Nottinghamshire &amp; Derbyshire


<p>Lovely, light evenings are on the horizon as the clocks spring forward at the end of the month (Sun 30 March). Ready to make the most of all that daylight? Muddy has a few ideas to get you started.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-learn-to-wakeboard">Learn to wakeboard</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/23/2025/03/wakeboard-pexels-ron-lach-9965350-1024x683.jpg" alt="woman wakeboarding on lake" class="wp-image-12636" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2025/03/wakeboard-pexels-ron-lach-9965350-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2025/03/wakeboard-pexels-ron-lach-9965350-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2025/03/wakeboard-pexels-ron-lach-9965350-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2025/03/wakeboard-pexels-ron-lach-9965350.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Image / Pexels by Ron Lach</figcaption></figure>



<p>How about using longer evenings to squeeze in some all-action thrills? Wakeboarding looks cool, feels amazing and is surprisingly easy to pick up (especially if you&#8217;ve ever snowboarded before). There&#8217;s a great set up at Spring Lakes in Long Eaton, where learners start on a two-point cable and are pulled along on a board in a safe and controlled way during an <a href="https://ecom.roller.app/springlakeswatersportsandleisure/sessions/en/product/614690?date=2025-04-23">Introductory session</a> (there are sundowner slots at 5.30pm on weekdays). Once you&#8217;ve learnt the basics you can move up to the  main 5 point cable and in no time at all you’ll be performing tricks on the obstacles! When your skills are good enough for a <a href="https://ecom.roller.app/springlakeswatersportsandleisure/sessions/en/product/741217">cable pass</a>, you can book 6pm slots.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-go-wild-swimming">Go wild swimming</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/23/2025/03/wildswim-pexels-maksgelatin-4352243.jpg" alt="woman lying on back in lake wild swimming" class="wp-image-12633" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2025/03/wildswim-pexels-maksgelatin-4352243.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2025/03/wildswim-pexels-maksgelatin-4352243-300x300.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2025/03/wildswim-pexels-maksgelatin-4352243-150x150.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2025/03/wildswim-pexels-maksgelatin-4352243-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2025/03/wildswim-pexels-maksgelatin-4352243-500x500.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Image Pexels/Maks Galatin</figcaption></figure>



<p>Something slower more your style? Despite being landlocked, there are a few places locally to enjoy a wild sunset dip. If the cold water is part of the appeal, try <a href="https://whollyhealthy.co.uk/">Colwick Lake</a> in Nottingham, where <a href="https://whollyhealthy.co.uk/">WholeHealth</a>&nbsp;runs safe, supported and inclusive open water sessions from 1 April (and there are three Nordic-style woodfired saunas to warm up in afterwards). <a href="https://springlakes.co.uk/water-activities/open-water-swimming/">Spring Lakes</a> is another nice spot for a wild dip and often runs intro sessions for newbies. If a lido is what you&#8217;re looking for, there&#8217;s the mineral-rich thermal waters of <a href="https://newbathhotelandspa.com/pool/">Matlock Lido</a>, New Bath Spa Hotel which spill into the shallow end at a constant 19.8c. Or, try the gorgeous <a href="https://www.hathersageswimmingpool.co.uk/event/new-years-day-swim-2/">Hathersage Swimming Pool</a> for a heated swim &#8211; and look out for the sunset dips with live music for the ultimate evening dip.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-climb-a-hill-after-work">Climb a hill after work</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/23/2025/03/sunset-hills-pexels-feelalivenow-9497688.jpg" alt="two women run down hill at sunset holding hands" class="wp-image-12634" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2025/03/sunset-hills-pexels-feelalivenow-9497688.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2025/03/sunset-hills-pexels-feelalivenow-9497688-300x300.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2025/03/sunset-hills-pexels-feelalivenow-9497688-150x150.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2025/03/sunset-hills-pexels-feelalivenow-9497688-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2025/03/sunset-hills-pexels-feelalivenow-9497688-500x500.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>We&#8217;re lucky to have easy-to-access views in our &#8216;hood and now is the perfect time to make the most of them before the summer crowds hit. In Derbyshire some of our local short hill hike favourites include: Bunster Hill at Ilam; the <a href="https://stardisc.org/">Star Disc</a>, Wirksworth; Mam Tor; <a href="https://live-derbyshirecountycouncil-derbyshirecc.cloud.contensis.com/leisure/countryside/countryside-sites/country-parks-and-visitor-centres/shipley/things-to-do/walking/walking-at-shipley-country-park.aspx">Shipley Country Park</a> at Heanor. In Notts, head to <a href="https://gedlingcountrypark.com/">Gedling Country Park</a>, or <a href="https://wollatonhall.org.uk/">Wollaton Park</a> and stomp up to the hall for an easy evening view.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-catch-a-cable-car-before-closing">Catch a cable car before closing</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/Heights-of-Abraham.jpg" alt="heights of abraham cable car matlock bath derbyshire" class="wp-image-5125" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/07/Heights-of-Abraham.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/07/Heights-of-Abraham-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/07/Heights-of-Abraham-768x511.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/07/Heights-of-Abraham-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>It depends on the day and visitor numbers, but as the weather warms up, you could head up the last cable car of the day at the <a href="https://www.heightsofabraham.com/">Heights of Abraham</a> in Matlock Bath and catch some lovely late avo views. Last cable is generally around 4.30pm but check before you travel.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-go-for-cosy-drinks-al-fresco">Go for (cosy) drinks al fresco</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/23/2023/08/The-Old-Vol-LNID.jpg" alt="the old vol pub garden caythorpe" class="wp-image-5686" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/08/The-Old-Vol-LNID.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/08/The-Old-Vol-LNID-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/08/The-Old-Vol-LNID-768x511.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/08/The-Old-Vol-LNID-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Whaddaya mean it’s still chilly? Take a leaf out of the Scandi book and head for beer gardens with outdoor heaters and cosy blankets. Top local spots where you can go al fresco but still stay toasty? The big, buzzy, canalside beer garden at <a href="https://nottsderbyshire.muddystilettos.co.uk/little-black-book/directory/the-dragon-willington-derbyshire/">The Drago</a>n at Willington; <a href="https://oldvolpub.co.uk/">The Old Vol </a>in Caythorpe; <a href="https://www.castlerockbrewery.co.uk/pubs/canalhouse/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Canalhouse</a>, Nottingham; <a href="http://www.yeoldebridgeinn.co.uk/">Ye Olde Bridge Inn</a>, Oxton; <a href="https://www.horseshoeslonglane.co.uk/">The Horseshoes</a>, Longlane, <a href="https://pubinthewoods.co.uk/">Pub in the Woods,</a> nr Brailsford (from 8 April).</p>


Spring forward! 5 things to do with lighter evenings

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