Nottinghamshire &amp; Derbyshire


<p>Parents, roll up! We’ve found local activities for every age, from toddlers to teens, plus family days out. Read our bumper summer holiday guide for the best  art, sport, festivals, theatre and outdoorsy days out in Notts and Derbyshire this July and August.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-family-friendly-festivals">FAMILY-FRIENDLY FESTIVALS</h2>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-robin-hood-festival-nottinghamshire-25-july-25-august"><a href="https://visitsherwood.co.uk/home/robin-hood-festival-2025/">Robin Hood Festival</a>, Nottinghamshire, 25 July-25 August</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="1024" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/07/The-Knights-of-Nottingham-at-the-2024-Robin-Hood-Festival.-August-2024.-Credit-Mark-Powell.-1-1024x1024.jpg" alt="knights of nottingham joust at robin hood festival" class="wp-image-13662" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/07/The-Knights-of-Nottingham-at-the-2024-Robin-Hood-Festival.-August-2024.-Credit-Mark-Powell.-1-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/07/The-Knights-of-Nottingham-at-the-2024-Robin-Hood-Festival.-August-2024.-Credit-Mark-Powell.-1-300x300.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/07/The-Knights-of-Nottingham-at-the-2024-Robin-Hood-Festival.-August-2024.-Credit-Mark-Powell.-1-150x150.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/07/The-Knights-of-Nottingham-at-the-2024-Robin-Hood-Festival.-August-2024.-Credit-Mark-Powell.-1-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/07/The-Knights-of-Nottingham-at-the-2024-Robin-Hood-Festival.-August-2024.-Credit-Mark-Powell.-1-500x500.jpg 500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/07/The-Knights-of-Nottingham-at-the-2024-Robin-Hood-Festival.-August-2024.-Credit-Mark-Powell.-1-1100x1100.jpg 1100w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/07/The-Knights-of-Nottingham-at-the-2024-Robin-Hood-Festival.-August-2024.-Credit-Mark-Powell.-1.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<p>A truly family-friendly festival of forest fun, the month-long homage to Robin Hood has lots to look forward to this year. Jousting displays, hand-to-hand combat demonstrations, storytelling and music, it’s a jam-packed schedule. With comedy shows, mischievous theatrics and even magic, the Medieval mayhem will be off the scale. And if that lot isn’t enough, August sees a family-friendly fantasy takeover, with mystical witchers and fearsome orcs passing on their skills and learning in combat, monster theory and potion-making. It all concludes with three days of the Sherwood Outlaws performing at the Grand Finale weekend, up until Bank Holiday Monday &#8211; dazzling cut and thrust performances that once pits Robin and his gang against the Sheriff of Nottingham and his forces. The best bit? It’s all free (just with a £15 per day car parking charge).</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ynot-festival-pikehall-31-july-3-august"><a href="https://ynotfestival.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">YNot Festival</a>, Pikehall, 31 July &#8211; 3 August</h2>



<p>Got older teens looking for a local first festival? Try Derbyshire&#8217;s <a href="https://ynotfestival.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">YNot Festival</a> at Pikehall, where they can pitch their tent in the slightly less hectic family camping section. The Last Dinner Party, The Prodigy and Madness are just some of the names appearing this year. But it’s not just rock, indie and alternative music – there’s comedy, paint fights and carnivals, all set in the gorgeous Peak District countryside.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-trentham-summer-concerts-staffordshire-until-26-july"><a href="https://trentham.co.uk/events/trentham-summer-concerts/">Trentham Summer Concerts</a>, Staffordshire, until 26 July</h2>



<p>Another great gig for teen first-timers is Trentham Garden&#8217;s summer concerts which run throughout July just over the border in Staffordshire. Good mood tribute acts at a stunning lakeside setting surrounded by gorgeous gardens, this one sees a different theme or act each weekend. <a href="https://trentham.co.uk/events/trentham-summer-concerts/">Ed and Taylor </a>(Sheeran and Swift tribute) could prove popular with teens. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-chatsworth-country-fair-chatsworth-29-31-august"><a href="https://www.chatsworth.org/events/chatsworth-country-fair/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Chatsworth Country Fair</a>, Chatsworth, 29-31 August</h2>



