Gnome Trail at Lamport Hall: A Magical Garden Adventure for Northants Families

The Gnome Trail at Lamport Hall is one of those lovely low-key activities that feels like a proper little adventure without needing a huge amount of planning or a big budget. It’s the kind of thing we are so lucky to have on our doorstep here in Northamptonshire, and I reckon it’s going to go down a treat with little ones who love a trail, a treasure hunt, or anything involving garden gnomes.

And here’s a fun fact before you go: Lamport Hall is actually credited as the birthplace of the garden gnome in England. Sir Charles Isham introduced terracotta gnome figures to the gardens back in the 1840s, making it the home of the world’s oldest garden gnome. So the Gnome Trail isn’t just a fun activity — it’s a little piece of history too.

About the Gnome Trail at Lamport Hall

Help Lampy find his friends who are hiding around the beautiful Lamport Hall gardens and collect your very own gnome or fairy to take home! The trail costs £5 per child, which includes a gnome or fairy keepsake to take away — a lovely little memento of your visit.

Entry to the gardens is free for children under 11, and adult admission is just £11 for the whole year (full price tickets convert to an annual pass, which is brilliant value if you plan to visit more than once).

When Can You Visit?

The Gnome Trail runs Wednesday to Friday from May through August, and then Wednesday to Sunday throughout September. Opening hours are 10am to 4pm. The trail is available from the Stables Cafe on opening days.

That Wednesday to Friday schedule during the summer holidays is worth noting — it’s a great option for a midweek day out when everywhere else feels a bit quieter. If you’re heading over on a weekend, September is your window, so pop it in the diary before the season wraps up.

Getting There

Lamport Hall is located in Lamport, Northamptonshire, NN6 9HD. For satnav, use NN6 9EZ. You can reach them on 01604 686272 or by email at enterprises@lamporthall.co.uk.

What Else Is There to Do?

Beyond the trail, the gardens themselves are a real treat. Covering around 10 acres, they include extensive herbaceous borders, woodland walks, a walled garden, and the famous Lamport Rockery — one of the earliest alpine gardens in England. There’s also the Stables Cafe for drinks and snacks, so you can easily make a relaxed half-day of it.

If your little ones love outdoor adventures and exploring, you might also want to grab a copy of my free nature scavenger hunt to take along — it’s a great way to keep curious minds busy while you wander the grounds.

Good to Know Before You Go

• Gnome Trail: £5 per child (includes a gnome or fairy to take home)
• Garden admission: Free for under 11s
• Adult admission: £11 (converts to an annual pass)
• Trail available: Wednesday–Friday, May–August; Wednesday–Sunday, September
• Opening hours: 10am–4pm
• Address: Lamport Hall, Lamport, Northamptonshire, NN6 9HD (NN6 9EZ for satnav)

Always worth checking the Lamport Hall website before you visit for any updates to dates or pricing.

If you’re on the lookout for more days out and activities across Northamptonshire, don’t forget to sign up for my weekly what’s on newsletter — it lands in your inbox every week with the best of what’s happening locally for families.

The events listed in this guide are run by third-party organisers, and all details were correct at the time of publication, based on information from their official websites. However, changes or cancellations can happen at short notice. To avoid any disappointment, we recommend double-checking the event information on the official websites before making plans.