Family-friendly things to do at Sizergh

Two girls leaning over the wall which looks over the Mirror Pond at Sizergh. They are wearing brightly coloured clothing. The pond is covered in lily pads, and it's a sunny day. — A family day out at Sizergh | © National Trust Images/James Beck

Whether you want to let little legs run off some steam, wander through a peaceful garden for a buggy-friendly walk, or discover a children’s trail through a house filled with treasures, there’s something for all ages here at Sizergh.

Planning your family visit

Here’s some useful information to help plan your visit to Sizergh:

Summer of Play is running all summer - inspired by the Strickland family archive, enjoy lawn games, dressing up and creative play in the garden. Or let your imagination run wild with natural play at the visitor centre, and stretch little legs on the Holeslack Accessible Trail
The wild play trail is closed due to extensive damage following months of heavy rainfall. The play trail is really popular, and unfortunately the heavy rain mixed with high footfall now means the woodland needs time to recover
You'll find toilets and baby-changing facilities in Ashbank Visitor Centre in the main car park, and in the Old Forge next to the House
The café offers a range of tasty kids’ lunchboxes containing sandwiches, fruit, a treat and juice or water. Hot lunches are also available and tray bakes, cakes and scones are baked fresh each day
If you’d rather bring your own picnic, tables and benches can be found outside Ashbank Visitor Centre, in a quiet spot off the orchard, and down by Gardeners’ Cottage. There are also plenty of benches around the gardens and hidden follies
Pocket money priced gifts and souvenirs are available from the shop

Summer of Play

Inspired by archival footage from the family archive, Summer of Play at Sizergh will transport you back in time. In the 1930s, the Strickland family used the Dutch Garden and South Lawn to spend time together. Scan the QR code to see footage of games in the garden and a garden party. Choose a hat and make your way up the steps, just like the guests arriving at Sir Gerald’s garden party, or try your hand at some skipping games like the ones the Strickland children enjoyed.

Further afield, walk to the bird hide to see what’s visiting the wetland, or discover which special plants are growing on Sizergh Fell. Let your imagination run wild with natural play at the Visitor Centre, or stretch your legs on the Holeslack Accessible Trail.

You can also trace the history of Sizergh by following the scallop trail through the House.

Mother, father and child between them walking in the garden at Sizergh, talking animatedly. They're surrounded by green trees and plants. — Enjoy a springtime stroll in the garden | © National Trust Images/Annapurna Mellor

Family-friendly things to do on the estate

Walks and wildlife spotting

There are three popular walking routes in the estate which are marked in a map available from the Visitor Centre. The Sizergh wildlife walk is great for spotting views of the Lakeland Fells, the Pennines and Morecambe Bay, as well as birds, butterflies, wildflowers and some unusual animals. Or, for a walk through historic parkland and ancient woodland, and on to the wetland to spot a variety of bird species, try the Park End Moss wetland walk.

The Holeslack Accessible Trail is ideal for little legs and pushchairs, and will take you through ancient woodland, some historic farm buildings and a traditional Westmorland orchard.

Orienteering

Orienteering is a great way to explore the estate, and the South Ribble Orienteering Club have designed some courses to enjoy at Sizergh. For families and children, we recommend having a go at the accessible route or the shorter route.

Oxeye daisies and drystone wall at Sizergh Castle, Cumbria — Wildflowers on the estate | © National Trust Images/Peter Katic

‘50 things to do before you’re 11¾’

Enjoy the great outdoors whilst getting closer to nature with our ‘50 things’ list of self-led activities for young adventurers. There’s something to see and do at Sizergh all year round, but here are a few top suggestions to get you started.

No. 4 Build a den out on the wild play trail
No. 44 Watch a bird from the bird hide at Park End Moss
No. 33 Go cloud watching from the lawn by the Mirror Lake

Things to do on a rainy day

There's loads of fun to be had even if the weather is bad - try our favourite things to do when it's rainy at Sizergh.

Pull on your waterproofs and explore the wetland - take refuge in the bird hide and see what you can spot in the wetland
Take a stroll through ancient woodland on the Holeslack trail, and spot weird and wonderful fungi
Shelter in the cafe and enjoy cake and a cup of tea, and then have a browse in the shop
Discover the scallop trail in the House, and trace 800 years of family history

A family stand looking across a lake with Sizergh Castle in the background

Discover more at Sizergh

Find out when Sizergh is open, how to get here, things to see and do and more

Plan your visit

Children in the Kitchen Garden at Sizergh, Cumbria

Summer of Play

Step back in time with Summer of Play at Sizergh.

Two girls sitting on the lawn at Sizergh on a sunny day. They are laughing, and wearing 1920s-style hats, rummaging through a basket full of dressing up clothes.

Article

Summer of Play

Explore Sizergh's past and the lives of the family who lived here - choose a hat and make your way up the steps, just like the guests arriving at Sir Gerald’s garden party, or try your hand at some skipping games like the ones the Strickland children enjoyed.