Nottinghamshire &amp; Derbyshire


<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/23/2022/11/Nottingham-Theatre-Royal.jpg" alt="Empty stage and auditorium at Nottingham Theatre Royal" class="wp-image-2472" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2022/11/Nottingham-Theatre-Royal.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2022/11/Nottingham-Theatre-Royal-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2022/11/Nottingham-Theatre-Royal-768x511.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2022/11/Nottingham-Theatre-Royal-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-get-a-glimpse-behind-the-curtain">Get a glimpse behind the curtain</h2>



<p>A total treat for anyone passionate about theatre. Led by brilliant storyteller (and resident theatre ‘ghost’) <a href="http://www.ezekialbone.com/magic-lantern/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ezekial Bone</a>, you’ll get to see areas usually hidden to the public, explore behind the scenes and hear fascinating theatrical tales at <a href="https://trch.co.uk/seasons/backstage-tours/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nottingham’s Theatre Royal and Royal Concert Hall</a>.</p>



<p>Bone conjures the ghosts of actors past to transport you from the boom of theatre in Victorian times and the opening night in 1865 to the contemporary world of entertainment of today. These popular tours are deservedly popular and tend to sell out fast – you’re unlikely to squeeze into the December tour but you can <a href="https://trch.co.uk/seasons/backstage-tours/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">book ahead</a> for dates in the new year.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-rare-rooftop-tour">A rare rooftop tour</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/23/2022/12/Hardwick-Hall-National-Trust-Images-Chris-Lacey-comp-1.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-2529" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2022/12/Hardwick-Hall-National-Trust-Images-Chris-Lacey-comp-1.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2022/12/Hardwick-Hall-National-Trust-Images-Chris-Lacey-comp-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2022/12/Hardwick-Hall-National-Trust-Images-Chris-Lacey-comp-1-768x511.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2022/12/Hardwick-Hall-National-Trust-Images-Chris-Lacey-comp-1-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption>Image / National Trust, Chris Lacey</figcaption></figure>



<p>You’ll need a head for heights for this one. While the National Trust’s magnificent<a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/peak-district-derbyshire/hardwick" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> Hardwick Hall </a>near Chesterfield is closed for conservation work (Dec – Feb), there’s a rare chance to take a behind the scenes rooftop tour. Yes, you heard right, rooftop.</p>



<p>After a hot drink and breakfast bap while the morning mists lifts, you’ll climb the original steps of the North Stairs and emerge amongst the chimneys and turrets. And it’s quite a view.&nbsp; You’ll experience the full, magnificent impact of Hardwick’s position on the top of the ridge overlooking the Derbyshire countryside. Tours take place on Tues 6, 13 and 20 Dec.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tall-tales-by-candlelight">Tall tales by candlelight</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/23/2022/11/Lighting-candles-Lichfield-Cathedral.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-2473" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2022/11/Lighting-candles-Lichfield-Cathedral.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2022/11/Lighting-candles-Lichfield-Cathedral-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2022/11/Lighting-candles-Lichfield-Cathedral-768x511.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2022/11/Lighting-candles-Lichfield-Cathedral-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption>Lighting candles at Lichfield Cathedral</figcaption></figure>



<p>Bit of a bookworm? You’re in for a treat. Normally off-limits to the public, the library in <a href="https://www.lichfield-cathedral.org/what-s-on/library-tours-1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Lichfield Cathedral</a> is opening on Tues 6 Dec for bibliophiles to explore its ancient books and manuscripts (including a 1420 copy of Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales).</p>



