Family-friendly things to do at Seaton Delaval Hall

The Delaval Playdium is inspired by the Delavals' love of theatricality, incorporating theatre mechanics, hidden thunderclaps and rain cloud sounds, and 'flats' (blackboard scenery – bring your chalks and create your own masterpiece) alongside traditional play elements such as swings and basket swings.

This bespoke play area also features a centrepiece stage, plus rope walk, slide and scramble net.

Many a Delaval prank was thought to have been made possible by the use of mirrors and visual trickery to surprise, confuse and delight their guests in their Georgian heyday.

Our fully accessible Mirror Cube and Dark Matter Cube, the latter of which is surrounded by pleached lime trees – perfect for a family game of surprise.

Head to the South Lawn and the Delaval Games Chest, packed full of bats, balls, frisbees and more so you can enjoy a game with friends and family while you're here. Please return items when you're finished so someone else can enjoy them after you're done.

Take a wander along the central path through the South East Gardens and down along the hawthorn crinkle-crankle hedge... is someone speaking to you?

See if you can find where the message is coming from.

The area around the hall was known for coal mining, the Royal Hartley Bottleworks and a busy shipping industry. Down here you can discover the industries that gave the Delavals their wealth, with one or two surprises!

Don't forget to take a look through the keyholes in the upstairs corridor in the West Wing. If there's a tag hanging from the door handle get up close and have a look through the keyhole... you may get a surprise!

Visit the Drawing Room and delve into the stories of the Hall in the giant Game of Seaton Delaval Hall. While away an afternoon discovering more about the Delavals in this exciting game and see if you can beat your friends and family to reaching the present day in the hall’s story!

Are your eyes deceiving you? See one of the most famous Delaval pranks recreated in the 21st century in the West Wing. Take your selfies in the Upside Down Room (throw your hands in the air, take your pic and then turn it upside down to look like you’re hanging from the ceiling) then see if you can work out what’s lurking underneath the bed in the Bird Bedroom. Ask our guides to tell you the story of the Delaval pranks that inspired them.

The Delavals loved a show and once even closed the Houses of Parliament so that sitting MPs could get to the theatre to see one of their performances! Now’s your chance to follow in their footsteps and take to the stage. Maybe you’ve learnt a new dance routine or song; whatever it is, jump on and give us your best!

In the North West Woods, home of the Delaval Playdium, you can also find a host of trees and branches where you can build your own little hideaway den. Grab sticks lying on the ground and get creative!

The South Lawn is the perfect place to fly your kite. A big, open space, a bit of a wind tunnel and views across the wider estate to boot! Bring your kite and see how high it'll go!

Are you the next Andy Goldworthy? Gather leaves, twigs, pebbles or petals and create your best artwork. Why not share it with us? Tag us on Instagram @seatondelavalhallnt. Please don't pick anything, though - there's plenty to forage that's fallen on the ground already!

You don't have to look very far for bugs around the grounds. Have a wander in the Arboretum near the Church of Our Lady, get down on your knees and see what you can find!

The Oval at the end of the South East Gardens is the perfect spot to watch the clouds go by. Grab a spot, lie down and look up!