free in the natural play area with swings, see-saw and climbing frames. Look out for the wise old owl perched atop the carved oak tree. Inside, meet the 120-year-old doll 'Crocus', who was given to Rudyard Kipling’s little girl, Elsie. She was so well loved; her nose has rubbed off with kisses.

Join us this February for family fun, no matter the weather. Follow our trails, explore our gardens and learn something new

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Jock’s Winter Wander at Chartwell

Step back in time with Jock the cat to join in the winter fun and games. Purchase a trail sheet at the Visitor Centre and follow the map to find the activity stations. Return to the Visitor Centre to claim your prize.

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Robin Spotter Trail & Pumpkin Growing at Ightham Mote

Spot the cheeky robins hiding around the garden, connect with nature, enjoy the fresh air, and celebrate one of Britain’s most iconic birds. Then join our gardening team to learn how to plant, care for, and grow your very own pumpkin seed into something spectacular!

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Hibernate and Seek at Emmetts Garden

Discover which creatures have been snoozing through winter and which ones have stayed wide awake. Join in the fun and games on this activity trail as you explore the garden and spot the hidden animals along the way. Then head back to the visitor centre to collect your prize.

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Murder mystery trail at Scotney Castle

Channel your inner Sherlock, Poirot, Inspector Gadget, Lady Grace or Scooby Doo as you solve the clues, discover whodunnit and claim your prize.

We invite you to step back in time, hop along our trails, chick out our activities and claim your prize! Everybunny's welcome for choco-lot of fun!

A young mum lifting her daughter, who is wearing paper bunny ears, into her arms at a National Trust property

Edwardian circus-themed egg hunt at Emmetts Garden

Roll up, roll up! This Easter, we’re bringing the magic of an Edwardian circus to Emmetts Garden for family fun with our circus-themed activities. Make your way along the trail and find activities for the whole family. The trail takes place from the 5th to 21st April 2025, from 10am to 5pm with last entry at 4pm.

Great Chicken Chase at Ightham Mote

Chase the chooks around the garden and complete ten fun activities and challenges to win a chocolate egg this Easter. This outdoor trail is great fun for the whole family and takes place from 29 March to 21 April between 10:00 and 17:00, with last entry at 16:30.