Sundown Adventureland is a theme park created especially for younger children, offering a few of colourful rides, themed zones, and imaginative play areas. From tractors and pirate ships to indoor play barns and storybook villages, it’s designed to spark creativity and keep little adventurers entertained in a safe, family-friendly setting. The park is most enjoyable for children up to around 10 or 11 years old. Older ones, particularly around 12, may find the rides a little tame compared to larger theme parks, but many still enjoy the atmosphere, theming, and chance to join in with younger siblings. Overall, it remains a super good family day out.

We went to Sundown Adventureland yesterday and honestly, it’s just wonderful. The attention to detail is incredible — everything feels so intentional and full of imagination. You notice something different every time you visit, and there’s something special for every season. It’s such a magical place for the kids, but it brings out the child in you too! It's so much more than just another attraction, you can really feel the love and care that’s gone into every part of it over decades.

What a wonderful place to take young children! Everything is designed perfectly for your little ones, with interactive displays all around the park, lovely rides and soft plays. It was a shame to have one of the attractions closed because it's not the biggest place already but I'm sure it will reopen soon. I must also mention the fairytale village which was one of my favourite parts! Little houses from lots of fairytale stories that the children could explore and press buttons inside. Sundown was spotlessly clean and well kept and the effort that has gone into designing the park has got to be commended. My children loved it! Lots of space to spread out and play freely... opportunities to meet the characters. We never queued for a thing!!!! Went on the rides as many times as we wanted and practically had the whole park to ourselves! We also stayed onsite at Wild Acres which was really cute. My only criticism is that the bed wasn't very comfortable and it didn't have a proper sofa to relax on when the kiddies were in bed. The hot tub was beautiful and the decoration of the lodge was so magical. We booked our stay for Monday to Friday but that was definitely too long. You'd only need two nights 😊

Absolutely loved our stay here, especially the children there was loads to do there, massive sandpit, loads of different play equipment, the cabins are lovely to stay in, has a small little shop where you can grab essentials, and an adsa 15minutes down the road, only thing I would have to say on the cabins is that the sofas are not comfortable at all, especially if you suffer with bad backs , the beds however are just amazing so comfortable, the fridges needed have a good clean and freezer defrosted, we had a hot tub which was amazing, all the cooking equipment you need is there. The food from the restaurant was delicious

Visited Sundown Adventureland during the summer holidays and had a great time! It’s a lovely park with plenty to explore and so much for kids to enjoy. Lots of fun areas, rides, and themed zones that keep little ones entertained all day. There’s plenty of parking, and it’s definitely worth the money. A fantastic day out for families!

I took a gamble and drove 3 hours to visit Sundown. This adventure was for my sons 5th birthday. I am so pleased we went ! I can not stop raving about it to my family. There are two massive inside soft plays. My children 4 and 5 absolutely loved them. There are walk ways in and around, so u can easily keep your eye on the children. We went in the 6 weeks holiday and it wasn't rammed. There are lots of seating areas and a large variety of drinks and food to enjoy whilst the children burn off there energy. The little rides were brilliant fun and exciting for the children. My son absolutely loved the barrel ride, and the tractor ride, and with no long ques he went on it over and over again! The entire place was well looked after. Clean and tidy! Staff were welcoming and you could see they enjoy there jobs. Entry fees include all rides, so there is no additional costs. You only need to pay extra for food. However, there's lots of inside and outside seating so picnics are welcome too. The miniture villages were magical. The children spent ages exploring inside all the houses. We arrived at opening 10am and left at closing 5.30pm. There was so much to see I advise two days. I can't wait to visit again. My son was jumping around all day telling me "this is the best day ever". And it sure was, for all of us. Please visit this place. You don't know what your missing. It really is a hidden gem.

Highly recommended. So much to do and see, my 3 year old had soo much fun. I'll defo go again but booking in advance it is cheaper.

Amazing weekend out for all the family. Look for a hotel stay with extra day free park entry tickets because you will need 2 days, at least, to see everything. Park is large, good selwxtion of animals and animatronic dinosaurs. Lots of play parks, soft play, indoor play, cafes and restaurants. Staff in the park, hotel, and shops were exceptional and very informative. Costs are very reasonable for food and gifts.

It's a fun day out for everyone! There's loads of free parking, but stick to the regular car park unless you're staying at the hotel. The animals have big enclosures. You can find the feeding times at the entrance. You can buy a map at the entrance or download the app. I reckon the best way to see the Park is to go right after you get through the turnstiles. Head through Pangea, the dinosaur bit. Watch out for the spitting dino! It'll take you 2 to 3 hours to walk around. Wear comfy shoes. There are plenty of places to eat and picnic spots for the kids. Drinks and snacks are a bit pricey, but hey, that's what you get when you're captive audience! We visited at the beginning of October and saw at least 90% of the animals.

Very good parking and a large footprint. Contains several play areas and eating establishment's. A good variety of animals and good viewing areas. In windier/colder weather, be aware that some areas are closed off and there's a chance you may not see certain animals. Could be better signposting throughout the park in my opinion. Overall it is worth the visit.

What a day! I honestly felt like a little kid again. It’s been years since I last visited a zoo or wildlife park, and I was completely in my element. The staff were so friendly, the animals were fantastic, and the walk-through areas were an absolute highlight. Such a lovely experience from start to finish – I can’t wait to go back!

Fantastic place. Awesome day out, animals look very well looked after with big enclosures, originally went to see Capybara due to an obsessed child, nice little walk around to be within a few feet of one. Plenty put stops to eat or have a picnic. Highly recommend.

Visited many times in the past but this time it was for the Light Festival. Couldn't fault anything. Food options at The Hive are varied and obviously lots of things to do/see - although of course most of the animals were abed! The staff were helpful and kind , even after a long day of helping. Easy to get to and exit - but that's by car. Can't speak about other transport options. The Light Festival is worth a visit; it's truly a 'walk-of-art'!!

Nicely laid out, great attractions and plenty of different animals, it was nice to see them in decent enclosurs. Went for the Halloween event which had 5 sections to find, they was big ques but they didn't make you feel rushed. Will definitely visit again.

Went to visit as it was recommended to me. Good size carpark for cars and coaches. I found it very interesting as I took the tour around the house first then went inside exploring all levels of the house. There's plenty to see and I spent 4 hours exploring the site.

Visited this week with my twin's, what a history lesson rolled all into one. Very sad 😔 mixture of emotions as walking around. School's should definitely visit here to educate the kids and how hard England was back then. My twin's understood just how lucky they are. Definitely will come back.

This is one of the first workhouses. It's fairly smaĺl, but has everything you would expect. There is a small cafe here with the normal NT fayre in it, but I think in mid summer it may become crowded. Great place to bring children, to learn about the realities of 1800 Britain. I reccommend the external 30 min tour which you can book at the visitor centre when you get inside.

This is certainly a unique property owned by the National Trust. It gives the visitor insight to the living conditions of the residents of a workhouse that has stood here since 1824. Rooms are set up to recreate the life of the residents with separate wings for men, women and children. Everything is explained on placards and there are volunteers to answer questions. The tour is self guided. This place was very busy for late September, and there were no less than three school groups touring the workhouse on the day we visited. Lots of activity. There is a former hospital/nursing home on the grounds as well that is open for touring. The building holds a cafe and there are toilets should you need them.

Really well presented and so interesting to see the history of what was originally a test site evolving from the poor law. So glad the National trust saved it from the developers. Thanks to the amazing volunteers as ever 👏

Fascinating place to visit with lots to explore and learn the history of the building. Plenty of parking and a nice cafe. Well worth a visit.

This is a really special place that has lots of great stories attached to it. We managed to be there at a time where we could go on a guided tour where we found out lots of facts, stories and were able to ask any questions. The philosophy of the workhouse is explained well and really makes you think about not only the conditions of life there, but the alternatives that were/weren't available. The infirmary is a 'mark in time' and it feels like it has just been left 'as is', only without the medical professionions and service users there. It still smells like a hospital and this only adds to the fascination when looking around. I believe opening hours are limited so please check the website. Access to the car park can be found using what3words ///monkey.brief.tadpole

Brilliant family day out, something for everyone here. Enough rides to suit all ages and queues were fairly short. Indoor areas are great with plenty to keep children entertained, perhaps aimed at more younger children but the dark themed slides and play area is great for all along with the rapids ride. Classics like the pirate ship and log flume for all the family to enjoy. Easy to navigate around the park. Free parking available and gift shop at the end. Purchased a family photo which can be taken upon entrance. Highly recommend for families. Great value with family pass which we purchased via offer code at half price. Bargain! 🌟

We are theme park connoisseurs and this park definitely is one of our top five parks in the uk. As we have kids under ten, this park has things to cater perfectly to them. It's a perfect size to be able to cram every ride in. The queues are small and the atmosphere is very nice. There's a large, soft play and separate aerial ropes. And drop slides. There's a farm on top to. Great visiting during halloween, as there is a pick your own.

Great park but definitely more suitable for small children. Our 9 year old wasn’t as enthused and entertained as our 6 year old. Quite a long queue for some of the rides which meant the kids were getting fizzy. Water wasn’t working either whilst we were there so had to use hand gel - provided by the park - this wasn’t the parks fault though. Good choice of food at decent prices and the place itself was kept nice and clean.

Every member of staff were a delight (apart from the woman in the paying booth.... They were kind and considerate and very child friendly! The rides were great as our two are ten and haven't really been on anything like that much. Excitement overload. The indoor slides and lazy river were a godsend as it was bitterly cold. There were some animals in the barn, and we enjoyed feeding them (50p for feed from a self-issue machine). Especially as the llama and goat were trying to eat the feed out of the machine! And the Shetland pony kicking the door to get more food. There were rabbits and meerkats too. The kids enjoyed picking a pumpkin too which was free with the ticket. Who knew choosing a pumpkin would bring so much delight. Thanks Twinlakes it was a blast!

It's a good value for money with ONE big but, as long as your child is over 90cm. Otherwise there's virtually no rides they can be allowed on. They would not let you hold them on your lap and go down the water slides in the splash zone either. Animal wise it's quite poor in terms of variety. Nice picnic areas. Decent cafe and indoor playground. Car park is decent size but on the rainy day it's a bit of disaster especially if you have to go through it with a buggy.

Went on a Sunday for pre-birthday fun with our daughter, well laid out park with plenty of things to do, small wait for some rides but nothing extreme. Longest wait for for the food as one poor guy was manning the BBQ shack by himself during the lunch rush, He did an amazing job tho! I saw at least 2 people litter picking, surly one would have been better supporting the cooking?

Nice little park suitable for smaller kids. I would say probably 6-10 year olds will have the most fun but might be a bit boring for older ones. You can see some (mostly) farm animals there as well. Most rides are looked after by teenage looking staff which wasn't the most comforting thing although they seemed to check everything properly. If you don't expect any thrills for yourself and just want to offer your young child some good times i would recommend.

Been here before. Plenty of shops and food quarter to eat in. Stayed in hotel near by so could return with better photos. Plenty of security staff and shops clean and tidy. Had taco bell which was nice and hot. Popeyes which I found quite spicy. Overall shopping centre with lots of choices. Being on Sunday was very busy. And car park looked full. Xmas lights looked nice.worth a visit once xmas sets in.

