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

Walled Garden and Grounds Open

Wed 26 Mar 2025 - Sun 02 Nov 2025

Scampston Walled Garden opens it's gates again for 2025 on the 26th March!

Scampston Hall Open

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!

Monthly Wildlife Club

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.

Members-only Evening

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.

The Three Inch Fools' perform 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'

Wed 23 Jul 2025

The Three Inch Fools present Shakespeare’s most iconic comedy 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'

Summer Dingbat Trail

Wed 23 Jul 2025 - Sun 31 Aug 2025

Fun for the whole family round Scampston grounds this Summer!

Summer Stories, Crafts & Games: “Under the Sea”

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.

Summer Choir Performance

Sun 27 Jul 2025

An Evening of Musical Magic at Scampston Hall Gardens

Guided Heritage Walk

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.

Writing for Wellbeing Workshop

Fri 01 Aug 2025

Held in the beautiful conservatory at Scampston

Summer Stories, Crafts & Games: “On the Farm”

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.

Classic Car Rally

Sun 03 Aug 2025

Come and view some stunning classic cars in the inner parkland with the splendid backdrop of Scampston Hall.

Summer Stories, Crafts & Games: "In the Palace"

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.

Monthly Wildlife Club

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.

Mixed ability Crewelwork Workshop

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.

Summer Stories, Crafts & Games: "At the Zoo"

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.

York Against Cancer's Big Day Out

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

Summer Stories, Crafts & Games: “On the Moon”

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.

Yorkshire Traction Engine Rally

Sat 30 Aug 2025 - Sun 31 Aug 2025

A fun day out for all the family!

Monthly Wildlife Club

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

Annual Autumn Plant Fair

Sun 07 Sep 2025

Come along to our popular Annual Autumn Plant Fair! The perfect day out for garden enthusiasts

Cane Acorn Workshop

Wed 24 Sep 2025

Weave two cane acorns in this new workshop

Wet Felting Workshop - Limpet Shell Study with Hand Embroidery

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.

Wet Felting Workshop - Nuno Reversible Cowl

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.

Monthly Wildlife Club

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

Wet Felting Workshop - Limpet Shell Study with Hand Embroidery

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.

Wet Felting Workshop - Decorative Tote Bags

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.

Monthly Wildlife Club

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

Willow Weaving workshop - Large willow toadstool

Wed 26 Nov 2025

Learn to weave a large willow toadstool to take home for your home or garden(approx height 60cm)

Scampston’s Annual Charity 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.

Monthly Wildlife Club

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.