<p>Finish the school hols with a flourish by taking the whole fam to<a href="https://www.chatsworth.org/events/chatsworth-country-fair/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">&nbsp;Chatsworth Country Fair</a>&nbsp;from&nbsp;<strong>29-31 August&nbsp;</strong>– it’s a corker. Held in the 1000-acre parkland surrounding <strong>Chatsworth House</strong>, it&#8217;s three action-packed days of thrilling Grand Ring entertainment, acrobatics and stunts, inspirational cooking masterclasses (including James Martin and Nisha Katona), delicious food, fantastic shopping and plenty of have-a-go activities.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-outdoors">OUTDOORS</h2>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-young-farmers-chatsworth-house-all-summer-holiday"><a href="https://www.chatsworth.org/events/chatsworth-young-farmers/">Young Farmers</a>, Chatsworth House, all summer holiday</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/23/2024/07/Chatsworth-young-farmers-by-Helena-Dolby.jpg" alt="Chatsworth young farmers by Helena Dolby" class="wp-image-9655" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/07/Chatsworth-young-farmers-by-Helena-Dolby.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/07/Chatsworth-young-farmers-by-Helena-Dolby-300x300.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/07/Chatsworth-young-farmers-by-Helena-Dolby-150x150.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/07/Chatsworth-young-farmers-by-Helena-Dolby-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/07/Chatsworth-young-farmers-by-Helena-Dolby-500x500.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Chatsworth young farmers / Image by Helena Dolby</figcaption></figure>



<p>Spend a summer afternoon helping out at <strong>Chatsworth Farm</strong>. Wannabe farmers will get to muck in with everything from collecting eggs to feeding and grooming the animals. <a href="https://www.chatsworth.org/events/chatsworth-young-farmers/">Young Farmers</a> takes place on selected dates throughout the summer holidays and is aimed at children aged 7-16 (accompanied by an adult).</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-little-school-of-of-ecology-haddon-medieval-park-29-july-26-august"><a href="https://www.haddonhall.co.uk/events/event/the-little-school-of-ecology-in-haddon-medieval-park/">The Little School of of Ecology</a>, Haddon Medieval Park, 29 July &#8211; 26 August</h2>



<p>Brilliant back-to-nature days out on offer this month at beautiful Haddon Hall’s medieval park when it launches its&nbsp;<a href="https://www.haddonhall.co.uk/events/event/little-school-of-ecology-in-haddon-medieval-park/">Little Schoo</a><a href="https://www.haddonhall.co.uk/events/event/little-school-of-ecology-in-haddon-medieval-park/https://www.haddonhall.co.uk/events/event/the-little-school-of-ecology-in-haddon-medieval-park/">l of Ecology</a>. Aimed at kids aged 5-11 and their grown-up, tickets cost £9pp and is on <strong>every Tuesday</strong> – the first session kicks off on&nbsp;<strong>Tues 29 July</strong>. With its woodlands, water meadows and river banks, the park makes the perfect spot for mini explorers.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nottingham-beach-from-16-july"><a href="https://nottinghambeach.co.uk/">Nottingham Beach</a>, from 16 July</h2>



<p>Dig out your flip-flops and grab the buckets and spades,<a href="https://nottinghambeach.co.uk/"> Nottingham Beach</a> is back for the summer. In Old Market Square throughout the school holidays, this urban beach resort with palm trees, sand, water slides and seaside stalls might just quench your landlocked kids’ thirst for the coast. Alas no substitute for the sea air and coastal path walks, but the kids should be happy with a pool, a beach and bungee trampolines (oh, and there&#8217;s a beach bar too if you fancy a Club Tropicana moment while you watch).</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-well-dressing-derbyshire-all-summer"><a href="https://www.welldressing.com/">Well dressing</a>, Derbyshire, all summer</h2>



<p>Never experienced the weird and wonderful <strong>Derbyshire</strong> tradition of <a href="https://www.welldressing.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">well dressing</a>? Pen a visit in the diary this year. Little kids love it and it’s hard not to marvel at some of the intricate designs. Made using a mosaic of natural materials (petals, seeds, moss and the like), it’s thought well dressing was brought to the area by the Romans or the Celts, to give thanks for the county’s fresh water springs. They run throughout the summer holidays until the end of<strong> Septembe</strong>r. Keep track of planned dates and locations <a href="https://www.welldressing.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a>. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sunflower-amp-strawberry-picking-oxton-all-summer"><a href="https://www.nottinghamshirepickyourownpumpkins.com/">Sunflower &amp; strawberry picking</a>, Oxton, all summer</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/23/2023/07/Sunflower-x.jpg" alt="Field of sunflowers at Sunflower Experience Notts" class="wp-image-5024" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/07/Sunflower-x.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/07/Sunflower-x-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/07/Sunflower-x-768x511.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/07/Sunflower-x-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Tempt teens outside with the lure of an incredible Insta backdrop – a field of more than 40,000 sunflowers. Pick your own stems of sunshine at the <a href="https://www.nottinghamshirepickyourownpumpkins.com/">Nottinghamshire Sunflower Experience</a> during<strong> August</strong> and then see if they can find their way through the maize maze. In July, the strawberry picking should still be going strong (but keep an eye on their <a href="https://www.instagram.com/nottinghamshire_pyo_pumpkins/">socials</a> to be sure).</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-workshops">WORKSHOPS</h2>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-family-clay-the-harley-foundation-welbeck-5-amp-26-july"><a href="https://harleyfoundation.org.uk/whats-on/event/family-clay/">Family Clay</a>, The Harley Foundation, Welbeck, 5 &amp; 26 July</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/23/2024/07/potter-wheel-canva-1024x683.jpg" alt="Adult and child's hands on potters wheel" class="wp-image-9556" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/07/potter-wheel-canva-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/07/potter-wheel-canva-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/07/potter-wheel-canva-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/07/potter-wheel-canva.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<p>Get messy with clay at a creative family clay session at<strong> The Harley Pottery Studio</strong>. Aimed at families with kids aged 7-16, you&#8217;ll get two sessions of technique and will be encouraged to use your imaginations to get creative.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-theatre-schools">THEATRE SCHOOLS</h2>



