Britain's beautiful estates and gardens are wonderful places for a family day out in the summer. As well as sweeping lawns to run around on, bountiful borders and cooling streams and fountains to enjoy, many of these gardens host family-friendly activities over the summer holidays, inviting children to get up close to nature, express their creativity and, most importantly, have fun without staring at a screen.
Many of Britain's biggest organisations are laying on play events all summer long, based around favourite characters from film, TV and books, including Pokémon and Tom Gates, but also with an emphasis on exploring nature and traditional summer games.
The Government’s Great British Summer Savings initiative should help families save money on days out this summer. From 25 June to 1 September, VAT is being cut from 20% to 5% on eligible family attractions (plus theatre and cinema tickets and children’s restaurant meals), including Kew Gardens, and there will be free bus travel for children aged 15 and under across England during August.
The National Trust’s Summer of Play, supported by Pokémon, is returning at 142 properties across England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Somewill have dedicated Pokémon play zones where families can tackle challenges inspired by Mega Evolution Pokémon from the Pokémon Trading Card Game and around there will also be Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Trails with activities inspired by Mega Evolution Pokémon. At all 142 Summer of Play locations families can pick up a Pokémon x National Trust sticker book, collecting stickers across multiple visits.
Meanwhile English Heritage is inviting families to enjoy a Great British Summer, inspired by timeless holiday traditions such as building sandcastles and fairground games.
The five RHS gardens – RHS Garden Wisley, Harlow Carr, Hyde Hall, Rosemoor and Bridgewater – are running a series of interactive trails celebrating the magic of The Wind in the Willows and are also running Brick Explorers events, where kids can discover wildlife superhero sculptures made from hundreds of thousands of bricks.
From bug hunting to outdoor theatre to broomstick flying and water pistol fights, read our guide to some of the best gardens to visit with kids this summer.
The best summer garden days out with the kids in 2026
Family days out in London and the south east
Enjoy a Tom Gates adventure and Henry Moore at Kew
Included with entry to the Gardens this summer is Tom Gates EPIC Adventure, a brand-new interactive experience packed with creativity, music, puzzles and outdoor discovery. Running from 18 July to 31 August 2026, it is inspired by the global bestselling Tom Gates books and hit TV series, both created by Liz Pichon, and promises a doodletastic day out in nature for children and families.
Children can choose their own adventure as they journey through hands-on crafting activities, a giant interactive doodle wall, an epic live musical performance by Tom’s band DogZombies, and a code-cracking tree trail woven through woodland paths.
The Henry Moore: Monumental Nature exhibition can also be enjoyed as a family. The Henry Moore Family Trail is aimed at children aged from 5 to 12. Explore 10 of Moore’s biggest and best-known sculptures, including Goslar Warrior, Reclining Mother and Child and Sheep Piece, which all have interactive activities nearby.
There will also be daytime productions of The Wind in the Willows and Jack and the Beanstalk on selected dates – see the website for more details.
This UNESCO World Heritage site is world-famous, and a great day out for the whole family all year round. The Children's Garden is designed for children from 2 to 12 years old, it is set in an area the size of over 40 tennis courts, with hidden treasures and adventures around every corner, leading to a 4m high canopy walk wrapped around a 200-year-old oak.
Get crafty and connect with nature at the Chelsea Physic Garden
Known as London's 'secret' garden, the Chelsea Physic Garden was established in 1673 and is home to over 4,500 medicinal, edible and useful plants. Visitors can explore the historic glasshouses, discover the plant collection, or simply relax and enjoy the four-acres of green space in central London.
Every Friday in July and August is Family Friday, with a new adventure each week. There's also a range of kid-friendly events throughout the summer from craft workshops to theatre, musical folklore to wellness tours – see the website for full details.
Little Explorers Discovery Trail is focused on wellness for kids, helping them explore the garden mindfully, while the Wildlife Spotter Trail is for dventurers who want to spot the wildlife living in the Garden.
Explore the colour blue at Petworth Park, West Sussex
This summer Petworth is offering a range of activities for families throughout the school holidays, including Fun Art Fridays and a pushchair-friendly family garden trail themed around the colour blue (and inspired by the Expressions in Blue: Monumental Porcelain exhibition in the house and grounds, featuring towering sculptures by Felicity Aylieff). Kids can follow Pipkin, a young dragon who feels lost and different because of their brilliant blue colour and help them on a journey through landscapes, play spaces, and creative challenges to discover what blue really means.
