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
Fri 23 Jan 2026
A writing workshop on the theme of "Reciprocity - Giving & Receiving”
Sun 01 Feb 2026
BRILLIANT BIRDS! Come along and learn a little about UK birds and their nests. Take part in some bird-themed crafts and start collecting stamps on your Wild Passport.
Sun 01 Mar 2026
MARVELLOUS MAMMALS! Come along and learn a little about UK mammals. We will look for signs of mammals in the grounds and identifying tracks and animal droppings.
Wed 04 Mar 2026 - Wed 04 Nov 2026
Event /Workshop Summary (max 20 words) Friendly art tuition for those who want to refresh their skills or for complete beginners who would like to ‘have a go’ at something new.
perennial_meadow_scampston
Wed 01 Apr 2026 - Sun 01 Nov 2026
Scampston Walled Garden opens it's gates again for 2026 on the 1st April!
Sun 05 Apr 2026
EXCELLENT EGGS! Come along for an egg-themed session. Take part in an orienteering challenge around the grounds and make natural dyes/ paints to decorate eggs.
eggs in basket in garden
Mon 06 Apr 2026
Fun sessions hourly throughout the day from 11am to 2pm included in admission no extra cost
Sat 18 Apr 2026
Learn the art of feltmaking where you will be guided through the process of creating your own fabulous wet felted Nuno reversible cowl.
Tue 21 Apr 2026
Have fun creating up to 3 wire alliums.
Thu 23 Apr 2026 - Fri 24 Apr 2026
Mixed ability traditional Jacobean Crewelwork embroidery workshop suitable for both beginners and those with previous embroidery experience.
Sat 25 Apr 2026 - Sun 26 Apr 2026
A charity spring fair with handcrafted artisan goods and produce - this year the Craft Fair coincides with our Ryedale residents Communtiy Weekend, so Ryedale residents can visit the gardens for free with a proof of postcode! FREE ENTRY TO THE FAIR Please note the Walled Garden is open as normal during this event - entry fee to visit the garden does apply (for none-Ryedale residents)
Sat 25 Apr 2026 - Sun 26 Apr 2026
FREE visit for all Ryedale Residents! This year the community weekend coincides with the Charity Spring Fair! (also free entry)
Sun 03 May 2026
WATER WONDERS! Take part in a pond dipping session and learn about the amazing creatures that live in and around the lakes at Scampston.
Mon 04 May 2026
The Gardens and Grounds will be open with normal opening hours during the Bank Holiday
Sat 16 May 2026 - Sun 17 May 2026
The entire site will be closed this weekend for the Game & Country Fair in the Parkland.
game fair
Sat 16 May 2026 - Sun 17 May 2026
The Annual Game and Country Fair held in the stunning parkland!
Wed 20 May 2026 - Sun 26 Jul 2026
From the 20th May to the 26th July Scampston Hall opens it's doors and welcomes you in!
Thu 21 May 2026 - Fri 22 May 2026
During this workshop you will learn the dynamics of cutting and hand stitching traditional mohair bears or bunnies. Be taught all the stitches used in bear or bunny making. Including, how to insert glass eyes and cotter pin joints. Held in the magnificent Richardson Conservatory within Scampston Walled Garden.
Sat 23 May 2026
Enjoy a relaxed, friendly introduction to photography in the beautiful surroundings of a walled garden. This two-hour workshop is designed for complete beginners, returners, or anyone wanting to feel more confident using their camera, particularly for garden and outdoor photography.
Mon 25 May 2026
This marks the 42nd running of one of Yorkshire’s most popular classic motoring events – now set within one of the county’s most beautiful and historic estates.
Sun 07 Jun 2026
Scampston's hugely popular Spring Plant Fair returns, offering the perfect day out for keen gardeners and beginners alike.
children discovering scampston gardens
Sun 07 Jun 2026
SUMMER SURVIVAL SKILLS! Come along learn some survival skills, and collect more stamps in your Wild Passport.
modified car show
Sun 14 Jun 2026
One of the best car shows in the North of England!
vanlife logo scampston hall
Fri 19 Jun 2026 - Sun 21 Jun 2026
#VanLifeFest is a 3-day family-focused Camper event set within the beautiful grounds of Scampston Hall. Please Note the Hall & Walled Garden remain open as usual during this event
Sun 05 Jul 2026
Come and view some stunning classic cars in the inner parkland with the splendid backdrop of Scampston Hall.
Sat 11 Jul 2026
Learn the art of feltmaking where you will be guided through the process of creating your own fabulous wet felted tote style handbag.
Sat 03 Oct 2026
Learn the art of feltmaking where you will be guided through the process of creating your own wet felted woodland scene.