‘50 things to do before you're 11¾’
Have fun exploring nature and the great outdoors with our list of ‘50 things to do before you're 11¾’.
Family days out at Scotney Castle
Let the adventures begin! Explore a moated castle, discover hidden paths and natural play areas, take a walk over the estate or get involved with a packed programme of family-friendly events and activities.
Sometimes everyone just needs to get out of the house to blow away the cobwebs. Here are some ideas for activities you can do with your family this autumn and winter at Scotney Castle. Do book your car parking in advance to guarantee entry to the site, but there's no need to book for the trail.
Heritage & Harvest Autumn Fair (14–15 September)
This two-day event is an awesome end to the summer holidays and is great fun for all members of the family. At Heritage & Harvest you'll be able to meet the working Clydesdales, the giants of the horse world, watch a blacksmith and a wood-turner at work, get creative with our nature-themed craft corner and take part in lots of games and activities.
'The Curse of the Clocktower' Halloween Half-term Trail (26 Oct–3 Nov)
The ancient clock in the tower has stopped, stuck at 11.59pm on 31 October. As time stands still the creatures of the castle are growing restless, forced to re-live Halloween forever ...
Scotney's half-term Halloween tail is perfect for children aged 6 years and over. Complete the trail, solve the curse, re-start the clock, and claim a small reward for your efforts.
The trail costs £3 per child. See 'The Curse of the Clocktower' Halloween Half-term Trail (26 Oct–3 Nov) | National Trust for full details.
'Curtain Up' - Christmas at Scotney (23 November-5 January)
Popcorn-garlanded Christmas trees? Peter Pan and the Mad Hatter? A rotating 'tutu' tree?
The festive cheer planning here at Scotney is well underway for a seasonal smorgasbord of Christmas fun that will appeal to all the family. Christmas starts at Scotney on Saturday 23 November 2024 but if you just can't wait to get into the Christmas spirit, discover what's happening in 'Curtain Up: Christmas at Scotney' .
Spotter strolls and family days out
Have an outdoor adventure out on the estate, spotting sheep, counting the chocolate brown Sussex cattle, and seeing all the diffent colours of autumn. Why not collect some fallen leaves and make your own wild art collage pictures or autumn bunting? Or find the Wilderness Camp and make a den in the ancient woodland?
The estate's blue route across the parkland is buggy friendly and a great place to let off steam but can get a bit wet and muddy as the weather deteriorates so remember those wellies. If you're looking for a shorter option, you can explore the garden with its hard-surface paths and hidden walkways - perfect for a game of hide and seek.
Stop for a picnic or finish the day with a creamy marshmallow-topped hot chocolate from the tea-room or pocket-money treat from the shop and you'll have tired but happy little explorers.
Badger & Pepper natural play area
The Badger and Pepper play area, complete with mud kitchen, ball run, play house, toddler swing and natural drum kit, is a perfect place for younger children to let off steam. You'll find it in the main garden, half-way down the hill on the right-hand side.
Wilderness Camp
Wilderness Camp in Colliers Wood is the perfect place for older children to get back to nature, making dens, playing amongst the trees. Also a great place for autumn leaf kicking.
'50 things to do before you're 11¾'
Here are just a few of the ideas from the list ...
- No 2: Roll down a really big hill
- No 4: Build a den
- No 6: Go welly wandering
- No 7: Fly a kit - head onto the estate for this
- No 8: Spot a fish
- No 12: Have fun with sticks
- No 13: Make a mud creation - head to Badger & Pepper's play area
- No 30: Go on a scavenger hunt
- No 31: Make friends with a bug
- No 44: Watch a bird
- No 50: Take a friend on a nature adventure - double the fun!
Why not check out the full list here?
Planning your visit - Good to know
- Accessible WCs with baby and toddler changing facilities are available in the central Courtyard, near the shop and tea-room.
- An additional change area is next to the black timber clad property office by the car park.
- There are no toilet facilities or catering facilities in the garden or on the estate.
- The tea-room in the Courtyard sells a wide range of snacks and ice-creams, children’s lunch boxes, and hot and cold drinks and full meals. Full lunches are available 12-2pm.
- At peak times there is an additional kiosk in the Courtyard selling drinks and snacks. Doggy ice-creams are also on sale in the Courtyard tea-room so no family member need miss out.
- The shop in the Courtyard sells a range of good-quality pocket money toys as well as children's books.
- The second-hand bookshop by the Visitor Entrance has a Children's Corner. With children's books from 50 pence, and others from £1, it's well worth a visit.
- If it is practicable, baby carriers are a better way to travel with young ones on the estate as the routes are not fully buggy-friendly. The estate can also become very muddy and water-logged in winter or after heavy rain.
- Dogs are welcome but must be kept on a short lead. Only assistance dogs may go into the house, castle and walled garden.
- The all-weather paths in the garden are suitable for prams, buggies and mobility scooters. There are some steps from the terrace at the back of the house, but an alternative route into the garden is available.
- Prams, buggies and rucksack-style baby carriers need to be left outside when visiting the mansion house.
- For everyone's enjoyment and safety, scooters, bicycles and ball games are not permitted in the garden.