<p>Kids who love showing off on stage? Book them in for a week of peace, er I mean, fun, with Platform 3’s summer school to perform <a href="https://buxtonoperahouse.org.uk/event/summer-school-madagascar-a-musical-adventure-jr">Madagascar</a> at <strong>Buxton Opera House</strong> from <strong>Mon 11 August to Fri 22 August</strong> (for ages 9-18). Also in Derbyshire, <strong>Derby Theatre </strong>is hosting a <a href="https://derbytheatre.co.uk/programme/senior-summer-school-2025/#apply">Summer Youth Theatre School (Seniors) &#8211; Derby Theatre</a><a href="https://derbytheatre.co.uk/programme/years-7-10-summer-school-2024/#apply"> </a>for kids in years 7-10 from <strong>Mon 11 – Fri 16 August</strong> – your gang will ​​create a brand new performance over the course of the week. If you’re Nottinghamshire based, kids aged 11-18 can sign up to one of <a href="https://nottinghamplayhouse.co.uk/whats-on/?category=workshop">Nottingham Playhouse’s summer school</a>s from <strong>Mon 28 July to Sat 16 August</strong>. Pick from a Play in a Week (Skellig, for kids aged 9-14), Stage Combat (for kids aged 11-18), Charlie &amp; the Chocolate Factory summer school (ages 11-18) or an Acting for the Screen workshop (ages 11-18).</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-theatre-amp-outdoor-movies">THEATRE &amp; OUTDOOR MOVIES</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/23/2025/07/Adventure-cinema-greatest-showman-1024x683.jpg" alt="TWO KIDS DRESSED AS GREATEST SHOWMAN" class="wp-image-13951" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2025/07/Adventure-cinema-greatest-showman-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2025/07/Adventure-cinema-greatest-showman-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2025/07/Adventure-cinema-greatest-showman-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2025/07/Adventure-cinema-greatest-showman.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Adventure cinema</figcaption></figure>



<p>There’s a long weekend of outdoor cinema with beautiful <a href="https://www.adventurecinema.co.uk/venues/wollaton-hall">Wollaton Hall</a> as a backdrop from <strong>Fri 22 – Sun 24 August.</strong> The weekend kicks off with two all singing, all-dancing shows &#8211; The Greatest Showman (Sing-a-long) and Mamma Mia (outdoor cinema extrABBAganza) where you can dress up, sing and dance along with all the hits. The on the Sunday, it’s more of a family affair, with a choice of The Gruffalo, Moana 2 and Wicked Sing-a-long.</p>



<p>The brilliant Oddsocks theatre company will be going al fresco with a high-energy, feel-good, family theatre show of <a href="https://www.derbylive.co.uk/whats-on/a-midsummer-nights-dream2/">A Midsummer Night’s Dream</a> in Markeaton Park, Derby on <strong>Wed 23 – Fri 25 July.</strong></p>



<p>Roll out the picnic blanket for two film favourites. Showing al fresco, <a href="https://www.derbylive.co.uk/whats-on/mamma-mia-pg1/">Mamma Mia</a> (<strong>Fri 1 Aug</strong>) and <a href="https://www.derbylive.co.uk/whats-on/wicked-pg/">Wicked</a> (<strong>Sat 2 Aug</strong>) at Markeaton Park Craft Village, Derby.</p>



<p>The National Trust&#8217;s<a href="https://www.adventurecinema.co.uk/venues/calke-abbey"> Calke Abbey</a> will provide a beautiful backdrop for open air cinema<strong> between Thurs 7 and Sun 10 Aug.</strong> The Greatest Showman, Bridget Jones&#8217; Diary, Queen spectacular and Wicked are showing.</p>



<p>Another awesome backdrop for a show: Sprawl on the lawns with a backdrop of the beautiful <a href="https://www.adventurecinema.co.uk/venues/hardwick-hall">Hardwick Hall</a> beyond the big screen. Dirty Dancing on <strong>Fri 1 Aug</strong>, flex the vocal chords at Queen Outdoor Cinema Spectacular (<strong>Sat 2 Aug</strong>), before The Gruffalo and Harry Potter and the Philosopher&#8217;s Stone on <strong>Sun 3 August.</strong></p>


Summer saviours! Fun things to do with the kids this summer holiday

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