Nova and Lucy’s Laburnum lodge Guidebook
Activity and adventure
Have a growing family who like activity and adventure?
Go Ape Buxton
Green LaneGo Ape Sherwood
Sherwood PinesConkers
Rawdon RoadCarsington Water
Tissington Trail Car Park, Ashbourne
Leisure Way
Swadlincote Snowsports Centre
Sir Herbert Wragg WayTake a stroll around the paddocks to meet and feed chickens, sheep, Shetland ponies, donkeys, cows, goats and alpaca.
Inside meet pigs, guinea pigs, rabbits, chicks. budgies, zebra finches, chinchilla plus lambs and goat kids in the Spring.
Enjoy various outdoor activities including jumping pillows, adventure golf, sand play, go karting as well as tractor rides and a barrel stampede ride and spinning teacups.
An exciting new recent addition is the mega slide mountain.
21 locals recommend
National Forest Adventure Farm
Postern RoadTake a stroll around the paddocks to meet and feed chickens, sheep, Shetland ponies, donkeys, cows, goats and alpaca.
Inside meet pigs, guinea pigs, rabbits, chicks. budgies, zebra finches, chinchilla plus lambs and goat kids in the Spring.
Enjoy various outdoor activities including jumping pillows, adventure golf, sand play, go karting as well as tractor rides and a barrel stampede ride and spinning teacups.
An exciting new recent addition is the mega slide mountain.
Check out Trent adventure where you can hire Canadian style canoes to paddle on the river or Trent Mersey canal. Also on offer is the junior explorer day which includes paddling and bushcraft.
Trent Adventure | Canoe hire adventures
Check out Trent adventure where you can hire Canadian style canoes to paddle on the river or Trent Mersey canal. Also on offer is the junior explorer day which includes paddling and bushcraft.
National Trust
Want to make use of your National Trust membership? We are fortunate to have 9 properties within striking distance.
Kedleston Hall
National Trust - Calke Abbey
Sudbury Hall has undergoing a transformation to become The Children’s Country House at Sudbury. The opening hours are limited and you will need to book. Check the website for opening hours.
Whilst Sudbury dates from the reign of Charles II, it is Jacobean in conception with a long gallery and a great staircase.
A collection of objects reflecting the changes and similarities in childhood over the centuries. Of course there are toys, games and dolls - but there are also items relating to childcare, costume, education, hobbies and pastimes. The harsher aspects of childhood, such as the lives of the child chimney sweeps, are also represented. In addition the Museum holds in trust many objects belonging to the Betty Cadbury collection of 'Playthings Past' - a rich collection of childhood objects which ranges from the 'World's Smallest Noah's Ark' to the 'Smoking Chinaman' automaton.
This is a National Trust Property that you may be happy to take children.
26 locals recommend
Sudbury Hall
Sudbury Hall has undergoing a transformation to become The Children’s Country House at Sudbury. The opening hours are limited and you will need to book. Check the website for opening hours.
Whilst Sudbury dates from the reign of Charles II, it is Jacobean in conception with a long gallery and a great staircase.
A collection of objects reflecting the changes and similarities in childhood over the centuries. Of course there are toys, games and dolls - but there are also items relating to childcare, costume, education, hobbies and pastimes. The harsher aspects of childhood, such as the lives of the child chimney sweeps, are also represented. In addition the Museum holds in trust many objects belonging to the Betty Cadbury collection of 'Playthings Past' - a rich collection of childhood objects which ranges from the 'World's Smallest Noah's Ark' to the 'Smoking Chinaman' automaton.
This is a National Trust Property that you may be happy to take children.
National Trust - Hardwick Hall
An ordinary house, an extraordinary home. A very different and fascinating
National Trust experience. Booking essential to ensure entry.
Mr Straw's House
An ordinary house, an extraordinary home. A very different and fascinating
National Trust experience. Booking essential to ensure entry.
A little further afield is Belton House, another NT property particularly suitable to take children to visit with its adventure playground in the ancient woodland and the Ride play café.
77 locals recommend
Belton House
High RoadA little further afield is Belton House, another NT property particularly suitable to take children to visit with its adventure playground in the ancient woodland and the Ride play café.
A thought provoking insight into the austere lives of the poor and destitute people who lived here from 1884 and including more recent history of its use as temporary bedsit accommodation for those on need.
Helpful and knowledgeable volunteers as usual in National Trust properties.
Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. Opening hours 10:30-3:30. Last entrance 2:30.
Please check opening hours before your visit.
17 locals recommend
National Trust - The Workhouse, Southwell
Upton RoadA thought provoking insight into the austere lives of the poor and destitute people who lived here from 1884 and including more recent history of its use as temporary bedsit accommodation for those on need.
Helpful and knowledgeable volunteers as usual in National Trust properties.
Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. Opening hours 10:30-3:30. Last entrance 2:30.
Please check opening hours before your visit.
A delightful, quirky home designed by Ernest Gimson and built for a family who loved Arts and Crafts filled with original family furniture.
IMPORTANT
Entrance to Stoneywell must be booked in advance.