Meadowhall is a massive shopping area right next to the M1 motorway. Been around a few year now and needs more upgrades in certain areas. Lots of parking in privately owned car park free for a certain amount of hours. Lots of big brand shopping outlets for everyone’s needs regardless of age or gender. There used to be a lot more individually owned shops rather than just jig department stores which is a shame. I would go in the week if possible weekends are mental. No supermarkets but a M & S so most things covered. Worth going to for sure.

Meadowhall is a huge shopping centre, so huge that I felt overwhelmed. At times I was disoriented and had no idea which section of the shopping centre I was in. Virtually every high street shop is present along with a few independents. My favourite shop was Lindt Chocolates. If you enjoy large shopping, you may live Meadows which has great variety of shops and eateries!

Meadowhall remains a bustling shopping hub, offering a mix of retail, dining, and entertainment. The Oasis Dining Quarter provides various food options, making it a great spot for a break during shopping. As for Motorfest, it was a spectacular event featuring Hollywood cars, classic vehicles, and even Transformers like Bumblebee and Optimus Prime. The event also supported Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice, with charity. Visitors enjoyed live music, arts and crafts, and even supercar passenger rides for donations. It was a truly great experience.

Came for Christmas shopping. Place was easy accessable for my wheelchair. Beautiful decorations there is an abundance of different things to shop for and veriaty of food to eat

Love meadowhall with its range of shops and free parking. Plenty of places to eat too. I would not advise going in school holidays or as Christmas approaches,on a Saturday. It does get very busy but we enjoyed our visit on a Friday late November.

Great shopping center and easy to reach via public transport, has a train station. Plenty of parking. It's huge, very easy to get lost but that's all part of it. Pretty much every shop you'd imagine to be in such a large place. Plenty of good food and things to do. Definitely worth a visit.

A great day out for all. Beautiful gardens, surrounded by stunning scenery and extraordinary sculptures. Well worth a visit. The gardens are situated in a valley so you need to be fairly fit to walk down and back but the slopes and steps make it possible even for older visitors.

Loved it here. Beautiful park full of loads of amazing sculptures. Lots of areas to explore. I particularly enjoyed the William Kentridge exhibition and the chapel too. Highly recommended and look forward to my next visit.

A random day out, selected by my daughter. I had never heard of the place but found it really enjoyable. The day we went was early November, very misty with a slight drizzle toward the end if our time, this actually made the atmosphere quite eerie. £9.50 entrance fee seemed fair. We only had a few hours so want to go back probably on a sunny day as there is a lot more to explore.

Yorkshire Sculpture Park is a wonderful place to explore, with amazing sculptures set in beautiful, peaceful surroundings. It’s easy to spend hours wandering through the open spaces, enjoying the artwork and relaxing atmosphere. The park is well-kept and offers plenty of facilities, making it convenient and comfortable for visitors. Overall, it’s a great spot for a calm day out filled with creativity and nature.

This has long been on my list and well worth it. I was bowled over with the exhibits, enjoyed myself even with the rain. Plenty of trees to shelter under. Huge park, the site map shows routes and distance, a few times I was disorientated needing some more signposts. I worked out I walked over 12k with my round trip and gallery walks. A fun Art Studio in the Underground Gallery with objects, paper and coloured pencils to create ones own art. Accessibility: Good, one room I thought was difficult due to the door and the gallery in the Chapel. Otherwise Lifts, Ramps and accessible Paths. Scooters and Wheelchairs for hire. Some hilly areas, and you need to get onto the grass to get close up to quite a few sculptures. Car Park: Not too far from the entrance with parking for disabled nearer. Staff: Friendly and helpful. Toilets: In the main building and another set in the park. Disabled loo.

Plenty to see, though you do need to be wide-ranging in viewpoints about sculptures. The sculptures range from simple "Ah yes, I can see what that is." to "OK, but from where I am it looks more like a ...." So, you need to be open minded. There are big names in art and less well known. The works are displayed mainly in open parkland so be prepared for a walk. It is possible for disabled visitors to borrow either a wheelchair or a Tramper (mobility scooter) to roam far and wide.

The sculptures are set in beautiful grounds and the sculptures are extremely varied. There are a number of location maps around the grounds but I feel where individual pieces are could be made more clear.

A good day out for all the family, make sure you check out both ends of the site. Lots of history and exhibitions which are all interesting. The staff are really friendly and helpful, always willing to tell you stories of pit life and work. However......few things that let it down: 1. Car park not the biggest when events are on. 2. Many of the hands on exhibits were either broken or not working... Disappointing for the kids. 3. Outdoor play area showing signs of age and worn or broken parts. But the worst......was the café....very slow service, menu limited(if you find one) and very expensive and poorly presented. No price list in wall. Coffee was cold and took an age to make. Shame about the above points, as I think we would go more....but until it improves probably not.

Completely free unless you wish to donate. Helpful staff. Was there on a quite day so we got to experience the exhibits. The later half after the nature walk is definitely the best bit. Quite a few of the attractions were not open and some of the electronics were not working. We went on a Sunday. Big plot, lovely walk and lots of nature around. Some of the machines looked great, but had definitely seen better days. All in all a decent and interesting day out

Great museum. Spent a good few hours there. Unfortunately no underground tours at the moment due to strikes but still had a really good day. The tour of the bath house and time tunnel were both fantastic. Walked through the nature trail to see the pit pony centre.

Power house and cafe was closed today. Would be good to have a couple of motorbike parking spaces out of the way. Rest of the museum was great. Staff very friendly and helpful. Tour guide Jack 😉 to take us down the mine was very informative and knowledgeable.

Fantastic place to visit book and go down 140 meters to the coal face Joe took us down very knowledgeable and a laugh to boot couldn't ask for more thank you childrens play area and picnic tables. Cafe closed when we went so unable to comment on it but overall highly recommend going

Absolutely brilliant. This is a great family attraction. My second visit after a good few years. We did the underground tour, with Gaz our guide. I have to give this man a massive shout out. On our tour we had two nervous little boys. Gaz was brilliant with them both and really brought them into the tour. A great sense of humour and a marvellous singing voice. On our way back to the surface he sang a very haunting song. His voice carried so well as we ascended. It gave me goosebumps and I admit, I filled up. While you are getting kitted up, have your photo done. We spent five hours here and I know we didn't cover everything. The train ride was great and the two guys on duty were lovely. Chatty and cheerful, with a great sense of humour. Visit the cafe for a beverage and a bite to eat, you won't be disappointed. The gift shop is well stocked and here you can collect your photos. Toilet facilities and parking onsite. We paid £7.50 parking and £7.50 each for the underground tour. They also give you a souvenir tally. Lots to see and learn about. The mining history can be quite sad. A fantastic day, well done to all the staff at Caphouse, we will be back 😀

A lovely place with friendly staff. You can spend about 1.5 hours visiting the museum and there is a large playground for your kid.

Compared to other castles and British monuments, this attraction isn't very extensive. It essentially consists of two buildings: a medieval mansion for receiving guests, and the castle, where the nobility resided. Furthermore, since the attraction was once abandoned, most of the furniture and decorations are missing or damaged. Despite this, it's still well worth a visit. The castle is built on a magnificent hill, offering stunning views of the surrounding area from the castle gate. The interior is also unique, and wandering through the rooms makes you feel like you've stepped back into the Middle Ages.As a half-day family weekend trip, followed by a good lunch, I think it is very good.

English heritage site well conserved with good information. Spectacular views on clear days. Dog friendly in areas without a roof, except for the café. Friendly informative staff. Fairly good free parking around Bolsover. Only negative is signage to the castle. Well worth a visit.

Nice little castle to explore in a great setting with lot's of ruins. The smaller castle is very interesting, with lot's of winding stairs, marble fireplaces, paintings, architecture etc. Some great views from the castle and there's also a nice walled walk accessible from inside the castle. I'd probably say it would take 2-3 hours at most to explore everything. There's free parking and also some additional parking nearby that you have to pay for. Also on site There's a small playground that is quite good, which is very close by to the cafe. We didn't use the cafe so not sure on prices - quality of food. There's also a few benches around so you could sit and bring your own food if you like. There's a nice gift shop there to, which is definitely overpriced but they always are. There's also a nice wetherspoons nearby if you wanted breakfast/lunch. Staff were very helpful and knowledgeable here.

A very small castle, but my goodness what a history. to be honest you can normally walk around it in an hour but on my visit 25.8.25 there was a jousting display and static displays of medieval life with interesting talks. A superb family day out for all ages. I really can't recommend joining English Heritage highly enough, the whole day, and it was a whole day was fabulous.

Great castle and stunning views. We went while the Halloween events were on and my 6 year old absolutely loved it. I think it would have been nice for more information to be around to read, for those of us that didn't pick up an audio guide (they are hard to listen to with a young child running around), some short descriptions of each of the rooms around the castle would have been really interesting. But overall really enjoyed our visit!

We visited Bolsover Castle to 21st November 2025. It is a fabulous Castle, there is plenty to do for all ages. A very nice coffee shop and gift shop, children's adventure playground and plenty of outdoor seating. The Castle very interesting to walk round. There are some out of this world veiws of Derbyshire from the Castle.

Bolsover in my opinion is the best example of 17th century castles I've been to. Built purely for entertaining royalty and the hierarchy it truly shows how the other half lived. I recommend you book online if you are not a member of English heritage and allow yourself at least 3 hours to look around,free audio machines available for free which are very informative.

It was our first visit and we hadn't realised how big the site was. We recently had English Heritage membership, so had free entry. There was ample free parking and the ruins of the old house and impressive newer house. Lots of interesting history and rooms you can access, such as Bess' bed chamber. Lots of tapestries, including one made by Queen Mary. Nice shop and cafe and beautiful gardens. Plenty to see and do.

A really amazing place to visit. We only expected to be a couple of hours at most, but there was so much to see. The visit also includes the adjacent old hall ruins. The house is stunning, and the interiors are decorated with the most amazing embroidery which hangs from almost every wall and room. The volunteers are very friendly, knowledgeable and passionate about the property. We took our dog and he was welcome in an area of the restaurant, which was nice as it was cold and raining. We would have liked to walk more of the grounds and gardens, but the weather put us off. They do look stunning and I'm sure on a better day would have been very enjoyable.

Fantastic to look around. Amazing house and gardens, easily able to spend a full day there and more. I could just look at the tapestries for days! Well worth a visit if you're into history or just beautiful places.

We haven't been here for quite a few years and we're pleasantly surprised, there is a lot more to see and do. The guides were interesting and knowledgeable but not overpowering like at some properties. A very pleasant day out 😁

Expect an expansive estate as the drive from the entrance to the parking lot must be a mile long. This property features two historic buildings: Old Hardwick Hall and the Renaissance style Manse known as Hardwick Hall. Bess of Hardwick was born in the original hall and had it renovated to impress guests in 1587. When her 4th husband died and she came into substantial funds she built the latter and present day manse. We were able to tour both with our National Trust memberships (via Royal Oak Society). One can climb to the top of the Old Hall for a bit of a view of the countryside if the weather is accommodating. There are no handrails, though, so take walking sticks if you think you need support while traversing the original stone steps. The Manse is huge and the tour is quite extensive. It is self guided but volunteers are available for questions. Some unique features are the longest Elizabethan Long Hall in the National Trust holdings. It has 450 year old tapestries hanging on the walls. There are also four noble women tapestries that Bess designed specifically for this house. She was obviously quite a talented woman. There are some gardens along the front and the back of the house, but not a formal designed style like you see on some properties. Parking was in a very large lot a bit of a distance from the entrance. There is a cafe on the grounds that offers a delicious cream tea as well as a myriad of other delights, all reasonably priced.

