The best 3 family attractions in North Derbyshire
Our private woodland here at Secret Wood Glamping is very lucky to be surrounded by countless quaint villages and towns, walking/cycling trails and nationally famous attractions.
However, you may not have heard of our little village, Holmesfield, and therefore wouldn’t know of all the places nearby, especially if you’re not local to the area. So, in this short blog we thought we’d help you out and recommend some of our favourite family attractions, just a stone’s throw away from our secluded glamping tent…
1. Chatsworth
Chatsworth is a stately home just a 15 minute drive from Holmesfield, offering various things to do for both the young and the old.
Firstly, you have the over 300 year old house itself, home to the Devonshire family that’s been passed down through 16 generations. Visitors to Chatsworth are invited to come look inside the house on a tour of the historic rooms and art collections.
Outside of the house, you can find the gardens, which is particularly famous for its waterworks, sculptures, and Victorian rock garden; steeped in history.
A firm favourite for the kids, Chatsworth estate also includes a farmyard and playground. Here, children love to come and see the animals which include cows, sheep and lambs, pigs, horses, goats, chickens, rabbits and even guinea pigs!
However, our personal favourite has to be the farm shop and cafe, which is the perfect way to end your busy day at Chatsworth. The recipes here are seasonal, so you’ll always find something fresh, making it perfect for the little ones, too.
To visit the house, inner gardens and farmyard, you’ll need tickets. However, there are also plenty of grounds that are free to visit, such as the Hunting Tower.
2. Matlock Farm Park
Matlock has a multitude of things to offer, such as the Heights of Abraham, Gulliver’s Kingdom, Matlock Bath and Hall Leys Park.
However, to us, Matlock Farm Park stands out above the crowd. Open 7 days a week, all year round, Matlok Farm Park is a place where kids can truly run wild. With play areas, go-karting, horse-riding and a petting zoo with Highland cattle and llamas, there’s much to learn and explore – and we’ve not even listed the half of it! For our glamping guests, it’s also a great way of getting in touch with the countryside, without having to go wild camping! Similar to Chatsworth, the farm also has a cafe offering fresh sandwiches, snacks and homemade specials.
Find out Matlock Farm Park’s prices here.
3. Linacre Resevoirs
There are a total of three reservoirs to see at Linacre, which are all surrounded by fields and bluebell woods. An hour and a half walk away (or a 10 minute drive), it’s a particularly ideal attraction for guests at Secret Wood.
Away from the hustle and bustle of city life (or even the chaos of a farmyard!), the Linacre Reservoirs are a true haven for wildlife, with nuthatches, flycatchers, woodpeckers, kingfishers and mandarin ducks often spotted around the water’s edge.
What’s more, you won’t go hungry, as there’s also a picnic site where families love to stop to rest, eat and enjoy the astounding views.
If you do choose to drive, the car parking costs just £1.00 for up to two hours and £2.50 for the day.
Find more recommended local attractions on our Out and About page.