6 locals recommend
Stoneywell National Trust
Whitcroft's LaneA delightful, quirky home designed by Ernest Gimson and built for a family who loved Arts and Crafts filled with original family furniture.
IMPORTANT
Entrance to Stoneywell must be booked in advance.
Below stairs - the kitchens and servants quarters are well worth a visit.
Lord Lichfield, the professional photographer to society including the royals inherited Shugborough from his father in 1960 and lived there until he died in 2005. His apartments are now open to the public.
40 locals recommend
Shugborough Hall
Below stairs - the kitchens and servants quarters are well worth a visit.
Lord Lichfield, the professional photographer to society including the royals inherited Shugborough from his father in 1960 and lived there until he died in 2005. His apartments are now open to the public.
Places of historic interest
Chatsworth House
Haddon Hall
King Richard III Visitor Centre
4A St MartinsBosworth Battlefield Heritage Centre
Ambion LaneRecently opened , this is an imaginative museum with lots to look at concerned with the rich history of industry and innovation in the local area. It is housed in the 300 year old silk mill within the Derwent Valley Mills UNESCO world heritage site. The Museum of Making is shortlisted for the best museum prize 2022.
9 locals recommend
The Museum of Making at Derby Silk Mill
Silk Mill LaneRecently opened , this is an imaginative museum with lots to look at concerned with the rich history of industry and innovation in the local area. It is housed in the 300 year old silk mill within the Derwent Valley Mills UNESCO world heritage site. The Museum of Making is shortlisted for the best museum prize 2022.
Cromford Mills, along with The Derby Silk Mill,is also in the UNESCO world heritage Derwent valley Mills. This is a very family friendly visit where you can experience a CGI presentation of Thomas Arkwright and his factory which was the birthplace of the factory system at the beginning of the industrial revolution. You can walk along the riverside and canal where there are picnic benches. It is child friendly and fairly widely accessible to most areas. See the website for details.
67 locals recommend
Cromford Mill
Mill RoadCromford Mills, along with The Derby Silk Mill,is also in the UNESCO world heritage Derwent valley Mills. This is a very family friendly visit where you can experience a CGI presentation of Thomas Arkwright and his factory which was the birthplace of the factory system at the beginning of the industrial revolution. You can walk along the riverside and canal where there are picnic benches. It is child friendly and fairly widely accessible to most areas. See the website for details.
National Memorial Arboretum
Croxall RoadPlaces for families
Crich Tramway Village
The Heights of Abraham
Dale RoadNational Space Centre
Exploration DriveIf you have children up to the age of 12 you could do a lot worse than visit the nearby Markeaton Park, just over 10 minutes away along the A38, an excellent city park where you will find the free to access Mundy Play Centre, a skate park, paddling pool and crazy golf as well as walks, ice creams, cafe etc.
It is likely to be busy with local families in school holiday periods.
Mundy Play Centre
Markeaton LaneIf you have children up to the age of 12 you could do a lot worse than visit the nearby Markeaton Park, just over 10 minutes away along the A38, an excellent city park where you will find the free to access Mundy Play Centre, a skate park, paddling pool and crazy golf as well as walks, ice creams, cafe etc.
It is likely to be busy with local families in school holiday periods.
This is a place especially suitable perhaps for families with younger children .
The National Forest Adventure Farm offers exciting indoor fun, outdoor adventure and farm animals. The Farm hosts many events throughout the year including Easter Activities, huge summer Maize Maze, spooky Halloween daytime fun, scary night time Halloween Screamfest and Christmas North Pole Adventure.
Check website for opening
days and times, especially out of season.
21 locals recommend
National Forest Adventure Farm
Postern RoadThis is a place especially suitable perhaps for families with younger children .
The National Forest Adventure Farm offers exciting indoor fun, outdoor adventure and farm animals. The Farm hosts many events throughout the year including Easter Activities, huge summer Maize Maze, spooky Halloween daytime fun, scary night time Halloween Screamfest and Christmas North Pole Adventure.
Check website for opening
days and times, especially out of season.
Twycross Zoo
Burton RoadTheme parks
There are three theme parks within striking distance of laburnum lodge
Alton Towers
Farley LaneNear to The Heights of Abraham in Matlock is Gulliver’s Kingdom, another popular theme park perhaps more suitable for your younger children (compared with Alton Towers).
110 locals recommend
Gulliver's Kingdom Resort
Temple WalkNear to The Heights of Abraham in Matlock is Gulliver’s Kingdom, another popular theme park perhaps more suitable for your younger children (compared with Alton Towers).
Drayton Manor Theme Park
Drayton Manor DriveThe Peak District National Park.
Kinder Scout
Eyam Museum
Hawkhill RoadCastleton
Hartington
Tissington
Ilam Hall
Edale
Visit the spa town of Buxton and the caves at Poole’s cavern.
68 locals recommend
Poole's Cavern & Buxton Country Park
Green LaneVisit the spa town of Buxton and the caves at Poole’s cavern.
Blue John Cavern
Cross StreetDovedale