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Looking for some inspiration / hidden gems to do next week in Derbyshire with my wife and 2 1/2 yr old boy if anybody has some good recommendations?
We are staying in Bakewell for two nights (weds & thurs) & will spend 3 full days in the area. Looking at Heights of Abraham. Will spend a day in Castleton walking up Mam tor as have done many times.
Any Cost friendly ideas greatly appreciated!
Sadly cycling is off limits at present as Carpal Tunnel syndrome has just introduced itself to me 🙁
cheers
Martin
Mine are teens now but we used to live in Sheffield - so might be out of date
Garden centre in Hope cafe and lots of goldfish for sale - walk out of western corner of car park under rail line and excellent playground across soccer pitches
Chatsworth has 2 play areas one for teens and one for small people pay entry but nothing like the full house visit price more like parking and a bit
Paddling in the stream at top of Padley gorge walk/carry down the gorge to Grindleford cafe
Heathersage outdoor pool
Gulliver's Kingdom is near Heights of Abraham. Dunno the cost tho
Gulliver's is a great day out, worth it at that age. Also Matlock Bath itself. Like the seaside, but inland.
Carsington reservoir. Pay to park but play areas and cafes and walks.
Walk from Cromford Mills to High Peak Junction and back along the canal. Or from Black Rocks at the other end of the (1.5 miles at 1:8 incline)
Swimming pools at Bakewell and Matlock. Soft play centres at Masson Mill and Via Gellia mill, but never actually tried either.
There is Matlock Farm Park which is a bit small and potentially disappointing.
Matlock Meadows ice cream farm ftw!
National Forest Adventure Farm is great for kids. It's out towards Burton On Trent so about an hours drive or so, but the little one will love it.
Go find the hidden holes n mini caves alongside Higger Tor - locally it is called weaselling.
Picnic and paddle at Padley Gorge
Go and find 'The Cioch' at Burbage south - just keep a good hold of the little one if you go ontop... 😯
Nosey in suicide cavern at the bottom of Winnats pass (just don't tell them that's the name...)
Take the steam Peak Rail train from Matlock to Rowsley
Chatsworth has amazing walks and *the* best set of kiddies playground areas.
Go an watch the gliders at Great Hucklow - you can stand almost at end of runway and watch the things fly off a cliff...
Some great suggestions there.. Thank you guys
Will work my way through & report back after our trip 🙂
+1 for Gulliver's Kingdom. It's good and also cheap. Don't bother walking up, get the cable chair lift thing straight to the top and spend the day working your way back down.
In the tradition of ignoring the OP's questions and reminding people that some of the best bits of the Peak District are in Staffordshire (and 30 mins or so from Bakewell):
- The Roaches. Such a great fun place for kids to explore with awesome views and free. Nearby Tittesworth Reservoir has a great playground as well as teas and ice creams, or if you fancy a pint after your explore the Lazy Trout and 3 Horseshoes are both good.
- [url= http://www.peakwildlifepark.co.uk/#wild-side ]Peak Wildlife Park[/url] - literally walk amongst wallabies, lemurs, goats and penguins as well as loads of other animals kids will love (otters, zebras, meerkats, tortoises...)
- [url=http://]Churnett Valley Railway[/url] - If your kiddie is into steam trains. There's a real ale trail on next weekend (8th/9th)
Stepping stones at Dovedale have always been a hit with mine. Also Carsington Water, it's always the kids number one request when we're near Ashbourne.
Forgot to mention the Chestnut Centre for owls, otters and a few other cute animals. Good value with a little one.
Cheers chaps 😉
Thorpe Cloud and the stepping stones at Dovedale - Tea and medals at Ilam Hall tea rooms (The grounds of Ilam hall are super nice too - plenty of paths to explore, nice lawns for footy, etc)
Ilam Hall tea rooms
Good call. When the sun is shining this is one of the most beautiful places to have a cuppa and a scone anywhere. Staffordshire, you see 😉