We visited East Riddlesden Hall on a cold, wet January Sunday with our two boys, and despite the weather it turned out to be a really lovely day out.

It took us just over an hour to drive from home, making it an easy option for a half-day trip. We’re National Trust members, so entry was included for us, but admission prices (until March) are:

• Adult (18+) – £7.70 with Gift Aid / £7.00 without
• Child (5–17) – £3.90 with Gift Aid / £3.50 without (under 5s free)
• Family (2 adults + up to 3 children) – £19.30 with Gift Aid / £17.50 without
• Family (1 adult + up to 3 children) – £11.60 with Gift Aid / £10.50 without

First impressions

On arrival we were greeted by beautiful lights near the pond, which instantly gave the place a welcoming feel, even on such a grey day. Parking was a bit limited at the time, but we still managed to get parked without too much trouble.

Unfortunately, the café was closed that day due to technical issues, so we were glad we’d brought a picnic (which we ended up eating in the car later).

One of the highlights straight away was spotting our first snowdrops of the season. There’s something about seeing them that really makes you feel like spring is on its way — lighter mornings, brighter evenings, flowers starting to bloom, and summer not too far off.

Inside the house

Staff were exceptionally friendly and welcoming from the moment we arrived. There was the option to join a guided tour, but with two fairly young children we chose to explore at our own pace, which worked really well.

There are lots of rooms to look through, with plenty of history, but what really stood out was how thoughtfully the house is set up for families. Traditional music was playing softly as we walked around, and the staff were always nearby — happy to answer questions without ever being overbearing.

To keep children engaged, there’s a wooden mouse trail throughout the house. The kids had to find seven wooden mice hidden in different rooms, which kept them completely absorbed while we looked around properly. Once they’d found them all, they were given a sticker at the exit, which they were very proud of.

There were also wooden toys and dressing-up clothes inside the house, which made a huge difference. At some National Trust properties, children can lose interest quite quickly, but this was genuinely well thought out and inclusive.

Gardens, crafts and outdoor play

After exploring the house, we headed into the gardens. Despite the rain, we were pleasantly surprised to find a craft room, which was well stocked and gave us a chance to shelter for a while while the boys got stuck in.

Outside, there was loads for them to enjoy:

• a mud kitchen
• den building
• wooden games
• climbing apparatus

Even on a wet winter day, there was plenty to do, and the space felt very relaxed and family-friendly.

Final thoughts

We ate our picnic in the car because of the café closure, then headed home — but it really felt like a day well spent.

East Riddlesden Hall is somewhere we’d happily return to, especially in summer, when we were told there are lawn games and even more outdoor activities for children. Even in January, with cold weather and rain, it offered a thoughtful, welcoming experience for families.

Definitely one to revisit — and a great reminder that National Trust places can work really well with kids when they’re done right, especially outside of peak season. If you’re thinking about visiting in the colder months, I’ve shared more thoughts in my post on whether it’s worth visiting National Trust places in winter.

You can find out more details, including opening times and seasonal events, and plan your visit here:
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/yorkshire/east-riddlesden-hall