Family visits at Rainham Hall & Gardens this Winter

Published:: 18 December 2025

A family exploring the gardens at Christmas at Hinton Ampner, Hampshire — Family enjoying the gardens in winter at Hinton Ampner | © Megan Taylor

Wrap up warm and enjoy family time at Rainham Hall and Community Garden with nature challenges, active games, winding woodland and open lawns to run about on and get fresh air.

A family of two adults and two children laughing, with autumn tree colour — Family in the garden at Knightshayes in autumn | © National Trust/Chris Lacey

Events for Families at Rainham Hall & Community Gardens this Autumn

Family Visits to Rainham Hall
Families can also visit the Hall (on Thurs- Sat) with our interactive displays in the exhibitions, the Rainham Tag Trail Challenge and secrets of the Hall to hear about (ticketed).

Nature and Heritage Explorers, free, just drop in

Plenty bug hotels for nature detectives to explore and free Rainham Hall Nature Explorer kits or Heritage Explorer Quiz to try out.

The Stables Cafe will be open 11-4.00pm

50 things to do before you're 11¾, free just drop in

From Wednesdays - Sundays 11-4.00 pm you can roam around the gardens discovering nature or just having a run round on the lawns. In the garden you can discover nature by checking out the bees in Honey Bee Hall, trying out '50 things to do before you're 11¾' activities at the Mud Kitchen or creating Wild Art in the outdoor classroom. Try making a home for wildlife, rolling down the big hill, or create and wear a wild crown.

Planning your family visit

There is no parking on site at Rainham Hall but transport links are very close by, see visiting for details or links or nearby parking options.

Please note that children must be accompanied by an adult at all times when visiting Rainham Hall or participating in our activities.

Making mud pies at Ormesby Hall, North Yorkshire: a child spoons earth and flower petals from a large bowl into a baking tin — Making mud pies | © National Trust Images/Paul Harris

Family-friendly things to do in the garden

Be with the bees

Honey Bee Hall is buzzing with bee pals in their with brand-new hives. Find out all about a day in the life of a hive in the new display and explore a demonstration hive then go and spot bees or listen to them at Honey Bee Hall.

'50 things to do before you're 11¾'

If you're into discovering nature then '50 things to do before you're 11¾' is for you.

At Rainham you can tick off:

No. 1 Get to know a tree
No. 2 Roll down a really big hill
No.12 Have fun with sticks
No. 13 Make a mud creation in our mud kitchen
No. 16 Wear a wild crown
No. 18 Create some wild art
No.30 Make friends with a bug
No. 36 Make a home for wildlife
No. 41 Find animal clues
No.50 Take a friend on a nature adventure

You can also try out our Nature or Heritage Trails or Minibeast Huntsand spot as many garden beasties as you can.

Family looking at a display case using a magnifying glass | © Megan Taylor

Family-friendly things to do in the hall

Families can also visit the exhibitions in the Hall to try out the Rainham Tag Trail Challenge. With lots of interactive displays including old fashioned typewriters to try, 1950's toys to play with, grind your own coffee, meet the blue felt cat, try out a tricorn hat, a telescope or compass. On the top floor try on an old fashioned nappy and get your adult to try one too then have a lie down on our tiny day beds!

Hall entry prices for adults and children apply if visiting the exhibition and Hall.