Families at Scampston

Spend fun days exploring our parkland trails, picnic by the lake and discover the wildlife found in the walled garden. Fly a kite in the parkland and visit the woodland area to let off steam in our small play area.

The Garden Café serves snacks and drinks, and you are welcome to enjoy your own picnic at the tables outside the walled garden or in the parkland. Enjoy an ice-cream or a sweet treat or choose a lunch option from the children’s menu at our café.

For the Little Ones

Younger children love discovering the sights and sounds of the gardens and grounds using our Sensory Bags and Scamp Explorer packs, which can be borrowed from the ticket office.

For the Older Ones

Our Nature Trail takes families on an adventure across Scampston’s landscape of gardens, woodland, bridges, and lakes to find the creatures inhabited in them. An activity sheet accompanies the journey and is packed with fun facts that everyone will enjoy.

Our Woodland Play Area

Set within the wider estate, our woodland area provides a spacious area that allows children to let off steam and enjoy some good old-fashioned exploring. Featuring a pirate boat, bug hotel, outdoor game table and climbing frame, the woodland is perfect for relaxing and enjoying some quality time together.

School Holiday Activities

We offer a variety of children’s activities during the school holidays, from drop-in craft sessions to dramatic storytelling and energetic games. Our much-admired resident Fairy Godmothers bring stories and games to life with themed activity days ranging from pirates and aliens to dinosaurs and animals. Our activity days can be found on the “events diary” page of our website.
Children's Clubs

Wildlife Club

Our Wildlife Club is organised by the conservatory here at Scampston and takes place once a month. Each session offers a wider range of hands-on fun and adventurous environmental activities, as well as an opportunity for outdoor play, crafts and games.

The club is designed to offer its members the chance to experience nature first-hand, try new and exciting challenges and learn 'outdoor' skills.

Children can also use Wildlife Club to earn the RSPB’s Wild Challenge Award.

 

Nature Scamps Club

Outdoor story and play sessions for families with children from 18mths - 5yrs, led by our Forest School trained tutor. Our Nature Scamps club takes place each week during term time and offers an opportunity for outdoor exploration, play, craft, games, songs and stories surrounded by nature in the beautiful grounds of Scampston Hall. All sessions include something to take home and a campfire snack.

Practical Information
Baby-changing facilities: Our facilities can be found in the toilets by the Garden Café at the entrance to the walled garden.

Bikes and scooters: Unfortunately, bikes, children’s scooters and other transport toys are not allowed in the walled garden or parkland. We are happy to keep these in a safe place when you arrive at the ticket office.