Intriguing place punched atop a hill looking out sadly over the M1 now, but back in the day it would have been quite the most magnificent spot for party's. Some old Yes topiary and magnificent Cedar of Lebanon stand century in the garden providing a great contrast from the pinkish yellow stone and unbelievable lead pane windows which adorn the hall.

A wonderful historical place of interest with stunning tapestries. We spent a very happy 3 and a half hours there. Checking out the history of bess's family, with help from the very knowledgeable volunteers. Strolling the gardens and climbing the 127 steps of old Hardwick hall. Then stopping for a very tasty cheese scone and coffee in the restaurant.

Nottingham Castle played an important role in Britain's history. Apart from being famous for being home to the Sheriff of Nottingham, the castle was a strategic stronghold during England's civil war in the 1600's. Today the castle is museum that houses exhibits of Nottingham's lace manufacturing, studies surrounding the "Major Oak" in Sherwood Forest, and many other interesting displays. Outside the walls is a statue of Robin Hood that is a must see for visitors. Beneath the city is a network of caves that are also present at the castle. Booking a tour of the castle caves provides visitors with much more information about the history and importance Nottingham Castle has played in Britain's history.

Cool castle ramparts encasing a grand mansion steeped in history. Highly recommend booking a cave tour to explore the tunnels within the castle rock. The guides are hugely knowledgeable and give you a fun, educational, story-filled experience.

Nottingham Castle looks impressive and full of history, even from the outside. The grand architecture and its position overlooking the city make it a striking landmark. The grounds and surrounding area are beautifully kept and offer great photo opportunities. A must-see spot that captures the heritage and charm of Nottingham!

The castle is nice but was expecting more of a castle then an art museum. There are few interesting exhibits. The castle looks nice from the outside, the grounds are nicely maintaned offering nice views over Nottingham. The price is a little high for the experience. The Robin Hood experience is nice but is more of a playground for kids with interactive stuff, for adults kind of boring. The cave tour was nice but to pay extra for that, above the entrance price can be pricey for some folks compared to the experiance. The staff is nice and hepful. You buy tickets at the entrance or online waiting in the queue is the same to enter. Next to the castle you'll find a mini square with the statue of Robin Hood. The Forest exhibition is let's say ok but doesn't really impress, a natural woodland walk might be better. One visit is enough honestly, doesn't make any sense to visit the castle again especially if you travel from a bigger distance. The location of the castle is very good, in the city center, car park buildings close by. The souvenir shop and restaurant is nice.

Nottingham Castle is a great mix of history, legend, and modern storytelling. The museum inside offers well-presented exhibits about Robin Hood, local art, and the city’s past. The castle grounds are beautifully maintained with lovely views over Nottingham. While the original medieval castle no longer stands, the experience is still engaging and family-friendly — worth a visit if you’re exploring the city’s heritage.

The staff were all very helpful and friendly entry price is reasonable but..... I was expecting more castle. I am aware that the castle is self was destroyed many many years ago. I enjoy looking at castles in their various states and wonder what they would have been like. The exhibitions were informative and interactive.

A great day out, the caves tour is a must and was an excellent way to start our visit. Then all the exhibits actually inside the castle were really engaging and interactive! I felt like there was loads to do and I learnt loads. Also the view from the top over Nottingham was lovely!

Visiting Wollaton Park was a dream come true for me as a Batman fan. The moment I found out this was the filming location for Wayne Manor in The Dark Knight Rises, I knew I had to see it—and standing there in front of Wollaton Hall honestly left me in awe. The building is absolutely stunning, with its towering windows and intricate stonework. For a moment, it really felt like I was stepping into Bruce Wayne’s world. The park itself is just as beautiful as the Hall. Wide green spaces, autumn leaves scattered across the grass, and peaceful paths made it feel both grand and calm at the same time. I could’ve stayed there for hours just walking around and taking it all in. The staff were also really friendly and welcoming, which made the visit even better. You can tell they care about the place and its history, and they were happy to chat and answer questions. Overall, it was a fantastic experience. As a Batman nerd, it felt like a pilgrimage to Wayne Manor. But even if you’re not into Batman, Wollaton Park is still an incredible spot to explore—beautiful, relaxing, and full of character.

Great place to visit. The car park is £5, I paid for this in the shop, giving them my number plate. The park is very extensive but it was fantastic to see the deer so close. The house is fascinating with all the natural history displays. This was £15 but the ticket lasts a year. The gardens were also very nice and the view down to the lake was beautiful. The cafe was ok, not the largest selection of food and the drinks were all served in cardboard drinking cups. All the staff everywhere were very friendly and helpful. The shop was nice to look around and standard prices. The toilet facilities were good and clean. There were some near the cafe and in the house. I definitely recommend a visit. On a warm summers day it would be a lovely place to bring a picnic and make a day of it.

Visited the walled gardens specifically. A wonderful, relaxing and fascinating project to restore the site. Lovely volunteers working at the site and amazing progression being made. Only open set times during the summer for tours. A warm welcome. This is a very special place.

This is very good place. This is wollaton hall gardens and dear park location is in Nottingham wollaton Road Nottinghamshire. Here is lake. Here is golf clup as well. Here is kids playing area as well. Here is parking available. But you need to pay for parking. Here is you can see dear as well

The park is about 500 acres. Many children at the playground, families on picnic rugs, deer wandering through acreage. Camellia House & Wollaton Hall are so different. Enjoyed every moment.

Lovely grounds, plenty of deer and a nice walk in fresh air. There are toilets, a café and gift shop.if you need them. You need the Ringgo app to park and pay £6.10 for all day.

What a wonderful place for a walk, the gardens are beautiful and it was lovely to see the deer and the birds, especially the Mandarin duck. We didn't go into the house this time but will definitely look around next time we are there. There's a lovely cafe and 2 shops. Well worth a visit.

Steam train on a regular line. A spectacular day out. It’s a regular line and engine, now maintained by a volunteer organisation. There are both steam and diesel engines. The carriage has a great bar with local beers. The shops at the station have interesting gifts. People are super friendly.

Small,but perfectly formed line,with immaculately preserved stations. Staff very personable,great carriage stock,and excellent value for money,with a great addition of the museum,adding to the all round experience. Fantastic to be on the iconic platform, as featured in the Railway Children,and of course,the quaint smallest station in Britain. My son is a railway enthusiast,and adored it. Highly recommended

Really enjoyable train ride. Good views. Travelled in a carriage that didn't have a bar, however when stopping at Keighley and Oxenhope, there's enough time to get off and grab a drink. Great for kids too. Some carriages are accessible for prams. Would advise getting on earlier, we got off in the evening and it was getting busy

I myself recently re-visited the historically renowned keighley & worth valley railway on saturday 8th of November 2025 (with my P.A. accompanying me), we travelled by train from morley/leeds all the way up to keighley... went up the steps and across back in time once again as we descended onto platforms 3 & 4 for the heritage train bound for oxenhope, Throughout my latest revisit to west yorkshire's branch line heritage railway, We checked out the successfully uniquely restored old water tower/column on platform 4 - which I consider a splendid site to behold - whilst we waited for the oxenhope-bound passenger train, which was hauled by that brilliantly uplifting ex-LMS stanier black five tender locomotive number 44932 that gave us (and the rest of the other passengers) an enjoyable train journeying up the valley of the river behind the KWVR's very name (as well as it's nature), It was great revisiting all the stations along the line, especially Ingrow (west), Damems, Oakworth, Haworth, and of course the outstanding Oxenhope - from where we watched the brilliantly steaming balck five run-round it's train bound for the return journey back down to keighley, I also took plenty of photos, well, quite a lot... along the line, especially safely from carriage window, for whom I do hope the KWVR itself really likes them, as I hear by share some as part of my latest review on west yorkshire's branch line heritage railway. Hope to come back & revisit the KWVR someday.

Booked the Haworth Haddock and had a fabulous time. Steam train from Oxenhope to Keighley, fish & chips, on board bar and the brilliant Night Patrol played on the platform. You can pick your tickets up early which allows you to travel the line during the day. Staff are lovely, they all work hard to make sure you have a good night. Fabulous to see such enthusiasm. Well worth a visit but if you get the chance for one of their themed events definitely book it!

£16 for full line return £23 for all day hop on, hop off Lovely journey with picturesque views. Some journeys are diesel, others steam. Check which ones but some have hot drinks and snacks available on board too.

A lovely day out. Diesel and steam were running. The engine sheds were open and very informative. All the staff working that day were friendly and helpful. We bought a Rover ticket which allowed us to hop off at station's along the line.

Came here to watch Pink Floyd Dark side of the Moon in the planetarium. The show was one of the best I've ever seen. Amazing atmosphere in the planetarium. The visuals and sounds were perfect. We also had a good look around the space centre itself. Properly cool place with absolutely loads for kids and adults to do and see. Very educational and we will be bringing our kids to have a look. Thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience and will definitely do it again

The NSC is an amazingly well curated museum with interactive elements and immersive shows in the Patrick Moore Planetarium inside, shows last 25mins. They even have a real rocket! and you can take a lift to see it from above. It's well suited to kids and adults (we never grow up really) and you can touch space objects and interact with some scientific tools and even play some games to test your astronaut potential! I spent 2ish hours there and there's still more that I didn't get a chance to experience. Tickets were £20 & that gets you an annual pass. The cafe they have is great too, they do hot food and good coffee and even an awesome giftshop! You gotta go :]

The National Space Centre is a fascinating place for both children and adults. It’s especially engaging for Generation Y and millennials, showcasing the Cold War era, the development of technology, and the first steps in space exploration in an immersive way. You can step inside a Mercury capsule, see how astronauts eat and live, and even sit in a period-style room to feel the thrill of watching a rocket launch to the Moon on a vintage glass screen. The planetarium, presented as an animated journey, is truly impressive – even for adults. It’s a wonderful centre for both learning and fun, and the best part is that with just one ticket you can return all year round. Highly recommended! 🚀✨

Where do I start. The place was amazing. The staff and the exhibits were exceptional. So much great information to digest and lots of things for little ones and bigger little ones to do. There were a lot of people in, but it never felt packed. The cinema show was brilliant and way more immersing than we thought it would be. The gift shop had a great collection of toys as well as interesting gifts specific to the Space center. A great day out and it would've recieved 5 stars if it wasn't for the poor cafe that was let down by a lack of choice and the cleaning of the eating/utensil areas which was really poor. The staff serving were great super friendly on all departments but the eating areas were disappointing. Still won't stop another visit to this wondrous place.

Located north of Leicester city centre, the National Space Centre is an amazing day out for kids and adults of all ages. Filled with interactive and educational activities, award winning shows on immersive 360 degree screen, and lots more to see and do. Super helpful and attentive staff, great gift shop, lots of space to sit. Buy ticket online for free annual pass upgrade without hassle. Kids could spend the whole day in here to learn and play. Bring your own lunch to avoid weekend and peak time queues.

