National Trust – baby-friendly properties
Most National Trust properties are pro-children, but to be safe here are the most baby-friendly properties (including their facilities).
- Famously the last castle built in England, Castle Drogo in Devon looks like a real medieval fortress. Situated high on a rocky outcrop, the castle offers spectacular views over the wilds Dartmoor.
Baby-changing and feeding facilities. Baby back-carriers admitted. Hip-carrying infant seats for loan. Children’s play area. Children’s quiz/trail. Family trails and activities, walks, talks, art and craft workshops. Family events during school holidays (April–Oct)
- The deepest gorge in the South West, Lydford Gorge in Devon has a spectacular 30m waterfall.
Baby-changing and feeding facilities. Microwave at waterfall tea-room for heating baby food. Baby back-carriers admitted and for loan. Children’s play area. Children’s activity days. Unsuitable for pushchairs due to uneven terrain, narrow paths and long flights of steps
- Country house Anglesey Abbey in Cambridgeshire has 30 acres of mown lawn- just right for perfecting crawling or toddling.
Baby-changing facilities. Hip-carrying infant seats for loan. Children’s quiz/trail. Tracker Packs. Pushchairs admitted to gardens only
- Sutton Hoo in Suffolk has a fun children’s play area.
Baby-changing and feeding facilities. Pushchairs and baby back-carriers admitted. Children’s play area. Children’s quiz/trail. Dressing-up box in exhibition hall. Family events. Children’s activities
- If you’re really looking to get away from it all, then head to Trelissick Garden in Cornwall. Situated on the River Fal, this intimate wooded garden offers surprises and discoveries at every turn.
Baby-changing facilities. Pushchairs and baby back-carriers admitted
- Belton House in Lincolnshire is one of the finest country houses in England. Outside, swing, climb and slide your way around the mega-sized adventure playground that includes a tree house and a chain walk. There’s also the Discovery Centre in the Stableyard which offers a variety of hands-on family activities for all ages
Baby-changing facilities. Pushchairs admitted. Front-carrying baby slings and hip-carrying infant seats for loan. Children’s play area. Children’s quiz/trails. Activity room in house; Belton Discovery Centre. Extensive outdoor adventure playground with under-6s ‘corral’; miniature train rides in summer
- Head to Derbyshire and Calke Abbey where there are roaming deer in the park and a tree that’s one thousand years old years old!
Baby-changing facilities. Front-carrying baby slings and hip-carrying infant seats for loan. Children’s quiz/trail. Family activity packs. Children’s play area. Family activities and events. Family Tracker Packs
- Wimpole Home Farm in Cambridgeshire is a real working farm that invites you to look, touch and even feed its animals. Hidden among the trees, the adventure playground is perfect for those who love to climb, slide, scramble and swing, while tiny tots can enjoy their own play area with Kidbine Harvester and mini pedal tractors.
Baby-changing and feeding facilities. Pushchairs and baby back-carriers admitted. Children’s play area. Children’s guide. Children’s quiz/trail. Special children’s corner. Lambing time, Easter Egg Trail, Family Activity Days, Tractormania. Father Christmas
- Ightham Mote in Kent is a fantastic moated manor house with a kiddy trail.
Baby-changing and feeding facilities. Front-carrying baby slings and hip-carrying infant seats for loan. Children’s quiz/trail. Family activity packs. Family activities
- Down in Dorset Corfe Castle is one of the most majestic ruins in all of Britain. If you’re a bit of an Enid Blyton fan you might get a strange sense of feeling that you know the place well, as this storybook ruin was the inspiration for ‘Kirren Castle’ in the ‘Famous Five’ books.
Baby-changing facilities. Pushchairs and baby back-carriers admitted. Family guide. Children’s guide. Children’s quiz/trail. School holiday activities inc. family treasure trails. Baby back-carriers for loan (small donation requested). Children must be accompanied by an adult within the castle
- Visit Stowe Landscape Gardens in Buckinghamshire and experience one of the loveliest gardens in Europe. Plus if you love a good picnic then there’s no better spot than Stowe to open up the hamper and have a relaxing time with the family.
Baby-changing and feeding facilities. Pushchairs and baby back-carriers admitted. Children’s quiz/trail. Children’s activity packs
- Make sure Bodiam Castle is on your family’s list for a top day out this summer. This 14th century castle in East Sussex is one of the most famous castles in Britain has it all and is in easy hitting distance of South London.
Baby-changing facilities. Pushchairs and baby back-carriers admitted. Family guide. Children’s activity packs