Nestled in the South Downs amid 700 acres of landscaped park and gardens, Petworth is often referred to as the 'English Versailles', and it's easy to see why.
Petworth House & Park, Petworth, West Sussex, GU28 9LR, nationaltrust.org.uk
Get curious at RHS Garden Wisley, Woking, Surrey
These vast Surrey gardens feature a cathedral-like glasshouse with three climatic zones, including a 'Cloud Forest' and a Tropical Zone.
This summer, at all of the RHS gardens, including RHS Garden Wisley, kids can become Brick Explorers, inspired by garden wildlife. Discover the wildlife superhero sculptures made from thousands of bricks, pick up an activity booklet, follow the wildlife superhero trail and get creative at the interactive brick building station – all inspired by the plants, animals and fungi that call our gardens home.
Every Wednesday between 15 July – 26 August is Wildlife Wednesday – meet experts from the science and curatorial team to discover more about Wisley's Biodiversity Heroes as well as other wildlife and learn how we can bring nature back home. Meet at 11am at RHS Hilltop.
Every Friday between 17 July-28 August, kids can gather for a lively reading of The Curious Garden, a heartwarming story that celebrates the power of nature to transform urban spaces. Perfect for young builders, budding gardeners and curious minds. Meet at 11am at RHS Hilltop.
You can also step into The Wind in the Willows: A garden adventure at RHS Garden Wisley and join Mr Toad, Ratty, Mole and Badger for an interactive garden experience celebrating nature and friendship.
RHS Garden Wisley, Wisley Ln, Wisley, Woking GU23 6QB, rhs.org.uk
Enjoy summer fun at Eltham Palace and Gardens, London
At Eltham you can take in 19 acres of award-winning gardens, including a Rock Garden, pools, cascades, a moat, play area and London's oldest working bridge. It is known for its legendary jousting displays (this year on 1-2 August).
This summer, families are invited to celebrate a classic Great British Summer. Knock down the tin can alley at the fairground games, pick up new tricks at the circus skills station and dive into some puppet antics. Kick back in a deck chair with a delicious ice cream, then grab a bucket and build an epic sandcastle. Kids can grab a Great British Summer activity passport and collect special stamps when they have completed activities.
Eltham Palace, Court Yard, London SE9 5QE, english-heritage.org.uk
Enjoy medieval mayhem at Hever Castle, Kent
Step into the world of knights, legends and medieval adventure at Hever Castle from 22 July-31 August. Celebrating 40 years of jousting, young visitors can become knights-in-training in the immersive A Knight’s Tale experience, and on selected dates, families can also enjoy spectacular jousting tournaments from the world-famous Knights of Royal England, falconry displays, face painting and medieval-themed activities.
Hever Castle was Anne Boleyn's childhood home, and among the award-winning grounds you'll find an Italian Garden, a Rose Garden and a Tudor Garden, laid out as they might have been in the time of Henry VIII and his doomed second wife.
Hever Castle, Hever, Edenbridge, Kent TN8 7NG, hevercastle.co.uk
Family days out in the east
Build with bricks at RHS Garden Hyde Hall, Essex
This summer, Brick Explorers celebrates the biodiversity found in the gardens. Kids can discover wildlife superhero sculptures made from hundreds of thousands of bricks, pick up an activity booklet, follow the wildlife superhero trail and get creative at the interactive brick building station, all inspired by the plants, animals and fungi that call the gardens home.
At all five RHS gardens, including Hyde Hall, the family can also take part in The Wind in the Willows: A Garden Adventure – an interactive trail that transforms the gardens into a living storybook. Discover favourite characters such as Mole, Ratty, Toad and Badger hidden among the plants and pathways along with sensory boxes to spark curiosity, traditional garden games for all ages and photo spots for capturing happy memories.
At RHS Hyde Hall grown ups can enjoy an eclectic mix of traditional and modern styles of gardens. Highlights include the Courtyard Gardens and the Dry Garden, with its fantastic range of drought-resistant plants.
RHS Garden Hyde Hall, Creephedge Ln, Chelmsford CM3 8RA, rhs.org.uk
Enjoy traditional summer fun at Audley End, Essex
Audley End is one of England's grandest mansions and boasts idyllic sweeping gardens re-landscaped by 'Capability' Brown – don't miss the beautifully restored parterre and walled organic kitchen garden. There's also a brand new play area at the Cart Yard, complete with a replica of the house, an accessible sensory garden and SOE assault course.
