Young Explorers - family days out at Chatsworth
Chatsworth offers a varied range of children's events and family fun days out designed to inspire and educate, as well as create long-lasting memories.
Choose from hands-on craft workshops where children, and adults, can learn new skills and leave proudly holding a new 'creation', to practical nature, wildlife, or gardening classes that encourage kids to develop a connection with nature and spend time in the great outdoors.
As well as one-off themed events, we also offer regular fortnightly and monthly children's craft and gardening clubs, including on Saturdays and after school, creating opportunities for both children and their adults to develop new friendships.
There are plenty of free things to do once you're here too.
Special children's events and themed clubs
Seedlings Gardening Club (ages 4-11)
24 March - 20 October
A monthly after-school gardening club where children will learn how to grow different flowers, fruits and vegetables, and discover the abundance of wildlife at Chatsworth.
Half-term Halloween fun
24 October - 1 November
Enjoy autumnal fun and Halloween horrors in the farmyard this half-term holiday, from pumpkin picking to creepy crafts.
Country Fair
3 - 5 September 2027
Featuring spectacular grand ring displays in the air and on land, demos from celebrity chefs plus entertainment for all the family. Book before 30 September 2027 to save up to £15 per ticket.
Ways to Play Trail
This free family trail map encourages you to explore our beautiful woodland and garden in playful new ways.
Young Explorers Trail
Nature can be found everywhere at Chatsworth. Follow this trail around the house and garden to see what wonders of the natural world you can spot.
Storytime with Father Christmas
18 November - 23 December 2026
Father Christmas will captivate little ears with the story of the first Christmas. Includes entry to the farmyard and playground.
Storytime with Father Christmas - Relaxed Sessions
21 & 22 December 2026
A quieter session of our Storytime with Father Christmas event; enjoy a magical family visit to listen to Father Christmas. Includes entry to the farmyard and playground.
Storytime with Father Christmas, plus Christmas at Chatsworth entry
28 November - 13 December 2026
Experience a magical family visit to see Father Christmas at the farmyard, plus entry to the decorated house and garden light trail.
All this is in addition to Chatsworth House and its 105-acre garden, plus more than 1000 acres of free-to-access parkland and woodland. It's a fantastic place to spend time together.
In between visits, perhaps try one of our at-home activities themed around craft and nature, such as drawing, den building, bird spotting or making a wildflower seed bomb.
Spend the day at Chatsworth
Have fun in the farmyard
Our farmyard is full of friendly animals all waiting to offer a warm welcome, including some rare breeds. Depending on when you visit, you might even be able to join in lamb feeding, goat cuddling or cow milking sessions.
Hours of adventures in our playground
Climb, swing, zip, or even build a sandcastle. The adventure playground is the perfect place for kids to let off steam.
Explore the garden
At 105 acres, the garden is the perfect place to play hide and seek, count butterflies, or go on an epic bear hunt!
Uncover 500 years of history in the house
Chatsworth has been home to the same family for nearly 500 years. Discover their stories, imagine how they lived, and pick out their portraits from the hundreds of different artworks on display in the house.
Follow our family trail
Discover new ways to play in our woodland and garden. Download this free trail map before you arrive or pick up a printed version at any admission point.
Roam (for) free in the parkland
Incorporating acres of grassland, woodland, and the river Derwent, the park around Chatsworth House offers a variety of walks as well as space to run, jump and expel pent-up energy. It's free to access and you may even spot our herd of deer.
Become a woodland explorer
Listen to birdsong, go on a bug hunt, build the best den ever, or just enjoy being beneath nature's green canopy, Stand Wood is free to access all year round and accessed via the gate next to the farmyard.
Free things to do at Chatsworth
With thousands of acres of parkland and woodland free to access all year round, you can visit Chatsworth as often as you choose. Here are some ideas for fun free things to do while you're here.
Stay with us
Whether bug hunting in Stand Wood, cycling on the Tissington Trail, or hitching a ride on a historic steam engine, Chatsworth and the Peak District are a dream destination for an unforgettable family escape. Find a stay with us in a cottage, shepherd’s hut, inn or hotel.
