Father’s Day At The National Trust’s Beningbrough Hall

Revisiting beloved spots of ours in Yorkshire has been one of the greatest perks of moving back North (being closer to family aside) and returning to Beningbrough Hall to witness all of their new and improved developments for families after years living down South, was how we spent Father’s Day this year. 

Sunny but not overwhelming hot and humid, we enjoyed hearty jacket potatoes, sausage rolls (vegan and otherwise) and tubs of creamy vanilla ice cream in their main cafe before strolling through the beautiful gardens, taking shade in their magical playground (known as the Wilderness area), a ceiling of branches above our heads shielding us from the sun. 

With swings, slides and even climbing frames large and sturdy enough for my strapping teens, it was a joy to watch my sons Oliver and Alexander, play together, and support Florence as she copied them, climbing to the top of a wooden climbing frame and being pushed high by her brothers on the swing. Having children with bigger age gaps means your older children’s childhood is extended and this was the perfect example of this. 

Next time we’ll bring a ball or kit so we can utilise the large south lawn for a game together, as others were doing whilst we were there. 

With ponds housing lily pads and open fields full of cows to marvel at, picnic areas and ample acres for strolls, Beningbrough really is the perfect day out for families of all ages.

With an 8-acre formal garden with spring bulbs, herbaceous borders, historic trees, and walled garden full of fruit blossoms there’s much to see there (and spot in the children’s activity leaflet you’ve kindly given on entry). 

Undergoing a renaissance by award winning garden designer Andy Sturgeon, the Pergola and Mediterranean Garden are must-sees and thoughtful branch like structures form archways in the grounds. 

The National Trust shop never disappoints either and I left with bags full of natural, heavenly scented soap, a book on wildflowers and an activity pack for Florence (where you colour in a canvas pencil case, you can wash and colour in again, and again) and chocolate sheep shaped lollies, and vanilla fudge treats for the rest of the family. 

Have you visited yet? 

Happy Father’s Day again to our hero, Peter!