Nottinghamshire &amp; Derbyshire

<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fun-on-the-farm">Fun on the farm</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/03/Chatsworth-x.jpg" alt="Young boy looks at lamb at Chatsworth Farmyard" class="wp-image-3719" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/03/Chatsworth-x.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/03/Chatsworth-x-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/03/Chatsworth-x-768x511.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/03/Chatsworth-x-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<a href="https://www.chatsworth.org/events/february-half-term/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Chatsworth farmyard</a> (and its awesome adventure playground) flings open its doors again in February for half term fun. Kids will be able to get up close with smaller furry creatures (including some very cute newborn piglets) feed the bigger ones and take a tractor and trailer ride into the woods. It&#8217;s open from Sat 15 to Sun 23 Feb.



Farm fanatic in the fam? Sign them up for <a href="https://bluebelldairy.co.uk/events/farm-academy/">Farm Academy</a> at Bluebell Dairy, where they’ll get schooled in lambing, milking, calf feeding and more. A great one for big imaginations, they’ll also get plenty of farmer role play activities. From 15-23 Feb.



Get up close and personal with wallabies, meerkats and more at<a href="https://matlockfarmpark.co.uk/animals/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> Matlock Farm Park</a> which has chances to feed the animals and go for a horse ride.



For cuteness overload, check out New Life at the Farm at the<a href="https://www.adventurefarm.co.uk/event/newlife/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> National Forest Adventure Farm</a> near Burton just over the border in Staffs, open throughout half term. There&#8217;ll be live lambing, lamb feeding, piglets, kids and chicks as well as barrel rides and tractor and trailer rides.



Over at <a href="https://www.whitepostfarm.co.uk/events/">White Post Farm</a> in Farnsfield rain won&#8217;t stop play in the Jungle Play Barn is great for climbers and scramblers. All the outdoor farmyard frolics are opening up for half term to enjoy too.



Hot on the heels of the daytime disco for grown ups craze, littlies can get in on the action at <a href="https://www.peakwildlifepark.co.uk/whats-on">Tiny Ravers</a> at Peak Wildlife Park this half term. Tots can bop the day away in tipis at the family silent discos on Sun 16 and Mon 17 Feb (11am). Psst, you’ll need to buy entry to the park if you fancy seeing the animals too (red pandas, polar bears, penguins – they’ve got the lot).



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-weird-and-wonderful-science">Weird and wonderful science</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/01/notts-festival-science.jpg" alt="girl with science contraption on head at Nottingham festival of science and curiosity" class="wp-image-7800" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/01/notts-festival-science.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/01/notts-festival-science-300x300.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/01/notts-festival-science-150x150.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/01/notts-festival-science-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/01/notts-festival-science-525x525.jpg 525w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/01/notts-festival-science-500x500.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<a href="https://nottsfosac.co.uk/">Nottingham&#8217;s Festival of Science &amp; Curiosity </a>is always an imaginative, interactive whirlwind of a treat and it’s back from Mon 10-Fri 21 Feb to celebrate the wonders of science. Over at Wollaton Hall you’ll find free Lego workshops and secret science shows, while the county’s libraries will also host hands-on science sessions – from bath bomb making and arty endeavours to fusion energy and coding robot workshops. Bookworms can hunker down for STEM storytelling sessions at Nottingham Central Library, which will also be home to stacks on hands-on fun, including animation workshops and an inflatable planetarium. Sounds out of this world. Check out the fun-filled programme and book a place asap.



Not made it down to the snazzy new state-of-the-art planetarium at <a href="https://sherwood-observatory.org.uk/latest-events/planetarium-shows/">Sherwood Observatory</a> yet? Half term is a great time to take the kids and catch one of their awesome shows that take visitors on epic space-time adventures.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-earn-your-wings">Earn your wings</h2>



Fairy fanatic in the fam? Embark on a whimsical woodland journey where you’ll meet enchanted beings and flex their imaginations on the <a href="https://ruffordabbey.co.uk/events/magical-fairy-trail/">Magical Fairy T</a><a href="https://ruffordabbey.co.uk/events/magical-fairy-trail-2/">rail</a> at Rufford Abbey from 14 Feb &#8211; 9 March.



