Family-friendly things to do at Hughenden
If you want to get the family outside having fun whatever the weather, visit Hughenden. Discover trails through woodlands and views across the Chilterns, make dens and look for wild animal clues. Come to Hughenden, your adventure starts here.
Planning your family visit
- Baby-changing facilities in Stableyard (accessible toilet) and inside the second-hand bookshop (steps to access).
- Child's play area is open daily next to the Orchard (weather permitted).
- Children under five on scooters and balance bikes are allowed under close supervision.
- Accessible routes for pushchairs and wheelchairs around the gardens and pleasure grounds. We would recommend a carrier for woodland adventures.
- The entrance to the manor is up two small steps but temporary ramps are available, which staff will put out on request. Pushchairs will need to be left in the arcade at the front of the Manor. Front carriers are permitted around the house and hip straps can be requested from the House team.
Upcoming Family Friendly Events:
Butterfly House Decorating
Join us for a family-friendly craft session during the Big Butterfly Count, where you can create a beautifully decorated butterfly home to support our native butterflies!
Go for Gold: Summer of Play at Hughenden
Embark on an epic quest for a gold medal at the Greek Games this summer at Hughenden. Gather your family and dive into a world of play, performance, and adventure. Can you collect all five stamps in your games passport to get your gold medal?
Go for Gold: Medal Making Craft
Join us at Hughenden for our Go for Gold: Medal Making Craft. Create your own medal with expert guidance. Free event and fun for all ages, part of Bucks Open Weekend.
Summer Craft Workshops | National Trust
Join us for our family friendly Summer Craft Workshops every Monday in August at the Studybase. Create and decorate wooden kits inspired by Ancient Greece, Anceint Rome or folklore.
10 family-friendly things to do this Summer at Hughenden
If you want to explore on your own, we have 10 ideas which might help you on your way:
1. Floral Scavenger Hunt
Create a list of different flowers that bloom in summer and challenge your family to find and identify them during a leisurely walk through the gardens. Keep an eye out for begonias, salvias and dahlias on the parterre.
2. Find the best view
Explore the estate to find the best views. Whether it's overlooking the lush greenery from the east side of the Manor or taking in the blooming landscape on the Monument Walk. Make sure to bring your camera to capture your favourite.
3. Birdwatching Bonanza
Grab your binoculars and bird identification book and set out on a birdwatching expedition. Summer is a bustling time for avian activity as migratory birds settle in and local species thrive.
4. Spot the Signs of Summer
Look for signs of summer, such as fully bloomed flowers, lush green foliage, and the buzzing of insects. Listen to the sounds around you – birds chirping, bees buzzing, and leaves rustling in the warm breeze
5. Have a picnic
Pack a delicious summer picnic with your favorite snacks, a cool drink, and a comfy blanket. Find a shady spot to relax and enjoy your meal amidst the beautiful surroundings. Maybe even plan some energetic picnic games, there's nothing like a bit of movement to keep everyone entertained!
6. Build an excellent Den
Be an outdoor architect and build a den fit for a nobleman. Hide in it and stay safe from the elements, just like the ancient people from long ago would have done, imagine what it would be like to build your own house for survival. You could make a mini manor for some of the wildlife animals to explore later. Maybe a rabbit or squirrel family will play in your creation after you’ve left for home.
7. Make a piece of natural art
Take four sticks and make a frame to start your own piece of art. Search for natural materials, such as leaves, seeds and pine cones to arrange inside your frame. Think about make a pattern or image such as a person or place. Perhaps you could create a natural portrait of Disraeli, or a landscape with the Hughenden Manor house.
8. Climb a really big hill
Get stronger and faster by climbing a really big hill. Feel your heart beating in your chest and your muscles getting warmer as you walk or try running up the slope. How far can you run uphill? Can you feel gravity pulling you and making it feel hard.
9. Woodland Exploration
Take a leisurely stroll along the color-coded trails and immerse yourself in the wonders of the woodland. Keep an eye out for wildlife as you explore the estate. Look out for birds, bees, squirrels and other creatures that call Hughenden home. Can you find any animal tracks? How many toes do they have and do they have claw marks?
10. Butterfly Hunt
Search for fluttering butterflies flying from flower to flower in the gardens. Bring along a butterfly guide to help identify different species.
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