1. Forty Hall

Forty Hall is a stunning Jacobean Manor House in Enfield.

It has really lovely grounds and gardens and they put on loads of kid friendly activities.

AND it’s free.

To get the lowdown on a visit read this review of Forty Hall from a local mum.

It’s not the easiest London Country House to get to on public transport.

But it is doable. It’s 20 minutes walk

2. Kenwood House

Every London parent seems to have heard of Kenwood House. But not so many been.

It’s great. It’s FREE. It’s chock full of great art, (Rembrandt and more).

But you only need to spend 40 minutes or so before spilling out onto Hampstead Heath.

And kids will happily run wild all day on the Heath..

You can read about our trip to Kenwood House here.

3. Fenton House

Fenton House is an alternative historic house to combine with Hampstead Heath.

Run by the National Trust – £19 for the whole family without an NT Card – it has pretty displays of ceramics, paintings & instruments.

Plus an incredibly lovely garden and orchard.

Littlies will be happy in the garden but for a real run around just walk down the hill to the Heath.

Fenton House is 3 minutes from Hampstead tube on the Northern Line. And 15 minutes from Hampstead Heath on the Overground.

4. Trent Park

Trent Park is a big old park right by Cockfosters tube on the Picadilly line.

It was part of Middlesex Univeristy but is being redeveloped. And there are plans for a new museum.

But in the meantime, you can admire the house from the outside.

And enjoy over 300 acres of gorgeous park and woodland.

Including for older kids a massive Go Ape Zipwire.

5. Capel Manor

For something more serene head to Capel Manor Gardens.

A beautiful old manor and grounds where you can potter happily with smaller kids for the day.
But there’s also a maze and plenty of space for older kids to run around.

It’s about 20 minutes walk from Turkey Street station on the overground from Liverpool St.

And the 217 and 317 busses stop close by.

It’s £15 for the whole family.

For the local lowdown read this family review from Enfield With Kids.

6. Copped Hall

OK Copped Hall doesn’t quite qualify as a London historic house, being just beyond the M25.

But it’s included for being cool.

In a derelict state until recently, it’s in the process of being restored.

So on open days, you can actually see that restoration in place. Including the archeological dig going on around the hall.

Before exploring the neglected but still gorgeous gardens and grounds.

Copped Hall is a wonderful way for London kids to see a far less polished view of history.

And all the work that goes into preserving it.

It’s unfortunately not really doable by public transport.

7. Apsley House

Apsley House was the Duke of Wellington’s old house.

And very fancy it is too.

It doesn’t have a garden. It doesn’t need one. It’s got Hyde Park.

Where you can run round to your heart’s content. And come summer dive into the Serpentine.

It’s right by Hyde Park Corner tube. Or you can stroll along from Knightsbridge or Green Park stations.

Apsley House is English Heritage run, and costs £24 for the family. Free with an EH card.

8. Bruce Castle

Tucked away in Haringay, Bruce Castle is actually one of the oldest brick houses in the country.

Some of the building stretching back to the 1400s.

On the edge of Bruce Castle Park, it’s less than 10 minutes walk from Bruce Castle overgound, (trains from Liverpool St).

And houses a small local history museum, which also covers the early history of the post office and has penny black stamps and old post boxes. All which are good for year ones doing the Victorians.

So there you go, a whole raft of brilliant historic houses for days out in north London.

For even more options across the whole city do check out these lists …