This visit has been a long time coming, after trudging the M1 for three decades and seeing the brown sign for the National Space Centre I finally found time to visit, and it was no disappointment in the slightest. Many facts and exhibits tie into loads of classic films, articles and milestones from over the years and lots for the kids to learn about along the way. A great day out and at the moment (summer 2025) the artists elephants are all around Leicester. The planetarium is incredible! Please go and enjoy one of the midlands great attractions that you might have missed.

I been there for first time, lovely place with many different views. I can see there is a plenty space for car parking. Amazing location with foods, and gifts. I was so happy and excited to be there and to be part of this. I will share few videos and photos from this amazing place. Highly recommend.

Went to Chatsworth for the Christmas markets, light trail and to see the house wonderfully decorated for Christmas. Really enjoyed the decorations in the house, which was a nature theme this year, bringing the outside in. The grandeur of the house is magnificent, with a great history, you can wander round at your own leisure. There are guides in every room who are friendly and very approachable ready to answer any questions you may have. There are lots of places to eat and drink and some nice gift shops, plenty of toilets and amenities for baby changing and people with disabilities. The grounds are extensive and well kept, I particularly liked the rock garden, which looked lovely lit up. The market is very good, with all the usual Christmas stalls, selling gifts and food/wine/ gin tasting, most off the stalls I did notice were card only, I did draw some cash out and ended up spending it in the gift shops. The ground the stalls are on is all got a ground cover on so not muddy. There is plenty of seating areas for when you grab a coffee or burger etc.

We enjoy visiting Chatsworth House. This time an art exhibition was on display, which changed the experience in a positive way. We don’t always get to see the animals, but we were able to this time around. The weather was great. The staff were helpful. We had a poke around the shops. A lovely day out. I would recommend to anyone, especially if you haven’t been before

Visited Chatsworth Christmas on the 23rd November. It was truly a lovely day. The Christmas market is excellent, very different from your average UK Christmas market. The quality of food, drink and products on offer was brilliant. Definitely visit the Scone hut, they are truly to die for. Chatsworth House Christmas display is outstanding and walking the garden just adds that extra dimension to a great day. Add in the gift shops and the overall atmosphere and you will not be disappointed. If you are local in Derbyshire then do one thing, go to Chatsworth, its a no brainer.

The Chatsworth Christmas ticket gives you access to the House, unlimited entry to the gardens for one day, and you can also access the Christmas market (which is free). It’s a lovely day out and well worth the ticket price. Be warned, food and drink inside is very pricey (but what do you expect?). I’d recommend the Stables for something lovely and warm that doesn’t break the bank.

Fabulous visit to chatsworth house & Christmas Market. Lovely stalls to look round. You will love the house with all the Christmas trees and the wonderful decorations. The walk round the gardens were just wonderful too. So worth a visit at this time of year.

An absolutely magical, Christmas experience! The house itself is mind blowing and each room makes you gasp with how much detail and care has gone into each and every decoration. It was laid out perfectly and even had sounds and scents through each experience. The gardens were beautiful to walk through and the Christmas markets were spectacular 😍 There was something for everyone to enjoy there! I cant wait to come back again next year 🎄✨️🎁

Bought tickets well in advance to visit the house and also the Christmas markets. My family enjoyed visiting the house, it's very easy to get around there are a few staircases which you need to navigate. As the visit is in preparation for Christmas there are lots of Christmas trees beautifully presented throughout and the staff are very helpful and informative. I thoroughly enjoyed the Christmas markets; having been to lots of busy public access Christmas markets like Manchester, Liverpool, York etc it was a fantastic relaxing experience to be able to walk around freely and visit the different vendors. Will certainly look at returning.

Bradgate Park is truly a gem, an incredible place to unwind, take a long walk, and just breathe. It's the kind of spot where nature does all the talking. The landscape is vast and beautiful, with open spaces, ancient trees, and a peaceful atmosphere that helps you disconnect from everyday life. It used to be quieter, and while it's more popular now and can get busy, there are still those rare, quieter days when you can enjoy the serenity and really take it all in. If you're lucky enough to visit on one of those days, the peacefulness is something special. Perfect for a picnic, a long stroll, or even just some time to sit and think. Just a tip bring everything you might need, because you might find yourself staying longer than planned. It’s that kind of place.

Bradgate Park itself is beautiful – really enjoyed walking around and especially loved seeing the deer roaming freely, which made the visit feel quite special. The scenery is lovely and it’s a great place to spend time outdoors. That said, the parking felt quite extortionate, which does take away from the experience a bit, and the men’s toilets could definitely be improved in terms of cleanliness. Overall, worth visiting for the park and wildlife, but a couple of practical things could be better managed.

Bradgate Road leads to the stunning Bradgate Park, a truly beautiful and expansive place that’s perfect for anyone who loves the outdoors. The park is filled with wildlife — from grazing deer to a variety of birds — and its natural scenery makes it ideal for both relaxation and exploration. Whether you’re after a quiet stroll, a scenic jog, or a full day out with family, the area offers something for everyone. There are designated BBQ spots, picnic areas, and clean toilet facilities that make visiting convenient and enjoyable. The walking and running tracks are well-maintained, offering routes for all fitness levels and interests. Overall, Bradgate Road and its surroundings provide a peaceful escape from the city, combining nature, history, and recreation in one truly lovely destination.

The park is beautiful. What I didn't like was the amount of dogs off leads near the deers. This included a pit bull. Owners need to be wary at all times as deer are loose everywhere. Great for photographers. I parked in the south woods carpark as it is £2 all day.

A beautiful park and a great place for hiking, walking, and simply relaxing. It’s always thrilling to see wildlife up close here. Toilet facilities and cafés are available both at the entrance and in the middle of the park, which makes it very convenient. You can easily spend the whole day enjoying a picnic and connecting with nature and wildlife. There’s plenty of parking available — £5 on weekdays and £6 on weekends for the full day. It’s also good to see that bins are placed throughout the park, helping to keep it clean.

What and incredible place! Visit the ruins and the gardens. Take a walk alongside the stream. Or hike up the rocky hills to take in the panoramic views and pay your respects at the war memorial. Deer and Peacocks wonder freely around the grounds. This really is a stunning part of the midlands. When you need to rest your legs you can pop into the cafe to refresh, grab a bite to eat and take bathroom break. There's something for everyone to enjoy regardless of your physical abilities. I came via public transport from Nottingham. The number 9 Kinchbus took me from West Bridgford (Notts) to Loughborough (Auberry Gap stop), and then I got the 154 Centrebus from the Auberry Gap stop to the reservoir at the Bradgate Park. The stop which takes to back to Loughborough is also right next to the reservoir wall. I believe the last bus back to Loughborough is at around 18:30, and then there are multiple late buses back to Nottingham from there

Fantastic parkland with a large expanse of green space, some striking landmarks and remarkable prehistoric rock formations. Bradgate Park dates back around 800 years, when it began life as a deer park, a role it still fulfills today with a large herd of Fallow and Red deer. It's also home to the impressive ruins of Bradgate House, one of England's oldest brick built houses, and amazing ancient oak trees, many of which date back over 500 years. The park is maintained to a very high standard and has a number of entrances, each with their own parking area (charged daily at a reasonable rate) and public toilet facilities. Tearooms are located near the reservoir and the Newtown Linford entrance. The path is crossed by a network of well maintained and clearly signposted paths, ideal for dog walks and popular with families. The Newtown Linford entrance is best for short, easy walks past the stream to the house, while the Hunts Hill entrance in the upper part of the park is best for more challenging walks to Old John Tower and the Leicestershire Yeomanry War Memorial. These high points offer expansive views over the surrounding countryside and the Leicester skyline, with rugged rocks in the foreground. We stopped here on the way to the Peak District thinking the park would be a more interesting way to break the journey than a motorway service station, and were very happy to have done so. A real suprise that exceeded all expectations.

Really interesting place with lots to explore..! I went to see the current exhibition about magic and superstition its very cool! Beautiful gardens and stunning scenery too. Lots of uneven floors and steps so not great for people with mobility issues and I wouldn't fancy taking a pram..parking is charged extra so be prepared for that. Highly recommend 👌

A beautifully renovated medieval manor house hosting a delightfully styled exhibition about Elizabethan connections to magic and mature, informed, educating and entertaining. The beautifully designed gardens are a pleasure to walk around and the host volunteers are friendly and welcoming. There is a lovely restaurant on site, best to book in advance as it's popular. A experience, highly recommended

Great place, we visited during the Magic exhibition and thought it was really well designed in both exhibition text and visually - it was stunning to see in the Hall. Guides were good- especially Chris M who showed us all of the scorch marks and was really informative. The café is small but the food was great. On our way out we were looking forward to the gift shop but found this disappointing, nothing about or related to the Hall or the exhibition. Though it's good to work with what I assume are local small businesses, a core retail offer remaining would have been appreciated as we aren't local so won't be back. The lady running the admissions desk kindly returned after closing so that we could at least buy the exhibition guide. Parking was easy with an attendant and payment was taken on entry as the exit barrier was faulty.

A truly beautiful Christmas Market! What makes it special are the loads of lovely independent stalls—a perfect place to find unique gifts. This is an absolute must-visit during the Christmas season. You'll find that an afternoon or a morning is plenty of time to fully explore. When you get hungry, the on-site cafe offers reasonably priced food, while the food stalls have the standard pricing you would expect at any Christmas market.

It's a smallish medieval country house which is an independent business compared to those often operated by the National Trust. It's quite interesting architecturally but there's not a whole lot to see yet admission prices are quite high. We went whilst they had a theme on Magic and Superstition which was reasonably interesting if quite condensed. The cafe wasn't bad with a decent selection of food and drink offerings Make sure you are steady on your feet as there are significant amounts of uneven floors and stairs

24th September 2025 about 2pm. Firstly, there is a car park across the busy A6 road which is 50mph and really ought to be 40mph to enable pedestrians to cross more easily and more safely. The car park is £4 regardless of how long you stay at the hall. We witnessed an older person trying to exit, who didn't park close enough to the card scanner, had to get out of their car but failed to exit before the barrier came down. That happened 3 times! It's not that the barrier doesn't stay up long enough, it was just that he was older and slower and stopped too far away. The hall is wonderful and a real treasure that is preserved and has hardly been renovated. A very magical place with an interesting history. There are a lot of uneven surfaces so watch your footing. We didn't go in the restaurant as it was quite late. Overall well worth a visit. I highly recommend it. 25th September 2025, as we only got a short visit and felt we loved it and perhaps missed something we went back the next day. It really is a peaceful, magical place and has a bit of an Alice in Wonderland feel to the garden. Perhaps it was all the roses 😁 some of which were red... It was literally buzzing with life and you can look down to Dorothy's bridge which is a beautiful little bridge. There's a bit of a romantic story to go along with the bridge too. We saw a Dipper bird amongst the rocks in the shallow water too.

We went to Haddon Hall Christmas market today. At first it seems tiny, but as you explore the Hall, there is more stalls than you think. Very arty crafty if you're in to that sort of thing. Not many food stalls and the question for coffee were horrendous. The one down side is a lot of people attend which makes for some very cosy moments inside the hall, because the rooms are quite narrow. If you hate crowds, avoid it. A pleasant experience, but far too crowded for me.

