Family days out at Blickling

A child dressed up in costume during Summer of Play event at Blickling Estate, Norfolk — Dressing up during the Summer of Play activities at Blickling Estate, Norfolk | © Arnhel de Serra

Keep your little explorers busy on a family day out at Blickling with activities across the estate. Enjoy everything from the impressive grandeur of the Hall to playing in the garden, or walks around the estate and den building in the woods.

Planning your family visit

Here's some information to help make your family day out at Blickling as easy to enjoy as possible:

There are plenty of buggy-friendly paths around the garden and parkland, just grab a map from visitor reception.
Baby changing can be found at the Estate Barn in the main car park, near East Wing visitor reception and in the Farmyard area.
Bottles and baby food can be warmed up in our cafés.
We welcome breastfeeding everywhere at Blickling.
High chairs, activity lunch boxes, cups and water jugs are available in the Stables café.
If you fancy a picnic, you'll find picnic benches under and around the parade in the garden, with a big grassy space for kids to play. More can be found in the Farmyard and near the Estate Barn visitor reception at the main car park. You're welcome to bring a picnic blanket and find a spot to eat surrounded by nature.
You'll find new family trails or fun things to look out for in the House throughout the year.
The cycle hire hub has a variety of bikes for all ages, including electric bikes, trailers and balance bikes so the whole family can explore the parkland.
In warmer months, enjoy a game of croquet out in the garden.

Top tips for rainy days and shady spots for hot days

Bristish summer weather can be changable, so here's how to have a fantastic family day out come rain or shine!

Rainy Day? Step inside the House
Take shelter from the showers and step back in time. Inside the House, you’ll find fun spotter trails and interactive experiences that let you see, hear, touch and smell what life was like at Blickling in days gone by.

Too Hot? Find shade in the gardens
Wander up to the wilderness area at the top of the Parterre, on both sides of Temple Walk. With dappled shade and winding paths, it’s the perfect place to cool off. Keep your eyes peeled – can you discover the secret garden?

Picnic with a view — rain or shine
Enjoy your lunch under the shelter of our stretch tent on the Parade. Bring your own picnic rug or use the tables provided.

Stay cool with Cycle Hire
Exploring the estate by bike is a brilliant way to catch a breeze on hot days. With shady woodland trails and gentle routes, it’s a fun and refreshing way for the whole family to see more without overheating. Pack water and refreshing snacks to enjoy along the way.

Explore the Great Wood
Whether it’s warm or a little rainy, the Great Wood is a brilliant place for a family adventure. Build dens, spot birds and insects, and discover the wildlife that calls this woodland home.

Discover events at Blickling

A family enjoy a game of badminton in the gardens at Blickling Estate — Family enjoying the Summer of Play at Blickling Estate, Norfolk | © Gerald Peachey

Planning the perfect Summer Holiday adventures?

Summer of Play | Wednesday 23 July - Tuesday 2 September | 10am - 5pm (last entry 4.30pm)

Enjoy a Summer of Play at Blickling Estate, sponsored by Starling Bank. The gardens at Blickling Estate are the perfect setting for days out full of fun and adventure. Explore, move, play games, get crafty and create lasting memories.

Head to the Parade to discover a whole host of self-led activities. Find games and fun activities for little tots in the nature zone. Test your building skills with giant Jenga and building blocks in the construction zone, head to the art zone for chalk board Pictionary and a weaving wall, or put on a show in the performance area, with fancy dress and a stage. At the sports zone, you'll find hula hoops and parachutes, and older kids can test their skills at tennis and badminton on the Acre.

Bring a picnic and enjoy it under the shade of the stretch tent, or grab a cold drink or ice-cream from the trailer next to the play area.

Take a look at the Diary below for days of when balance bikes, archery, craft activities and other sessions are available – all included within standard admission prices, no booking required. Free entry for National Trust members and under 5s.

Summer of Play Diary showing different activities throughout the summer — Take a look at the Summer of Play Diary to plan your visits | © Blickling Estate

Egg and spoon race during the Summer of Play activities at Blickling Estate, Norfolk — Try an egg and spoon race | © Arnhel de Serra

Be a 'Blickling Botanist' in the House

Head into the house between 11am - 4pm (last entry at 3.30pm) to craft a beautiful bloom or creepy crawlie to add to the growing installation on the book presses in the Long Gallery in response to Rebecca Stevenson's sculptures ‘Inspired by Nature: Mary, Maria, Marianne’, on display in the Upper Ante. Young visitors will also be given a ‘Blickling Botanists’ notebook to use as they explore the flowers and insects during their adventure through the house, and can look out for artist's palettes hidden in each room.