Recommendations please..

[Craftyrafty]

We live in Bedfordshire, I would like to book a weekend away for my Husband's birthday in October, with an hour to 1 1/2 hours drive max. Somewhere scenic, that is family friendly as I have a toddler, where we can go go exploring but equally stay indoors should the weather be horrible. Recommendations for accommodation would be appreciated too.

Thank you!

This might be further than you were planning but there is so much to explore. You could go to Churnet Valley Railway, the stepping stones at Dovedale, hire bikes at Manifold Valley, go pony trekking at Beaver Hall or visit Chatsworth House or Alton Towers