Driving up to Kilworth House Hotel feels like entering another world. The long, winding drive is framed by towering trees on both sides, their branches forming a graceful canopy that hints at the grandeur ahead. As dusk falls, the scene becomes truly magical — soft, hidden lights scattered among the trees illuminate the way, creating a spectacular, fairytale-like glow. It feels as though you’ve stepped straight into the pages of a classic costume drama, where elegance and charm reign supreme. The hotel itself exudes timeless beauty, with warm, welcoming interiors that perfectly balance luxury and comfort. One of the most memorable experiences is enjoying a tastefully served dinner before the theatre performance. The restaurant offers refined dishes and impeccable service, making the evening feel effortlessly special. Just a short walk from the hotel lies the Kilworth open-air theatre, a unique gem nestled within the grounds. In summer, the atmosphere becomes even more enchanting — guests relax on the grass with a glass of wine, chatting softly as they wait for the performance to begin. The setting sun, the gentle hum of conversation, and the anticipation of theatre under the stars make Kilworth House a truly romantic and unforgettable experience.

A beautiful hotel, situated in the countryside. The beds were comfortable and th food was amazing. The only reason this is a 4-star review instead of a 5-star is that i felt the service on my second day there was not consistent with my first day.

My friend & I decided to treat ourselves to a Murder Mystery Meal in the Orangery as a combined birthday present. The opulent surroundings, cosy atmosphere and excellent food did not disappoint...only wish we had booked accommodation. We had been to Kilworth House before for their Outdoor Theatre which is also a fantastic experience .

Visited for Sunday Lunch with friends. I'll start with the positive. Place was lovely, grounds beautiful with well cared for plants. Staff were friendly and attentive and very smart in their uniforms. On the negative side. We had to replace 3 wine glasses that had evidence of lipstick on the rim - think you need to check the dishwasher. Menu was £32 for 3 courses - the option to have 2 courses would have been good. Although starter and dessert choices were good the mains were limited. This was not helped by the salmon dish unavailable then when ordered the replacement seabass, only 2 portions left. An £8 supplement to have the roast beef also seems excessive plus the pork, even for belly was excessively fatty. Finally when the menu states that the cheese comes with quince jelly and grapes - don't serve it with pickle and miss off the grapes. All these issues were pointed out to our waiter so not blind siding you here.

We got married at Kilworth House in October. The staff were absolutely amazing, Caroline was so helpful from start to finish and we felt so well looked after. We were able to put all of our trust into the staff at Kilworth, and our wedding day was beyond perfect. The food was amazing and everyone commented on how much they loved the rooms and enjoyed their stay. The staff were all so accommodating and we are very grateful to everyone for making our day so special. Thank you!

Staff are lovely, especially Rosey in the restaurant whom is friendly, funny and professional. This had a huge impact to our lovely stay. The 4 stars rating is because personally I found the pillows too flat leading to an uncomfortable nights sleep.

Drinks so so expensive really feel like I've been ripped off. 7 quid for a pint if shandy £9.70 for a gin and tonic absolutely been robbed. We went to see twist and shout the lady singers looked stunning but christ the men needed sorting out. The jackets were to small one was even ripped. These three really were not a good look need to shape and smarten up guys. Will not go and see this act again.

We had a brilliant day out here. The house is really interesting and all the staff were very knowledgeable and super helpful. The gardens were lovely, as was the church. The cafe and restaurant were great and the shop and book shop were full of tempting goodies. Loved the whole day.

There is a LONG drive to the entrance. Be sure that your GPS takes you to the correct one. Calke Abbey is maintained a bit differently from other National Trust Properties. The Trust chose not to try to bring it back to its original glory, but rather, to leave it in the condition in which it was received, which includes wings of rooms in disrepair. Tour is self guided but volunteers are frequent to offer explanations or answer questions. One of the unique holdings is a state bed made for King George I in 1715. The bed linens were found by the Trust rolled up in the basement. Since they were in perfect condition, the bed is set up as it would have been and preserved behind glass. Another was the caricature room whose walls were covered with humor satirical pictures. I found it to be quite entertaining. The dining room featured some outstanding decor, simply presented. The main entertaining room was filled with glass cabinets loaded with taxidermy. Not my favorite but that is how the family had left it to the Trust. One particular wing has rooms that are in complete disrepair with the ceilings falling, wall paper peeling, and loads of broken furniture haphazardly tossed in the room. Not at all what one would expect while walking through a National Trust Site. Calke Abbey is perfect example of a country estate that was barely held together in the 20th century. Many similar country houses did not survive to tell their story. We are National Trust members (via Royal Oak), so I cannot attest to the cost of entry. Parking lot was within easy walk of the entrance. No reservations were needed.

Had a lovely dog walk around the beautiful grounds of Calke with friends, I can’t believe I’ve never done this before, being fairly local. The gardens were beautifully maintained and the gardener was happy to stop his work and have a chat. There were outhouses with interesting artefacts to see. We walked the tunnel, dogs weren’t quite sure about this, but we loved exploring. All of the staff were friendly and helpful. What a pleasant place to work at. Had a light lunch in the cafe, it was extremely busy, so there was a bit of a wait for the coffees, but by the time the drinks were served, the warm quiche was ready, so perfect timing. There were plenty of dog water bowls dotted around which was good, as it was a hot day. I will return to this national trust gem.

Superb property, that's been kept as the trust found it in its decline. The house has loads of interesting items in it and the room guides are very knowledgeable. The brewhouse tunnels were decorated for Halloween and were good fun. The church is also worth the walk. The usual cafe and giftshop on site.

I came here today with my partner for a couple of hours, sadly didn't take many photos. The restaurant is nice, the gift shop is cute. The house and the tunnel is great too. As a National Trust Member it is great that we get access to this place. Because it rained we didn't end up looking at the gardens/trails. I definitely recommend a National Trust Membership to come here to visit and other places around Derbyshire.

Fascinating " unstable home" Handed to the National TRUST in 1981 in a very run down state. Continues to be preserved as the family left it. Servants tunnels, ancient kitchens, cases of taxidermy, antiques and general decay. Amazing place. Wonderful gardens, great dog walking and lovely cafe. A full day out to explore.

Calke Abbey is a really interesting house to visit as most of it is in it's original state so you can appreciate it as it was. The volunteers are very knowledgeable about the history of the family. Outside there are grass areas and woodland to take a walk and there's a lovely walled garden and cafe area to visit.

my wife and i went on sunday 2nd may, The place was heaving, not much social distancing going on. The Website says "...We have restricted admission tickets per day with the priority being to ensure social distancing is adhered to. Our visitor capacity will be reviewed regularly.".. This is rubbish as the car park was so full we had to park on grass right near the very end, it took us ages to walk to the entrance. we saw 2 Giraffes, 1 Rhino, a few chimps , 2 Tigers, some Lemurs and Penguins, not much else as there were queues / crowds for anything that was open, including the shop. in my opinion vastly overpriced entrance fee for what is available. won't be going again.

Rip off car park charges.

Not impressed. A lot of the animals are locked away in their quarters. Also to cold for a lot of them to come out

Clean surroundings, well cared for animals, helpful and polite staff.

Good zoo and always looking at new areas for animals.

Amazing zoo. Great place to spend the day

All good.

I enjoy all the fun slides. The changing room is clean. You get a cheaper price when you book in advance. The downside is a lack of signage of where the water park car park is located and one of the claw machines is faulty.

A really nice and atmospheric water park, with plenty of theming. The water was warm and clean. The staff were polite, even though it was busy, they still had time for everyone. The only problem was the amount of time we spent quing to get an inflatable for the slides. It was also a cramped waiting area for the inflatables. But apart from that, we had a really nice day out.

We enjoyed it. Fun place to take the kids and we will comeback. The toilets however were dirty I attribute too it being very busy. Also it took a while to find a parking spot at least 20 minutes so I suggest arriving at least half an hour before your booking.

Was quite anxious as my 7 and 10 yo went off in different direction. Staff friendly and had the use of AI life guarding, continually scanning swimmers and those in trouble. Rides where great, queues manageable, pools warm , food was a bit pricey. Parking free.

Never been here before so took the grand children who had a wil of a time. Recommend fast track if you can afford it as there are long waits og up to 2hrs on some rides.

Pretty average water park. Firstly, there is only one big slide (master blaster) which I waited about 70 mins for. There are also lots of reliability issues with the slide and almost every time I get in the queue for this slide it end up stopping for 10 mins. The changing rooms and even parts of the water park smelt terribly of urine and a lot of the changing rooms are dirty. Also the lockers require 20p so keep that in mind. There are also some flumes outside which have a short queue for each one but are really fun. I also enjoyed the smaller ring slide which I only waited 5 mins for. It seems everyone just goes to the master blaster leaving the rest of slides with barely any queue. The water park is quite crowded and areas like the lazy river and pool get really busy. If you really like water parks then I suppose it’s worth a visit but if you aren’t that bothered then I’d give it a miss.

It all started with Doug in reception who was polite, helpful and welcoming and it just got better after that. The 20 Pence man was fabulous and then all the staff poolside were great. The pool was warm, exciting and really fun. My 6 year old loved it. We will definitely be coming back. Well done Alton Towers.

I'll start with the car park. It's decent size and well maintained. I completely do not agree with flat rate you have to pay on top of the entry tickets. Regardless if you are there for just couple of hours, half a day or full day, still have to fork out another £12. Park itself is spread out across vast space. There's lots and lots of walking. Rides are decent. Other attractions are good as well. For us it worked out quite expensive as we've come with a child under 2 years old mainly to visit CeBeebies Land. I've managed to pop on some rides when he had a power nap. Overall we've enjoyed our time in there and definitely rate it higher than any other UK theme park. Problem is, once you've been to Universal Orlando and other Florida parks you gonna find all rides in any UK park not as thrilling and stunning as what they have in there. We've found all staff to be friendly, helpful and polite. Cleanliness throughout the park was decent including rest rooms. We've even found a nice kebab takeaway on site which was a plus.

We’ve been to Alton Towers three times now, and it never disappoints! Whether you’re a family, a couple, or a solo rollercoaster thrill seeker, there’s something here for everyone. With a little help from Cadbury’s (who will you take vouchers — are a huge help! As it can be a little pricey) we were able to enjoy another amazing trip. The whole park is lovely and clean, and all the staff we met were really friendly and helpful. If you’re planning a visit, just be aware that during peak times the queues can get quite long for the rides. We went out of peak this time, and it was incredibly quiet — barely any waiting at all, which made the day even better! Just a heads up also food in the park is very pricey if you don't want to take food with you, but as a one off it's ok. like us going three times we learnt to take sandwiches and snacks and bought a coca cola refillable drinks beaker we take everytime. We noticed families taking the travel trucks with their bits and bobs into carry around for the day of there is a large amount of you who which is a brilliant family hack. Some of the food wasn't that spectacular and very cheaply made as you would get in most big theme parks but some little hidden gems in the park were lovely like the coach house confectionary in gloomy woods serving up there social media viral black ice creams and sweet foods. Overall, Alton Towers is an amazing day out full of excitement, laughs, and memories. Can’t wait to go back again!

We had an amazing day in Alton towers. We went on a Scare fest event, it was brilliant. I really recommend to download the app to see the waiting times in queue as well as if it’s closed or having a weather delay. It’s good to see every ride update so you don’t make any unnecessary walk. To be honest even the 45mins ques were quick. Staff were very friendly and helpful, food is nice but pricey. Bring comfy shoes and snacks!!! We went for opening which allowed us to go on every main ride. The scare mazes were fantastic, the themes the actors were spot on!!🖤🧡 Both day and night time all the resort looks very stunning with the rides lighted up and the Alton Castle! 🏰 all the park is very looked after. Definitely coming back next year!

