Where to go on Saturday - along M1 between Nottingham and Derby

[Bluepenguin2]

Hi, hoping local people can help with suggestions

Looking for somewhere to go for a family day out this coming Saturday. Weather is looking dry but very cold. Will be a group of 6 adults and 3 kids aged 2, 5, 11. We are considering either Matlock Farm Park or the Tropical Butterfly House near Sheffield but not sure either will be weather suitable.

Any thoughts on either of these places in cold weather? Do you know if they have indoor picnic areas (looking to keep costs down if possible) and how much of the attractions are indoors?

Or any where else you can suggest which would suit the ages going but be more weather suitable? We are meeting in the middle so around 1.5hr travel each way, so needs to be somewhere we can spend a good few hours to make it worth the journey.

thanks MNers

The museum of childhood at Sudbury Hall?

Staunton Harold and then walk down around the Melbourne reservoir to the tea room at Melbourne Hall. Lush.

If you can go a bit further south on the M1 I'd suggest the national space centre. Doesn't matter if the weather takes a turn either as it's indoors.

If you visit the space centre then the museum next to it (abbey pumping station) is free so if you have time it's worth a visit too.

None of your options in the OP are along the M1 between Derby and Nottingham.

Butterfly house is lovely with indoor and outdoor spaces. Closer to Derby Mark Eaton Park and Keddlestone Hall are great places to meet and walk but mainly outside. Never been to Farm Park.

Matlock Farm Park is lovely but it's location means it's often quite cold. It does have an indoor play area, there is seating there but I'm pretty sure it's only for food purchased from the cafe. It does have a large sand/gravel play area with tables for picnic which has a roof but is open on most of the sides. There is a very small indoor part for small animals but the majority is outside.

The Butterfly House has the Butterfly House that is indoors but the majority is outside. Due to the layout of the park and location, it is more sheltered from the wind than Matlock Farm Park. There is a cafe but I don't think I remember there being an indoor picnic area.

Elvaston Castle
Kedleston Hall
Wollaton Hall
Calke Abbey

Oops, you’re right, I just meant that sort of area though

Thanks, might be a bit far but I’ll have a look as hadn’t heard of it

The butterfly house has expanded and has a few indoor bits with animals, more than Matlock farm. It does have a picnic area inside too and a craft room. Agree Matlock farm can be very cold. Both pricey.

That would have been my list too. Though they're all a bit of a muchness, and the kids might be a bit bored after an hour or two

"Along the M1 between Nottingham and Derby" is not really a thing tbf – that would be, erm J25. Nottingham and Derby are east and west of each other, not north and south. But if you mean between (say) J22 to J28 then my suggestions would be:

• Space Centre is a good one, about 20 mins south of Derby (J22).
• Hardwick Hall – though tbf the hall itself is closed in Jan so it would just be the gardens and cafe, not great in bad weather. Also that's J29 so further north
• Sherwood Forest and the Major Oak – again outside
• Clumber Park (NT) is good – as before it is outside but there are nice cafes and a shop. Shame it wasn't this weekend as the Snowman trail was on but it finished today. That's J29 as well
• Nottingham Castle is quite fun and there are other museums in Nottingham too

Crich Tramway Museum would be a good shout but I see it is closed until march!

edited to add – no indoor picnic area at any of those places that I know of, sorry. Deffo you would be outside at Clumber, Hardwick and Sherwood Forest. I don't know about the Space Centre.

Cromford Mill and canal, heights of Abraham are both on way to matlock. Silk Mill in derby itself.

I don’t know how to edit the post but obviously my geography is crap, I mean the area between Sheffield and Nottingham roughly speaking, along the M1. Thought Derby was further north.

thanks for all the suggestions so far

Ah OK that's clearer. Derby actually slightly south of Nottingham! It’s Ok tho, we are used to ppl thinking we are the North :)

If Sheffield is not too far north, there must be loads there. I don’t know it well enough tho.

Another suggestion from me (not sure how far you want to drive off the M1) was Gullivers Kingdom in Matlock Bath but I see that is closed atm as well. They do flag a sister attraction in Sheffield but I have never been so no idea what it is like.

#helpful

There's a nice pub in Todwick just off J31 The Red Lion. It's close to the Butterfly House at N Anston. Maybe do Butterflies, then go for lunch. There's some nice walks in the area too.

Yes unfortunately the Rotherham one is shut, as is Sundown. Looking like probably wrap up very warm and brave matlock farm! Thanks

Sundown adventure land.

A bit further South than you're seeking, but Conkers near Ashby also has indoor areas and there's currently a discount Groupon for admission.

I always enjoy Leicester for a family day out. Someone's already mentioned the Space Museum but there's also Leicester Museum and Art Gallery (previously New Walk Museum). Free entry and great exhibits on dinosaurs, Egyptian mummies and the natural world. From memory there were dressing up clothes and special areas for younger ones. The website says the cafe is currently closed for refurbishment but that there are tables and chairs for people to eat their own food or get coffee from a vending machine. Also a pleasant pedestrianised walk to the train station/town centre which has some good outdoor spaces.

We always found Leicester museum a great option for a winter day out with young children. With the money saved, we often visited Pizza Express afterwards, also an easy walk away.

Sherwood Pines? Have to wrap up warm.

Conkers is shit. Don't bother

Wollaton Hall and Park in Nottingham has nice walks, good facilities, a fab park and the hall is interesting, warm and free!

Nottingham Castle is also good and mostly indoors as is the Galleries of Justice.

Ice skating is inexpensive at the motorpoint ice arena

White post farm is really good near farnsfield lots of indoor spaces and play areas. (including indoor heated picnic area)

No way would I be freezing to death on Matlock farm park. 🥶

Also for great ideas for days out in this kind of scenario I use https://www.whatshalfway.com/

I live in the area you’re wanting to visit. Although it means one of you is travelling slightly longer I’d go with the space centre. It’s lovely and warm and as part of the ticket price you’re able to sit back and watch a show in the large planetarium. Your also able to reuse your ticket to go as many times as you want for a year.

Ooh yes White Post Farm is a good shout too.

But tbh I’d go with the Space Centre for indoor certainty. It’s not cheap but Yy you can go back any time in the year if this trip is something you do often.