Discover more at The Children's Country House
Find out when The Children's Country House is open, how to get here, the things to see and do and more.
The Children’s Country House at Sudbury
The Children’s Country House at Sudbury. Having fun with history.
Main Road, Sudbury, Ashbourne, Derbyshire, DE6 5HT
Important notice
Please note, there is currently no lift access in the cafe or museum as essential maintenance is being carried out. Apologies for any inconvenience this may cause.
Opening times for 8 September 2024
Asset Opening time Hall 10:30 - 17:00 Garden 10:00 - 17:00 Museum 10:00 - 17:00 Shop 10:30 - 17:00 Tea-room 10:00 - 17:00 Please note, the opening hours of certain areas, such as the Mystery Rooms and the School Room, may vary depending on the operational availability of the day.
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Ticket type Gift aid Standard Adult £26.40 £24.00 Child £13.20 £12.00 Family £66.00 £60.00 Standard Family (one adult) £39.60 £36.00 Become a member and discover more than 500 places
Assistance dogs only
Assistance dogs only in the buildings
Dogs allowed
Dogs welcome in the grounds and garden on leads
Café
The Fairy Tale Forest Café serves seasonal snacks and drinks to eat in or take away
Shop
Second-hand gift shop
Car park
Toilet
A variety of additional support available to help you enjoy your visit to The Children's Country House at Sudbury. For any specific access requirements, please contact us at cchsudbury@nationaltrust.org.uk or 01283 585337 prior to visiting and a member of the team will be happy to assist.
Accessible route and/or map
Ramped access/slopes
Some outdoor surfaces are covered in large, loose gravel and there is sloped access to the garden terraces
Accessible toilet
Accessible toilets are located in the Stable Yard and in the Museum
Steps/uneven terrain
There are ramps to allow access into Sudbury Hall, however not all of the Hall is accessible via wheelchair
Changing Places
Transfer available
Free wheelchair accessible vehicle transfer is available from the main car park to the property
Designated parking
Wheelchairs available
Lift
The Museum is accessible by wheelchair. There is a small lift available between all floors
By road
The Children's Country House at Sudbury is 6 miles east of Uttoxeter at the junction of A50, Derby to Stoke and A515, Ashbourne.
Parking: Free parking in the National Trust car park, 500 yards along the main road. Follow the wiggly path towards the Hall. The main car park has designated accessible parking spaces and wide parking spaces for families with small children. Please avoid parking on the main road, as this affects visibility for pedestrians and residents of Sudbury village.
Sat Nav: Enter DE6 5HT.
By train
Train stations nearby The Children's Country House at Sudbury are Tutbury & Hatton Station (5 miles away), Uttoxeter Station (5.3 miles away), Burton-on-Trent Station (9.1 miles away). Please note, you will need to travel onwards from the train station on the 401 bus service to reach the property. As a thank you for arriving car-free, enjoy a free hot drink from our restaurant when you show your train ticket with the day’s date on it.
By bus
Travel by bus from: Burton-on-Trent (45 mins), Tutbury (10 mins) and Uttoxeter (10 mins). Hop off at Garden Cottages and walk through the side entrance over the grass or hop off at Vernon Arms and walk 5 minutes along Main Road to the main entrance. As a thank you for arriving car-free, enjoy a free hot drink from our restaurant when you show your bus ticket with the day’s date on it.
By bicycle
National Route 54 of the National Cycle Network can be followed from Stourport to Parsley Hay via Kidderminster, Dudley, Lichfield, Burton, and Derby.
Car-Free
Travel the green way and help us to look after this special place. As a thank you for arriving car-free, enjoy a free hot drink from our restaurant when you show your bus or train ticket with the day’s date on it.
Planning your visit
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The Gardens at The Children's Country House
Explore the Garden and explore, admire and connect with the beauty of nature.
Upcoming Events
Learn more about upcoming events at The Children's Country House at Sudbury.
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Family-friendly things to do at The Children's Country House at Sudbury
The Children's Country House has been created with children at the heart and there is always something to discover, explore and learn for families.
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Learning and Educational Visits to The Children's Country House at Sudbury
From primary school groups to higher education students, our Learning Team offer an exciting programme which can be adapted for different ages and abilities.
Volunteer at The Children's Country House at Sudbury
Volunteers play a huge role at The Children's Country House and are involved in a wide range of activities including driving, visitor welcome, hall experience and conservation. Discover our volunteer opportunities and how to get involved.
Highlights
Sudbury Hall
Explore the historic country home of the Vernon family, with beautiful plasterwork, carvings and the Grand Staircase.
Museum
Visit our dalek, take a lesson in our Victorian Classroom and learn about childhood through the ages.