Great visit everytime. The food stalls are expensive but if you can take some food to save yourself some money. Definitely recommend visiting during scarefest even if you dont do any of the scare mazes. Staff are brilliant they keeps things moving quickly so the ride times stay as low as possible and the park stay open 9pm meaning you can get to go on the rides in the dark. Which is well worth it!

Honestly hands down best theme park in the UK. The theming is immense and absolutely mind-blowing. Has the best rollercoasters in the UK and the best inverted coaster in Europe. The food is amazing Sand is worth it, especially the loaded fries on Tower Street. The Smiler is one of the most intense rides out there and is definitely a coaster worth going on, even if you are far away from the park it is definitely worth a visit. Loads of kids areas to adventure but some big areas for the thrill seekers. My favourite coasters in order: 1. Nemesis Reborn (Got on it 2 times in 1 day and got front row) 2. Smiler (Can be rough sometimes but is so thrilling) 3. Galactica (Really underrated and immense fun) 4. Wickerman (Best wooden coaster in the UK bc of Megafobia) 5. Oblivion (Short and boring after the drop) 6. Rita (The launch into the turn is amazing and forceful) 7. THI3TEEN (The droptrack's airtime is absolutely stunning) 8. Spinball Whizzer (Quite painful and colours don't suit Alton) Haven't been on: Octonauts Rollercoaster Adventure, Runaway Minetrain. Honourable mentions: Toxicator (Best flat ride in the UK coming in close with Samurai. Sharkbait reef (I love fish and this was cool for a Theme Park) Hex (I love the story and the ride is quite unique) Congo River Rapids (Great family ride) So overall the price is worth paying and the food is worth eating. You should go to Alton Towers if you are wanting thrill and you can also go if you need a family day out with the kids. (Scarefest at Alton Towers is the best Halloween event at a major theme park throughout the whole of the UK and the vibe of the park already fits a Halloween vibe)

Look I totally get that there may have been issues with staffing as it was the last day of scare fest, but we still paid the same amount then any other days. Ultimately I have seen a huge difference in the service from staff at the resort, I’m not talking about the ones on rides or at the guest services, the main issue is the food and restaurants staff and the facilities. Shocking difference, the attitude on some of the staff and the serious lack of any customer service. It was like they have just grabbed a load of teenagers out of school and plonked them down, in all the restaurants and food stalls. 1. Total mess around the food stalls including hotdog stand. 2. Unlit areas when they have organise for night rides and attractions there were broken lights everywhere and massive dark spots across the park, including near the food stalls as. 3. Toilets, this shocked me as I had never experienced issues with unclean toilets at AT before. Really smelly and no cleaning staff in sight. Almost every toilet in the resort had an issue . 4. Lots of areas of the park were closed as they were setting up for bonfires night, it was almost like an excuse for staff to behave like the resort was half closed. 5. Monorail stunk of alcohol, first thing in the morning and generally needs to be cleaned up it’s old worn and looks uncared for. 6. Staff at the video stalls after a ride has some serious attitude problems, not all of them, but sone would just stare at you, not saying anything, and then mumble and give annoyed looks. The attractions/rides, as always were great. And the actors of the scare mazes were brilliant. but what makes Merlin entertainment brilliant is the whole magic of the resorts and the magic was definite missing and most of the staff just didn’t care, this could be because of the way they’ve been treated who knows but I was very disappointed, it’s lost its magic for me.

Absolutely amazing place! Definitely recommended for all the family If you're an older family I would recommend two days - would also recommend looking at the Waterpark as it is fantastic for all the family Only negative that you would expect, the food, drinks and merchandise is expensive so make sure you save up if you intend on eating and drinking on park

It was great to see so many vehicles designed and built in Britain, but suddenly, to see the decline, even though it's been that way for a while, was a little depressing. Great experience though. The kids (2-7yo's) loved it too. Particularly the land speed cars at the end. Tickets are valid for a year so can go back again and again.

This experience is truly exceptional and perfect for the entire family. Whether you're looking for an exciting adventure, a chance to bond over shared activities, or simply some quality time together, this destination has it all. I highly recommend you visit and see for yourself the delightful attractions and engaging experiences it offers. Don’t miss out on creating lasting memories together! Cars are fun for all ages.

There is a lot to take in here. If you have children (currently Children 5-16 £8-£9, Under 4 s free - but cheaper with GO CV 2025) then it is filled with activities for them to do. I think it is always like this - not just during school holidays when I visited. There is a good range of locally built cars, bikes and motor cycles. The Jaguar 'section' brings a modernity to the historical units here, as does the Land Speed Record Thrusts 1 and 2. I was hoping to see a Jaguar C or D type but sadly not here. There are a few tractors, light military vehicles, trucks and buses, but the vast majority of the displays are cars and (motor) bikes and cycles'. The Triumph / 1970's / 80s sections were good - the range is fairly narrow as they are Coventry or locally built models. I couldn't quite get why there were some examples from Birmingham and surrounding areas - there were a lot missing if that's the rationale. Still, better to see them than not. It isn't as big as I thought from the outside. I like to see inside the vehicles but there were a lot where I couldn't do this, partly because of the way they were displayed - maybe not enough room? I think it was the unpainted monocoque shell of a Jaguar XJ220 hanging vertically - but I couldn't see any info on that. Signage was generally OK. The basic floor plan map (attached) could do with a bit more detail I thought, as could some of the displays. The 4D simulator wasn't working on my visit (30th Oct 2025) However, apart from the small bits of nit-picking above, there were so many interesting things to see. There were several unexpected delights too. Cars using fabric instead of metal, cut-aways of cars and car parts, some really unique cars, the 85th anniversary Blitz section, a huge collection of model die-casts (e.g. Matchbox) and much more. Definitely worth the entrance price - which is cheaper if booked online. The ticket is valid for readmission for a year. So, maybe when I come back (and I will) I will get to try the 4D simulator. I had intended to adopt a vehicle(!), but for £100 a year, that didn't seem good value on inspection. I also had a coffee at Baxter Baristas (enclosed in the museum. It was pretty good. The home-made cakes looked tempting too. The toilet facilities only seemed accessible if you used the cafe? I parked very close-by at Bishop Street Car Park CV1 1JN. Cash - i.e. change, or app only. A reasonable price for a heavily pot-holed lot. Not sure if there are any security cameras here - certainly not visible. No directions to the museum from here though and about a 4 minute walk.

Easily a must see if visiting Coventry. I'm personally not a huge car fanatic, but there's no other place where you're gonna get to see the two fastest land vehicles ever made. That alone is worth the visit. Tickets are £15 if booked in advance and a around £16.50 if booked in-person on the day (for adults). However, while the ticket is valid for multiple entries for a span of 1 year either way, I'd recommend booking online in advance simply because it's cheaper.

Brilliant vehicle museum devoted to products made in Coventry or nearby. Huge collection very well presented. Interactive section for smaller children. Cars, bikes, motorbikes, lorries, armoured cars, buses, fire engines and the world's fastest cars.

Great museum, with lots of interesting cars and bikes from all times. Including the record-breaking Thrust 2 and similar vehicles. Takes around 2 hours to finish the whole museum, take that into consideration when parking your car. The one day tickets are only available for Coventry residents.

Unbelievable place. Absolute MUST VISIT for any motoring fan. It's got an unbelievable amount on display, from vintage to absolutely cutting edge motoring technology. Wheelchair accessible throughout, lots to keep kids/families engaged as well as anyone just looking to learn about the history of motoring or Motorsport or car design. Staff were outstanding, particularly Den who was a wealth of knowledge and, more importantly, passion for the museum and local area. This is a place not to be missed. Could send a half day here easily. Extremely highly recommended.

This was my 7 yr old daughters first visit to a proper theme park she absolutely loved it. I am not so keen on rollercoasters as I have gotten a bit older, however the roller coasters here, although fast at twisty, did not feel like they were trying to fling you out of the atmosphere. Very enjoyable rides, and my daughter is already itching to go back, and also eager to try something bigger and faster. The whole family enjoyed the small zoo which is there also. The Red Panda, Gibbons and Meerkats were the favourites.

Our family had the most wonderful stay-and-play experience at Drayton Manor Resort, and I can’t recommend it highly enough! My wife, our 5-year-old son, and I visited recently during their Halloween special, and it was a magical experience from start to finish. Everything — from the themed décor to the warm hospitality — made it one of the best family getaways we’ve ever had. The highlight of our trip was, without a doubt, the Thomas Land theme park. Our little boy is a huge Thomas the Tank Engine fan, and seeing his face light up when we entered was priceless. He absolutely loved riding on the Thomas-themed trains, meeting his favourite characters, and exploring all the fun rides designed especially for younger children. The park was beautifully decorated for Halloween with pumpkins, friendly ghosts, and cheerful seasonal music, creating a festive yet family-friendly atmosphere. Every corner had something new to discover, and it was clear that a lot of thought had gone into making the experience enjoyable for both kids and parents. We also stayed overnight in one of the Thomas & Friends-themed rooms, and it was simply amazing. The attention to detail was outstanding — from the Thomas bedding and wall art to the little touches that made our son feel like he was sleeping in Sodor itself. He was so thrilled that he didn’t want to go to bed, and the next morning, he didn’t want to leave! In fact, he kept asking if we could stay “just one more night” so he could go back to Thomas Land again. The staff throughout the resort were friendly, helpful, and always smiling, which made the experience even better. The food options were great, and everything was clean, well-organized, and family-oriented. Overall, Drayton Manor Resort is a dream destination for families, especially those with young children. We created some truly special memories and can’t wait to visit again — maybe next time for Christmas or summer!

Wow, what a season, and it’s not over yet! Well done Drayton Manor for the friendliest welcome, be it customer services, ride staff, and catering staff. New entertainment, more atmosphere, and an incredible Halloween theming, and the light and firework show last night 😱. We have had a brilliant year and look forward to Christmas! Keep doing what you do - great value great family entertainment 🙏

We had a wonderful day at Drayton Manor! The rides were fantastic, and we were pleasantly surprised by how many of the thrill rides our children were able to go on. The Halloween entertainment was excellent — our children especially loved the trick-or-treating experience. There was great entertainment and a fun atmosphere all around the park, with lively music adding to the Halloween spirit. The park itself was really quiet, so we were able to walk straight onto most rides, which was a huge bonus. All the staff were super friendly and really embraced the Halloween theme, which made the day even more enjoyable. We had lunch at Safari Pizza, and the family deal was great value for money. Later, we treated ourselves to Halloween milkshakes and a Halloween waffle while watching the water show — both were delicious and again, very reasonably priced. The water show was a lovely extra touch that we all really enjoyed. The zoo was another nice addition to the day, and it was lovely to see how well cared-for the animals looked. A few rides, like the rapids and the pirate ship, were closed, but honestly, we wouldn’t have had time to fit them in anyway — there was so much else to do! It’s a shame we don’t live closer, as we would definitely buy an annual pass. However, we’re already planning to return soon for the Christmas celebrations 😀 thanks !

Loved the Halloween theme. The park was not very busy. We had fast passes but didn’t have to use them. It’s great that they allow you to use the fast passes at a later date.

