The Gardens at The Children's Country House

The Lilypond Fountain at The Children's Country House, in winter. — The Lilypond Fountain at The Children's Country House at Sudbury | © Robert Morris

Discover the perfect spot to connect with nature and explore the gardens at The Children's Country House at Sudbury.

Christmas in the Gardens

From 30 November, look out for magical additions to the garden as Cinderella's carriage arrives for a Once Upon a Time Christmas. This festive season, the gardens will be adorned with colourful Christmas trees, and of course, the return of the Moongate, thanks to the wonderful volunteers at the WELLIES project. On 21, 22 and 23 December, the property will be open until 6PM, providing visitors with the chance to experience the gardens after dark and lit up with fairy lights, ready for Christmas.

Take a Stroll

The Gardens at The Children's Country House at Sudbury are the ideal place to take a walk in nature. With lots to discover, and fantastic views to be had, relax by the lake and take in the sound of the bird song.

A Mindful Moment by the Lilypond

Adorning the centrepiece of the garden, the Lilypond fountain is the ideal spot to take a mindful moment and listen to the flow of the water. Dated back to 1690, the Lilypond is thought to be an original feature from when Sudbury Hall was built, with the children of the household being known to have spent their time playing in it.

The Bluebell Wood

The Bluebell Wood is the perfect place to unleash your inner-explorer with den building activities to take part in. With bird boxes high up in the trees, listen carefully for a range of bird songs.

Discover the Sunken Lawn

Venture through the secret entrance and discover the Sunken Lawn, a spot to picnic, play and see the oldest part of the property.

Children playing in the garden in winter at Sudbury Hall and the National Trust Museum of Childhood, Derbyshire — Children playing in the gardens | © National Trust Images/Robert Morris

Look out for signs of nature-friendly gardening

From log piles to long grass, there are nature-friendly areas designed to have a positive impact on the nature that calls the garden their home. The garden team balance caring for the garden and historic setting, and ensuring that nature can thrive now and for many generations to come.

Dogs Welcome

Well-behaved dogs are welcome in the garden. Please keep your dog on a short lead as there are many birds and geese, and don’t forget to scoop that poop – it helps us keep the garden clean for all visitors to enjoy.