Gardens
Explore, picnic and play while you connect with nature. Build a den, have a mindful moment and get involved in our many activities.
Eating
Serving seasonal snacks and drinks to eat in or take away at the Fairy Tale Forest Café.
The Book Jungle
A second-hand shop selling pre-loved items including books, toys and clothing.
Mystery Rooms Experience
Take part in our child-led mystery rooms experience based during World War 2. Places are available on a first come, first serve basis on the day of your visit. Perfect for children 10 and over. Mystery Rooms are not open on Mondays during term-time.
Stableyard
A space to take part in games, activities and indulge in an ice cream from the café.
Boathouse
Located in front of the lake in the Gardens, the Boathouse is the ideal place to sit back, relax and enjoy a picnic.
Things to see and do
Article
Things to See and Do at The Children's Country House at Sudbury
Enjoy a leisurely visit to The Children’s Country House at Sudbury. Whether you’re a history enthusiast, a garden lover or seeking a retreat, there’s something special at this late 17th century house for everyone to enjoy.
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Visiting The Children's Country House at Sudbury
With children at the heart of The Children's Country House there is always something to discover, explore and learn with the family.
Spotlight events
Pooch Passport
From September to February, why not bring your furry friend along and pick up a Pooch Passport on your next walk? Collect stamps from participating places and receive a special treat from our partners at Forthglade.
Heritage Open Day: A Walk to the Deercote
Starting from the Children's Country House at Sudbury, this 4km guided walk will include visiting Vernon's Folly (the 18th century Deercote) and historic square pond.
Eating and shopping
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Eating and Shopping at The Children's Country House
Grab a bite to eat at the Fairytale Forest Café or picnic in the grounds or Boathouse. The jungle-inspired fundraising shop is a treasure trove of gifts and goodies for children and adults alike.
Outdoor activities
Article
The Gardens at The Children's Country House
Explore the Garden and explore, admire and connect with the beauty of nature.
Article
Visiting The Children's Country House at Sudbury with your dog
Dogs are welcome in the grounds at Sudbury all year round and there's lots to explore with you canine friend.
Upcoming events
Event
Pooch Passport
Pooch Passport has arrived at The Children's Country House at Sudbury from 1 September to 28 February 2025.
Event
Heritage Open Day: A Walk to the Deercote
Starting from the Children's Country House at Sudbury, this 4km guided walk will include visiting Vernon's Folly (the 18th century Deercote) and historic square pond.
Event
Halloween Storytelling
Creep into Sudbury's Beer Cellar this Halloween and listen to a range of spooky stories from our storytelling team.
Event
Father Christmas at The Children's Country House at Sudbury
Someone special is visiting The Children's Country House at Sudbury on 14 and 15 December 2024.
About The Children’s Country House at Sudbury
The Children’s Country House is a place to have fun with history.
The Hall - The first heritage experience of its kind . Originally home to the Vernon family, there are over 12 rooms currently open to the public across three levels. Created with and for children, this experience aims to spark a lifelong interest in heritage. It will encourage confidence and curiosity while learning about the collections and history at Sudbury Hall.
The Museum - Explore the different spaces in The Children’s Country House Museum, which celebrate the escapades and challenges of childhood across the centuries. Be creative and curious as you get stuck in with activities to bring your experience to life. You don’t have to be young, only young at heart to enjoy the fun.
The Garden – Outdoor adventures await in the Garden. Enjoy walks through the historic parterre which echos formal planting plans, and colourful displays supporting a variety of pollinators. Stroll by the lake and explore new spaces that have been opened up, as we continue to work with children to further develop the Garden and decide what the future should look and feel like.
History
Article
History of Sudbury Hall
Discover more about the history of George Vernon who inherited Sudbury Hall at the age of 25 and how George and his descendants improved their fortunes through advantageous marriages.
News
Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Museum of Childhood
On 24 June 2024, the Museum of Childhood will celebrate its 50th anniversary. Over the past five decades, thousands of children and adults have visited, experiencing a journey through childhood across the ages with family, friends, and school groups.
Art and collections
Art and Collections website
Explore the objects and works of art we care for at The Children's Country House at Sudbury on the National Trust Collections website.
Our work
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Our work at Sudbury Hall
Discover how the house and collection team at Sudbury Hall care for the collection - from regular surveys to conservation cleaning.
Project
Project
Creating The Children's Country House at Sudbury
Discover how the curators and conservators at Sudbury Hall, reassessed the property and The Children’s Country House was born.
Project
Project
The Great Staircase at Sudbury Hall
Discover how the Great Staircase has been repaired and restored to its former glory, after being out of use for over 40 years.