Stunning English stately home that’s just for kids – with ‘book jungle,’ woodland play park and retro escape room
TYPICALLY, stately homes aren’t the most child-friendly of places, with too many precious items that need to be kept away from sticky fingers.
But National Trust property The Children’s Country House at Sudbury in Derbyshire re-opened after a big makeover in 2022 – with its property and gardens all aimed at entertaining kids.
Children are encouraged to run around and touch everything they want with no annoying roped-off areas or tutting guards here.
After working with 100 “young ambassadors” aged up to 12, as part of the design for its renovation works, an entire new wing for kids was created.
While features of the historic country home can still be enjoyed, such as the Grand Staircase, the new wing includes everything from interactive displays to a dressing-up room.
At the Museum, children can visit a Dalek, take a lesson in a Victorian classroom, and learn about life as a child through the ages.
In the gardens, a place they can enjoy a picnic, build a den and run around in the outdoor woodland play area.
The Book Jungle is a second-hand shop selling pre-loved items, such as books, toys and clothing.
And the Mystery Rooms Experience is a child-led escape room based during World War 2.
When kids get hungry they can pick up a bite to eat at the Fairytale Forest Cafe, and new for 2024 is an ice cream parlour, with an array of flavours from the local Bluebells Dairy.
All year round events that take place at The Children’s Country House at Sudbury.
There’s currently the Pooch Passport event, in partnership with pet food maker Forthglade, where you can bring your dog along and pick up your free Pooch Passport from Visitor Services.
Collect six stamps from participating properties and you can receive a bag of treats from Forthglade. With 12 stamps you can receive a further prize for your furry friend.
And its Halloween Storytelling event involves creeping into Sudbury’s beer cellar and listening to a range of spooky stories from the storytelling team.
Admission for the home is free for under 5s and National Trust members. For adults (18+) it’s £24 and £12 for children (5-17).
Sudbury Hall is just one of the attractions drawing visitors to the village of Sudbury.
You can admire the rows of charming red-bricked cottages along the village’s main street, grab a tipple and warm up by the log fire in The Boars Head pub, or take a walk in the nearby Peak District National Park.
And part of Sudbury Estate is Sudbury Courtyard, which is the perfect place to enjoy stylish independent shops and cafes.
'If you're after a full day of fun for all ages, look no further than the Children's Country House at Sudbury Hall in Derbyshire'
Travel Writer Catherine Lofthouse shared her experience of the Children's Country House at Sudbury...
Whether you’re getting stuck into garden games on the huge grassy stableyard, taking on the woodland playground or trying out toys from all eras in the museum, there is something for everyone here, even if older generations might be slightly horrified at finding their beloved childhood toys behind glass as an exhibit from bygone times!
For an interactive experience, take a lesson in the Victorian classroom or have a go at the Mystery Rooms set during the Second World War.
This National Trust site is like two for the price of one, as you can visit both the historic hall and the museum of childhood.
Picnicking in the parkland is always a hit on a sunny summer’s day, rounded off with a treat in the new ice cream parlour. Delicious!
For families staying in Sudbury and looking for their theme park hit, Alton Towers is just a 22 minute drive away
A 43 minute drive south of the village is Drayton Manor Resort.