Take flight in a cable car at <a href="https://nottsderbyshire.muddystilettos.co.uk/little-black-book/directory/heights-of-abraham-matlock-bath-derbyshire/">Heights of Abraham</a>, Matlock Bath when it re-opens on Fri 14 February. There&#8217;s stacks of exciting stuff to explore up there with woodland walks, exhibitions and underground light shows.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/01/LBB-heights-of-abraham-sq.jpg" alt="heights of abraham cable car derbyshire" class="wp-image-7616" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/01/LBB-heights-of-abraham-sq.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/01/LBB-heights-of-abraham-sq-300x300.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/01/LBB-heights-of-abraham-sq-150x150.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/01/LBB-heights-of-abraham-sq-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/01/LBB-heights-of-abraham-sq-525x525.jpg 525w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/01/LBB-heights-of-abraham-sq-500x500.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-historical-hijinks">Historical hijinks</h2>



Historical hijinks and hands-on shenanigans at Bolsover Castle this half-term at <a href="https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/whats-on/bolsover-castle-half-term-history-makers-15-feb-23-feb-25/">Half Term History Makers</a> from Sat 15 &#8211; Sun 23 Feb. Dress up, join characters from the past and get ready for some serious sword-fighting. Family tickets from £36.50.



Before you cave in to wails of &#8216;not another National Trust house&#8217;, persevere in prising the mobile/tablet/X-Box controller from their hands, because this country house is anything but dull. <a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/peak-district-derbyshire/the-childrens-country-house-at-sudbury/index" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Children&#8217;s Country House</a>, Sudbury Hall has been given a massive kid-friendly makeover. Hands-on exploring and dancing in the great hall are actively encouraged and there&#8217;s a shed-load of extra stuff happening for half term. Doors open again on Sat 15 February. Expect music, art, dance and games galore.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rewild-the-kids">Rewild the kids</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2025/01/Bootsbrambles.jpg" alt="kids toast marshmallows over campfire in woods" class="wp-image-11941" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2025/01/Bootsbrambles.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2025/01/Bootsbrambles-300x300.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2025/01/Bootsbrambles-150x150.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2025/01/Bootsbrambles-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2025/01/Bootsbrambles-500x500.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Boots and Brambles Forest School</figcaption></figure>



A couple of cool outdoorsy workshops for kids over six at Boots and Brambles Forest School, Tollerton. Pick from <a href="https://www.bootsandbrambles.com/holiday-sessions/">Stone Age Survivors</a> on Tues 18 Feb and <a href="https://www.bootsandbrambles.com/holiday-sessions/">Bushcraft Warriors</a> on Wed 19 Feb (£27.50 per child). Prefer to stay and join the fun with them yourself? Book onto a family session on Mon 17 Feb.



Turf everyone outside and enjoy a <a href="https://www.chatsworth.org/events/woodland-lab/">The Woodland Lab</a> workshops and walks at Chatsworth. You&#8217;ll get up close with world of moss, lichen and fungi and learn about zombie trees. From Tues 18 &#8211; Thurs 20 February. This one&#8217;s free, so book fast!



Hands-on family<a href="https://www.derbyshirewildlifetrust.org.uk/events/2025-02-19-family-bat-box-making-0"> workshops making bat boxes</a> with Derbyshire Wildlife Trust at Carsington Water on Wed 19 Feb.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-theatrical-fun">Theatrical fun</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2025/01/museum-of-marvellous-fun-1024x683.jpg" alt="kids in bird costumes" class="wp-image-11932" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2025/01/museum-of-marvellous-fun-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2025/01/museum-of-marvellous-fun-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2025/01/museum-of-marvellous-fun-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2025/01/museum-of-marvellous-fun.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



The perfect theatrical treat for tiny tots when <a href="https://www.lakesidearts.org.uk/festival/february-half-term/">Museum of Marvellous Things</a> comes to the stage at Lakeside Arts, Nottingham on Sat 22 and Sun 23 Feb. Giant puppets, magical effects, interactive storytelling, live original music and a chance to make your own special puppet, this is a fun-filled family show based on the picture book



Older kids with an interest in theatrical behind-the-scenes shenanigans will love the <a href="https://buxtonoperahouse.org.uk/event/technical-youth-theatre-introduction-to-technical-theatre-age-13-18-2025">Introduction to Technical Theatre</a> workshop at Buxton Opera House on Wed 19 February. Aimed at 13-18-year-olds, teens will enjoy a hands-on three-hour session with an exclusive look backstage at Hairspray to discover how lighting and sound design works.



Day out in the Peak District? Check out Muddy&#8217;s <a href="https://muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/for-kids/family-fun-best-things-to-do-with-kids-peak-district-derbyshire/">Top 8 things to do with kids.</a>

Muddy guide to February half term in Notts & Derbyshire

You may also like