Wiltshire is made for family days that feel simple, scenic and full of character. In April, the county comes into its own, with spring colour, Easter activities, heritage sites, open countryside and wildlife-rich places that make it easy to plan a day out without overcomplicating things. VisitWiltshire’s current family pages highlight a strong mix of outdoor attractions, heritage destinations and nature-led experiences across the county. (Visit Wiltshire)
The ideas below mix free, low-cost and good-value options. I have included official website links and contact details so families can check opening times, prices and event details before travelling. Where a venue has an Easter trail or seasonal April activity, I have noted it below. (Visit Wiltshire)
1) Stourhead, near Mere
Stourhead is one of the loveliest spring days out in the region, with its famous landscaped garden, lakeside walks and family-friendly seasonal events. National Trust listings show Easter adventures at Stourhead running on multiple dates from 8 April 2026, with activities around the garden from 09:30 to 16:00. Admission applies, but it is a strong choice for families wanting a big outdoor day with a heritage feel. (National Trust)
This is ideal for families who enjoy a longer walk, beautiful views and a day that feels a little special without needing lots of add-ons. It is especially good in April when the gardens are full of spring interest. (National Trust)
Contact details
Website: Stourhead
Phone: 01747 841152
Accessibility / booking support: 01747 842025
Email: [email protected]
Address: near Mere, Wiltshire (National Trust)
2) Lacock Abbey, Fox Talbot Museum and village
Lacock is one of those places that suits families beautifully because it offers history, gardens and a village setting that still feels calm and manageable. National Trust listings show Easter Adventures at Lacock Abbey running from 28 March to 12 April 2026, with the trail taking place in the gardens in spring bloom. Normal admission charges apply, with the trail charged separately. (National Trust)
For families, the appeal is the combination of open-air exploring and heritage. It is easy to slow the pace down here and just enjoy the surroundings. (National Trust)
Contact details
Website: Lacock
Phone: 01249 730459
Email: [email protected] (National Trust)
3) Avebury
Avebury is a brilliant Wiltshire option if you want somewhere that feels outdoorsy, historic and full of atmosphere. The National Trust describes it as home to the world’s largest prehistoric stone circle, partially surrounding the village, with the Alexander Keiller Museum also on site. Its Easter trail listing says the trail is £3.50, with the garden carrying normal admission charges, while garden entry is free for National Trust members. (National Trust)
This is a strong family pick because children can move around freely, there is plenty of open space, and the whole place feels like a real adventure rather than a formal attraction. (National Trust)
Contact details
Website: Avebury
Phone: 01672 539250
Email: [email protected]
Location: Avebury, Marlborough, Wiltshire (National Trust)
4) Wiltshire Museum, Devizes
Wiltshire Museum is a very useful option for families who want a lower-cost heritage visit that still has plenty to engage children. The museum’s holiday activity page gives contact details for its Learning and Outreach Officer, and current event listings show Easter Holiday Activities 2026 with themed craft sessions on 31 March and 7 April 2026. The museum also runs Curious Kids sessions and other family programming. (Wiltshire Museum)
This is a good choice for mixing learning with fun, and it works particularly well if the weather is changeable. (Wiltshire Museum)
Contact details
Website: Wiltshire Museum
Holiday activities: Wiltshire Museum holiday activities
Phone: 01380 727369
Email: [email protected]
Address: 41 Long Street, Devizes, SN10 1NS (Wiltshire Museum)
5) Langford Lakes Nature Reserve
If your family enjoys wildlife, walking and a more peaceful outdoor setting, Langford Lakes is a great Wiltshire choice. Wiltshire Wildlife Trust describes it as a reserve of lakes and meadows on the edge of the River Wylye, and its reserve page includes direct contact information for visitor enquiries. (Wiltshire Wildlife Trust)
This is the sort of place where the day can stay beautifully simple: a walk, some birdwatching, maybe a café stop, and plenty of space to enjoy nature together. (Wiltshire Wildlife Trust)
Contact details
Website: Langford Lakes
Phone: 01380 725670
Email: [email protected]
Wiltshire Wildlife Trust contact page: Contact Wiltshire Wildlife Trust (Wiltshire Wildlife Trust)
6) Stonehenge
Stonehenge is not a free day out, but it is one of Wiltshire’s best-known family attractions and can be worth including if you want one bigger heritage outing in April. English Heritage’s official page highlights that there is much more to the site than the stone circle alone, including the wider prehistoric landscape and visitor experience. (English Heritage)
It is a good option for families who want a major landmark day out, especially if children are interested in history, archaeology or simply seeing one of Britain’s most iconic sites up close. (English Heritage)
Contact details
Website: Stonehenge
General enquiries phone: 0370 333 1181
Email: [email protected]
Postal contact: The Engine House, Fire Fly Avenue, Swindon, SN2 2EH (English Heritage)
7) Salisbury Museum
Salisbury Museum is another good-value Wiltshire option for families who enjoy history with hands-on elements. The museum says it has family activities for every visit, including Wessex Gallery discovery trails and a Little Explorer Trail, and its Family Learning page says it runs Family Discovery Days every Tuesday of the school holidays, from 10am to 4pm. (The Salisbury Museum)
This is a good way to add heritage and creativity to a family day in Salisbury without making things too formal. (The Salisbury Museum)
Contact details
Website: The Salisbury Museum
Phone: 01722 332151
Email: [email protected]
Address: The King’s House, 65 The Close, Salisbury, SP1 2EN (The Salisbury Museum)
8) Salisbury Cathedral and Cathedral Close
Salisbury Cathedral offers a family day that combines heritage, open space and one of Wiltshire’s most striking settings. The cathedral’s official visit pages advise checking opening times, closures, ticket prices and parking before travelling, and note visitor phone contact for questions. VisitWiltshire also notes that tickets are valid for repeat visits for 12 months from the date of purchase. (Salisbury Cathedral)
For families, the wider Cathedral Close adds to the appeal because it gives children room to walk around while adults enjoy the surroundings. (Salisbury Cathedral)
Contact details
Website: Salisbury Cathedral
Visitor enquiries phone: 01722 555120
Box Office / events phone: 01722 656555
Box Office email: [email protected]
Address: 6 The Close, Salisbury, Wiltshire, SP1 2EF (Salisbury Cathedral)
9) Lydiard Park, Swindon
Lydiard Park is a useful all-round family option on the Wiltshire edge, with parkland, historic setting and seasonal activities. The official site describes it as a beautiful historic estate with a Palladian house, church and walled garden set in 260 acres of parkland, and current event listings show The Lydiard Park Easter Trail on Sunday 5 April 2026. Opening information also shows the walled garden is open daily from 10:00am to 4:00pm, with modest admission charges. (Lydiard Park)
This is a nice option if you want a family day with green space and a bit of structure, without jumping to a bigger-ticket attraction. (Lydiard Park)
Contact details
Website: Lydiard Park
Phone: 01793 464644
Email: [email protected]
Address: Lydiard House & Park, Lydiard Tregoze, Swindon, SN5 3PA (Lydiard Park)
Final thought
Wiltshire is full of family days out that do not need to feel rushed or expensive. A spring walk round a lake, an Easter trail in a garden, a wander through an ancient village or a museum visit with child-friendly activities can all make for a really good April day together. The county’s mix of open space, heritage and wildlife is what makes it work so well for families. (Visit Wiltshire)
Before travelling, do check each venue’s official website for the latest opening times, prices, trail dates and booking requirements, especially for Easter events and school holiday activities. (Visit Wiltshire)
