Days out in Surrey: Ham House with kids

You wait ages for a family day out, then two come at once. Having headed to the Natural History Museum to cheer up a cloudy grey day, when the sun briefly came out, I put my alternative good weather plan into action with one of my favourite days out in Surrey with kids.

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A trip to Ham House in Surrey, a National Trust property that’s only around half an hour away from me on the banks of the River Thames. And while the main house itself was closed, the gardens and below stairs section were open – definitely the best bits to see with a toddler anyway.

A 17th century home, one of the grandest Stuart houses in England, the collection of paintings and textiles is definitely worth a visit if you can make it indoors though.

The servants’ quarters alone are fascinating. With signs encouraging everyone to ‘please touch’ and staff to insist Minnie climbed all over various pieces of replica furniture, it’s perfect for toddlers and young children.

The kitchen is packed with great snippets of information about how a great house would have been run, including authentic recipes. My favourite… the apricock cakes. No, that’s not a typo.

Dotted around the whole area are details of the servants who actually lived and worked there, which really helps bring the rooms alive, visualising who might have walked through them.

I’m not sure Minnie quite believed us when we pointed out the huge wooden tub complete with stool in the bathroom and insisted it was a bath.

I’m still not quite sure how the feather duster would have helped wash you, but she definitely got into the spirit, pretending to fill it with the bucket (bemused as to why that wasn’t being used for sandcastles) then having a lie down on the day bed afterwards.

The highlight for her was the servants’ dining room, set up with colouring and crafts though – so much so that none of the children sticking and gluing gave the dress-up costumes more than a cursory glance.

After a quick wander through the beer cellar, where you can try samples of Moroccan ale if you time it right (we didn’t), it was time to head back outside.

First, the still room, where the citrus fruit and cloves meant it still smelled of Christmas even if there’d have been plenty of other herbal remedies concocted there.

There are garden trails for a small fee from reception (as well as free family trails for the house) and giant games for warmer days, but there’s plenty to see just wandering through the different areas.

The kitchen garden has existed since at least 1653 and is still filled with 17th century plants. Today it provides the cafe with produce, from purple-podded peas to salsify, skirret and scorzonera, according to the site (I’m not even sure what a couple of those are).

There are also some very good cakes, scones and sandwiches…

In the cherry garden, the statue of Bacchus was wrapped up against the cold, and it was a bit chilly to stop and read in the Wilderness as the original occupants would.

But we did spot carved goat faces on the decorative pots along the terrace behind the house.

And even better, Minnie got to tick off another of her 50 things to do before she’s 11 3/4 – building a den, thanks to a helpful pile of sticks set out for just that purpose.

Not bad at two and a half. Well, maybe with a bit of help.

Ham House with toddlers: Need to know

Entry costs from £11.05 for adults, £5.50 for children during the winter, free for under fives year-round. A family ticket costs from £27.60. Free to National Trust members or entry is refunded if you take out membership on the day.

The house is closed during the winter months, and there are guided tours of selected rooms in February and March, before it opens between April and October. For complete opening times, click here.

There’s free parking at Ham House in the small riverside car park. Pushchairs need to be left outside the house but slings and hip carrying seats available.

For more days out in Surrey with kids, check out another National Trust property and discover what we thought on our day out at Polesden Lacey

Images copyright MummyTravels

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