Family day out: Yorkshire’s Nostell Priory with kids
I seem to have form for wandering around National Trust properties on rainy, chilly days* – an unseasonally cool August bank holiday at Packwood House, a frosty winter’s day at Ham House and in overcast June at Stourhead. And yet another slightly grey August bank holiday weekend took us to Yorkshire, to discover Nostell Priory with kids
ad – press trip/contains affiliate links*
The plan? To explore some of the 300 acres of parkland and lakeside walks around the house at Nostell Priory. If that doesn’t tire out a three and four-year-old, I’m not sure what will…
We were staying with one of my oldest friends (and her daughter), who live not too far from Wakefield and it seemed the perfect spot for two energetic girls to run around. Plus they had ice cream.
For ideas of more things to do in Yorkshire with kids, check out my top picks
For starters there’s the kind of long sweeping driveway which makes you wish you had your own carriage so you can appreciate it without having to push a buggy. But it’s worth every step to reach the house and grounds at the top, surveying the views.
Built on the site of a medieval priory, the house dates from the 18th century – although as is becoming customary, we didn’t actually make it inside to see the Chippendale furniture, Brueghel paintings and restored Butler’s Pantry.
Honestly, there wasn’t really time. Not when outdoors includes a huge kitchen garden, adventure playground with zipwire, walks around the lake and activity sheets to take along, plus formal gardens, woodland… you could probably come every week and not run out of areas to explore for a few months.
First? Well, first ice cream in the Courtyard Cafe, part of the old stables. There’s cake for adults, and an impressive array of gluten-free versions too. Then off to the kitchen gardens.
When we were there, autumn was just on the horizon: apple trees were laden with fruit, some truly gigantic pumpkins were growing and onions and beetroot were among the beds.
Judging by the results, the scarecrow was doing an impressive job – fortunately, as the ingredients all get used in the cafe.
All around the edges and in blazes of colour at one end of the garden were flowers too, looking more gloriously blooming than the kind of regimented rows you might get in a more formal garden.
You’ll find this style in the grounds too but only if you take one of the longer lakeside walks. And with an adventure playground to explore, I wasn’t convinced we’d actually get beyond that, let alone the far reaches of the estate.
Minnie decided against trying the new 30m zipwire, unlike my friend’s adventurous daughter, but bounced excitedly on the tyre swings, between clambering, climbing, sliding, twirling and generally having huge amounts of fun.
From an adult point of view, the lakeside walks are lovely – very serene and tranquil, with gorgeous views and the occasional swan. From a preschooler’s point of view, it can’t compare to being whirled around in a metal hemispherical wotsit.
So between having fun scampering alongside Middle Lake, we brought out the National Trust’s activity sheets. There’s a nature spotter for the different kinds of trees plus space to list the ones you see, as well as to draw a picture (or do a leaf rubbing in our case).
The second did the same for some of the insects you might find. Ours, again, is adorned with several drawings of what look like slugs… Like most properties, there are lots of lovely tips and information if you do want to learn more or tick a few of your list of 50 things to do before you’re 11 3/4.
Before long, the afternoon had vanished and we had to wave goodbye to the chance of seeing the Robert Adam boathouse, Obelisk Lodge, or the ha-ha. But even without spotting these deer-proof ditches, we had plenty of laughs.
If you and your kids love exploring historic places, York itself is less than an hour away and is great for families – check out these things to do in York with kids.
Need to know: Nostell Priory with kids
You can see detailed opening times on the website, and it costs from £3.60 for children and £7.20 for adults to visit the garden only, or free to members.
The cafe is open from 10am-4.30pm with seating outdoors if it’s not too cold. And it’s worth keeping an eye out for scone week in November, with homemade scones in unusual flavours including dark chocolate & lime, or carrot, walnut & orange.
There are regular events, including at school holidays and tours, such as a free behind-the-scenes tour.
*To offset the grey skies, I have also managed glorious sunshine at Mottisfont
Disclosure: my membership is courtesy of the National Trust. All opinions and unfortunate weather are my own.
PIN FOR LATER: NOSTELL PRIORY WITH KIDS
Images copyright MummyTravels
LIKED THIS? SIGN UP FOR MY EMAIL NEWSLETTER
Looks lovely. Have been contemplating NT membership for a while……
#countrykids
We do get a lot of use out of ours. So many places to stop and always great activities for kids.
We have visited lots of National Trust properties over the years and I’ve been a member since my early 20s. This one is a new one on me though and I’d like to visit if I get the chance.
There are so many to discover, aren’t there.
Oh this looks like lots of fun. I’ve never heard of Nostell Priory but we are frequent visitors to Yorkshire (and National Trust members) so I will definitely hunt this place out – our three would love the zip wire! #countrykids
The zip wire looked a lot of fun. Was a bit sad I couldn’t go on too 🙂
Amazing what a different a couple of months makes to the scenery in the UK, we were out at a National Trust property in the cold of August too, I remember diving straight into the coffee shop to warm up bemoaning it was august and freezing! I have to admire the National Trust for the activities they put on, they are so good at varying things with the seasons and I must confess I take a lot of inspiration for Coombe Mill from our days out and seeing what others have been doing there too, activity sheets are always a winner at keeping children engaged. Thank you for sharing with me on Country Kids.
Isn’t it! Looking back at all the fruit and flowers, it seems like aeons ago. Like you say, there’s always something on with the NT and always tailored to the time of year.
We love NT properties too. This looks like a great day out. I love it when kids can explore vegetable gardens and then experience eating the produce in the cafe, I find it motivates my kids to eat foods they would not normally try:)
That’s such a good idea – I wonder if it would work on my daughter too!
Love the national trust. Sounds like there’s loads to do, nice that they have a good play area too. Scone week sounds yummy dark chocolate and lime … If we are ever in Yorkshire will look it up. Thank you x
I think I might have to see if anywhere else is doing scone week – theirs sounded amazing, but too far to nip back. Definitely a lovely place to visit though.
I really should get a NT membership, I love visiting old buildings like this and soaking in the history. The grounds are great, it’s good when there are activities for the kids to do too
Same here – and they really are great for family activities too.
Wow what a stunning place, it is gorgeous and really reasonably priced too. Glad you had a good day x
It’s lovely isn’t it, so impressive.
This looks brilliant, I think my family should get NT membership there are so many places around to go and visit
I hadn’t realised how many there were near me til I got mine, so much to do.
What a fabulous place to visit. I agree with Amy above, we also should get NT membership as I feel we would get so much out of it. Especially during Winter when we are looking for dedicated outdoorsy places in order to give everyone a good airing!
Lovely post.
Anna x
Absolutely – I’ve just been out to another property, this one a bit closer to home. The house is closed for winter, but there’s a play trail, den building and a cafe with hot chocolate at the end, so we both had a lovely morning in the fresh air!
I’ve been pondering national trust membership for a while!
I love 18th century houses. So beautiful. I’ve not heard of Nostell Priory before. It looks like a lovely house and lovely gardens too. My children would love the zip wire, so much fun, hehe.
It was lovely, I was impressed at how much there was to explore just in the grounds too.
This looks like a really fun day out! I can’t wait to do things like this when my little one is old enough. At 10 months theirs only so much we can do with him! x
Definitely – although now you have the bonus of being able to go inside without an easily bored preschooler who wants to touch all kinds of irreplaceably precious things! 🙂