Ormskirk, Lancashire
Rufford Old Hall is a Tudor house in the village of Rufford, a few miles north of Ormskirk, and the National Trust has done more than most to make it work for children. You can borrow a balance bike, there is a dedicated nature play area in the woods, and the gardens have giant squirrel topiary, an orchard for picnics and a walk along the canal. Inside there are suits of armour and weapons, which is usually enough.
It is not cheap without membership: £14.30 an adult and £7.20 a child, or £35.80 for a family of two adults and up to three children. Under 5s are free and so are members. The Victorian tearoom does soups and hot food. Dogs are welcome in the woods, gardens and courtyard, and the tearoom does lunchboxes for children.
The seasonal events are the reason to time a visit. The annual scarecrow festival runs through October half term, and from late November the house is dressed for a Victorian Christmas.
What it costs: 13 February to 20 December 2026: adult £14.30, child (5 to 17) £7.20, under 5s free, family (2 adults, up to 3 children) £35.80, one-adult family £21.50; prices include Gift Aid, slightly less without. Cheaper winter rate 1 January to 12 February (adult £7.20, child £3.60). Free for National Trust members.
Scarecrows all round the gardens and woods, themed this year on pop stars and music legends. Included in admission, and closed on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Through October there is also Stranger Folk, an app-based folklore quest with goblins and other creatures lurking round the house and gardens.
The Tudor hall is dressed for a Victorian Christmas with a festive trail round the house. On December weekends there is story time with Father Christmas (a drink, a cookie, a story and a gift) and breakfast with Father Christmas in the tearoom, both booked separately.
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