Young visitors sitting in a teacup chair in the courtyard at Sutton House and Breaker's Yard, London | © National Trust Images/Rob Stothard

Family-friendly places to visit in London

Discover the top places to visit in and around London with your family. Make memories to treasure as you get active, tackle trails and connect with nature together in the great outdoors, or enjoy immersing yourself in the history of famous historic houses.

A golden glowing Christmas tree at Ham House, decorated with fairy lights and golden ribbons

A Gilded Christmas at Ham House & Garden

30 November – 1 January. Explore the beautifully decorated 17-century house and discover a sugar banquet made by volunteers in the historic kitchen. Enjoy family-friendly activities including a spotter trail inside the house inspired by Ham’s resident cat, Roscoe and traditional Christmas games outside.

Family exploring the Christmas trail at Rowallane Garden

Festive walks: Morden Hall Park

Follow a festive snowman trail on a walk around the park, drop into the Young Makers Market on 24 November for pick up beautifully crafted gifts and unique stocking fillers or browse the Stable Yard second hand bookshop for the perfect Christmas recycled read.

Family enjoying the Follow The Star Christmas trail in the garden at Seaton Delaval Hall, Northumberland

Festive Reindeer Trail: Rainham Hall

13 - 22 December. The beautiful Georgian house will be decorated in four different eras of Christmas from fresh winter foliage Georgian style through to the glitzy 1960s. Families can wrap up warm and enjoy the festive Reindeer Trail in the gardens along with reindeer hoopla, bell ringing and giant festive noughts and crosses.

A decorated Christmas tree next to a glowing warm fire in a wooden panelled room. In the foreground there is festive food and drink laid out.

Father Christmas: Sutton House

1, 8 & 15 December. Discover the house decorated for Christmas with glowing lights and paper-cut decorations made by local children. For families, there’s a trail around the house featuring children’s toys from years gone by and the chance to meet Father Christmas, booking essential, £9 per child plus up to two accompanying adults.

A glowing Christmas tree in the window of the Long Gallery at Ham House, looking really festive

Christmas in London

Enjoy the sparkle of Christmas across London with family activity trails, frosty walks around historic estates and seasonal treats this Christmas.

A family visiting Ham House and Garden, Surrey

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Ham House and Garden

Head to the Outer Courtyard where little people will love getting stuck into the Mud Kitchen, using imaginative play to create culinary masterpieces. The Wilderness is a wonderful place to explore too, with over a mile of Hornbeam hedges arranged in a maze-like pattern.

Family walking through a gate, on an autumn walk on the Osterley estate in London

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Osterley Park and House

From bike rides to den building, discover the full range of family-friendly activities and events taking place at Osterley Park.

An adult lifts a child up so she can reach the falling autumn leaves from a tree at Morden Hall Park, London. The child is smiling and holds a large handful of yellow coloured autumn leaves.

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Morden Hall Park

Explore the natural play area, spot wildlife from the boardwalk and enjoy a family walk at Morden Hall Park, with pushchair friendly routes available. Wander into the second hand book shop for a treasure trove of stories.

A smiling boy rides a red bicycle on a parkland trail

Outdoor activities in London

There are plenty of ways to get active with all the outdoor activities available at National Trust places in London.

A family walking in the grounds at Osterley Park and House, London

Walking in London

From acres of parkland at Osterley Park to the meadows, wetlands and woodlands of Ham House, discover where to go for the best walks in London.

Family members sat outside the café at Osterley Park and House, London

Places to eat in London

Discover some favourite tea-rooms and cafés in London and plan where to stop for a tasty treat on your next adventure

Carved pumpkin display for Halloween at Wicken Fen Nature Reserve, Cambridgeshire

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Carve a pumpkin lantern

Learn how to make a pumpkin lantern this Halloween and find tips for recycling it afterwards. You can also find ideas for using natural materials as an alternative to plastic decorations.

Gingerbread with a sticky glaze and orange peel on the top

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Sticky gingerbread

Treat yourself to some delicious sticky gingerbread.

Homemade bird feeders at Wicken Fen National Nature Reserve, Cambridgeshire

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Make fat cakes for birds

Encourage birds to visit your garden or outdoor space throughout winter and early spring by making these nourishing fat cakes. They're also a great way to make use of your food scraps and yoghurt pots.