Enjoy an artistic August at Orleans House Gallery

This summer, come along to Orleans House Gallery with your little ones for creativity, exploration or simply some fun discovering the woods.

National Play Day

On Wednesday 6 August 2025, come and build playful spaces! Make cosy nooks, secret hideaways, and imagination dens using all kinds of curious materials. Let your creativity run wild – explore, build, and dream together. Drop in and stay as long as you like – there is no need to book and this activity is free: National Play Day – Create and Play.

Collect your free art pack

A new art pack inspired, by the artwork My Body is a Sundial, is available until 31 August 2025 or until stocks last. The activity explores colours and shadows. Inside the pack, you will find materials and instructions on how to use them.

Enjoy exhibitions about nature

Listen and dance to the Nature Sings songs by Finn Chatwyn-Ros in the Cultural Reforesting exhibition. Use the family trail or sensory bag to guide your visit through the exhibitions. Current exhibitions are Cultural Reforesting and Imagining the Forest.

Don’t forget to pick up a copy of Families in the Forest guide from the Cultural Reforesting exhibition.

Café and outdoor fun

Visit the café, serving ice creams, refreshments, snacks and lunch options. Spend time in the woodland and grounds, including a families play area.

Find out more.

Photo credit: Anne Tetzlaff