Discover more at Beningbrough
Find out when Beningbrough is open, how to get here, things to see and do and more.
Family-friendly things to do at Beningbrough
Beningbrough is the perfect place for a family adventure. Explore the wilderness play area to build a den and climb some trees or meander through the garden on a steady stroll. Whatever you do when you visit, here's what to expect from your family day out.
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.
Watch as you wander
There's a ha-ha with a sudden drop running the length of the southern edge of the garden. The garden has several open water features and ponds, part of the parkland runs alongside a river.
Winter adventures
Storytime with Father Christmas - Shrunk in the Wash
7 - 22 December 2024, Saturdays and Sundays (SOLD OUT)
Father Christmas is visiting Beningbrough for one last time in the Victorian laundry before he moves to the hall next year. Hear him tell the new story of his latest laundry mishaps as he prepares for the big day ahead.
During this thirty minute session, each child will have a special moment to chat with Father Christmas and tell him the wonderful things they’ve been up to this year... and maybe share their gift ‘wish list’. Feel free to bring along a letter if you like!
There will be presents for the children at the end of the experience and the chance to take some festive snaps to remember the moment.
£12.50 per child, £6 per adult plus normal admission charges apply/free to National Trust members and under fives.
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.
We always laugh and eat ice cream when we're there. Those are the best days...Oh and fish are always happy to see me!
A quote by Wesley Age 4
50 things to do before you’re 11¾
What better way to spend your day than trying new activities from the list of '50 things to do before you’re 11¾'? Beningbrough is a great place to become an explorer and you can do around half the '50 things' activities here throughout the year.
Here's just a few ideas to get you started:
- No. 1 Get to know a tree: With so many to choose from, which will you get up close and personal to? Look out for leaf shapes, textures on the bark and tiny creatures that might live on the tree.
- No. 12 Have fun with sticks: Let your imagination run wild. Build a den, make a trail or create your own game...they make perfect wands.
- No. 44 Watch a bird: 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?
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