There are a lot of people that have National Trust Memberships and plenty that don’t. Are you considering buying a family membership, but not sure what is on offer? The National Trust properties are not just houses with pretty rose gardens, they all have amazing grounds. Perfect for children to run around and burn off some energy. They make a great day out.
Here are a few of the great National Trust Properties that have great natural play areas, perfect for use all year round.. when the rain stops!
East Riddlesden Hall – Bradford
With 50 acres of grounds to run around the children are bound to have fun. The play park has swings, slides and a large climbing wall in the shape of a cow! There are also Den building areas and a pretty amazing mud pie kitchen.
Speke Hall – Liverpool
Jo said – Speke Hall is brilliant for kids with several play areas. There is a woodland trail, a maze and even musical instruments. The woodland play area includes a wobbly bridge, zip wire and plenty of den building. The grounds are amazing at Speke Hall.
Beningbrough Hall near York
Beningbrough Hall near York has a fantastic play area for both younger and older children. They’ve recently installed lots of new play equipment and built a cafe right next to it, which is ideal for parents
Ightham Mote
There is plenty for children to do at Ightham Mote, there is a children’s trail where you have to look out for certain things. The grounds are extensive, there is quite a lot of water so keep an eye on those little ones. There is a wonderful natural play area, it might be worth bringing wellies as there are plenty of opportunities to get messy. With wigwams, balance beans, musical instruments and stepping stones, the children are bound to have a great time.
Clivedon – Buckinghamshire
There is plenty to keep Children of all ages entertained at Cliveden. There is a fabulous maze that is made up of 1,000 yew tree’s making it challenging for all ages. The story book den and play area will capture imaginations of children and gives them a great opportunity to burn of some steam.
Mosley Old Hall – Wolvehampton
Mosley Old Hall is another National Trust property with a great play area. There is magnificent tree house, rope swings and plenty to climb on. You can find the tree house and play area at the end of a little woodland walk. It is a great place to visit. During school holidays there are also a variety of events, including toasting marshmallows on a camp fire.
Fountains Abbey and Studley Water Gardens – Ripon
Walking through a woodland area the play area is slowly introduced with various things to climb on along the way. There is an abbey shaped climbing frame. There are some suitable areas for the little ones to play too. Bridges to walk across and explore and there are plenty of hiding places. Perfect for a game of hide and seek. There is also a medieval garden which the grown ups will love, however there are some fun activities for the children to do.
Lyme – Cheshire
Whether it is exploring the 1400 acre dear park or running around the grounds there is plenty to do. There is a great natural play area where there is plenty to explore and climb. There are picnic areas and its great that it is in the shade – especially on the hot summer days. If you want to just use the play park you can park near by. The National trust play area give children the chance to take risks and to find things out themselves.
Sitzerg Castle -Near Kendal
The wild trail at Sitzerg Castle is a great find. A wild play area that stretches over 1.5 miles of beautiful forest in the grounds of the castle. The Wild Trail gives kids the chance to play in the forest among the wildlife and you’ll see plenty about! The kids get back to nature, challenging themselves and you to complete the obstacles and having a brilliant time doing so. Be prepared to get muddy. The children will have fun walking along tree trunks, balance on beams and crawl under nets.
Clumber Park – Nottinghamshire
A beautiful park which feels like it is hidden in the woodland, but in reality it is tucked just behind a red brick wall across from the cafe and discovery centre. Thee are wooden huts, balance beams, a small slide and a good sized rope climbing apparatus. There is plenty for children to enjoy.
Emmetts Garden – Kent
Emmetts Gardens is beautiful – The children can get stuck into adventures on the wild natural playground. Den building, balancing beams and rope swings. There is plenty to explore. There is also a teepee full of dressing up clothes. So much fun is to be had. I think the National Trust play areas really add to a day out.
Mottinsfont – Hampshire
The play area at Motisford is located just by a stream and is a great wooden construction with a water pump and a series of sluice gates that can be opened and closed. This allows the water to flow down to the river. There is also natural wood climbing frames and tree trunks to balance on. There are frequently different trails set up in the summer. Children get to look for different things and explore the grounds.
Lanhydrock House – Near Bodmin
I personally love Lanhydrock House, there is really so much to do. The play area is a great place for children of all ages. There are different levels to explore and plenty of places to hide. You can find the play area near the park cafe and picnic tables. You could bring a bike or hire one so that you can have some family fun on the trails in the woodland. A perfect place for burning off some energy.
Killerton House – Near Exeter
There are plenty of places to explore and play at Killerton House. While exploring the grounds keep your eyes open for swings and slack lines to play on, there are plenty of fallen tree’s to climb on. There is a great den building site in the park wood where children can play for ages building dens, or playing in the one’s that are already made. Another exciting place for the children to place for children to visit is the bear’s hut. It was named the bears hut as it was used to house a black bear in the 1960’s.
There are hundred’s of National Trust Properties to visit in the UK, the majority of them have something fun for children. I think The National trust put children at the heart of their properties, with play areas, trails and things to keep the little one’s entertained. I have listed just a few, if you know of any great National Trust properties that have play areas, please do comment then i can add it to the list.
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