The Best East Midlands Attractions & Activities

Chatsworth House in Derbyshire is a grand stately home of the Cavendish family, famed for its opulent interiors, priceless art, and 105-acre gardens. Set in the Peak District, it’s one of England’s most visited and admired historic estates.

Burghley House in Lincolnshire is one of England’s grandest Elizabethan mansions. Built for Sir William Cecil, it features lavish state rooms, a fine art collection, landscaped parkland by Capability Brown, and contemporary sculpture gardens.

Crich Tramway Village in Derbyshire is a living museum where vintage trams run through a recreated historic village and countryside tracks. With exhibitions, period streets, and family activities, it brings transport history vividly to life.

Haddon Hall in Derbyshire is a stunning medieval manor, famed for its Tudor interiors, terraced gardens, and riverside views. Often called “the most complete house of its period,” it’s a romantic setting frequently used in films and TV.

Hardwick Hall in Derbyshire is an Elizabethan masterpiece built by Bess of Hardwick. Famous for its vast windows, rich tapestries, and grand design, it stands amid landscaped gardens and parkland as a symbol of Tudor wealth and power.

Lincoln Cathedral is a magnificent Gothic masterpiece, once the tallest building in the world. Famous for its soaring spires, intricate carvings, and the Lincoln Imp, it dominates the city skyline and is a jewel of medieval architecture.

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

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

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

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

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

Boston Guildhall Museum, in Lincolnshire, is a beautifully preserved 14th-century building. It tells the town’s rich story, including its links to the Pilgrim Fathers, through historic rooms, artefacts, and immersive exhibitions.

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

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

Cromford Mills in Derbyshire is the world’s first water-powered cotton spinning mill, founded by Sir Richard Arkwright in 1771. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it explores the Industrial Revolution with museums, tours, shops, and riverside walks.

Gulliver’s Kingdom in Matlock Bath, Derbyshire, is a family theme park designed for children aged 2–13. With rides, play areas, and adventure attractions set on a hillside, it offers fun in a scenic Peak District setting.

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

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

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

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

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

Alford Manor House Museum, said to be the largest thatched manor house in England, dates from the 17th century. Visitors can explore period rooms, local history exhibits and tranquil gardens, offering a glimpse into Lincolnshire’s rural past.

Arbor Low Stone Circle in Derbyshire is a prehistoric monument of limestone stones and earthworks. Set on a hilltop with wide views, it offers a striking glimpse into ancient ritual landscapes.

Ashby-de-la-Zouch Castle, a dramatic medieval ruin, was once a grand fortified manor. Visitors can climb the impressive tower for sweeping views, explore the underground passage and wander the atmospheric remains of this Leicestershire landmark.

Ashby-de-la-Zouch Museum showcases the town’s rich past through exhibits on local industry, mining, architecture and community life. With artefacts, archives and changing displays, it offers a friendly and accessible insight into this historic market town

Belper River Gardens in Derbyshire offer elegant riverside walks beside the River Derwent. With colourful flowerbeds, a historic bandstand and peaceful views, they provide a charming spot to relax within this UNESCO World Heritage landscape.

Bluebell Arboretum in Derbyshire is a peaceful woodland garden specialising in rare and unusual trees. With colourful seasonal displays, diverse species and tranquil trails, it’s a haven for plant lovers and those seeking a quiet nature escape.

The Children’s Country House at Sudbury, a National Trust property in Derbyshire, invites families to explore a historic hall designed with young visitors in mind. Interactive rooms, gardens and trails bring heritage to life through play and discovery.