Kingston Lacy
With a National Art Pass you get
Kingston Lacy is a lavish Italianate palace in the heart of Dorset.
In the mid 19th century, the explorer, adventurer and collector William John Bankes set about embellishing and transforming his 17th-century family home, creating a series of lavish interiors suitable for a growing art collection. But amid the grandeur there are some surprisingly intimate and quirky details, such as family souvenirs and an 'I owe you' note from a king.
Outside is a large estate, including an Iron Age hill fort, 40 acres of formal gardens, a play area, woodland, a Victorian fernery and a Japanese Garden with an authentic tea house.
Look out for The Wild Escape at museums and galleries in the next few months. Many have special events, or you can use our audio introduction to help children get involved at any cultural venue.
Visiting with children?
The more you see, the more we do.
The National Art Pass lets you enjoy free entry to hundreds of museums, galleries and historic places across the UK, while raising money to support them.