DISCOVER
Every place in Derby
Family days out in and around Derby, each one written up honestly with the details parents actually need.
250 places · page 8 of 11
FreeOutwoods, Leicestershire
Loughborough
Ancient woodland walks, a natural play area and a bird feeding station, with bluebells in spring and free entry all year.
CaféGroup bookingsOutdoor playParking+1 more
from £9Paint a Pot Derby
Derby
Paint a pot in Markeaton Park, Derby - figures from £9, no studio fee, open daily 10:00-17:00.
Booking requiredBirthday partiesGroup bookingsParking
from £4Papplewick Pumping Station
Nottingham · ages 0+
Victorian beam engines and a wooded play area near Nottingham, with steam days when the engines actually run.
Booking requiredCaféCard onlyDog friendly+12 more
from £6Paradise Island Adventure Golf Derby
Derby · ages 0+
Indoor adventure golf at Derbion, Derby - two 18-hole courses plus a 19th free-game hole, from about £6 under-5s.
ParkingBirthday partiesGroup bookingsBooking required+2 more
from £13.75Peak Cavern
Castleton
Walk a guided showcave under the gorge with a rope-makers story - chilly low section, from £13.75 online for children.
Booking required
from £5Peak District Mining Museum
Matlock · ages 4+
An underground guided tour through a real lead mine, plus a museum where kids climb mock tunnels and pan for minerals.
Birthday partiesBooking requiredGift shopGroup bookings+6 more
from £8.50Peak Rail
Darley Dale
Ride steam and diesel heritage trains between Rowsley South and Matlock - kids under 16 travel free with a paying adult.
ToiletsAccessible toiletBaby changeCafé+8 more
from £17.95Peak Wildlife Park
Leek · ages 0+
Walk with lemurs and penguins, meet polar bears Nanook and Noori, then burn energy on outdoor play and indoor jungle soft play.
Free parkingParkingToiletsAccessible toilet+14 more
from £7Peepul Centre/office
Leicester
A community theatre putting on shows like the Enchanted Diwali Tree, with local kids in the cast and free parking for 120 cars.
Free parkingRestaurantWheelchair accessible
Pepitos Restaurant
Derby
Sizzling fajitas, tacos and traditional Mexican plates - plus a dedicated children's menu for family nights out.
Toilets
Pet Station
Rotherham
A pet shop where kids can wander past guinea pigs, hamsters, fish tanks and even iguanas for free.
Free parking
FreePickford's House
Derby · ages 0+
Free Georgian townhouse museum on Friar Gate - rooms, toys and a garden shop, Tue-Sat 10-5.
Bike parkingFree parkingGift shopParking+2 more
FreePlayland Fun Park
Stourport-on-Severn
A pay-as-you-go ride park on the river with go karts, bumper boats and a pony ride, plus riverside meadows for a picnic.
Picnic area
PoleKat Fitness Aerial Arts Academy
Nottingham · ages 4+
Pole fitness, aerial hoop and bungee fit classes for kids from 4 and adults, in a studio near Nottingham city centre.
Free parkingIndoor play
FreePooley Country Park
Tamworth
Free woodland park with a balance trail, a clue-hunt walk and soft play upstairs in the café, for the cost of parking.
Birthday partiesCaféDog friendlyIndoor play+5 more
from £23.95Princess River Cruises
Colwick
Cruise the Trent on a heated river boat with live commentary, a companion map and a sit-down meal.
Free parkingToiletsBirthday partiesGroup bookings
Puddy Muddles Playgroup
Derby · ages 0+
Outdoor woodland play for babies and toddlers, with mud kitchens, hammocks and nature crafts to get stuck into.
Birthday parties
from £5Pukka Pacas & Friends
Boundary
Boundary petting farm with alpacas and friends - £5 entry, under-2s free. Thu-Sun turn-up; walks priced separately.
ParkingFree parkingCaféFood on site+5 more
FreeRSPB Consall Woods
Stoke-on-Trent
Six waymarked trails through wood pasture and riverside woodland along the Churnet, free to walk and open for a proper muddy ramble.
Accessible toiletBaby changeParkingPicnics allowed+3 more
Rendezvous For Dancing
Derby
Ballroom and Latin classes for adults of any ability, with wedding dance lessons and social nights too.
Free parkingParking
Rescue Rooms
Nottingham
A live music venue in Nottingham with gigs most nights, doors from 5pm and step-free access throughout.
Accessible toiletHearing loopStep-free accessWheelchair accessible
from £5Retro Computer Museum
Leicester
A hands-on trip through gaming history where the kids actually play the old Spectrums, Commodores and arcade machines rather than just look at them.
Booking requiredFree parkingGift shopFood on site+2 more
from £6Rodbaston Animal Zone
Stafford
Keeper talks all day and roughly 600 animals from over 140 species to spot, with no need to book ahead.
Blue badge parkingCaféGift shopPicnic area+1 more
from £7.50Rutland Water Nature Reserve
Oakham
A lakeside reserve of hides and trails where you scan the water for ospreys and winter wildfowl.
Accessible toiletBaby changeBike parkingCafé+6 more
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The best family things happening around Derby, one hidden gem, and a rainy-day backup plan, from a dad who's been there with a bored seven-year-old.
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