Attingham Park

Play on the swings, scramble in the tunnels and wriggle down the slides at the Field of Play.
Make the most of the 200 acres of parkland by scavenging for leaves, branches, and pine cones.
Take the 3.5km Explorer Trail by bike or on foot.
Wave at the Attingham herd in the Deer Park - if you’re lucky, you might spy a fawn.

Located in Shropshire, Attingham Park is a Grade I listed English country house and estate located near the village of Atcham and owned by the National Trust. Built in 1785, the Regency mansion was the home of Noel Hill, a politician who worked alongside the historical Prime Minister William Pitt The Younger.

Attingham Park’s grounds include woodlands and a deer park, with between 200 to 300 fallow deer, so your family are bound to spot some roaming the land. There’s also a Walled Garden, and an orchard which grows produce for the estate; your family can either enjoy this at an Attingham Park afternoon tea or purchase in the shop to savour at home. The River Tern flows through the centre of the estate, and the park is a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) as it is home to many rare species of invertebrates.

The 18th century estate is fabulous for all seasons, inspiring a sense of beauty and awe in visitors young and old. There’s plenty for families to do thanks to the expansive parklands and miles of woodland walks. Strap on your running or walking shoes and tackle the 3.5km long Explorer Trail (four-legged friends welcome but on leads), or take the circular Wildlife Walk from the Stables Courtyard through the Deer Park. Download the Tree-mendous Trail for Nature Explorers and play I-Spy as you wander along the Mile Walk and finish in the Field of Play, which is itself the perfect spot for families. Kids can let loose on the natural play features, which include log piles and earth mounds, and discover the slides and tunnels. You can even bring your own picnic and garden games: the vast space is ideal for a game of rounders or football. If you visit in the spring, your kids may be sharing the space with lambs, who also enjoy playing on the logs.

Children five and under are welcome to bring tricycles and starter bikes (those with no pedals or with stabilisers), but standard bikes are not allowed. Children aged 11 and under can use push or kick scooters, too. Head over to Comer Woods at the Dudmaston Estate for an Explorer Trail on which the whole family can cycle. If biking isn’t your family’s thing, there’s still heaps to do: play with conkers, create wild art, forage for pine cones and make a scrapbook of leaves. Find magic in natural play, and leave with a sense of awe and wonderment.

Don’t forget to add Knebworth House to your family day-out list, and Audley End House and Gardens also make for an amazing adventure.‍

What to know before you go

There are toilet facilities at Stables Courtyard, Brewhouse, Walled Garden, and Field of Play. Baby-changing facilities can be found at Stables Courtyard and Brewhouse.
The Carriage House Café and Kiosk in Field of Play provides takeaway refreshments, including hot drinks and light snacks. Otherwise, there are plenty of places to eat near Attingham Park, including Michelin-starred The Haughmond and The Dolphin pub in Shrewsbury.
Kids under 5 on scooters, balance bikes or bikes with stabilisers are allowed under close parental supervision, and dogs are also allowed but must be kept on leads.
There is designated Blue Badge parking and a Changing Place toilet available - ask for the key at Visitor Reception. Visitors can also hire trampers or wheelchairs in advance through Visitor Reception.
Attingham Park opening times are as follows: the park and playground are open from 8am until 6pm, the Carriage House Café is open from 9am until 5pm, and the shop is open from 10am until 5pm. Last entry for pre-booked tickets is from 4 - 4.30pm, with parkland gates closed at 6pm.

Getting there

Shrewsbury Train Station is five miles away. Bus number 19 will take you from the centre of Shrewsbury to Atcham, where you can dismount. From there, it’s around a 20 minute walk to Attingham Park. Alternatively, a taxi from Shrewsbury Train Station will take about 11 minutes.
If you plan to travel by car, Attingham Park is four miles south-east of Shrewsbury. Follow the brown directional signage to enter the park, and be aware that cattle are grazing in the parkland.
You must provide proof of booking on entering the car park, as that’s where your tickets and membership cards will be checked. There’s also blue badge parking available for access guests.