Family days out at Blickling
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.
October Half Term
Stranger Folk, Volume 1: Crone Calling
Friday 17 October – Sunday 9 November
Stranger Folk is a fun game of ancient folklore and real-world adventure for families to play together. Download the Stranger Folk app and begin an immersive adventure inspired by British folklore.
The adventure starts with a voice note from a mysterious Old Crone. Will you answer the call and close the rift before mischief turns to mayhem?!
As the spirit and human worlds collide, sneaky goblins, cunning boggarts and Stranger Folk are slipping through the crack to stir up trouble at Blickling! Gather your team, harness the elements and seal the rift before the creatures take hold.
Forget pumpkins and plastic fangs, this Halloween adventure crackles with old magic. Play for a fast-paced 20 minutes or make it a day-long adventure to pause for scones and pick up where you left off.
All you will need is one mobile phone to immerse yourselves in a rich story of physical play and strange goings-on. The app is designed for children aged 7+ and can be downloaded for free from the Apple and Google app stores. We'd recommend that you download it ahead of your visit:
Alternatively, find our Welcome Team on arrival who will be able to point you to where the spirits are strongest (where the wifi is best) to download the app. But you will need to solve the puzzle to gain the secret password before your adventure can begin...
Autumn Archery
Wednesday 29 and Friday 31 October| 10.30am - 3.30pm
Wednesday 29Take aim and shoot your arrow to become a master archer. With hints and tips from staff, can you hit the bullseye? Challenge friends and family members to have a go and create lasting memories together this October half term.
Archery is included within standard admission prices, no booking required. Free entry for National Trust members.
Spooky Spokes – balance bikes and obstacle course
Wednesday 29 and Thursday 30 October| 10.30am - 3.30pm
Borrow a balance bike for your little ones this half term holiday so they can enjoy spinning around the autumnal course, aimed at 3 to 5 year olds.
Children over 5 can test their balancing skills with some munchkin pumpkin racing around the obstacle course! Challenge friends and family members to have a go and create lasting memories together this October half term.
Explore on wheels is no. 11 of our ‘50 things to do before you’re 11¾’!
This activity is included within standard admission prices, no booking required. Free entry for National Trust members.
Garden open 10am – 5pm from 17 October until 2 November, and 10am – 4pm between 3 November – 9 November. Last garden entry is half an hour before closing, but we recommend starting the Stranger Folk activity an hour before closing.
You might also be interested in
Discover the House at Blickling Estate
Discover more about Blickling Hall, in Norfolk, a Jacobean mansion thought to be the birthplace of Anne Boleyn, and sits in a historic park.
Cycling at Blickling Estate
With bikes for all ages to hire, including electric, children's trailers and balance bikes, the whole family can enjoy exploring Blickling’s parkland on two wheels.
Eating and shopping at Blickling Estate
Offering delicious, locally sourced and produced food, stop at one of the cafés, browse in the shop or grab a bargain in the second-hand bookshop.
Explore the wider Blickling Estate
There's much more to Blickling Estate than its famous house. Covering 4,600 acres with 950 acres of woodland and parkland and 3,500 acres of farmland, Blickling Estate is great for exploring alone, with family or your four-legged friends.
Family-friendly places in Norfolk
Plan your next adventure with the family around Norfolk, with colourful gardens, winding walks and nature trails for you all to enjoy.
