Visiting Ardress House with Family

A family of visitors looking at a gold-framed painting at Ardress House — Discover and Learn at Ardress House | © National Trust Images/Arnhel de Serra

Find out everything you need to know about visiting Ardress House with kids. From feeding the chickens in the farmyard to borrowing balance bikes and essential information on where you'll find baby-changing facilities, bringing a picnic and more.

Autumn Highlights

Ambling among apple-laden trees are a sure sign that autumn has arrived. One of the seasonal highlights at the Ardress House is to visit its orchards on one of the apple-picking Sundays which mark the start of the apple harvest.

Apple Sundays at Ardress House

6, 13, 20 October 2024

Set in the middle of orchard county, this is the ideal location to hear all about Armagh's famous apples have some family fun. Have a go on the apple press, and taste some local cider. You will also have the chance to pick some apples from the local orchard (limited availability)

Children must be supervised at all times as there are old farm machinery and uneven surfaces on site.
Balance bikes can be borrowed free of charge during the summer months, just ask at Visitor Reception when you arrive.
Baby changing facilities are located in disability access toilets in visitor reception.

Apples in the orchard at tenant farmer Mac Ivors Cider Co. at Ardress House, County Armagh — Apple Tree at Ardress House | © National Trust Images/Trevor Ray Hart

Farmyard

Have a go on our ride on tractors in the farmyard. Meet our resident chickens, goats and donkey on your visit. The farmyard is accessed through visitor reception and you can get up close with our chickens when feeding them, please wash your hands when leaving the farmyard.

Balance bikes

Balance Bikes are the perfect way to help your future cyclists learn how to ride in the safety of the great outdoors. Cycling is an important life skill and a healthy way to explore outdoors. We want to help the next generation’s cyclists learn to ride, starting their lifelong love of cycling in beautiful natural surroundings. That's why we are delighted to offer free-to-hire balance bikes to our visitors.

The balance bikes and helmets are available to hire from visitor reception. You don’t need to book anything, and the balance bikes are free to use - just turn up and get going. (only availabe Summer months)

50 things to do before you’re 11¾

Are you ready for your next wild adventure? Springhill is the perfect place to explore outdoors and tick some fun activities off the National Trust’s '50 things to do before you’re 11¾’ list.

Here are just some of the activities you can conquer with family and friends at Springhill. How many can you do on your next visit?

No. 1 - Get to know a tree
No. 18 - Create some wild art
No. 34 - Discover wild animal clues
No. 44 - Watch a bird
No. 50 - Take a friend on a nature adventure

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Things to do at Ardress House

Step back in time and visit a 17th-century house with a traditional farmyard, fruitful orchard and farm animals to meet.

A dog on lead is sitting on the grass beside its owners

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Visiting Ardress House with your dog

Your dog will love Ardress House with plenty of sights and smells to explore around the estate. Ardress House is a one pawprint rated place.

Family playing with autumn leaves in the garden at Osterley Park, London, with the house in the background

Family-friendly places to visit

Find the best family-friendly places to visit and discover the fun-filled activities on offer at the places in our care.

Family-friendly places in Northern Ireland

Discover the best family-friendly places to visit in Northern Ireland this autumn with a day out at the places in our care. Enjoy crisp, colourful woodland walks that spark curiosity and natural play areas perfect for burning off energy. As the vibrant autumn leaves fall, family adventures await around every corner. If the weather turns chilly or damp, take shelter in our cosy, family-friendly cafés and indulge in some seasonal treats. Be sure to check property websites for up-to-date opening times and special autumn events.