<p>Even more exciting, you get to do it by candlelight! Tucked away at the top of a spiral staircase the library is one of the cathedral’s best-loved treasures so snap up a rare ticket to this atmospheric evening tour while you can. Missed it? Don’t worry, there may be more in 2023 so check back. In the meantime, try to catch the gorgeous <a href="https://www.lichfield-cathedral.org/what-s-on/sing-choirs-of-angels" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Christmas light shows</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-after-dark-adventures">After dark adventures</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/23/2022/12/Go-Ape-sq-c.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-2550" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2022/12/Go-Ape-sq-c.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2022/12/Go-Ape-sq-c-300x300.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2022/12/Go-Ape-sq-c-150x150.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2022/12/Go-Ape-sq-c-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2022/12/Go-Ape-sq-c-525x525.jpg 525w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2022/12/Go-Ape-sq-c-500x500.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Thrillseekers, get ready. If climbing and swinging through the treetops in Sherwood Forest doesn’t cut it on the adrenaline-front, how about doing it in darkness? Yikes!</p>



<p><a href="https://goape.co.uk/locations/sherwood-pines" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sherwood Pines Go Ape</a> is offering Sundown Sessions for the completely crazy – er, I mean brave – this month. Tackle&nbsp;mega-high platforms in darkness&nbsp;or feel the&nbsp;speed of a zip wire&nbsp;as dusk deepens. With minimal lighting, tackling mega-high platforms in darkness or speeding down a zip wire as dusk deepens certainly heightens the senses and takes heart-pounding excitement (or should that be fear?) to the next level.</p>



<p>While Muddy might sit this one out, we know of plenty of tricky-to-buy-for teens who it would be the perfect pick for this Christmas. It closes Christmas Eve to Boxing Day but opens up again on 27 Dec for festive sundown shenanigans.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-pop-up-pub-in-the-woods">Pop-up pub in the woods</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/23/2022/12/Pub-in-the-woods-square-c.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-2551" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2022/12/Pub-in-the-woods-square-c.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2022/12/Pub-in-the-woods-square-c-300x300.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2022/12/Pub-in-the-woods-square-c-150x150.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2022/12/Pub-in-the-woods-square-c-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2022/12/Pub-in-the-woods-square-c-525x525.jpg 525w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2022/12/Pub-in-the-woods-square-c-500x500.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>We’ve got the pandemic to thank for this secret party in the woods (so maybe it wasn’t all bad). Blessed with a private wood and plenty of outdoor space that lent itself to natural social distancing,<a href="https://pubinthewoods.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> The Pub in the Woods</a> first popped up to give Derbyshire folk somewhere to socialise when our diaries were emptied by covid.</p>



<p>With fire pits, live music, festoon lights, beer and mulled wine, it was unsurprisingly a huge hit and it’s been popping up now and again ever since. There are two more December dates (10 and 17 Dec) planned, but be quick booking a spot. There’s also pub grub to pre-order to warm you up – think turkey curry, Christmas dinner in a roll and pizza.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-do-it-yourself-treasure-trail">Do-it-yourself treasure trail</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/23/2022/12/Treasuretrails-Woollaton.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-2553" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2022/12/Treasuretrails-Woollaton.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2022/12/Treasuretrails-Woollaton-300x300.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2022/12/Treasuretrails-Woollaton-150x150.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2022/12/Treasuretrails-Woollaton-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2022/12/Treasuretrails-Woollaton-525x525.jpg 525w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2022/12/Treasuretrails-Woollaton-500x500.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Now you might have seen <a href="https://www.treasuretrails.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Treasure Trails </a>for sale in an indie shop near you but overlooked it thinking it wasn’t for you. Big. Mistake. Muddy loves these do-it-yourself treasure hunt maps that let you see a place with completely new eyes.</p>



<p>Some require you to be a detective and find clues to solve a ‘crime’, some are simple treasure hunts, some are spy missions, but they all take you on a good walk and lead you on paths you won’t have come across before. They’re a godsend for coaxing kids out on walks, great fun for groups (perfect for extended family bonding over Christmas) and genuinely interesting. I guarantee you will learn at least one jaw-dropping thing you never even knew about your home town.</p>



<p>There are 26 trails to choose from in Derbyshire and 14 in Notts, but they’re brilliant for discovering a new area when you head off on your hols too.</p>


Ssh! Secret tours and after hours antics

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