Family-friendly things to do at Beningbrough

Winter and February half-term 

Become a tree detective on the Magic of Trees trail

Grab a trail sheet and become a tree detective on the Magic of Trees trail at Beningbrough. As you explore the gardens, look out for the 8 leaf symbols on the trees, gather the scores and record your findings on the Top Tree Trumps chart.

Can you find the hardy Yew, playful Horse Chestnut, healing Ash and mighty Oak trees? Find out which tree the caterpillars and moths must enjoy munching on and look up high for signs of woodpeckers and owls.  

This trail is running Friday to Sunday throughout the Winter and every day during February half-term (15-23 February) .  

Annabelle and Flower: live storytelling and craft with author Em Lynas

Wednesday 19 February (11am, 12:30pm and 2pm) 

Head to the Hayloft to join a live storytelling session and craft activity all about the beautiful new picture book Annabelle and Flower by author Em Lynas. Little ones will love learning about the changing seasons and creating their very own paper flower meadow to take home.

Tickets are free with standard admission and will be issued on the day on a first come, first served basis. 

Explore the Wilderness Play Area

Venture down the woodland path to the Wilderness Play Area, where adventure awaits. Build your own hideout in the den zone, climb the stacks, cross the rope bridge to the slides, or swing high on the pendulum swing – perfect for thrill-seekers. Little ones can enjoy tunnels, balance beams, a Wendy House, and a mini clamber stack for smaller legs. Accessible bucket swings ensure fun for everyone. 

Fancy a snack?

Conveniently placed by the play area, and dog friendly, the Brew house is a great place to pick up refreshments to take away and serves scoop ice cream - it is open 11am-3pm every day during the school holidays.  

Take your adventure indoors

Keep your tree detective hat on as you explore the Hall, spotting images of trees and wooden objects – you’ll be surprised how many you find.

Easter egg trail at Beningbrough

Saturday 5 - Sunday 20 April 2025 11am – 5pm (last chance to start the trail at 4pm)  

Make your way along the trail and find nature-inspired activities for the whole family. There are 10 fun trail points to discover as you make your way around the garden. Race against the egg timer, test your throwing skills at the bean bag toss, feel different textures in the sensory boxes and peep through a magnifying glass as spring buds unfurl. Trails are £3.50 per child and include a chocolate egg at the end (or dairy free alternative).

Normal admission charges apply.

Planning your family visit

• The main car park is around 50 yards from the main entrance
• There are baby-changing facilities and toilets by the shop and entrance/exit area and in the laundry courtyard
• Please leave your pram or pushchair behind when you first enter the hall, there are indoor alternatives, hip seats or baby slings available to use in the hall
• There's even terrain in the garden but the parkland paths can be uneven and muddy in wet weather so pushchairs might struggle
• Balance bikes and foot-propelled scooters for under fives are welcome in the garden but we ask that you use larger bikes and e-scooters in the parkland only.

Things to do in the rain

Once you've finished splashing in puddles and testing the build quality of your den, it might be time for something indoors or with a little more shelter. If it rains, come inside to the Hall. Explore The Botanical World of Mary Delany art exhibition, practice your paper folding techniques in the origami room or experience the space using the sensory bags available. Test your little people to spot the faces in the carvings and count animals in the tapestries. Call into the laundry and imagine life before machines and electricity. 

Discover the wilderness play area

Unleash your wild ones on the 7-metre pyramid tower and slide, or explore the zone for smaller children, where they can climb and get creative in the Wendy house or soar to new heights in a bucket swing.

There's the ever-popular den zone and, for older children, the cantilever swing and clamber stack will test their adventurous spirit.

Perfect picnic spots

Bringing a pack up? There are plenty of great places around the hall and gardens where you can make the most of the weather and eat your lunch alfresco. Head down to the brew house where there are generous sized outdoor tables or take a pew on the benches in the walled garden. There's an andundance of space for you to picnic and play on the large south lawn.