Square and Compass

Some easy-peasy family strolls include the ramble up to Nine Ladies Stone Circle (20 minutes’ walk) to spy the Bronze Age formations, or a potter around the manicured grounds at Chatsworth House (15 minutes’ drive). If you can persuade the kids, you could also tour the sumptuous house filled with priceless antique treasures, and reward them with a visit to the petting farm and adventure playground afterwards. Days out with younger kids might encompass pony rides and lamb feeding (in spring) at Matlock Farm Park (10 minutes), or a watery ride on the log flumes at Gulliver’s Kingdom. Major pulls for older offspring include cable-car journeys up to the woodland trails and illuminated caves at the Heights of Abraham (both 15 minutes), or perhaps a day on the adrenaline rides at Alton Towers (45 minutes). Rainy day? Keep everyone busy with a visit to the swimming pool and soft-play centre at Arc Leisure Matlock (10 minutes), see a film in Chesterfield (25 minutes) or go deep underground on a guided tour of the mining tunnels leading to the Waterfall Cavern at the Blue John Cavern (40 minutes).