Do you ever find yourself struggling for ideas when you’re trying to plan a fun day out with the family? It can sometimes be tricky to think of something that will be good for everyone. To help you out, I’ve put together this list of the best best places for family day out with kids in Nottingham, Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire.
A great place for a family walk, family bike trip or picnic. The park features the Gruffalo Orienteering Course with the map available to purchase for £1.50.
Everyone will find something for themselves. There are also Go Ape activities, a playground, and Sherwood Pines Cafe . This amazing place offers plenty of opportunities for families with children of all ages, and they do not get bored quickly.
The place is so big (over 3,000 acres!) you’ll easily find some peace among the trees. It is one of our many favorite places.
Sherwood Pines has a website which had lots of information, including facilities available, to help you plan your visit. You could also follow them on Facebook, to hear news of events which I would highly recommend.
Newstead Abbey is an ideal place for a family day out, especially during good weather, as the gardens are a great spot for a picnic. There are 300 acres of parkland to explore at Newstead Abbey and if that doesn’t keep you busy you can visit the house itself. The Abbey is only open at the weekends, but the grounds are open during the week and are often quieter at this time.
The gardens have large lawns, a rose garden and a lovely Japanese garden to explore. There are streams, waterfalls and a lake, with ducks and swans to feed. Keep an eye out for the resident peacocks and peahens strutting around too!
There is a playground to keep the kids happy and a place to buy ice creams.
Wollaton Hall and Deer Park is a fantastic FREE day out for whole family in Nottingham.
Fantastic educational natural history museum inside the Hall (insects [if I can remember right, some are alive!], fossils, wild animals, sea life, shells, plants, eggs!
Wollaton’s Courtyard Stables are home to the city’s Industrial Museum, the Steam Engine House, the Wollaton Visitor Centre and the Yard Gallery, with a changing programme of exhibitions suitable for families exploring art and the environment.
Parking is £5 all day. Take a picnic. If your little one loves squirrels take squirrel food as there’s lots to feed. Facilities for families are good (family friendly cafe, baby change, family trail sheets etc). I highly recommend making a day of it
Great day out for the family.
Bolsover Castle owned by English Heritage is a varied and fun site to explore. There’s the historic equestrian training school where modern dressage was pioneered, and in the adjacent rooms lots of interesting information and displays about the castle and it’s occupants. Then there’s the old castle ruins with spectacular views of the countryside.
The little castle is well preserved and there’s lots of history and interesting architecture and fittings. There’s more pleasant views from the castle walls, and a fab fountain still in working order. Fun looking activities for younger visitors were also apparent during our visit. Well worth a visit, allow a couple of hours at least.
Here you’ll find two great places to visit in one beautiful setting. Sudbury Hall is full of 17th-century craftsmanship, featuring exquisite plasterwork, wood carvings and classical story-based murals.
The Museum of Childhood is a delight for all ages with something for everyone. Explore the childhoods of times gone by, make stories, and play with toys. Children can be a chimney sweep, a scullion or a Victorian pupil, and they will particularly enjoy the interactive areas and displays.
The museum is great and has plenty hands on fun for the kids as you walk around. The toy displays and the chimney was a real hit! You must visit the schoolroom. This is BRILLIANT and was the best part of the museum!
Belton House is run by the National Trust. It has one of the largest outdoor adventure playgrounds in the country. There’s so much to play on and a lot of it is ‘natural’.
Make sure you take a change of clothes for your kids. There’s water play as well as sand. They will get dirty. We love the little steam train and there’s also an indoor play area which is like no other I’ve seen before. Belton also has a lovely house that you can look around and some fabulous grounds that are well worth a wander in.
There are acres of gardens at Hardwick, which are so pretty and really relaxing.
Children can take part in activities from the visitors centre, or complete outdoor tasks from the 50 things to do before you’re 11 3/4. There is a woodland play trail, a restaurant and shops. Every corner there is something else to see, a door to open, nature to enjoy and pretty flowers to look at. The house is completely open to the public, as are the grounds, so go and explore!
No matter the weather, there is plenty to do in East Midlands with the whole family. I hope this article has given you some new ideas to add to your list! Are there any more places you think should be added to this list? Let me know in the comments!