Drayton Manor is perfect for children up to about 13, or for teens who prefer medium size coasters. My pre teen enjoyed all the rides, it was the perfect fear level for her. There are 5 big rides, plenty of medium size rides and loadsss of little rides for toddlers. The theme was Halloween and the whole place was decorated lovely! We didn't get chance to visit the zoo, but we will definitely be back to do it all over again and make sure we save time for the zoo.

I did the stay and play offer for myself and my son. We had a free room upgrade when we arrived which was lovely. Included in our stay were two days entry to the park, fast track passes for rides, free parking and breakfast. Friendly helpful staff, clean and comfortable rooms. The park itself was tidy. Wait times for some rides were long, especially The Wave! Took ages for them to load the trains , giving half the train to fast track and half to regular waiting customers, just felt wrong considering how long we were waiting. Great for younger children with the Thomas land. My son is 17 and we still had an amazing time.

A truly breathtaking cathedral. The Gothic architecture is stunning, with its three spires creating a unique silhouette against the sky. The stone carvings and intricate details on the façade are remarkable, each statue and ornament telling its own story. Inside, the stained glass windows glow with vibrant colors, filling the space with a quiet, almost sacred light. The vaulted ceilings and fine woodwork show an incredible level of craftsmanship. It’s not just a place of worship, but also a masterpiece of art and history,worth taking time to explore slowly.

Today I finally did the tower and roof tour. It was amazing and the views from the tower are stunning. Got to see a lot of stuff you don't normally get to see too. The tour guides George and Alan were very knowledgeable and I learnt a lot of new stuff about the cathedral and Lichfield in general. Well worth the £18 as the tour was nearly 2 hours. Made my day and now when I look up on future visits I can say "I've been up there" 😁

One of the best Anglican churches in the region and in England. The church building has a great character don't forget to walk around the church to appreciate the lovely location and features of the church building. Going inside the church has no ticket, but donations are appreciated which goes towards the maintenance of the Cathedral. Volunteers were kind and helpful and can guide you around the premises. From the East side of the building you can go up yo St Chad's terrace and is quite and peaceful for a prayer and specially very positive vibes when hearing the choir. The giant table made with 5000 year Dark Oak wood! Worth visiting! Recommend checking the website, there is plenty of activities specially in the summer. For concerts recommend booking tickets in advance.

Lichfield Cathedral truly is a hidden gem. Although it’s only a short drive from the M6 motorway, it’s like stepping back in time. The cathedral itself has a grandeur to it which is unlike many other, smaller, more modern cathedrals. The outside of the cathedral is beautifully designed, in proportion, and well appointed with a variety of statues. The West door is huge and impressive with a variety of ornate Victorian carvings outside. Once you enter the cathedral, the visitors’ desk is staffed by polite and helpful members of staff who will guide you around the cathedral. The ceiling of the nave is particularly impressive and the grand arches are second to none in the UK. The stained glass throughout the cathedral is particularly impressive. However, when you get to the far east end of the cathedral, you will see the Herkenrode glass which is unlike anything you will see in any other cathedral in the UK. There were several treasures contained within the chapter house, such as the Saint Chad Gospel which make this cathedral a real pleasure to walk around and visit. There is parking nearby in Bird Street car park and the public toilets are easily accessed. The Minster Pool next door is also worth a visit to feed the ducks. Although Lichfield is not on the usual tourist trail, it is worth a detour. I can’t recommend this cathedral strongly enough.

A very good cathedral for visiting with family and friends. You will enjoy the outside area as well Inner sanctuary. Very well maintained. We visited during the time when there was a showcase of wild life photographers photo’s.

Such a beautiful peaceful place of worship. I am not a Christian but felt so welcome by all patrons I came across. I was astounded by the amount of colonial history from the empire, from flags, priests, infantry.

Large cathedral in centre of scenic Lichfield. Costs £5 voluntary donation admission. Extra to go into tower area. The cathedral has many beautiful stained glass windows. Lots of other interesting areas to visit within the building. A nice little shop selling a variety of souvenirs etc.

This was a late in the season visit. Not all the attractions and vendor stands were open. It did not spoil the visit. The best attraction was the falconry quest. The birds were amazing and the handlers ensured that everyone was buzzed by a bird. The barn owls was majestic and graceful. The peregrine falcon was fast and precise. When looking up at the condor as it flew over was awesome. At the end of the show I couldn't tell you what the birds were, but the sky was full. It was amazing, worth the 3 hour drive for this. The horrible histories maze was fun and informative. There are peacocks everywhere. Other wildlife in abundance squirrel's, Robin's and ducks. There are plenty of seating and concession stands. There are plenty of staff who are helpful. Yes there are a lot of areas accessible for wheelchair users but it is hilly in places.

The knights lodge was big enough for 3 of us nicely dressed with a modern bathroom- breakfast was good too - I'd recommend as a short stay. Castle speaks for itself don't miss the dungeon tour - absolutely brilliant my son is 8 and loved it best £6 pp I think iv ever spent

Had a fantastic day with my dad. Birds of prey are fantastic! Really loved seeing them! Lots to see and do. Lot's of choice of food and drink. It's well worth the money. The car park has plenty of space. It's a good day out for the family or just going your own. The castle was really good! Something for everyone. 😁👍. Plenty of toliets. Clean.

Amazing! I enjoyed spending half a day visiting this stunning castle. It’s so big and beautiful, I could stay there the whole day. I love to go again.

Absolutely amazing visit to the castle for Halloween!! The special touches everywhere for Halloween were super fun. It was a great day out with the family with lots of performances, some Karaoke, plenty of food options and lovely views from the top of the towers. Definitely a must visit!!

My friend and I had a wonderful day at Warwick Castle. Such beautiful grounds and such an interesting place to visit. We loved the guides tours, so engaging and informative. The bird of prey show was absolutely outstanding.

A Truly Magical Day at Warwick Castle! From the moment we arrived, Warwick Castle completely exceeded our expectations. The grounds are beautifully maintained, and every corner feels steeped in history. The live shows were absolutely fantastic — the Falconer’s Quest was a standout, and the actors really bring the medieval atmosphere to life. The staff were friendly, knowledgeable, and genuinely passionate about making the experience memorable. We especially loved how interactive the exhibits were — perfect for families and history enthusiasts alike. We left feeling like we’d stepped back in time for the day. Highly recommend to anyone looking for a fun, educational, and truly magical day out. We can’t wait to return!

The building is really mislabeled. There’s one room with Art which may have 20 canvases. One of them is quite a nice place but otherwise if you’re coming for Art, you’re not going to find anything that you want. On the other hand, if you’re looking for a museum with a great coverage of the history of Birmingham, the top floor of the building has a very excellent series of exhibits on this topic. That’s not why I came here, but I did enjoy it quite a lot. If you have kids, there’s a dinosaur exhibit on the lower floor. I think it’s 9 pounds for adults and free for kids. Otherwise, the museum is free. There’s a nice coffee shop.

The museum was outstanding. Very clean, staff were very knowledgeable and friendly, and very considerate when providing assistance, especially to those with additional support needs. There's portable chairs behind the doors, a great personal touch when you're spending a few hours in there. I visited from Manchester to see the Ozzy Osbourne exhibition, the Made In Birmingham exhibition, and paid in to see Giants whilst I was there. Highly recommend and will be returning in the future. Gift shop was great, with lots of different quirky items connected to the exhibitions.

really great place, went for the ozzy osbourne stuff but i was pleasantly surprised by the rest of the displays. I like how everything in the museum is relevant to Birmingham or England. I felt like i got to learn tge place’s history. Everything was really informative, interactiv, and the whole experience was beautiful.

Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery is a true gem in the city! The museum offers a wonderful mix of art, history, and culture, with something to interest everyone. The galleries are beautifully curated, featuring impressive fine art collections, fascinating local history exhibits, and world-class pieces like the Pre-Raphaelite paintings. The building itself is magnificent, with stunning architecture that adds to the experience. The staff are knowledgeable and friendly, always ready to share insights or help guide you through the exhibits. It’s a great place to spend a few hours learning, relaxing, and being inspired — a must-visit destination for anyone coming to Birmingham.

Lovely gallery! Lovely and huge and lots of things to see in there aswell as a lovely and spacious cafe, bigger than the cafe in my local gallery!!! I enjoyed my pumpkin spice latte that I had in the cafe it tasted just like the one at Starbucks, but better than Starbucks 👌🏻 and the Ozzy Osbourne exhibiton that's on at the moment is fab 🖼️! I will be back! We both loved the gallery with a passion 😊

Really interesting place to visit. Lots of variety in terms of exhibits and things to do. Plenty for people of all ages. The Staffordshire Hoard is a great section and displayed excellently.

I came here many years ago. Back in the days when they had a museum full of art. Now there's very little but there was a nice section on the history of Birmingham. As much as that was a nice touch and it being free, it felt like there was so little to see. There's the classic over prices gift shop and coffee shop inside. But you'll not spend long in here any more sadly. Hope you enjoy it more than I did. Enjoy.

There is a helpful little tip for visiting - in the corner of the gift shop there is a lift back up to the toilets. These are back at the beginning of exhibition so you can head round again to pick up any bits you missed! It is a great half day out with the kids. The centre feels like it could do with some updating and refresh on some of the side activities but the exhibits are all great, and the feeding / talk times flow quite well through your visit. The staff are all super friendly and helpful, our daughters especially loved the roaming pirate!

It was am awesome experience! I'll be honest when I first went in, I thought it was quite small, however it is extended at the back so it was indeed quite spacious. Easily took us 2-3 hours to explore the entire place at a slow pace with a 5 month old. The penguins were adorable at the start, the amount of fish in each aquarium space was quite adequate. I did wish we could see the otters though, only managed to catch s tiny glimpse in the room at the far back. The area with the jellyfish was so mesmerising. There were different photography stations located at multiple areas. You could take photos at each station, and at the end you could choose which pictures you'd like to buy and what package. Overall there was a lot of cleanliness, tanks were clean, the walkways were clean too. We ended up going at a busy weekend, but still could easily manage to get around with a baby pram. There was however a pram parking area, if you will, to store the prams if you'd rather do that. Definitely worth a trip.

Visited on a Saturday with pre-booked tickets and went straight in. It was as busy as you would expect on a weekend. Theres a route to follow and as long as you are patient in certain places you can see everything (unless creatures are hiding) There are some additional options like photos taken and a VR experience included in the admission charge. There is quite a bit to see and different areas. There are toilets at the start and halfway through, there is a shop at the end but no cafe. It takes around 60-90 mins to go round but we didnt do any photos or VR. It does look a bit tired and dated in places and the enclosures look a bit on the smaller side especially for the Penquins and Sea Otters. We used Tescos Clubcard vouchers to pay but our tickets would have been £55.00 which is steep for what you get but, if you used all the things offered it might seem better value for money

National SEA LIFE Centre Birmingham: A Submerged City Escape ​The National SEA LIFE Centre in Birmingham offers an engaging and surprisingly intimate exploration of the underwater world, making it a perfect family outing in the city centre. While its footprint is smaller than some coastal aquariums, it packs a real punch, particularly with its signature attraction: the UK's only 360-degree Ocean Tunnel. ​Walking through this clear acrylic tunnel is genuinely jaw-dropping, providing an immersive experience as sharks, rays, and the beloved giant green sea turtle, Molokai, glide directly overhead and beneath your feet. This highlight alone justifies the visit, offering incredible photographic moments and a true sense of being submerged. ​Beyond the ocean tunnel, key exhibits include the playful Gentoo penguins in their icy habitat and the charming sea otters, Ozzy and Ola, who reside in the Mammal Rescue Facility. Interactive elements like the rock pool, where visitors can gently touch a starfish, keep younger guests highly engaged. Other sections, like the jellyfish displays and the Clownfish Kingdom, are vibrant and well-presented. ​While tickets can be pricey, seeking out available discounts or utilizing combination passes with nearby attractions like LEGOLAND Discovery Centre offers better value. Allow about 90 minutes to two hours for a comfortable tour. Despite sometimes being busy, the SEA LIFE Centre remains a truly "splash hit" and a memorable journey into marine conservation and discovery.

