Wakehurst
Ask a member of staff to circle Tree Trunk Trek on your map. It can be tricky to find!
There are over 500 acres to explore at Wakehurst botanic gardens, including woodland and a nature reserve! Children of all ages will enjoy running free in the grounds, with plenty to entertain along the way, including:
Crawl, climb and leap around the Tree Trunk Trek log trail!
Discover the Children's Heritage Garden, with it's mud kitchen and potting shed - you can even plant a seed to take home (closed during winter).
Explore the natural play spaces - look out for woven willow tunnels, a labyrinth, an acoustic chair and some talking totem poles!
Watch the scientists at work in the Millennium Seed Bank and learn about the amazing conservation work undertaken there
Spot huge fish in the Black Pond and greet the many friendly ducks around the garden
Additional events for children are often run during school holidays (there is generally a small charge for these).
There are over 500 acres to explore at Wakehurst botanic gardens, including woodland and a nature reserve! Children of all ages will enjoy running free in the grounds, with plenty to entertain along the way, including:
Crawl, climb and leap around the Tree Trunk Trek log trail!
Discover the Children's Heritage Garden, with it's mud kitchen and potting shed - you can even plant a seed to take home (closed during winter).
Explore the natural play spaces - look out for woven willow tunnels, a labyrinth, an acoustic chair and some talking totem poles!
Watch the scientists at work in the Millennium Seed Bank and learn about the amazing conservation work undertaken there
Spot huge fish in the Black Pond and greet the many friendly ducks around the garden
Additional events for children are often run during school holidays (there is generally a small charge for these).
KEY INFO:
ADMISSION:
Free admission for National Trust members. Children (16 and under) FREE.
SUITABLE FOR:
LOCATION:
Selsfield Rd, Haywards Heath, West Sussex, RH17 6TN
PARKING:
Charges apply (even for NT members)
AMENITIES:
DISTANCE:
OPEN:
Varies by season. See website.
Wakehurst is owned by the National Trust and managed by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Although a beautiful Elizabethan mansion is central to the formal gardens at Wakehurst, just two rooms (on the ground floor) can be accessed by visitors. These usually house small exhibitions of paintings or wildlife photography.
The mansion gardens are served by a network of gravel and hard surface paths, suitable for wheelchair and pushchair access (shown on map). The remaining garden and woodland areas have steep slopes and steps. Dogs are permitted, on a short lead, on the designated dog-friendly route. See website for futher details.
The Tree Trunk Trek log trail is great, but (in our opinion) is best-suited to children aged 5+. Made of entirely natural materials, the obstacles can become quite slippery in wet weather. Be warned that it is a bit of a trek in itself getting there!
Wakehurst is the perfect place to enjoy a picnic. Alternatively, the Stables Cafe (beside the mansion) serves an excellent range of hot and cold lunches, cakes and refreshments. Children's pick 'n' mix lunch boxes are available, and there is a microwave available to heat bottles/baby food.
Please be aware that bikes and scooters are not permitted at Wakehurst and unfortunately ball games are not allowed in the gardens.
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