East Midlands Sightseeing & Activities Guide

ancestral home of the Spencer family since the sixteenth century with a fine collection of antiques. Diana, Princess of Wales was laid to rest here

Cromford Mills is the home of Sir Richard Arkwright’s first mill complex. Boasting powered machinery, a large workforce and factory village, this site became the model for others throughout Britain and abroad

maintained by the RAF, visitors can admire the only flying Lancaster Bomber in Europe, as well as Spitfires, Hurricanes and a Douglas Dakota

renowned for its magnificent gardens, Chatsworth has something to offer for all the family with a wide programme of themed exhibitions throughout the year

the mills date from the eighteenth century and the story of how cotton changed our lives is told through interactive displays

with many art treasures including paintings by Gainsborough and Constable. The gardens have recently been lavishly restored with a number of specimen plants with interesting walkways lacing the gardens

UK's only double track, main line heritage railway. It’s the only place in the world where full size steam engines can be seen passing each other

carefully crafted sets and original preserved trawler interiors capture the atmosphere and essence of a remarkable way of life

step back to the 1920s and discover how a grocer's family lived in a Midlands market town through their furnishings and household objects

plantsman's paradise containing over 2.400 different choice varieties of herbaceous perennials arranged into areas with different growing conditions to provide inspiration to gardeners whatever their soil and aspect

come and meet the animals and learn about farming at this sheep and cattle farm with an up-to-date playground. Picnics welcome

meet the farm animals, watch a falconry display, or become a farmer for a day at this friendly family country park

set on a rocky outcrop, one man's realisation of an Arts and Crafts vision within a family home surrounded by 4 acres of lovely gardens

built in 1842 as the last resort for the destitute, the stories of the people who lived and worked here help tell the poignant history

set in a former Victorian sewerage works with displays of beam engines, showcasing Leicester's industrial, technological and scientific heritage

enjoy magnificent views, woodland walks, and open heathland. Discover the rhododendron labyrinth and the many unique wooden sculptures. Children’s play area with a hazel maze and log train in the Natural Play Area

walk through the peaceful grounds to the Walled Kitchen Garden where you can experience sights, scents and a taste of the past

from majestic reservoirs, quiet forests and wild open spaces there is something for everyone to explore in the Upper Derwent Valley

continuously inhabited by the same family for over 900 years and little changed since the Tudor period, this magnificent mansion is unique

high tech King Richard lll museum exploring the story of the last Plantagenet king including visiting the site of the grave where he was recently found

the UK's largest attraction dedicated to space, including the iconic Rocket Tower, the UK’s largest domed planetarium and lots of interactive fun

set around beautiful Rutland Water and covering 4,200 acres of open countryside, the park offers everything from walking and cycling to fishing and water sports

late 17th Century house with sumptuous interiors including the Museum of Childhood. Explore childhoods of times gone by, play with toys and share stories

birthplace and family home of Sir Isaac Newton and visit orchard where the apple tree gave him inspiration including a 'hands on' Science Centre

created by Geoff Hamilton of BBC's Gardeners' World programme with beautiful, individually landscaped gardens set in 8 acres

a fine example of a country house estate built in the late 17th Century surrounded by beautiful gardens and with a large outdoor adventure playground

overlooking the Vale of Belvoir, this castle holds numerous art works, tapestries & sculptures. Also enjoy the Statue Gardens built into the hillside

five acres of woodland and arboretum, planted since the early 90s. Contains an avenue of witch hazels and rare trees, including over 30 oak species and cultivars, and the most complete collection of winterberries

850 acres of natural parkland surrounding the ruins of Bradgate house, home of Lady Jane Grey, the 9 day Queen of England. Also featuring extensive wildlife

a fine Elizabethan mansion refurbished in the 17th Century with extensive collections of paintings and objets d'art

ancient and peaceful, this tranquil Tudor manor house is far from today's busy lifestyle and is surrounded by rare terraced gardens

a surviving example of a family home built in the 13th century and then modernised in 1618 including period enactments throughout the year

set in the beautiful Peak District National Park, this leafy course is beautiful in all seasons – a lush green tunnel high up in the tree tops

the inspiration of Bess of Hardwick, an indomitable Tudor heiress whose taste, vision and flamboyance still impress today

impressive castle built by William the Conqueror in 1068 and housing an original copy of Magna Carta. A cinema with a wraparound screen tells the story

a fine Norman Cathedral which has been embellished over the centuries and home of the famous Lincoln Imp, said to have been cast into stone for his impishness!

travel the 15 mile round trip to and from Peterborough with stop off rations along the way. This is original home of Thomas The Tank Engine

The air museum is located on part of the former World War Two airfield of RAF Winthorpe with a wealth of military aviation history

working steam, diesel locomotives, coaches, wagons and 3 signal boxes. Cream teas are served on board

spanning some 450 acres, and home of the legendary Robin Hood, the forest offers something for everyone of all ages and abilities

aimed at the younger members of the family, the family run park includes dodgems, ghost train, slippery slide

beautiful landscaped area surrounding an impressive collection of 66 owls from around the world. Visit the creepy crawlies & flying displays

situated on Nottingham's urban fringe this 450 acre park is made up of pleasant grassland & secluded woods with many beautiful mill lakes and many picnic spots throughout

set in a thatched 17C manor house, covering the history of the manor itself & that of the surrounding area. Featuring several reconstructed rooms such as a Victorian kitchen & a police cell

a prehistoric monument that was started in the Neolithic period, probably between 3,000 and 2,500 BC, consisting of 42 stones in a 40-meter diameter circle

Ruins of 15C castle, formerly a Norman manor house. Fields nearby were the setting for the tournament in Sir Walter Scott's 'Ivanhoe'

impressive exhibit of Ashby & district's history with local interest. Includes model of Ashby castle under attack in the 17C Civil War

the house dates back to the early fifteenth century and has had many refurbishments down the centuries, the museum portrays the history of the local fenland and the spacious gardens include an eighteenth century ice house

set at a point where the River Derwent is at its widest with all manner of bird life including swans, herons, Canada geese and a variety of ducks and moorhens. Location of a number of film and TV productions

Blue John is Britain's rarest mineral first discovered at Castleton by the Romans almost 2000 years ago. These are the world's only known deposits of this extremely rare and beautiful stone

seventeenth century Bolsover Castle is a wonderful place to imagine the Golden age of Chivalry. Set on a hilltop overlooking the Vale of Scarsdale, it offers panoramic views over the surrounding countryside

medieval guildhall was built in 1450 & is now the home of the Borough museum. Exhibits include items of local interest, costumes, coins & fine art. There are also monthly exhibitions & audio guided tours are available

a grand, stately home dating from Tudor times with fine collections of art, furniture and tapestries, surrounded by a fine country park, ideal for walking

situated at the foot of Castle Rock & consisting of 5 17C cottages, this museum shows visitors daily life in Nottingham

stunning gardens laid out in the twenties and maintained by the same family with captivating views from every angle

this country park includes a picnic area, forest walks & wildlife observation.

a fine example of Elizabethan architecture which was updated in the 17th Century by Inigo Jones surrounded by a restored 17th Century garden

a fine example of a 12th Century manor with its impressive great hall which houses a unique collection of ceremonial horseshoes