Beningbrough

Is it right for my child?

• Play area: the wilderness play area has a 7 metre pyramid tower and slide, a den zone, swings and climbing frames. The National Trust says it has options for toddlers to teens.
• Younger children: a separate zone for smaller children has a Wendy house and a bucket swing. Balance bikes and foot scooters for under 5s are welcome in the garden.
• Older children: look for the cantilever swing and the clamber stack.
• Inside the hall: children can hunt for funny faces and initials in the carvings, and count animals in the tapestries. The Victorian laundry and the potting shed show how servants and gardeners worked.
• Art: the first floor galleries show paintings by Nancy Cadogan until 4 April 2027.
• Safety: a ha-ha with a sudden drop runs along the southern edge of the garden. There are open water features and ponds, and part of the parkland runs beside a river.

Plan your visit: a parent’s checklist

• Check the day before you go. Until 20 December it is closed Monday to Thursday, and it is closed from 21 to 25 December.
• Arrive early. The garden opens at 10am, the hall at 10.30am, and both close at 3.30pm.
• Book Storytime with Father Christmas ahead, as booking is essential and tickets cannot be refunded.
• Pack wellies. Parkland paths can be uneven and muddy in wet weather.
• Bring a baby sling or plan to borrow a hip seat, as you are asked to leave pushchairs behind when you enter the hall.
• Follow the brown signs from the A19 or A59 rather than your sat nav.

Prices and tickets

Under 5s and National Trust members go free. These are the 2026 prices on the National Trust page, with Gift Aid first.

• Adult (18 plus): £17.60, or £16 without Gift Aid.
• Child (5 to 17): £8.80, or £8 without Gift Aid.
• Family (2 adults and up to 3 children): £44, or £40 without Gift Aid.
• Family (1 adult and up to 3 children): £26.40, or £24 without Gift Aid.
• Other passes: accepted passes include RHS membership, the Max Card and the Visit York Pass.
• Parkland only: you do not need an entrance ticket to walk the parkland, and parking is free.
• Storytime with Father Christmas: £14 a child and £7 an adult, on top of normal admission for non-members. Book on 0344 2491895 or online. Babies under 18 months who do not need a gift go free.

Pushchairs, babies and toilets

• Baby changing: there are baby changing facilities and toilets by the shop and entrance area. There are more in the laundry courtyard, close to the play area.
• In the hall: you are asked to leave your pram or pushchair behind when you first enter. The team has small indoor prams, hip seats and baby slings to borrow.
• Garden: the National Trust describes even terrain in the garden.
• Parkland: paths can be uneven and muddy in wet weather, so pushchairs might struggle.

Food and drink

The walled garden restaurant keeps the same hours as the garden, so this winter it is open 10am to 3.30pm on open days. It has indoor and outdoor tables and serves soups, light bites and cakes. Gluten free and vegan options are available. Staff cannot guarantee any dish is allergen free.

The brew house sits by the play area and toilets. It sells toasties, pizza slices, sandwiches, flapjacks and scoop ice cream. The eating page says it opens Friday to Sunday and daily in school holidays. The Christmas page says weekends only, so check on the day.

Picnics are welcome. Try the outdoor tables in the laundry courtyard, the benches in the walled garden or the south lawn. The Home Farm Café on the estate is closed.

Getting there and parking

• Address: Beningbrough, York, North Yorkshire YO30 1DD. York station is 8 miles away.
• By car: it is signposted off the A19, and off the A59 over a toll bridge. Cars go through Newton-on-Ouse village.
• Parking: parking is free, close to the visitor entrance. The main car park is about 50 yards from the entrance. An overflow on the grassed avenue is used when the weather allows.
• Blue Badge: the National Trust lists designated parking and a drop-off point.
• By bus: the number 80 runs from York to Newton-on-Ouse. From the stop it is about a mile’s walk through the village and parkland. Check times with East Yorkshire Buses.
• By bike: bike racks are next to the ticket area.

When to visit

• Winter opening: Friday to Sunday, 10am to 3.30pm, until 20 December. It then closes from 21 to 25 December and opens every day from 26 to 31 December.
• Next year: opening times from January 2027 were not yet published when we checked.
• Storytime with Father Christmas: Saturdays and Sundays from 5 to 20 December. Each 30 minute session includes storytelling, a Christmas challenge and a book for each child. Sessions are limited to 26 visitors plus babies.
• Christmas decorations: the ground and first floors of the hall are not decorated for Christmas.
• Family trails: the Christmas page invites families to pick up the latest free family trail. Family trails run every school holiday.
• Short walk: the Larch walk is an easy 1 mile loop of about 30 minutes, muddy in places. The pike ponds detour is currently closed.
• Farm animals: cattle graze the parkland and the bull may be with them. Stay on the footpaths and out of the fields.

Additional needs and disability support

The National Trust lists these access features at Beningbrough.

Frequently asked questions

Is Beningbrough free for children?

Under 5s go free. Children aged 5 to 17 pay £8.80 with Gift Aid, and National Trust members go free.

Is Beningbrough open in winter?

Yes, on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 10am to 3.30pm until 20 December. It is closed from 21 to 25 December, then open daily from 26 to 31 December.

Does Beningbrough have a play area?

Yes. The wilderness play area has a 7 metre pyramid tower and slide, a den zone and a separate zone for smaller children. Dogs are not allowed in it, apart from assistance dogs.

Can you take a pushchair to Beningbrough?

Yes, in the garden, which has even terrain. You are asked to leave pushchairs behind when you enter the hall, and you can borrow a hip seat, sling or small indoor pram.

Is Father Christmas at Beningbrough in 2026?

Yes. Storytime with Father Christmas runs on Saturdays and Sundays from 5 to 20 December. Booking is essential, and non-members also pay admission.

Can you take a dog to Beningbrough?

Yes, on a short lead in most of the garden and the shop. Apart from assistance dogs, they cannot go in the hall, the laundry or the play area.

Checked on 12 November 2026 against the official National Trust pages for Beningbrough (opening times, prices, facilities, access and getting here), families, Christmas, Storytime with Father Christmas, eating, the hall, dogs, the parkland and the Larch walk. Prices and times can change, so check before you travel.