The Children’s Country House at Sudbury
Have fun with history
In October last year, the National Trust re-opened Sudbury Hall, the final part of The Children’s Country House at Sudbury, in Derbyshire.
Trust experts worked alongside young people to create the new experience, where children are encouraged to be curious and explore the house, all while protecting the 17th century Hall and collection. Although the experience has been designed with children at its heart, everyone is welcome.
Jodie Lees, General Manager, said: “We want The Children’s Country House to be a place of wonder, sparking a lifelong love of heritage. Our aim is to make everyone feel comfortable, welcome and free to lead their own visit, developing their knowledge, confidence and curiosity as they explore Sudbury’s incredible collections and stories. We’ve had amazing feedback from the families who have visited and we can already see that spark igniting.”
Activities are all inspired by the historic use of each part of the Hall. Plan voyages and adventures in the book-lined Talbot room, ‘become a portrait’ in the Long Gallery or – a popular choice with visitors – choose a costume and dance to the music in the Saloon, where the Vernon family would have entertained guests.
In the ‘World Below’ children can use cookie cutters and rolling pins to make clay models in the Kitchen, or visit the ‘Pantry of Destruction’ with its creative displays on the agents of deterioration that threaten historic houses and their collections. Over in the family apartments, visitors can complete challenges and riddles to solve a mystery about a moment from the Hall’s history.
All these activities have been developed in consultation with National Trust Conservators and a thorough conservation plan has been created, which safeguards and protects fragile or precious collections. Conservation work continued during the development of The Children’s Country House, including the restoration of the Great Staircase, a circa £70,000 project which has enabled the staircase to be used by visitors for the first time in 40 years. The Children’s Country House has been designed to be as accessible as possible, and is open during weekends and every day during school holidays. This February half term, it will be open from Saturday 11 – Sunday 26 February. All visits need to be pre-booked.
Visit nationaltrust.org.uk/cchsudbury for more information. @National Trust /Annapurna Mellor