Family-friendly things to do at Sizergh

Visitors in the house at Sizergh. A young girl and her parents looking up at an intricate tapestry on the wall. — A family day out at Sizergh | © National Trust Images/Paul Harris

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.

From 22 November, come and join us for Winter at Sizergh - follow enchanting light and sound installations, discover Christmas in the House, and get stuck in with festive crafts. Find locally-sourced stocking fillers in the shop and cosy up in the cafe with a hot chocolate.

Planning your family visit

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

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
Pocket money priced gifts and souvenirs are available from the shop
On the garden webpage, you can watch virtual tours in BSL, subtitled, audio described and BSL and subtitled versions
On the estate webpage, you can watch virtual tours in BSL, subtitled, audio described and BSL and subtitled versions

A mother and young child walking down a path at Sizergh during the winter. The child is wearing a blue snowsuit, and the mother is wearing a waterproof coat. — There's always something to see in the garden | © National Trust Images/Paul Harris

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.

Close-up of the feet of a child wearing green wellies and red waterproof trousers, amid leaves, at Colby Woodland Garden, Pembrokeshire — Enjoy the great outdoors at Sizergh | © National Trust Images/James Dobson

‘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. 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

Two children running together on a lawn in the autumn.

Discover more at Sizergh

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

Plan your visit

Visitors, including parents with a small child who is holding his mothers hand, walking around the light trail at Sizergh. The trees are lit up in different colours and Victorian-style lampposts are hung with luminous globes.

Activity

Winter at Sizergh

There’s winter wonder for the whole family at the gateway to the Lake District this year. From 22 November - 24 December, make memories with loved ones as you follow immersive light and sound installations, discover a story of Christmas past in the House, and get creative with festive crafts in the Great Barn. Whatever it is you get stuck into, there are sure to be magical moments as you immerse yourself in Winter at Sizergh.