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Original poster

Child friendly National Trust places

73 replies

VeganNugsNotDrugs · 26/12/2023 21:23

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 😊

OP posts:
mateysmum · 26/12/2023 23:35

The NT website is pretty good at giving the dog and child friendly options. Almost all properties allow dogs in the grounds, some in the gardens but none in the properties.

Original poster
VeganNugsNotDrugs · 27/12/2023 07:42

Wow thank you for all the suggestions! Several duplicates too. The website/app is no substitute for personal recommendations so thank you. Looking forward to exploring some new places without the fear of spending ££ only for it to be a total disaster and we're back in the car after 30 minutes 😂

OP posts:
TravellingSpoon · 27/12/2023 07:45

Wtafis · 26/12/2023 21:34

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

Was coming on to say this. My DC's are older now but we spent many a weekend at Belton when they were younger.

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TeenDivided · 27/12/2023 07:45

Mottisfont near Romsey in Hampshire is good.

SadlyACupOfTeaDoesNotSolveEverything · 27/12/2023 07:48

St Michaels Mount - boat is a few £ and you can often walk on way depending on the tides. Climb to mount is a lot but lovely gardens easily accessible and the adventure of the tidal path alone excited DD.

Poppy61 · 27/12/2023 07:49

A NT membership is a wonderful gift. Always great places to take a picnic. Enjoy!

SquigglePigs · 27/12/2023 07:53

Calke Abbey in the Midlands is great. There's a wonderful play area built into the woods.

againandagainand · 27/12/2023 07:54

Unexpectedlysinglemum · 26/12/2023 22:54

Box hill surrey

If you are considering Box Hill, it is also close to other lovely NT properties - Poleseden Lacy, Hatchlands, Claremont are all fairly near to each other in Surrey.
And it's not too much of an extra drive to Neimans.
Poleseden Lacy is our favourite.

CormorantStrikesBack · 27/12/2023 08:02

Someone has already mentioned Belton, amazing adventure playground. Also not too far from Clumber which is an amazing outside place.

cragside also a favourite of ours. Again lots of outdoor space.

reluctantbrit · 27/12/2023 08:05

VeganNugsNotDrugs · 27/12/2023 07:42

Wow thank you for all the suggestions! Several duplicates too. The website/app is no substitute for personal recommendations so thank you. Looking forward to exploring some new places without the fear of spending ££ only for it to be a total disaster and we're back in the car after 30 minutes 😂

They are also all picnic friendly, the cafes are nice but not cheap so we always take lunch and then just get a tea/ice cream or share a cake.

PotteringAlonggotkickedoutandhadtoreregister · 27/12/2023 08:06

The north east has awesome national trust thing for children:

gibside
Washington old hall
seaton delaval hall
crook hall

those are all in about a 15 mile radius.

then cragside and wallington up in Northumberland

PointeShoesandTutus · 27/12/2023 08:12

Speke Hall in Liverpool is brilliant for kids. Also Fountains Abbey in Yorkshire.

90yomakeuproom · 27/12/2023 08:15

Near (ish) to Cheshire, we like Biddulph Grange and Quarry Bank Mill. Both have got outdoor play areas and lots of outdoor space to investigate.

Tygertiger · 27/12/2023 08:32

Sudbury is all geared around children and home to the Museum of Childhood. It’s fab.

Quarry Bank is a working cotton mill and they can do the Apprentice House tour to see where the child workers lived (includes live leeches etc). The tour always books up in advance so book it online the day before you go.

Cragside in Northumberland is amazing, and there are English Heritage castles up there which you get free entry into with an NT card (Dunstanburgh is one).

Erdigg has a fabulous adventure playground.

No properties let dogs in the house, so one of you has to do dog duty, but all the above let them in the grounds and some in the cafe too.

Pashazade · 27/12/2023 08:47

If you make it as far as Sussex then Nymans and Sheffield Park are both lovely for walking around, also your Trust membership gets you into Wakehurst Place which is huge, although you may have to pay for parking. They're all within half an hour of each other.

handmademitlove · 27/12/2023 08:49

We use NT places for stopping points on long journeys where possible. Decent cafes and toilets and always somewhere for the kids to run around after being stuck in the car!

Most houses do trails/ quizzes / activities such as dressing up for children. As a pp said, my ND children loved them as long as they were done in order! Also I find the volunteers in each room will give you a clue to where to find things if you ask them 😁

Blabla81 · 27/12/2023 08:50

We’re in the East and often visit Belton house, Wimpole Hall and Anglesey Abbey. Great for children.

Beetlewings · 27/12/2023 08:52

Chirk Castle is amazing for kids. Our membership has been worth it for its child friendliness alone

PermanentTemporary · 27/12/2023 08:55

Waddesdon Manor has a truly wonderful outdoor play area.

Another vote for the glories of Knole Park, though thanks to a legal fight in the 60s the park is actually open access for everyone, not just NT members (I grew up near there).

LovelyDaaling · 27/12/2023 08:57

Coleton Fishacre near Dartmouth is lovely. Highly recommended for the garden alone. We never inflicted the house tours on our children but spent all day outside.

BlackCatsAreBrilliant · 27/12/2023 08:59

Sudbury Museum of Childhood is great for kids (but can make parents feel ancient if they see things from their childhood in a museum). The schoolroom reenactment is fun.

Mararita · 27/12/2023 09:01

Kingston Lacey and Stourhead are both good for kids with large outdoor areas to explore if you don't want to go into the houses. Kingston Lacey also has a large outdoor playground.

MrsWhites · 27/12/2023 09:05

StillWantingADog · 26/12/2023 22:55

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.

Quarry bank and Tatton park are also great within this area - Tatton park has a beautiful little childrens farm too!

StillWantingADog · 27/12/2023 09:08

MrsWhites · 27/12/2023 09:05

Quarry bank and Tatton park are also great within this area - Tatton park has a beautiful little childrens farm too!

Show quote history

Good call re quarry bank, Tatton is unfortunately not free for NT members. Gardens and house are free for members but you still have to pay to enter the estate, much to DH’s disgust

StillWantingADog · 27/12/2023 09:09

Oh and you have to pay for the farm at Tatton too 😩

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