This summer, families are invited to celebrate a classic Great British Summer. Knock down the tin can alley at the fairground games, pick up new tricks at the circus skills station and dive into some puppet antics. Kick back in a deck chair with a delicious ice cream, then get putting for a round of mini golf or pick up a space hopper at the friendly sports day. Kids can grab a Great British Summer activity passport and collect special stamps when they have completed activities.
From Fridays to Sundays until 31 August (excluding 7-9 August) there will be performers, including the Summer Fun Inspector who makes sure everyone is celebrating the Great British Summer appropriately. They’ll invite you to raise the Summer Fun Barometer through silliness and challenges until the site is officially declared full of the summer spirit.
From Fridays to Sundays until 31 August there will be performers, including the Summer Fun Inspector who makes sure everyone is celebrating the Great British Summer appropriately. They’ll invite you to raise the Summer Fun Barometer through silliness and challenges until the site is officially declared full of the summer spirit.
Audley End, Off London Road, Saffron Walden, CB11 4JF, english-heritage.org.uk
Family days out in the south west
Enjoy a King Arthur adventure (and Pokémon) at Stourhead, Wiltshire
Outdoor theatre company the Three Inch Fools are back this year, this time with King Arthur and the Holy Fail, an epic tale of Arthurian adventure and medieval mayhem. The 18th-century estate of Stourhead will be hosting the event on 12 August – bring your own blanket, chairs and picnic for a fun and uproarious evening.
Aside from the outdoor theatre there's plenty to keep the whole family amused at this beautiful estate, which was described as "a living work of art" when first opened in the 1740s.
As part of the Summer of Play kids can sramble up the mighty straw castle, aim for gold at the archery range, or race through the meadow maze to find the hidden camp. Plus there are all-new Pokémon zones where kids can take on Pokémon Trading Card Game mini challenges inspired by some of their favourite Pokémon, flex their skills and collect Mega Evolution stickers.
Stourhead, Stourton, Warminster BA12 6QF, nationaltrust.org.uk
Enjoy play, outdoor art and learning at The Newt in Somerset
This summer the Newtlings Programme is brimming with art, craft and storytelling, alongside regular favourites like Tree Climbing and Forest School.
The Summer Trail weaves Shakespearean-inspired magic through the woodlands. The new Art School explores unusual techniques and hands-on projects, while Newtlings Shorts like Bug Detectives and Bug Architects are a brilliant way to connect with nature on the estate.
Family days out in central England
Walk with dinosaurs at Blenheim Palace
From 10th August to 1st November 2026, Blenheim Palace is hosting Dinosaurs Are Forever, a major new exhibition by artist Jay Jay Burridge, created in partnership with the Museum of Natural History, University of Oxford. There will be five life-size sculptures of Megalosaurus, the first dinosaur ever to be scientifically named and discovered in Oxfordshire in 1824, around the site.
Blenheim Palace, Woodstock, Oxfordshire OX20 1UL. Discover more at blenheimpalace.com
A legendary joust at Kenilworth Castle and Elizabethan Garden, Warwickshire
At Kenilworth Castle and Elizabethan Garden you can experience the exhilarating spectacle of speed and skill as four legendary knights compete for honour and glory in the Knight's Tournament. Taking place 29-31 August, this is a wonderful opportunity for children to witness one of history’s most spectacular sporting contests.
You can also celebrate the Great British Summer – knock down the tin can alley at the fairground games, pick up new tricks at the circus skills station and dive into some puppet antics or build an epic sandcastle. Plus, on Friday-Sunday until 23 August, colourful costumed characters will be bringing the fun to life.
While you're at Kenilworth, be sure to visit the recreated Elizabethan Garden where you can take in fragrant walkways, carved arbours, an ornate aviary and an 18-foot-high fountain carved from Italian marble.
Kenilworth Castle, Castle Green, Off Castle Road, Kenilworth, CV8 1NG, english-heritage.org.uk
Family days out in the north
Building with bricks, the Wind in the Willows and theatre at RHS Garden Bridgewater, Salford, Greater Manchester
With gardens designed by Tom Stuart-Smith, this RHS garden includes orchards, a Kitchen Garden, a Chinese Streamside Garden, woods and play areas.
