Family-friendly things to do at Lacock

Two children in the Botanic Garden at Lacock look at a flower spotter sheet — Visitors exploring the grounds during the Spring trail at Lacock, Wiltshire | © National Trust Images/James Dobson

There are lots of things at Lacock for families to enjoy all year round. With a busy programme of activities from family crafts to the magic of live theatre, find out more about what you could discover on your next visit.

Spring at Lacock Abbey

Start your visit with the story of Lacock's photographic history. The Fox Talbot Museum is dedicated to the inventions and discoveries of Henry Fox Talbot, Lacock's 19th century resident who invented the photographic negative at the abbey. Feel inspired by the new exhibition in the gallery space upstairs, showcasing pieces from the Royal Photographic Society's International Photography Exhibition (open until 27 April 2025). Walk through the abbey rooms and see the window made famous by Talbot's invention in the South Gallery.

Snowdrops, crocuses and daffodils bring light and colour to the gardens as winter melts into spring. Follow the paths to the Orchard and pause among the blossoming fruit trees there. From March - May celebrate blossom around the gardens and find out why it's so important to wildlife and the natural world.

5 - 21 April sees the return of Easter Adventures to Lacock. Collect your trail sheet from the Easter gazebo and find 10 activity stations to enjoy around the gardens before collecting your chocolate egg. Trails cost £3.50 per child and include a chocolate egg (dairy free alternative available). General admission applies.

Planning your family visit

Here's all the information you need at a glance to help plan your next day out to Lacock Abbey:

Baby-changing facilities are available in access-friendly toilets in the courtyard at the Abbey and in the Red Lion car park toilets
A children's menu is available in the Stables Café, including ice creams
We welcome breastfeeding everywhere at Lacock, including in our cafe and we can provide hot water for making up baby bottles.
Picnics are allowed in the grounds (the orchard is a great place for a picnic) and there are picnic benches in the Pound by the play area in the village
Pushchairs are admitted in the garden, but not in the Abbey or cloister
Children’s scooters and bikes (including self-propelled or balance bikes) are not permitted in the garden.

A family enjoying Easter trails and Spring sunshine at Ickworth, Suffolk — A family enjoying an Easter adventure | © National Trust Images/James Dobson

Family-friendly things to do in the village

Lacock is a beautiful village with plenty to see and do (how many locations will you recognise from the Harry Potter films?). You might want to marvel at the majesty of the Tithe Barn, or head over to the children's play area in the village playing field, which is perfect for ball games.

There's a range of great village shops, including a National Trust shop in the High Street ,where there are family gifts and pocket-money toys available to take home and treasure.

If you’ve got the energy to stretch your legs a bit further, explore the countryside around and see the Abbey from a different angle on one of the walks.

‘50 things to do before you're 11¾’

Lacock Abbey is also a great place to tick off some of the National Trust's ‘50 things to do before you're 11¾’. Here's some of the top activities to tick off your list: