Nottingham city centre
Nottingham Castle · Photo: Roy Hughes
Spend the morning at Nottingham Castle, where the Robin Hood gallery and optional cave tour keep children busy under cover. After lunch, head beneath the streets on a guided caves tour, then finish with hands-on science experiments at a free windmill museum in Sneinton.
Castle · 10:00–12:30 (2h30m)
Start in the Robin Hood gallery, then let them loose on the timber adventure play area.
An indoor and outdoor castle in Nottingham.
Photo: Roy Hughes
Landmark · 13:30–14:30 (1h)
Book a tour slot after lunch; a sandstone maze under the streets.
An indoor and outdoor show cave in Nottingham.
Photo: Stephen Richards
Museum · 15:00–16:00 (1h)
Free hands-on experiments with light and magnets to end the day.
An indoor and outdoor museum in Nottingham, aimed at ages 4 and up.
Photo: James Haynes
East MidlandsLeicester
The National Space Centre fills a morning with rockets, astronaut kit and a planetarium show. Afterwards, swap space for dinosaurs and mummies at the free museum on New Walk.
National Space Centre → Leicester Museum & Art Gallery
East MidlandsCastleton
Day one goes underground: a boat ride through a flooded mine, Blue John caverns and a hike up to a Norman castle. Day two heads up Mam Tor for big views, then out to the Derwent dams for an easy lakeside cycle or walk.
Peveril Castle → Treak Cliff Cavern → Speedwell Cavern → Mam Tor + 1 more
East MidlandsMatlock Bath
Ride the cable cars up to the Heights of Abraham for show caves, woodland play and views down the gorge. In the afternoon, step into the story of the first factory at Cromford Mills, free to explore.
The Heights of Abraham → Cromford Mills