Throughout the summer holidays RHS Bridgewater is hosting a range of activities for children, including Brick Explorers – discover wildlife superhero sculptures made from hundreds of thousands of bricks, pick up an activity booklet packed with fun facts and challenges, follow the wildlife superhero trail and get creative at the interactive brick building station.
Kids can also join the magical world of Buzz, an enchanting interactive theatre experience from Colour the Clouds Theatre Company. Join Betty the Beekeeper on an immersive storytelling adventure and discover how biodiversity helps nature thrive, inspiring the whole family to care for the world around us.
Families can also step into The Wind in the Willows: A garden adventure and join Mr Toad, Ratty, Mole and Badger for an interactive garden experience celebrating nature and friendship.
RHS Garden Bridgewater, Occupation Rd, Worsley, Manchester M28 2LJ, rhs.org.uk
Build with bricks and Wind in the Willows at RHS Garden Harlow Carr, Harrogate, North Yorkshire
At RHS Garden Harlow Carr you'll find lakeside gardens, a sub-tropicana garden, an arboretum and a scented garden.
Throughout the summer holidays RHS Harlow Carr is hosting a range of activities for children, including Brick Explorers – discover wildlife superhero sculptures made from hundreds of thousands of bricks, pick up an activity booklet packed with fun facts and challenges, follow the wildlife superhero trail and get creative at the interactive brick building station.
Families can also step into The Wind in the Willows: A garden adventure and join Mr Toad, Ratty, Mole and Badger for an interactive garden experience celebrating nature and friendship.
RHS Garden Harlow Carr, Crag Ln, Beckwithshaw, Harrogate HG3 1QB, rhs.org.uk
Pokemon and a summer of fun at Gibside, Tyne & Wear
This Georgian estate is one of a few remaining 18th-century designed landscapes in the UK, with over 600 acres of gardens, woodland and countryside to explore. For families there's an Explorer Trail, den building in the woods and a play fortress with ropes and a zip wire.
From Saturday 25 July, on top of an already jam-packed Summer of Play, discover all-new Pokémon zones. Kids can get stuck into the Pokémon Trading Card Game, flex their skills and collect Mega Evolution stickers. Team up as a family to search the gardens for each Mega Evolution Pokémon, discover their powers, and complete your own challenges.
There will also be Georgian games, racket sports, music making and hobby horse racing. Discover wildlife and nature, compete in a penalty shootout, try your luck at a bean bag toss and play a game of volleyball. Tiny explorers will love the sensory play scattered across the Walled Garden. Bigger kids can step into the puppet theatre and put on a show, and for the adults there are lawn games. There will also be plenty of guided sessions, from Football Fridays with Newcastle United Foundation to axe throwing with BOutdoors.
From Saturday 4 July, every day until September.
Gibside, Rowlands Gill NE16 6BG, nationaltrust.org.uk
Enjoy family fun at Belsay Hall, Northumberland
At Belsay you'll find a Grecian mansion, a medieval castle, Victorian tearoom and 30 acres of Grade I- listed gardens. The Quarry Garden is well worth a visit – it has its own microclimate and is filled with an array of exotic plants.
This year, Belsay is celebrating the Great British Summer inspired by timeless holiday traditions. Knock down the tin can alley at the fairground games, pick up new tricks at the circus skills station, dive into some puppet antics or enjoy a round of mini golf. On Friday–Sunday until 31 August, colourful costumed characters will be bringing the fun to life.
Belsay Hall, Belsay, Belsay, Morpeth NE20 0DX, englishheritage.org.uk
Train on a broomstick at Alnwick Castle
There's something for visitors of all ages at the iconic Alnwick Castle, where two Harry Potter films were filmed. Join one of the famous Broomstick Training sessions, held in the very location where Harry Potter had his first flying lesson in Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. With expert guidance from our instructors, you’ll learn basic skills such as cornering, manoeuvring, accelerating and braking.
Explore the poison garden or the world's largest play structure at Alnwick Garden
This popular garden next door to Alnwick Castle is 25 old this year, and features massive water cascades, the world's largest Tai Haku cherry orchard and the notorious locked Poison Garden. It has a fun-filled agenda for the school holidays, including a Summer of Play – have a go at outdoor games, get wet in one of the fountains, get lost in The Bamboo Labyrinth, race on the tractors or take part in a water pistol battle.
Alnwick is also home to the play village Lilidorei, the world's largest play structure. This summer it will be hosting its third annual Lililympics, with axe throwing, booger ball, spoon races, and many brand-new challenges to try.
