Child friendly National Trust places

[VeganNugsNotDrugs]

Husband and I are mourning the loss of our youth after the excitement of receiving a National Trust membership for Christmas.

So...I'm looking for recommendations for child friendly NT places to visit please. Child is young primary age, autistic with ADHD and loves being outside but would struggle wandering around a stately home. We also have a dog so bonus points for dog friendly (but not essential).

We live in the West Country but are looking to do several weekend/short breaks away this year rather than one bigger holiday, so local or nationwide recommendations gratefully received!

Thank you 😊

Wimpole (has a farm) and within easy distance of Anglesey Abbey/ickworth/Wicken Fen so you can do two in a weekend from Cambridge.

Attingham park in Shrewsbury is beautiful, massive park , stream kids can paddle in . Lots of lovely places to stay and visit in the area .

Tyntesfield and Knightshayes would be my top
picks in the Westcountry. They do both have nice homes but outdoor walks too. Been to both multiple times. I think Lacock could work well for you too. No idea about dogs, sorry.

I was given Life Membership at 18. You’re young, promise 😉

Kent has lots of good NT places Scotney castle is lovely , Emmets garden is great with dogs and kids and has a nice tea room . You can also do the white cliffs walk which is great for wearing out the kids and dogs . Tie it in with a trip to Dover Castle which is EH .

Bodiam Castle in Kent is a child's dream - if you ask a child to draw a castle that's what you'd get. Lots of space for running around.

And then up the road a bit is Scotney Castle - lots of space for running around in and having picnics.

Both places have open water so that might be an issue but there's plenty of space away from the water.

Tyntesfield

The one at Exeter has lovely grounds

Favourite one is Stourhead. And soemthing interesting every 10mins or so while you walk which helps my nd brain!

Browser Island for a day running around.

Belton house on the a1 has incredible playground, train and soft play

My favourite places to visit are: Cragside, Fountains Abbey & Beningbrough Hall, Souter Lighthouse is interesting ad could tie it with a seaside stay.

Another vote for Tyntsfield.

For a weekend away Wray castle in the lakes is fantastic for children

I found that NT properties are great for children. We have a membership prior to DD and never run out of options to visit.

They are very child friendly and always great for a stop on a longer trip to run of some steam.

Kent has several ones with large outdoor areas but if you just want to have a wander around, Knole House is great and can be easily done with a child not having attention to detail. DD has ASD but is obsessed with history so happy to visit as many of the stately homes as possible.
No idea about dogs inside, you may need to take turns.

Also my neurodivergent kids love a trail. As long as we do it all exactly in order.

NtmT do the best trails 😁

We like Winkworth Arboretum which is stunning with bluebells in spring. Also quite near is Petworth Park and house which is lovely, and you can walk into Petworth village from there which has nice cafes and is very pretty.

Box hill surrey

In south Manchester/North Cheshire we have Lyme park and Dunham Massey both great for kids so could be a nice weekend sometime. Some others too.

Corfe Castle near swanage in Dorset is great and often has events in the summer. Also, all the car parks locally for beaches are NT and charge a fortune for non members so it feels like you're making a massive saving. Studland Bay especially is gorgeous. We had our happiest holidays there when my dc were little.

I've found a list, by county, of dog-friendly NT places - quite a lot countryside rather than their stately homes, but that can make for a better mix on a weekend away.

Whoops...

wandereroftheworld.co.uk/national-trust-dog-friendly-directory/

Helps if I post the link!

Download the app

It's perfect to find what's near and what they have on

West Country ones:
Tyntesfield - especially up in the woods on the hill, lots of play areas
Killerton nr Exeter often has trails around its grounds
Knightshayes near Tiverton - nice grounds, but doesn't do as many trails/events
Barrington Court nr Ilminster - nice gardens, activity barn & artisan makers, plus themed activities
Fyne Court nr Taunton - no house, but nice walks
Dunster Castle nr Minehead - great gardens, but steep! Castle is good too.

Warning re Lacock Abbey - took DC there with friends & their DC (aged 6-10). The woman who counted us in couldn't have been more horrified at our presence! Said 'oh dear there's so many of you!' - there was 3 adults & 3 kids. Then told us not to touch anything or sit on anything She didn't say that to anyone else. Really put me off which was a shame as DD was really excited as it's one of the Harry Potter film locations. Grounds aren't very big, but the village looked nice.

Killerton is a good shout, if your child loves the outdoors, then you don't need activities necessarily, there's loads of space to run around in and things to climb on. In the summer they often put outdoor games out. There are a couple of orienteering trails and the bear's hut is pretty cool.

Dunster Castle nr Minehead - great gardens, but steep! Castle is good too.

There's a working mill, and if you continue out beyond it you get to a packhorse bridge which is perfect for Pooh Sticks, and then there's the village playground just past that. Dunster itself is pretty and then there's the deer park for dog walks.

If you download the App you can filter on Family Friendly options, areas etc.

They're all pretty family friendly. Chartwell is great if you fancy Kent.

This and Lanhydrock in Cornwall. Also Cambridgeshire, where we are based is very good