“From National Trust trails and harvest festivals to wildlife spotting and outdoor adventures, this season is the perfect time to get out and explore the great British countryside with your little ones.
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From National Trust trails and harvest festivals to wildlife spotting and outdoor adventures, this season is the perfect time to get out and explore the great British countryside with your little ones. Below, we’ve compiled a list of the best things to do with kids this autumn, from the enchanting Bee Trail at Blenheim Palace to fun-filled National Trust activities, and seasonal celebrations across the country.
Explore the Bee Trail at Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire
A perfect autumn adventure, the Bee Trail at Blenheim Palace combines nature, learning, and fun. Set in the stunning grounds of this World Heritage Site and site of Winston Churchill’s birth, the trail takes families through meadows and woodlands where you can discover the life of bees and their crucial role in the environment.
Kids will love hunting for the giant bee sculptures dotted around the Adventure Play, while learning about pollination and the importance of biodiversity. The trail is filled with displays and quizzes that make it both an educational and exciting experience and autumn is an ideal time to visit as the grounds look resplendent in russets, golds and reds.
National Trust Autumn Trails & Pumpkin Hunts
The National Trust runs a variety of family-friendly activities throughout autumn, with many properties offering seasonal trails, pumpkin hunts, and craft workshops. Our top tip? Many National Trust properties also offer apple pressing days, where kids can try making fresh juice from the autumn harvest.
Winkworth Arboretum, Surrey
Famous for its autumnal display of fiery reds, oranges, and golds, Winkworth Arboretum offers kid-friendly nature trails where children can collect leaves and discover wildlife. Check the event listings for special nature craft workshops where kids can create leaf crowns and forest creatures.
Attingham Park, Shropshire
Attingham Park’s harvest-themed events include pumpkin trails and farm activities where children can learn about food production and even pick their own pumpkins. The parkland walks are perfect for autumn, with deer to spot and an abundance of wildlife on display.
Clumber Park, Nottinghamshire
Enjoy a family-friendly bike ride through Clumber Park’s vast woodland paths. Their autumn scavenger hunts and conker competitions are a hit with younger children, while the walled garden offers a glimpse of the season's harvest.
Woodland Adventures & Den Building
Autumn is the ideal time to head out into the woods for some wild adventures. Woodland walks, den building, and foraging are perfect for keeping kids active and engaged in nature. Remember to pack a bag with some twine, a map, and snacks for a den-building challenge as many forest parks have dedicated spots for campfire – perfect for roasting marshmallows after a day of adventuring. Here are a few of the best spots for a woodland adventure.
Sherwood Pines, Nottinghamshire
Set within Sherwood Forest, this woodland wonderland is wonderful for den building, bike trails, and Gruffalo-themed orienteering for younger kids. Older children will enjoy the Go Ape treetop adventures, while the forest floor is ideal for discovering autumn wildlife and collecting fallen leaves and pinecones.
Puzzlewood, Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire
This ancient woodland offers an almost otherworldly experience, with twisting trees and secret nooks that feel like something from a fantasy story. It's a great place for children to let their imaginations run wild while exploring the labyrinth of pathways.
Harvest Festivals & Apple Picking
Autumn is harvest season, and there’s no better way to celebrate with kids than by taking part in a traditional harvest festival or heading to an orchard to pick apples. These seasonal events offer a chance to enjoy delicious local produce while learning about the farming process. Plus, once you’re home, you get to make the most of your apple haul by baking apple pies or crumbles with the kids.
Cotswold Farm Park, Gloucestershire
Home to seasonal events like pumpkin picking and harvest festivals, Cotswold Farm Park is a great spot for young families. With animal feeding, farm demonstrations, and tractor rides, it's an ideal day out where kids can engage with nature and farming.
The Big Apple Harvest, Herefordshire
For a more traditional apple-picking experience, head to Herefordshire's Big Apple Harvest. Many orchards offer pick-your-own days, where kids can roam the fields, collect apples, and try fresh-pressed apple juice. This is a great way to get outdoors and support local farmers.
Conker Championships & Autumn Games
Autumn wouldn't be autumn without the traditional game of conkers. Encourage a little friendly family competition by gathering fallen conkers and preparing for battle. If you're looking for something more official, many local villages and towns across the UK hold annual conker championships. Did you know, many seasoned players swear by soaking conkers in vinegar or baking them for extra strength?
Ashton Conker Club, Northamptonshire
The World Conker Championships, held annually in the village of Ashton, is a quirky and fun-filled event for kids and adults alike. Even if your conker-playing skills need some work, the festive atmosphere and countryside charm make it a great family outing.
Westonbirt Arboretum, Gloucestershire
Westonbirt offers conker trails and conker-themed workshops throughout the autumn. The breathtaking tree-lined avenues are an ideal backdrop for a family day out, and the seasonal events encourage kids to engage with nature – al while honing their conker strategies.
Wildlife Watching & Fungi Foraging
Autumn is one of the best times of year for wildlife spotting, as animals prepare for winter, and forests and fields come alive with a mind-boggling array of fungi. Many nature reserves and National Trust parks offer guided walks where kids can spot deer, birds, and other wildlife while learning about the changing season. Remember to bring along a wildlife guidebook and binoculars to make wildlife watching even more interactive for the kids.
RSPB Minsmere, Suffolk
Take your little nature enthusiasts on a wildlife-watching walk at RSPB Minsmere. During autumn, the reserve is teeming with migratory birds and other wildlife preparing for winter. Their special family events include wildlife bingo and nature quizzes, ensuring kids stay engaged and entertained.
New Forest, Hampshire
Famous for its roaming ponies and deer, the New Forest is also a fantastic spot for fungi foraging. Autumn walks in the forest offer plenty of opportunities to spot mushrooms, and some guided tours even help families identify safe edible fungi.