There's also face painting on selected dates, adventure golf and a Family Fun Bank Holiday Weekend.
And if you're feeling brave, you could even take a guided tour of the Poison Garden...
Family days out in Scotland
Go off-road and enjoy a magic show at Crathes Castle, Aberdeenshire
Designed for kids who love a challenge, the Crathes Mini Off-Roader Experience puts children behind the wheel of their own mini off-roader as they tackle woodland trails, bumps and small obstacles on a purpose-built course.
After a short intro briefing at the new Wild Wood HQ cabin, they'll hit the track in their very own electric vintage-landy styled off-roader. The generous 20-minute track session and only two vehicles at any time makes sure they get the most out of their adventure, while the rest of the family can relax with coffees and snacks available in the cabin. Suitable for kids aged 6-12.
There's also a Family Fun weekend from 14-16 August, including bouncy inflatables, face painting, crafts, lawn games and The Great Hootini’s Magic Show.
There's plenty at Crathes to keep the whole family amused, including the internationally-renowned Walled Garden where you'll find pools, fountains, roses and a range of unusual plants. There's also a Wild Wood Adventure play area and six way-marked trails around the estate's multitude of habitats.
Crathes, Banchory AB31 5QJ, nts.org.uk
Learn bushcraft and spot red squirrels at Brodick Castle Gardens, Isle of Arran
Set within Britain's only island country park, this magnificent baronial castle is surrounded by formal gardens, ancient woodland and tumbling waterfalls, making it a wonderful destination for families who love the outdoors.
This summer, children can embrace their wild side with bushcraft sessions in the woods, learning how to build a shelter, light a fire and string up a hammock. Marshmallows are almost certainly on the agenda, too.
Young history enthusiasts can step back in time at the authentic Bronze Age roundhouse, where they'll discover how prehistoric people lived, handle replica artefacts and try traditional crafts while learning about Bronze Age tools and weapons.
There's plenty more to explore across the estate, including the 'Isle Be Wild' adventure playground, peaceful woodland trails where you might spot red squirrels, and the striking Silver Garden, whose imaginative planting and art installations celebrate the castle's silver collection.
Brodick, Isle of Arran KA27 8HY, nts.org.uk
Family days out in Wales
Go globe-trotting at Bodnant Gardens, Conwy
Nestled in the Conwy Valley beneath the mountains of Eryri (Snowdonia), Bodnant is a spectacular 80-acre garden where families can spend hours exploring woodland paths, colourful terraces and hidden corners filled with seasonal flowers.
This summer, young explorers can embark on a family trail that takes them on a botanical journey around the world. As they discover fascinating plants from different continents, they'll collect stamps in their passport and complete interactive pit stops – all without ever leaving North Wales.
There's plenty more to keep little hands busy, too. Children can join craft workshops to create their own bug or design and make a colourful flag, while storytelling sessions in both English and Welsh bring the garden's landscapes and wildlife to life.
Before you leave, be sure to seek out Bodnant's remarkable Champion Trees collection. Dating back to the Georgian era, when the first beech trees were planted, the garden is now home to 40 UK Champion Trees – the finest examples of their species – as well as an impressive 130 Welsh Champion Trees.
Colwyn Bay LL28 5RE, nationaltrust.org.uk
Family days out in Northern Ireland
Go geocaching at Mount Stewart, County Down
One of Northern Ireland's most celebrated gardens, Mount Stewart is a magical place for families to explore, with ornamental lakes, formal gardens and miles of woodland trails surrounding an elegant 19th-century house.
This summer, the estate's Summer of Play transforms the front lawns into an outdoor playground, with seven themed zones to discover. Children can enjoy giant garden games, dress up in costumes, explore sensory play areas and even visit a Pokémon-themed zone, while budding creatives can join craft workshops and creative writing sessions led by a local folklorist.
For families who enjoy a challenge, there are more than 40 geocaches hidden across the estate. Simply download the Geocaching app to your smartphone and set off on a treasure hunt through the gardens and woodland.
Before you leave, take time to wander through the spectacular wildflower meadows, where hundreds of plant species attract butterflies, bees and other pollinators, making it one of the estate's most beautiful spots in summer.
County Down BT22 2AD, nationaltrust.org.uk
Editor's note: this feature was originally published on 13 July 2022 and was updated on 5 August 2026.
