Kids at Compton Verney

It can be tricky to find days out suitable for the whole family and accessible in all types of weather. At Compton Verney, we offer a huge range of activities, resources, and experiences for families in the form of 120 acres of art, nature and creativity.

For the price of a day ticket (ages 18 and under visit free), here are just some of the ways kids and families can make the most of Compton Verney; whether just for a day or the entire week! Tip: if you want to visit Compton Verney again or throughout the year, our membership offer allows you to get the price of your day ticket back if you decide to sign up!

Indoors

Discovery Bags
At the entrance to the Naples Gallery you will find a unit filled with exciting bags and activities that are updated throughout the year! Each contains a selection of resources and activities centred around a theme such as Hidden Treasure or a Colour Hunt! These activities will allow kids of all ages to engage with the exhibitions in fun and exciting ways.

Easels Out!
If the backpacks aren’t cutting it, you can help yourself to the materials on the sketching trolley adjacent to the backpacks. Perfect to inspire children and grown-ups to respond creatively with the art on display inside our galleries.

Discovery Room
For families with young children, our Discovery Room remains full of open-ended resources and engaging activities and crafts that nod to the current exhibitions at Compton Verney. In fact, over the months of Spring and Summer, our Discovery room will transform as two new exhibitions, get under way!

Tiny Tuesdays
Supported by Play Assistant, Tyne, Tiny Tuesdays feature playful resources across our historic galleries and grounds. Why not spend a little time building, exploring and firing up the imagination? There will be spaces set up for tiny tots and their siblings, most suitable for children under 7 years old. You are responsible for supervision of your children and encouraged to play along!

Pattern making, blocks and books
Alongside the biggest collection of British Folk Art in the UK, in our Marx-Lambert galleries, you can find blocks and resources to take part in pattern making; inspired by the work of artist and designer Enid Marx (1902-1998)! Upstairs, you will find a family space adorned with unique wallpaper. Here, kids and adults can explore a range of books on the artists and artworks shown in the galleries as well as drawing materials so let your creativity run wild!

Outdoors

Outdoor Backpacks
There will be new free winter backpacks available from our Welcome Centre from February! Discover the grounds in creative ways with our purple backpacks, filled with resources and ideas, such as nature ID cards, magnifying sheets and sketching materials that invite the whole family to enjoy what Compton Verney’s unique landscape has to offer.

Try a spot of birdwatching?
Located next to our beautiful lake, the active bird hide with spectacular views of local wildlife will be stocked with binoculars over half term for kids to use and enjoy! The walk to and from the hide is also full of nature and picturesque views including our bee hotels inspired by our Morag Myerscough installations.

Morag Myerscough installation ‘The Village’
A truly unique and beautiful addition to the landscape, Morag Myerscough’s outdoor installation is for all of the family to enjoy. Perfect for pictures, a picnic or a few games, The Village is located in the Old Town Meadow and can mark the start or the end of a walk around the lake through North Park.

Adventure Playground and more
After you and the family have explored our grounds including its willow tunnels and sandboxes, make your way to the majestic Wellingtonia avenue (original entrance to the grounds during history) through the trees and woodland you will find an exciting adventure playground! A perfect final or starting point to your Compton Verney adventure!