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Family-friendly things to do at Packwood

An adult and small child stop to admire bright yellow flowers in the garden at Hill Top, Near Sawrey, Lake District
There's plenty for the whole family to see and do at Packwood | © National Trust Images/Paul Harris

With lots of open space and freedom to explore and play, the garden and parkland at Packwood are an ideal place for a family day out. The house is ready for explorers on rainy days, with new treasures to discover in every room. From picnics to welly walks, there's something for everyone to enjoy.

Planning your family visit

Here's the information you need at a glance to make the most of your family day out at Packwood:

  • Baby-changing facilities are available in the toilets in the barnyard and café
  • There are grass and loose gravel paths in the garden with some steps and terraces
  • The café serves hot and cold drinks and snacks. Indoor and outdoor seating is available
  • Picnics are welcome on the tennis lawn, and there are also picnic benches next to the car park and in the barnyard.

Family fun all year round

We've got lots going on to keep the family entertained whatever the season:

  • ARTconnects Join us at Packwood House on 25th June from 10:00am in the Head Gardener's Gazebo to view the art created within the Blossom workshops by artist Salma Zulfiqar BEM, participants and visitors. All the artworks will be on display throughout the summer season.
  • Hamlet at Packwood: The Lord Chamberlain’s Men invite you to join them this summer for the timeless Shakespeare classic, Hamlet, on Friday 21 June.
  • Poetry Machine is coming to Packwood on 23 June and 7 September. Under a bright umbrella, the Poetry Machine is a wooden contraption housing a nineteenth century typewriter. Its creator, Beth Calverley, will be chatting to visitors about their interests and dreams as she produces a brand-new poem custom-made for visitors.
  • Story Tea: Storyteller Pyn Stockman returns on Saturday, 21 September, as the days even out and the Sun and Moon share equal sway. Use all of your senses to explore tales of myth, legend and local folklore and let your imagination run wild as you sip and savour unique herbal teas, blended by expert herbalist Arlene Burnett.
  • Artizan Bazaar: Join us here at Packwood on 30 November and 1 December for a weekend of unique artisan shopping. Peruse the wonderful selection of talented artists as they showcase their wares.

For all the details, see our Upcoming Events page.

Family playing in the woodland area near the lake at Lyme Park, Cheshire
Bring the family for some fun at Packwood | © National Trust Images/Annapurna Mellor

Family-friendly things to do in the garden and estate

The Packwood welly walk is an ideal trail for families. There are lots of things to see and do along the way including building dens in two of the four play glades, woodland hoopla, stepping logs, bird spotting and picnicking on log tables and chairs that you can arrange yourself.

The circular walk around Packwood is also a nice easy stroll and you can spot lots of wildlife along the way.

'50 things to do before you're 11¾'

The National Trust's '50 things to do before you're 11¾' is a checklist of activities that will encourage kids to get mucky, discover their wild side and most of all enjoy what Mother Nature has to offer. There are lots of activities that can be ticked off at Packwood, here are a few recommendations to get you started:

No 31. Make friends with a bug

Next time you're out on the welly walk or enjoying a stroll there are plenty of bugs to make friends with on the way. Don't forget to pop them back where you found them afterwards.

No. 34 Discover wild animal clues

There are lots of different things that you can look for when you're on the trail of an animal or bird. Keep an eye out for footprints, feathers, fur and poo and you might find something sooner than you think.

No. 44 Spot a bird

There is a wealth of wildlife in and around Packwood with many species of birds making their home here. To be a successful bird watcher you'll need to be as quiet as a mouse while you keep a look out for our feathered friends. What will you spot? 

No. 48 Keep a nature diary

Keep a record of your amazing adventures in nature, capturing your memories of the animals and plants you’ve seen. Decide how you’ll record your experiences of nature, will you use words, pictures, sounds or a mixture of everything? You could even write a poem or a story about your adventures.

Find yourself a diary, a scrapbook or a sound recorder and get started. Make a note of all the things you’ve seen and done in nature, whether it’s a picnic in the wild, rolling down a huge hill or getting to know a wild animal. Which activity did you enjoy the most?

The house seen from across a lawn at Packwood House, Warwickshire

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