We had a fantastic afternoon here with my daughter and grandson! It’s such a wonderful place, and we especially loved watching the feeding the sea otters, Ozzy and Ola. The gentleman narrating was so friendly and knowledgeable, answering all our questions with enthusiasm. He’s a real asset to the centre and made our visit extra special — we only wish we’d caught his name!

It's OK for young children, not a long experience for the price so would definitely plan other activities around this if you are travelling into Birmingham. Staff are very friendly and knowledgeable and the venue is clean and tidy. The immediate area, Brindley Place, is clean and well presented and has parking nearby.

Awesome experience,amazing staff!! They have designated talk and feed times for penguins and otters, so you could enjoy that. Staff was very friendly and helpful. Specially enjoyed the penguins. Would have given a 5 or even more if otters were close instead of on screen. However I understand and appreciate that they need to adapt first to this environment before exposing them to public. Overall, it was a very fun experience and Happy Weekend instead!!

Beautiful riverside in the sunshine. Brunvh menu , no greenn red or fungi to bother with. Beautifully cooked poached eggs wgich could have done with being reheated. Excellent hash brown. Gluten free a difficulty as limited meny and staff didnt know and the one we had resented having to find out. Cumberland sausage was advised as gf and tasred good. Fingers crossed it was. This is a beautiful setting but nowhere as good as the restaurant on the 3rd floir. Lets the brand down. The manager said she would adress issues, i hope she does.

We went on my birthday for a pre-theatre meal. The service was exceptional. I was made to feel very special. There was a full vegetarian menu. The food was delicious. After the meal I was given a special birthday cake plate. Thank you.

We had a lovely pre-theatre dinner at The Rooftop Restaurant at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, and it was the perfect start to our evening before Cyrano de Bergerac! 🎭 The food was beautifully presented and full of flavour — from the delicious tomato soup and smoked salmon starter to the perfectly cooked main and heavenly desserts 🍰✨ Everything felt fresh and well-balanced. The service was attentive and friendly, and the view over Stratford-upon-Avon made the experience even more special 🌆💫 Even though I was fighting off the flu and stuck with tea instead of wine 🍵😅, it was still a wonderful birthday evening. Highly recommend for anyone visiting the theatre or looking for a relaxing, elegant meal in a great atmosphere! 💖

Came here for pre-theatre dinner on a Friday evening. At £35 for a three course meal, this was excellent value for money. The menu had lots of options and the we both agreed that the food and service were excellent. The restaurant decor was cleverly done, with great views across the park and river. This place most definitely exceeded our expectations.

We often eat at the Rooftop restaurant and have enjoyed excellent food and service, everything served in time for us to go downstairs and enjoy the theatre experience. However, on Monday evening, in spite of the restaurant not being very busy, we had to wait quite a while for our drinks and then we were served with such a delay that we had to rush our main course in order to ensure we were not late for the performance. Disappointing.It seems staff are much more efficient when they are busy as they seem to focus better: my g&t was presented with almost completely melted ice cubes , it seemed it had been prepared much earlier and then had sat on the bar counter for some time.

Lovely evening pre theatre with excellent service. Huge wine and drinks list (almost too much!) and nice food options. We had the vegetarian options which were delicious and they catered for GF very well. Overall will return and recommend

Special mention for the lovely Louise who made my mother and I feel so very welcome. She was friendly, knowledgeable and really took the trouble to ensure we had everything we needed. She is a real credit to you. Give her a pay rise! The “small plates” are a great idea. A full meal would have been too much for us so soon after breakfast and before sitting through a show. The interesting and delicious selection of small dishes and sides was ideal.(The little cubes of black pudding hash were especially yummy). It was also a very pleasant surprise to be offered complimentary sparkling water. This trip to the theatre was my gift to my mother for her 95th birthday.I can’t think of anything she would have enjoyed more and it will be a very special memory for us in the years to come. Thank you!

With not a lot of time to spare, we ran through this wonderful landmark and got a wonderful experience. Shakespeare’s birthplace felt like a familiar home even though it was our first visit there. The volunteers were incredibly helpful and friendly, went above and beyond to help and support each visitor. The tickets that we bought only covered Shakespeares birthplace but there was an option to see Anne Hathaways home which due to time constraints, we couldn’t do. I also believe that the tickets also allow you to go back over a 12 month period as many times as you want to. All in all, a wonderful place to see, visit and enjoy.

Drop in short visit to Stratford upon Avon, Shakespeare Birthplace. If you start from The Shakespeare Centre then gradually work around from there. Adult price was £30 might be worth seeing if there's discount codes to see if you can pick up cheaper tickets, there are concessions available. I would advise you to pre book online. The price includes Shakespeares, Birthplace, Ann Hathaways cottage and Shakespeares new place. As you walk through Shakespeares Birthplace you come through a large gift shop that's well worth a good look around, my apologies to the ladies in the sop for taking a video, however there's no problem if you care to take a picture. As you walk towards your next stop you'll pass the statue of Shakespeare ideal photo opportunity, to the bottom of the street turn right and just before the Guild Chapel is Shakespeares New Place. Ann Hathaways cottage is further away so maybe hop back into the car and set the GPS to get you there. A very nice walk is to be had along the river and around the park. As we had limited time we will be returning when we have some nice weather and we will make a whole day of it.Theres plenty of gift shops , cafes and bars a a reasonable variety of shops and through the summer there's boat trips to be had. All in all a nice place to visit with plenty to do.

I was very pleased with my visit. I travelled there via the park and ride. I was happy for it to be open on a Monday and as it was not too busy it allowed me to walk around the exhibition in my own time. It was a very informative visit as it included clear and easy to read information as well as volunteers who were well-informed and attentive to visitor questions. I would recommend the visit.

A fascinating place for those who love Shakespeare’s work. If you’re not familiar with his life or literature, it may feel a bit slow or less engaging. Plan anywhere from 40 minutes to 2 hours depending on how deeply you want to explore the museum and the surrounding exhibits.

I really enjoyed our visit to Shakespeare’s birthplace. We bought the 3 site pass at the door and visited here first. We started by going through and exhibit with some background and information on Shakespeare and then outside and in the queue to enter the house. There was about a 10-15 min wait to get into the house itself as we were following a school group. Inside the house there were staff in multiple rooms who provided background to the spaces and information on Shakespeare life and the home. We found it very informative. Before or after entering the house you can walk through the beautiful garden right outside it. The exit is through the bookshop/giftshop.

Lovely experience. Had a live theatre with famous lines being enacted by wonderful actors. Saw Macbeth / Romeo Juliet. There were guides inside to tell us about Shakespeare’s early life with his family. Lovely garden and a very nice gift shop. Bought some lovely souvenirs from there. Weather was perfect. Good reminiscent of life of Shakespeare.

Very charming street with a lovely park. BUT … VERY touristic. If focused on learning about Shakespeare, then this is the place to be. If focused on the Cotswolds and charming villages, then you may wish to skip Stratford Upon Avon and venture to smaller villages that offer a more peaceful experience.

This is a picturesque and historic attraction nestled in the Cotswolds. Built in the late 18th century, this iconic folly sits atop one of the highest points in the region, offering breathtaking views that stretch across multiple counties on a clear day. We arrived after closing time after 5pm. So, we parked just on the side road close to the entrance without needing to pay. I would say :narrow road nearer to the tower to drive. Didn't go in the tower but the views are worth the hike. Great shop and cafe. There is a pay park at the top during opening time. Not recommended for disabled access as there's a moderately steep hill & a good 10-15 minute walk. Lovely views over the countryside when you get there though & the Tower is majestic when you come to it. As it's quite small, you do have to wait for others to come so we didn't go inside on our visit. It's £5 to park, £14 per adult to go up the tower and £12 for the nuclear bunker experience. Views from the hill outside the tower however are free and spectacular, Visitors can explore its small but informative museum, enjoy peaceful walks through the surrounding country park, and even tour a Cold War-era bunker nearby.

First time visiting Broadway Tower and its park. You can visit the park for free and see the deers and the beautiful view overlooking the countryside. It’s nice if you like to have a long and quiet walk. I personally haven’t walked around much as if was raining but I visited the inside. The tower is quite small with only three rooms to see and a rooftop. You always have an audio guide with some audios and videos to see. Here you can learn about the history of the tower and also some immersive stories. It is very interesting. The tower is beautiful inside and out. During Christmas it’s decorated so even more magical. The view from the rooftop is also amazing. I spent around 45 minutes inside but I listened to the audioguide. If you don’t, you can visit the tower for 20 minutes or less. So I recommend only if you’re interested in history and want to take your time. However I think the ticket is a bit expensive for the size of the tower. At least you contribute to the maintenance so it’s a good thing but the ticket could be a bit less expensive.

Wow simply an awesome little find on our travels in the Cotswold. We Drove straight past it and saw a busy carpark, and as we drove around the corner saw the gorgeous view's and the glorious Tower. So we did a U-Turn and drove back to the carpark, which from our days experience was really cheap £3. We had totally no Idea what we stumbled across , so parked up and went for a stomp around to see what it was all about. We spent a magical couple hours walking, looking around the tower and around the Nuclear Bunker. We only walked the outside, and didn't go inside, but what an amazing gorgeous walk with a couple of distance options for young , old and the enthusiastic. When you decide you have seen enough and had enough fresh air, the Cafe Bar, is a real mix of Joe blogs general public just wanting a coffee and snack or indulge if fine wine and fine food . It's a real mix lovelyness inside. This place is simply a must stop off point on your journey. It was

An impressive landmark with great views but massively overpriced. We paid £3 to park and a further £4 each to access the “grounds” as we couldn’t justify an extra £10 each to go inside the tower. The grounds themselves were nothing special with no clear signposting or information boards, so even that felt like £8 wasted. There are also two car parks, two cafes and a clothes shop for some reason. I’d advise trying to park close to the entrance, where parking appeared to be free, and taking in the views from there. Walking to the tower is also a good option if time and mobility/fitness allows.

Amazing experience! We booked tickets in advance and got to the tower early, before opening, to walk around and enjoy the view. Our tickets also included touring the WW II bunker located on the property nearby.

Lovely walk up to the tower. Lovely view of the countryside. Deer park with a stag and lots of does. Plenty of benches on the way up. But I didn't go into the tower as £14 entry!

The Tower is a beautiful landmark, nearby there is a nice café with a second one just further down in construction nearly finished. On a nice day You can enjoy the panorama and is perfect for a nice walk. Near the tower there are some red deers. The 14£ to go on top of the tower a bit overpriced to my opinion, considering the £5 for parking. Also the Nuclear bunker is interesting but I am not sure if there is an extra charge for that one as well.