Retford - what to do

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We’re meeting up with friends in Retford - random but it’s exactly half way between the 2 of us.

Sunday in November, kids between 11-7.

where shall we go and what shall we do?

any advice? I’ve never been to Retford!

Niche thread!

Sorry to be no help at all, but there’s a pretty good reason you’ve never gone to Retford before…

If the weather’s going to be fair, you’d be better meeting at Clumber Park (National Trust property - nice walk around a big lake, lots of squirrels and birds). It’s nearer Worksop than Retford, but it’s not far at all.

Ruffled park?
Coffee and a look round Dobbies Christmas display?

Rufford.

Go to Doncaster instead? Its got the zoo, the ice rink, the swimming pool with slides, cinema etc...

Or

It is a niche thread but look at the replies already! 😀

doncaster and swimming might be a good shout!

The kids are a little bit old really but sundown adventure land? If you haven't been before it is worth a visit. Very tame kids rides, weird animatronics with buttons you can press and a couple of playcentres if the weather is rubbish. Take your own food and drinks as the stuff on offer is rubbish.

And loads of adventure playgrounds including an interconnected village of pirate houses.

Have you read them?! 😂

Basically go somewhere else! 😂

Is there a Dobbie's in Rufford?

Yeah just don’t. Go to clumber park or Rufford instead.

It's between Retford and Worksop I think? My MIL lives in Retford and goes all the time so it can't be far as she doesn't go far ever

I have read the replies! It’s thrown up Doncaster dome so we might do that!

Or clumber park - we’ve got NT passes

Who suggested doncaster dome?

@Clearspring1 I went there from @PuttingDownRoots who said Doncaster swimming pool with slides. A quick google and that’s what I found 🤷🏻‍♀️

Sorry no help but I’m just at Ruffled Park.

I'd go to Clumber Park. Walk around the lake then go here for food:

https://www.thaymaricecream.co.uk/

Retford is a lovely town but pretty dead on a Sunday.

If the weather is nice King's Park is lovely, bug play area, tennis courts you can hire, in November the cafe may not be open though. There is a play centre called Captain Jack's near Asda. Bit small but might be good, would book in advance though as cam get busy.

There is a museum we have been meaning to go to but not sure it would be open on a Sunday.

As others have suggested, Rufford Country Park & Clumber Parl are both 15 mins away and nice to walk round.

Sherwood Forrest is nice for a walk round d, that is at Edwinstowe which again is about 15-20 mins away

Sherwood Pines again about 20 mins away, has Go Ape, various biking/hiking trails

Your issue will be weather,there is sod all to do if it rains.

Doncaster Dome is ok, has ice rink, pool with slides etc. It is very dated and I believe swimming is still restricted to a 1 or 2 hour slot following covid.

Lakeside outleisat Doncaster is nice, there is Moat Park behind it that is good for a walk round the lake.

Thank you all for your suggestions! Will have a think!

Go to the Yorkshire Wildlife Park it is a great day out. Lots of places to eat including a bistro right outside the ticketing area. It is really worth a visit.