Located in the heart of Essex, and boasting beautiful panoramic views of the surrounding countryside, RHS Garden Hyde Hall is a tranquil spot to while away a few hours with the family on a dry day, but is it suitable for children?
A RHS garden might not be the obvious choice for children, but they will love getting amongst nature, exploring the plants, trees and
wildlife that live there, running around in the vast open space and playing in
the whimsical looking wooden tree house; Higgledy Hyde.
There is also a cafe, restaurant, a gift shop and a garden centre
if you have been inspired enough to spruce up your own garden!
Play amongst the tree tops at Higgledy Hyde |
RHS Garden Hyde Hall Review
Why RHS Garden Hyde Hall is a good place to visit with children
- It will encourage children to learn about plants and help to inspire the next generation of gardeners and nature lovers.
- There is a wonderful pond full of fish and other wildlife to spot.
- There are wooden and metal sculptures to look out for.
- In holidays they normally have a self led trail (including an Easter Egg hunt) and activities for children.
- There is a large wooden tree house and play area.
- There is a great gift shop with a good selection of children's toys and books.
- Admission is free for children under 5.
The pond is bursting with wildlife at RHS Hyde Hall |
There are some great trees for climbing |
Hiddledy Hyde Play Area |
What is there to do at RHS Garden Hyde Hall?
Play Time
Hidden among the trees is a large wooden tree house with a lookout
point, balance beams, a seesaw, slide and monkey bars. There are also trees to climb and hills to roll down.
Explore the Gardens
There are plenty of gardens to explore with a wide variety of flowers and plants. We particularly enjoyed looking around the Global Growth Vegetable Garden,
which houses vegetables (and some fruits) from around the world and learning
what an avocado tree and blueberry bush look like.
The Floral Fantasia section was my personal favourite section with brightly coloured blooms that smelled beautiful - a treat for the eyes and the nose. You can always check out this page to find out which areas are looking best.
If children need motivation to keep on exploring encourage them to spot the wooden and metal sculptures. There are also often trail sheets available in school holidays.
Wildlife Watch
We were lucky enough to see the baby goslings during our visit and spent
ages watching them pecking around on the grass under the watchful eye of
their very protective Mum. You can also spots fish in the pond, buzzing beehives and other wildlife.
Make sure to check out the RHS Hyde Hall website for seasonal events and
activities as there are often crafting and face painting events during the
holidays.
The stunning Floral Fantasia in early Summer |
This family of geese were my daughter's highlight of the trip |
A great spot for imaginative play amongst the trees |
Immerse yourself in nature at RHS Hyde Hall |
What age children will enjoy visiting RHS Garden Hyde Hall?
Younger children may struggle with all the walking but you can adapt your
route accordingly. The self led trails will help motivate the more reluctant walkers. Children that love flowers, exploring and nature will get the most out of a visit.
Is it suitable for pushchairs?
Yes we managed to get around ok with a pushchair, but some areas were challenging. It is mostly gravel footpaths, but some areas were bark chipping or grass which might be difficult when the weather hasn't been good.
What you need to know before visiting RHS Garden Hyde Hall
Entrance Costs
- Standard entry tickets are currently £15.85 for adults, £7.95 for children age 5 to 16 (free for under 5s). There are also online reduced price family tickets.
- In holidays you need to prebook (and pay for) some of the additional activities.
- The garden is free for RHS members
- If you are in receipt of various benefits you can book up to 6 tickets for £1 each.
Opening Hours
The gardens are open Monday to Sunday 10am to 6pm (last entry at 5pm) from March to October, in November to February they close at 4pm.
Is It Dog Friendly?
Dogs are not allowed in the garden, car parks or wider estate, with the
exception of assistance/support dogs.
Are There Toilet Facilities and Baby Changing?
There are accessible toilets with baby changing facilities on site
next to the Gardener's Rest restaurant, near the Farmhouse Garden and in the Clover Cafe at the entrance.
Where Can I Eat At RHS Garden Hyde Hall?
Gardener's Rest restaurant is located in the middle of the gardens
(around a 12 minute walk from the garden entrance) with very impressive
panoramic views over the countryside. They have inside and outdoor seating
as well as high chairs. The menu looked nice, food costs around the £15 mark per main dish and £7.25 for a children's
lunchbox consisting of a roll, drink and three snacks. Food is served 11.30am to 3pm.
We bought a
picnic from home and enjoyed it on the picnic benches next to the
children's play area.
There is a cafe at the entrance, the Clover Cafe (food served 9.30am to 3pm). They serve cakes, sandwiches and some cooked breakfast items.
At peak times in summer there is also an afternoon tea pop up in the Thatched Barn. The dates it is open is on their Events page.
The Gardener's Rest restaurant |
Beautiful panoramic views from the restaurant outdoor seating area |
What to take with you when visiting RHS Garden Hyde Hall
- Comfortable footwear as there is plenty of walking.
- You may appreciate a buggy for those with little legs who might get tired or a baby carrier for younger ones.
- A picnic to enjoy on the grass as the restaurant is quite expensive and can get quite busy. We went on a sunny Friday and most of the tables were taken.
- It is worth noting that scooters, bikes and balls are not permitted in the garden.
How to get to RHS Garden Hyde Hall and where to park
Address: RHS Garden Hyde Hall, Creephedge Lane, Chelmsford CM3 8ETParking is free and plentiful on site with parent and child bays available.
Admission prices are a few pounds per person cheaper for those who prebook and arrive by
bus/cycling or on foot. It states on the website that in order to get the cheaper price that
proof of car-free travel will need to be provided upon entering the garden.
There is a bus stop just a few minutes walk from the entrance.
What Else Is There To do Near RHS Garden Hyde Hall?
A visit to RHS Garden Hyde Hall is a day out in itself and children are likely to be exhausted, but if you are staying nearby and are looking for other great days out nearby these are worth checking out:
-
Call of the wild zoo- Approximately a 9 minute drive away. Animals here include lemurs, monkeys, coatis, porcupine and an armadillo. They also have a Keeper for the day (2 1/2 hour) experience suitable for children from age 8. Every time we visit they have made more improvements.
- Marsh Farm Animal Adventure Park- Approximately a 12 minute drive away. You can not possibly get bored at Marsh Farm - meet the adorable animals, let off steam on the adventure play, try and get a hole in one at the crazy golf course, plus a carousel, tea cup rides and bouncy pillows. Read my review here
- Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome - approximately a 13 minute drive away. The largest surviving Great War aerodrome in Europe. Aircraft/history enthusiasts will enjoy the interactive exhibitions housed in original WW1 buildings and modern hangars. There is a collection of reconstructed or replica aircraft and when weather permits you may even see aircraft taking off and landing. The Airmen's Mess Café has a variety of options including hot meals, cakes and refreshments.
Images and recommendations by Essex Mum, Sarah.
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