Family-friendly things to do at Cliveden

view of a young family walking in woods — Children playing on scooters in the gardens in the autumn at Cliveden, Buckinghamshire. | © National Trust Images/ Chris Lacey

If you’re looking to get the whole family outside, look no further. Cliveden has something to offer everyone, whether young in body or young at heart. From fun walking trails to boating on the Thames, this is your one-stop shop to help you get the most out of your family visit to Cliveden.

Bike Policy

We'd love for you to cycle to Cliveden and you can lock bikes up in the spaces provided in the Walled Garden. 5 year olds and under are able to bring small scooters and balance bikes onto the estate. Mobility scooters can also be taken onto the estate but please leave bikes with pedals by the Information Centre.

Planning your family visit

Baby-changing facilities in female and male Gas Yard toilets, Conservatory toilets and in both toilets at the Doll's House
Accessible paths map available from the Information Centre
The Maze and The Storybook Play Den close half an hour before closing time

Story book Play Den

Little ones love to play in the Storybook Play Den, complete with carved wooden figures and structures to run around, climb and play make-believe. Situated in a corner of the Water Garden, the playground is next to the Doll's House cafe which is open on weekends and busy days for that all-important parental coffee whilst the children play. There are picnic tables too. Please note that the Story book Play Den closes 15 minutes before the gates close. Opening times can be found here.

Cliveden's Maze

Can you find your way to the centre of Cliveden’s Maze? The current maze is based on one that was built for the 1st Viscount Astor in 1894 and has over 500 metres of paths winding amongst two-metre high hedges. The maze covers approximately one third of an acre, making it the same size as the world-famous Hampton Court Maze. Older children enjoy challenging themselves with this one. Please note that the Maze closes 15 minutes before the gates close. Opening times can be found here.

A child in the Story Book play area at Cliveden, Buckinghamshire. | © Arnhel de Serra

Cliveden’s Woodland Play Trail

Created using the layout of the woodland, this all-natural trail is a great opportunity to explore the woods and let imaginations run free.

You can while away an hour or two on the log stepping stones, balancing beams, and more. There are also opportunities to strengthen your climbing and den building skills along the way. Situated in the heart of the woodlands just beyond the entry kiosk, off Green Drive, it is a great way to get active outdoors and all in the name of fun. Designed with children aged 6+ in mind.

Clive's Den

Just next to the play trail you will also find Clive's Den, an extra-special natural den for make-believe of all kinds. It is big enough for the whole family to hide. It's a great secluded spot to pop your feet up at our tree trunk picnic tables.

Woodland walking

Discover some great family walks and trails in Cliveden's historic woodlands. We've plenty of walks to choose to get the whole family spending time together in the great outdoors, whether exploring the grounds or making natural discoveries together.

If you are enchanted by the woodlands and want to see more then why not try our Blue Walking Trail? You can start from the Play Trail and follow the blue arrows to take a short circular route. Scroll down this page for more information about the Blue Walking Trail.

Spot the local wildlife

Don’t forget to also keep a close eye out for the variety of birds, bats and bugs that live here, and if you're feeling adventurous, why not do a spot of bug hunting?

Just beyond the woodland car park you can also discover our striking elephant, bear and tiger wood carvings, as well as the famous Cliveden snails ornately crafted by local woodcarver Nick Garnett. These wooden snails, carved using a chainsaw, represent the tiny snails that were 'imported' from Rome in 1896 in the Borghese Balustrade.

'50 things to do before you're 11¾'

Plot an outdoor exploration, get creative in nature and explore impressive gardens and majestic woodlands as part of your '50 things to do before you’re 11¾' adventure at Cliveden. We’ve picked out the best spots to get you started:

No. 1 Get to know a tree: Get to know a tree throughout the seasons, and search for clues in its roots, bark and branches to uncover its story. Cliveden is famous for its lime trees (Tilia x europaea), which can be seen on Grand Avenue and the Parterre. In the autumn, Japanese maples (such as Acer palmatum ‘Shishi-gashira’) develop bright colours and can be found in the Water Garden. Finally, head to Stable Bank (near Canning’s Oak) and discover many fine oak trees.

No. 4 Build a den: Visit the woodlands and discover multiple paths and materials to build a den.

No. 6 Go welly wondering: There’s lots of puddles at Cliveden. Head through Queen Anne’s walk to Illex Grove and discover sloping pathsin a less formal part of the estate.

No. 8 Spot a fish: Head to the Water Garden, walk across to the pagoda and here is the best view to spot fish. Look out for the koi carp but beware of the Stork as he likes to feast on the fish so you may have some viewing competition.

No. 9 Eat a picnic in the wild: Bring your own picnic to Cliveden and discover plenty of space for picnics throughout the ground. Whether you want to take advantage of one of the picnic tables in the Water Garden, go exploring further afield in the shady Woodlands, or bask in the sunshine by the river, you are sure to find the perfect spot. There are more options to picnic at Cliveden, just download the Cliveden estate map for more information. Thank you for helping us care for Cliveden by bringing a bin bag and taking your rubbish home with you.

No. 12 Have fun with sticks: Head to the woodlands at Cliveden and discover what sticks you can find to make a den or a wand. Big, sturdy sticks are great for building a den, however, smaller sticks with unusual colours or markings are great for a trail as they will help your followers spot your arrows.

No. 15 Go on a wintery adventure: Take a wintery walk around the outer path of the Parterre and discover the views towards Cliveden House, Maple Hill, the River and the Woodlands. Listen for the crunch of your footsteps on frosty ground.

No. 17 Set up a snail race: Head to the Long Garden and you can race your snail down the path towards Blenheim Pavilion.

No. 18 Create some wild art: Illex Grove and Green Drive in the Woodlands are recommended if you want to make wild art. You will find lots of leaves and sticks here.

No. 31 Make friends with a bug: Discover bugs in the Woodlands and see if you can find enough to make a bug house.

No. 32 Float in a boat: Head to the Storybook Play Den (at the back of the Water Garden) and discover the wooden boat in the play area. Use your imagination and sail away. Can you spot the mole and the toad?

No. 33 Go cloud watching: Blenheim Pavilion is a great spot to lay in the long grass and cloud watch.

No. 34 Discover wild animal clues: Roe and Munjac deer can be spotted at Russian Valley and Queen Anne’s Walk. You can spot when the deer have been active as they enjoy eating the bottom of the hedging on Queen Anner’s Walk.

No. 44 Watch a bird: If you walk from Illex Grove down towards the river, you will discover owl boxes. Look out for Barn owls and Tawny owls (you may also spot them in the woodlands). During the summer red kites enjoy gliding over the parterre in the warm breeze.

No. 45 Find your way with a map: Head to the Information Centre and collect your estate map. There are lots of lines and shapes on maps. Once you've found your starting point, have a look at the different symbols you can find near your spot. What could they be? There will probably be a special key on your map, which will tell you what each line and squiggle means. You'll probably find symbols for roads, footpaths, streams, hills and trees. Knowing all these different markings will help you to work out where you are when you're on your journey around Cliveden.

No. 48 Keep a nature diary: Your find lots of nature items for your nature diary if you head towards Illex Grove, Green Drive and the Water Garden.

No. 50 Take a friend on a nature adventure: There are a range of different walking trails at Cliveden, see more information on the blue walking trail, which is family-friendly here.