From guided tours and craft workshops to the spectacular Luminarium and relaxed drop-in activities, you can choose how to spend your day, your way.
Scroll down to see what’s happening across each area of Compton Verney over the summer, and click to find out more.
Alternatively, you can download a PDF of our summer map of activity
Gallery zone
The two temporary exhibitions, including newly opened The Pattern of Life, and the six collection galleries are found here. Dotted throughout you’ll find simple craft activities to try and opportunities to bring the art to life using all your senses. Look out for the Art Like Marx cart on the third floor, the scent bottles in Sensing Naples on the ground floor and the tactile labels in the Troublemakers and Prophets exhibition on the first floor.
As if the art wasn’t enough, the Gallery zone is also where you’ll find the shop, café and the serene, historic chapel – situated up and behind the main house.
The Pattern of Life:
Enid Marx and Modern British Design
Sat 18 Jul 26 – Sun 3 Jan 27
Troublemakers
and
Prophets
Elizabeth Allen and Other Visionary Artists
Sat 28 Mar – Mon 31 Aug 26
big art
holiday club
Two 4-day weeks of childcare provision
Week 1: Tue 4 – Fri 7 Aug 2026, Week 2: Tue 18 – Fri 21 Aug 2026
Plein Air
Sun 13 Sep 2026, 10.30am - 5pm
Compton Verney Revealed:
An Architectural Tour of the House
Wed 9 Sep 2026
Summer of
Print, pattern and play
What's on during the six-week summer holiday
Sat 18 Jul - Mon 31 Aug 2026
Lake & Lawns zone
Here’s where you’ll find lots of fun things to do, the café terrace, shady spots for lakeside lounging and outdoor seating under a stretch tent where you can picnic. The chain ferry, large wooden play blocks and the sensory garden are available each day. There are mown paths carving through the long grasses and wildflowers and the area is alive with butterflies, damselflies and the buzz of insects. You can also see pieces included in Sculpture in the Park and grab an ice cream from the blue and white striped pod.
Luminarium
Wed 26 – Mon 31 Aug 2026
Kineton RAF STEM:
Summer Rocket Cars
Wed 29 Jul, 12 and 26 Aug 2026
Summer of
Print, pattern and play
What's on during the six-week summer holiday
Sat 18 Jul - Mon 31 Aug 2026
Wild Woods zone
The bird hide, pond dipping platform, den building area and the playground can all be found here. Get Mucky Get Making and the Moth Morning will take place in the forest school area at the end of Wellingtonia Avenue – the wide avenue of majestic giant redwoods that extends between the car park and Old Town Meadow.
Summer of
Print, pattern and play
What's on during the six-week summer holiday
Sat 18 Jul - Mon 31 Aug 2026
Meadow zone
Play freely together for as long as you like at the Play Wagon, with its toys and games, and take part in The Weave. Drop in to add your bit to this unique and temporary collaborative installation. Walk further on up the meadow to take in calming views of the house and lake and see how our butterfly bank (a deliberate habitat to support our thriving butterfly population) is developing. Big Blue Blocks are located under a stretch tent just behind the Welcome Centre. There’s also a refreshment pod here to top up any waning energy levels!
The Weave
Every Fri from 24 Jul - 21 Aug, and Sat 22 Aug
Big Blue Blocks
GO OUTDOORS
Sat 18 Jul - Mon 31 Aug
A Walk in the Park
Late Summer Landscape Tour
Fri 25 Sep 2026
Summer of
Print, pattern and play
What's on during the six-week summer holiday
Sat 18 Jul - Mon 31 Aug 2026
Tips for planning your visit
To help you get the most from your visit, we’ve pulled together some essential tips on the best times to arrive, what to bring, and what to expect when you get here.
Opening hours and Bank Holidays
We’re open Wednesday to Sunday, 10am–5pm, and Bank Holiday Monday, Mon 31 Aug
Best times to visit Compton Verney in summer
Mornings can be busy during the school holidays, especially on days we have extra events taking place. If you’re looking for a quieter experience, we recommend visiting after 12 noon or on weekday afternoons from 2pm onwards. These times are ideal for enjoying the exhibitions, taking a walk around the lake, or relaxing in the café.
Drive times and getting here
We’re 20 minutes from Warwick, Leamington Spa and Stratford-upon-Avon, 30 minutes from Banbury, Kenilworth and Coventry, 40 minutes from Solihull and 50 minutes from Birmingham. If you can, please consider car sharing to help reduce traffic and ease pressure on the car park.
Our postcode for sat navs is CV35 9HZ. What3Words for the entrance to Compton Verney is riper.plotted.connector
For information about getting here via public transport, click here
Parking is free with admission or membership. Once you’ve parked up, head to the Welcome Centre at the top of the car park. From there, it’s a 5-10 minute walk along hard paths to the house, over the bridge across the lake.
Shuttle bus We run a shuttle bus service most days between the car park and the house. It’s free to everyone. On days the shuttle is unavailable, you’re welcome to be dropped off at the front door to the gallery. Please let the team in the Welcome Centre know that you’ll be doing this first and let the driver know they’ll still need to park in the car park after dropping you off.
What to bring (and what not to)
To help keep the galleries and indoor spaces safe and welcoming for everyone, please leave balance bikes, scooters and backpacks in the free lockers provided near the shop. These items aren’t allowed inside the galleries. Pedal and electric bicycles are not permitted on site.
Dogs
Well-behaved dogs on short leads are very welcome in the Welcome Centre and grounds. Dogs aren’t permitted inside the house (except assistance dogs). There are plenty of scenic walks, shady spots, and open areas to enjoy. Please bring water for your dog and clean up after them during your visit.
Food and drink – café or picnic?
Our café serves fresh, seasonal meals, drinks and snacks, with vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and child-friendly options available. You can sit indoors or on the terrace overlooking the grounds.
Prefer to bring your own food? Picnics are welcome across the park, with lots of lovely spots to settle in. Please use the bins provided or take your litter home.
Cool down indoors
If the temperature rises, our climate-controlled galleries offer a calm and comfortable way to explore our exhibitions – a perfect retreat from the summer heat.
Compton Verney is a cashless site We accept card and contactless payments only across the site, including the Welcome Centre, café and shop.
