Father with two daughters sitting at a table doing pottery

For families

Visit

For families

Create memories with your family at Watts Gallery

Discover family-friendly fun, interactive exhibits, books, engaging trails and educational resources.

All children under 16 can visit the galleries, house and studios for free.

Family activities

Mother and child playing in a woodland playground

Explore the outdoors

Plan your visit

Logo reads 'we've signed up! Kids in Museums Manifesto'

Make the most of your visit

Women holds phone up to artwork in De Morgan Gallery

Family Favourites on Smartify: Historic Galleries

What stories do our artworks have to tell? Listen into some of our favourites from the collection through Smartify’s Family Favourite, as you explore the Historic Gallery.
A group of children run in front of Limnerslease

Active Encounter Pack

Explore art and ideas in the galleries and across the Artists’ Village with prompts and question to enhance your visit. Pick up from the Visitor Centre.
Young boy sketching in the Sculpture Gallery

Artists’ Village Sketchbook

Collect your own sketchbook filled with activities, prompts and space to draw, collect and reflect on your visit. Pick up from the Visitor Centre and Limnerslease ticket desk.

Facilities for families

Prams and buggies

Prams and buggies can be taken into the galleries at Watts Gallery or left in the loggia. There is space to store pushchairs in the Foyle Lobby at Watts Studios. Watts Chapel is located at the top of a steep hill and accessed by a cobbled path, which can be a barrier for prams and buggies. There is currently no lift access to Watts Contemporary Gallery. The Tea Shop and Visitor Centre are fully accessible.

Baby changing and feeding

Accessible toilets are located at Watts Gallery, the Tea Shop and Limnerslease: Artists' Home. Baby change facilities are located in the toilet block outside the Tea Shop and at Limnerslease. If you find yourself caught out during your visit to us, please ask at the Visitor Centre for our ‘Caught Out’ box and we will be able to provide you with nappies, wet wipes, breast pads and cotton wool as well as a couple of other helpful bits.
Two hot chocolate in takeaway cups

Child-friendly eating

Our Tea Shop offers a children’s menu from 10.30am to 3.30pm, both to enjoy in the Tea Shop and as take away. Across our site there are also a number of places where your family can picnic.

We had a wonderful visit to Watts Gallery yesterday. We felt very welcomed and staff were incredibly friendly and knowledgeable about the collections. The children and I spent a good amount of time drawing in the galleries and felt very encouraged to do this. The whole atmosphere of the village is peaceful and beautiful, we would love to return.

- Family feedback