Forty Hall Estate
ENTRY
Free
SETTING
Outdoors
WHERE
Enfield
What it’s like
A Jacobean manor with free grounds to roam, a farm to visit and paid trails that turn the walk into a hunt for bones and bugs.
The house and gardens are free to wander, but the bit kids will actually talk about afterwards is probably Rip's Bone Trail or the Nature Trail, both paid extras where you hunt for hidden bones or work through riddles spotting bugs and birds. The Nature Trail has a 90 minute limit and needs a £10 refundable deposit, which is a slightly odd hoop to jump through for a walk in the woods, but it keeps the trail packs coming back for the next family. At £3 to £3.50 a child they're not expensive on top of a free day out.
Beyond the trails there's a genuine Jacobean manor house to poke around, a walled garden, pleasure grounds and woodland, plus Forty Hall Farm with sheep, pigs and horses (weekends only, 11 to 3, so don't turn up on a Tuesday expecting animals). The site reckons on 2 to 3 hours for the grounds, or a full day if you let the kids set the pace, which feels about right once you factor in the farm and a stop at the café.
Parking's free and there's proper access throughout for wheelchairs and buggies, with bike hire on offer between April and September if you book ahead. Dogs are welcome on lead in the gardens and parkland, though they have to stay outside the museum. The café runs shorter hours midweek and a bit longer at weekends, so if lunch matters to your plan, check which day you're going.
Facilities
Need to know
- Last entry
- 15 minutes before closing time (recommended at least 30 mins)
- Parking
- Free onsite parking in main car park
- How long to allow
- 2-3 hours or all day
- Picnics
- Welcome on grounds
- Wheelchairs
- Full wheelchair access throughout
- Dogs
- Welcome in gardens and parkland on lead
- Getting there by bus or train
- 20 minute walk from Turkey Street, Gordon Hill, Enfield Town stations
- The Nature Trail needs a £10 refundable deposit and runs to a 90 minute limit
- Bike and scooter hire is free April to September but you have to book ahead
- The farm only opens at weekends, 11am to 3pm
- Café hours are shorter midweek than at weekends
- Dogs are welcome on lead outside but not inside the museum
Plan your visit
How much does it cost?
Getting in and wandering the grounds is free. The trails are £3 to £3.50 a child, and the Nature Trail also needs a £10 refundable deposit.
Do we need to book?
Not for a general visit. Bike or scooter hire and birthday parties in the grounds do need booking ahead.
Is there parking?
Yes, free onsite parking in the main car park through the gates.
How long should we plan for?
Two to three hours covers the gardens and grounds properly, or you can make a full day of it with the farm and café thrown in.
Can we see the farm animals?
Forty Hall Farm is open weekends only, 11am to 3pm, with sheep, pigs and horses.
What time does the house close?
The house is open Thursday to Sunday, 11am to 5pm, with last entry 15 minutes before closing. They recommend going in at least 30 minutes before closing though, not right on the deadline.
Is it OK with a buggy or wheelchair?
There's full wheelchair access throughout the estate.
Can we bring the dog?
Dogs are welcome on lead in the gardens and parkland, but they can't come into the museum except guide dogs.
Is there somewhere to eat?
The Cedar Tree Café is open Tuesday to Friday 9am to 4pm and weekends 9:30am to 5pm. Picnics are welcome on the grounds too if you'd rather bring your own.
Can we do a birthday party there?
You can host one in the grounds, but you need to contact them for a booking form and a charge applies depending on the day and duration.
How do we get there without a car?
It's about a 20 minute walk from Turkey Street, Gordon Hill or Enfield Town stations, or you can catch the 191 or W10 bus from Enfield Town.
Featured in 2 Huddlepin lists
See all Castles, Historic Houses & Heritage in London · Things to do in London
MAKE A DAY OF IT