Pushchairs: The Walled Garden and parkland is flat with good access for pushchairs. If you wish to join a house tour during Scampston Hall’s opening season, the ground floor is accessible with a pushchair. Regrettably, the first floor is not accessible for pushchairs, however this only makes up a very small part of the tour.
WHAT'S ON AT SCAMPSTON
perennial_meadow_scampston
Wed 26 Mar 2025 - Sun 02 Nov 2025
Scampston Walled Garden opens it's gates again for 2025 on the 26th March!
Wed 21 May 2025 - Sun 27 Jul 2025
From the 21st May to the 27th July Scampston Hall opens it's doors and welcomes you in!
Sun 13 Jul 2025
SUPER SUMMER! Join us in a celebration of summer as we explore the parklands in search for signs of summer and create some natural art. Bring a picnic to enjoy in the grounds.
Thu 17 Jul 2025
An evening at Scampston Walled Garden for the exclusive use of our annual members. A truly wonderful evening to say thank you to our members.
Henry VIII
Wed 23 Jul 2025
The Three Inch Fools present Shakespeare’s most iconic comedy 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'
storybook trail Scampston
Wed 23 Jul 2025 - Sun 31 Aug 2025
Fun for the whole family round Scampston grounds this Summer!
Fri 25 Jul 2025
Join us this summer for some sea-themed stories, games and crafts in the Walled Garden and woodland! This is part of our activity sessions running throughout the summer holidays.
Sun 27 Jul 2025
An Evening of Musical Magic at Scampston Hall Gardens
capability brown
Thu 31 Jul 2025
Would you like to know a little more about Scampston and how the house, garden and parkland were developed? Join a tour with one of our Heritage Team for a guided walk in the grounds each Thursday from the 31st July throughout August.
Fri 01 Aug 2025
Held in the beautiful conservatory at Scampston
dinosaurs
Fri 01 Aug 2025
Join us this summer for some farm-themed stories, games and crafts in the Walled Garden and woodland! This is part of our activity sessions running throughout the summer holidays.
Sun 03 Aug 2025
Come and view some stunning classic cars in the inner parkland with the splendid backdrop of Scampston Hall.
Fri 08 Aug 2025
Join us this summer for some palace-themed stories, games and crafts in the Walled Garden and woodland! This is part of our activity sessions running throughout the summer holidays.
children discovering scampston gardens
Sun 10 Aug 2025
MAD ABOUT MINIBEASTS! Join us as we investigate the minibeasts in the gardens and parklands. Take part in the Big Butterfly Count. You will complete 4 of the 50 things to do before you’re 11 ¾.
Thu 14 Aug 2025 - Fri 15 Aug 2025
Mixed ability traditional Jacobean Crewelwork embroidery workshop suitable for both beginners and those with previous embroidery experience alike.
zoo_scampston
Fri 15 Aug 2025
Join us this summer for some zoo-themed stories, games and crafts in the Walled Garden and woodland! This is part of our activity sessions running throughout the summer holidays.
Tue 19 Aug 2025
York Against Cancer's Big Day Out in the parkland For any enquiries about this event please contact York Against Cancer on 01904 764466 or office@yorkagainstcancer.org.uk
Fri 22 Aug 2025
Join us this summer for some moon-themed stories, games and crafts in the Walled Garden and woodland! This is part of our activity sessions running throughout the summer holidays.
traction engine rally
Sat 30 Aug 2025 - Sun 31 Aug 2025
A fun day out for all the family!
children discovering scampston gardens
Sun 07 Sep 2025
Join us for an owl themed morning. We will look for signs of owls in the parklands and learn about UK owls. Take part in owl themed natural crafts. You will complete 2 of the 50 things to do before you’re 11 ¾
plant fair
Sun 07 Sep 2025
Come along to our popular Annual Autumn Plant Fair! The perfect day out for garden enthusiasts
cane_acorns
Wed 24 Sep 2025
Weave two cane acorns in this new workshop
shell wet felting
Sat 27 Sep 2025
On this workshop you will create a wet felted and embroidered limpet shell, rock pool inspired picture based on one of Lynn’s designs.
Sun 28 Sep 2025
Learn the art of feltmaking where you will be guided through the process of creating your own fabulous wet felted Nuno reversible cowl.
children discovering scampston gardens
Sun 05 Oct 2025
AWESOME AUTUMN! Join us for an Autumn treasure hunt. Learn about using a compass and about seeds and seed dispersal. You will complete 2 of the 50 things to do before you’re 11 ¾
Sat 25 Oct 2025
On this workshop you will create a wet felted and embroidered limpet shell, rock pool inspired picture based on one of Lynn’s designs.
Sun 26 Oct 2025
Learn the art of feltmaking where you will be guided through the process of creating your own fabulous wet felted tote style handbag.
children discovering scampston gardens
Sun 02 Nov 2025
FANTASTIC FIRE! Join us as we revisit our bushcraft skills. Make candles and lanterns to take away. You will complete 2 of the 50 things to do before you’re 11 ¾
Wed 26 Nov 2025
Learn to weave a large willow toadstool to take home for your home or garden(approx height 60cm)
christmas fair
Sat 29 Nov 2025 - Sun 30 Nov 2025
Scampston’s Annual Christmas Charity Fair is here to kick start the festive season, including a special visit from Father Christmas and the Fairy Godmothers.
children discovering scampston gardens
Sun 07 Dec 2025
NATURAL CHRISTMAS CRAFTS Use tools and natural materials to create a range of Christmas decorations to take away while enjoying the campfire.