Looking for inspiration? When not try out these four fabulous family outings this spring and summer.
The Heights of Abraham will soon be home to some very famous friends! Photo: Heights of Abraham Underground Overground, Wombling Free!
The award-winning Heights of Abraham has long been an ‘underground overground’ experience with cable cars, cavern tours, exhibitions and playgrounds.
Therefore, there can be no more appropriate place to welcome a new star attraction for the summer, that much-loved Wimbledon family – The Wombles.
Great Uncle Bulgaria and litter-picking expert Orinoco will be here every weekend until November 2, daily during the school holidays, throughout the 2025 season.
Great Uncle Bulgaria was so taken that the Wombles have decided to open an undercover exhibition of their life story there. Opening early July, the exhibition tells of their meteoric rise from bedtime story books to their popular TV show, along with films, fashion, pop charts and, most recently, CGI.
The Wombles’ passion for making good use of bad rubbish, recycling and being kind and considerate fits with the ethos of sustainability and care for the landscape shown by the Pugh family, custodians of the Heights of Abraham for the past 50 years.
‘Though for many the Wombles may seem a nostalgic childhood memory, their ‘make good use of bad rubbish’ ethos has made a long-standing contribution to environmental education,’ says the Heights’ Rupert Pugh.
‘We’re delighted Uncle Bulgaria and friends have agreed to spend their holidays here. I think their messages are more relevant than ever before.’
‘I first came across the Heights reading my local Wimbledon newspaper, it was the ‘Underground Overground’ headline that caught my eye,’ adds Great Uncle Bulgaria.
‘I’d never been in a cable car, so that was a first. I had to tell the others about it, and the Heights has now become our holiday hotspot. We’re going to have a lot of fun over the next few years here in Derbyshire.’
The Heights is planning further Wombling wonders, including an i-spy trail and summer craft activities.
Whilst it may be some years since the Wombles were on TV, they’ve never really gone away.
Crich Tramway Village, home of The National Tramway Museum is an ideal destination for all ages and one we’re fortunate to have here in our county.
Visitors can ride the attraction’s world-renowned vintage trams through the unique period street and out into the open countryside for spectacular Derbyshire views.
Trams depart regularly from Town End and return to Stephenson’s Place with stops at Wakebridge (for the mining display, Cabmen’s Shelter, Octagon, worm toilet and Woodland Walk) and Glory Mine.
This captivating journey into days gone by is made complete with a stroll on Crich Tramway Village’s fascinating Woodland Walk and Sculpture Trail while trips to the Red Lion Pub, tearooms and shops are all tantalising options.
Dogs on leads are welcome. Wheelchairs are also available for a small deposit
Crich Tramway Village always has a packed calendar of events with something for everyone to enjoy and the next few months promises to be no exception.
Highlights include the attraction’s popular Dinosaur Day, which this year takes place on Saturday July 19.
This year will see even more dinosaurs than previous years as well as a new dinosaur trail through the woodland walk, giving young visitors the opportunity to earn a sticker.
Visitors can also make their way to the herbivore compound, where they are likely to come across Stegosaurus and Brontosaurus.
Stygimoloch and Parasaurolophus (easy for you to say!) will be in attendance at the bandstand, while everybody’s favourite carnivore, T. Rex, will be making his presence felt at Town End.
The baby dinosaurs will also be putting in an appearance, so expect plenty of ‘roarsome’ fun!
Crich Tramway Village’s spring season runs until July 24, with the summer season spanning from July 25 to August 31, with all opening times at tramway.co.uk.
The Children’s Country House at Sudbury is a place to have fun with history and, importantly, offers a wonderful Derbyshire day out for all the family to enjoy.
Originally home to the renowned Vernon family and now in the hands of the National Trust, there are over 12 rooms currently open to the public across three levels at Sudbury Hall.
Created with and for children, this experience aims to spark a lifelong interest in heritage. It will encourage confidence and curiosity while learning about the collections and history at Sudbury Hall.
Then, why not explore the different spaces in The Children’s Country House Museum, which celebrate the escapades and challenges of childhood across the centuries – with a healthy dose of nostalgia thrown in for good measure.
Be creative and curious as you get stuck in with activities to bring your experience to life. You don’t have to be young, only young at heart to enjoy the fun.
Then, there’s the magnificent Garden, where outdoor adventures await. Enjoy walks through the historic parterre, stroll by the lake (and find a perfect spot for a picnic) and explore new spaces that have recently been opened up, as the National Trust continues to work collaboratively with children to further develop the Garden and decide what the future should look and feel like.
Don’t miss Pride and Prejudice Behind the ‘Seams’, which comes to Sudbury Hall from June 7 to July 6.
From Stitches, Style to Sudbury on Screen, visitors are invited to celebrate 30 years of the iconic BBC 1995 series of Pride & Prejudice – including an exhibition featuring original costume from the 1995 filming, usually housed in London.
So why not mark your calendars and have your bonnets at the ready!
Get behind the wheel of over 50 classic British cars from yesteryear for an experience full of nostalgia and personal memories.
Drive Dad’s Car offers a unique opportunity to drive some of the most iconic vehicles ever produced in Britain, like the Sunbeam Rapier Convertible, Rolls Royce Silver Spirit, Ford Capri, Reliant Robin and the beloved original MK1 Mini.
Located in Ambergate, Drive Dad’s Car offers a trip down memory lane. Each drive is accompanied by a friendly, knowledgeable instructor to show you the routes and accompany you on your 20-minute drive.
The experience is offered on select days, so be sure to check operating days before planning your visit.
Whether you’re a lifelong car lover, simply curious, or would love to experience your dream car, Drive Dad’s Car invites you to relive the golden age of British motoring.
Drive Dad’s Car is located at Great British Car Journey, an award-winning interactive classic car museum, boasting a collection of 150+ modern British classics, including one of the last cars to roll off the Longbridge production line.
Great British Car Journey illustrates the rise and fall of the British motoring industry from the early 1900s to the turn of the century.
Each vehicle tells a story – from Elton John’s Bentley to the car that was used to chauffeur British High Court judge Sir Fenton Atkinson during the high-profile trial of the Moors murderers.
And entry to this, and the on-site Filling Station Cafe, is included within your Drive Dad’s Car Journey.
So why not pull out the choke, turn the key and hope that it starts! Whether it’s dad’s, mum’s or even your own first car that you’d love to be behind the wheel of, why not make a day of it in Ambergate?
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