ACTIVITY

Magical menagerie activity day

An adult and two children looking at flowers in a garden
This event is in the past. View similar events.
Palace of Holyroodhouse
  • This event is in the past
  • 10:00 – 15:00
  • Included with Palace ticket or 1-Year Pass
  • Children / Families
    BOOK NOW

    Five hundred years ago, part of the Palace Gardens was a medieval menagerie – sort of like a private royal zoo. It was home to a range of animals - including lions, tigers and bears.

    Animal masks

    Join us in the Family Room to learn about the animals that have lived in the Palace Gardens – in the medieval menagerie hundreds of years ago, and amongst the shrubs and trees today. Take the chance to make a paper mask of your favourite animal to wear as you explore the Palace.

    Garden Games

    As well as the exotic animals living in the menagerie, the Gardens were also home to a tennis court, bowls, hawking, archery and other outdoor games. Come try your hand at some historic games!

    Unicorn Family Trail

    Celebrate the most magical animal of all – Scotland’s national animal, the mighty unicorn! Collect your copy of this special activity trail and see if you can spot the unicorns in the Palace and grounds. 


    Royal Collection Trust is a charity caring for the Royal Collection, one of the world’s great art collections. Income from your visit helps us to conserve and share the Collection so that it can be enjoyed by everyone, wherever they are.