Family days out at Sheringham Park

Mother and child bug-spotting under the bark of a tree stump at Sheringham Park, Norfolk — Bug-spotting at Sheringham Park, Norfolk | © National Trust Images/Trevor Ray Hart

With nearly 1,000 acres to explore, there’s plenty of space for kids to burn off some energy as you enjoy the variety of habitats and fun family events Sheringham Park has to offer.

Good to know

You’ll find unisex baby-changing facilities in the toilet barn, opposite the visitor centre.
We welcome breastfeeding everywhere at Sheringham Park, including in our café, and can provide hot water for making up bottles.
If you fancy a picnic, you'll find benches close to the visitor centre and you’re also welcome to picnic on a blanket in the grounds throughout the park.
There are plenty of buggy-friendly paths around the estate, ask our friendly team for details.
The Bower is a dog-free place for families to explore, relax and have fun. If you bring a dog with you, you can secure it to a post outside while you go in to see the wild flower meadow, sensory garden and the wildlife pond.
We advise that appropriate footwear is worn for a countryside walk.
Lockers are available at the toilet barn.

Child holding a dragonfly nymph at Sheringham Park | © National Trust Images/Rob Coleman

Family activities for outdoor adventures

There are lots of different ways to take in the sights and sounds of nature. You can collect natural materials, use a spotter’s guide to identify wildlife or immerse yourself in the colours, noises and textures of the world around you.

Explore the Bower garden

Abbott and Charlotte Upcher were the first owners of the Sheringham Park estate and they fell in love with the place. As their daughter Emma later said of her parents, ‘they found a spot they thought a paradise, and there began to build their ‘bower’.’

Some 200 years later, the Bower garden has been created as a fantastic place for adults and children to explore, discover and have fun. The Bower is on the left hand side as you head down the main drive.

Sensory garden

The sensory garden is full of plants to awaken your senses – take in the smell of the lavender and rosemary, feel the texture of the different leaves, look at the spiky structure of the sea holly and listen to the leaves rustling in the breeze.

The Bower pond

Peer into the depths of the wildlife pond and see what lurks beneath the surface of the water. You might be lucky enough to spot newts hiding, and on a warm summers day you’ll probably see dragonflies patrolling for prey and laying their eggs on the surface of the water.

The wildflower meadow

Our wildflower meadow is full of different flower and grass species with an insect hotel nestled at the centre.

Psssssssst!

Did you know, outdoor fun sessions are held for pre-schoolers and their grown-ups on selected Wednesdays?

Acorns Preschool Group

'50 Things to do before you’re 11 ¾'

How about becoming the explorer you were meant to be, with our ‘50 things to do before you’re 11¾' activities?

No. 1 Get to Know a Tree

Explore the woodland, many of our trees are hundreds of years old. Listen to the bids singing in them, what do you think they are saying? Investigate the ground under the tree, who makes their home here? Touch the bark, is rough, smooth, damp or dry?

No. 28 Climb a huge hill

Get a new perspective – Sheringham Park has two viewing towers and the Gazebo to climb up, as well as Temple Hill, what can you see from the top? Take a picture to remember your visit.

No. 33 Go cloud watching

Find a spot to lie down and look up to the sky and see what shapes, trails and colours you can see in the clouds. Can you make up a story about any of the shapes you can see?

Eating with us?

Fuel your next adventure at the Courtyard Café - serving kids picnic bags, soups, sandwiches and a delicious range of cakes and drinks to take away. Please check the opening hours before your visit.

Courtyard Café