Bicester Village is a fantastic destination for luxury and premium brand shopping. The place offers a wide selection of high-end and well-known brands, all set in a beautiful and clean environment. Both the exterior and interior designs of each store are meticulously crafted, adding to the overall pleasant shopping experience. The only downside during my visit was the lack of particularly attractive discounts, which was a bit disappointing. Nonetheless, overall, it was a great place to shop and explore.

Bicester Village is a nice designer outlet that features most of the well-known luxury brands. However, I couldn’t find many good deals, most prices were almost the same as regular market prices, and many of the items seemed to be older collections that didn’t sell well. The design of the village is beautiful, though. It’s very clean and pleasant to walk around, with charming little streets and lovely store façades. The place isn’t very large, so you can explore it in a few hours. There are only a couple of restaurants, so dining options are limited, but the big parking area is definitely convenient. Overall, it’s a peaceful and stylish place to visit for a short walk and some window shopping, but not necessarily the best destination if you’re looking for real outlet bargains

Absolutely loved it, definitely worth a visit especially if you’re into shopping. Might not be as fun if you’re not into shopping. Lots of designer and high end brands at discounts prices, *discounted* not cheap. All the shops look really nice especially during the Christmas period. Nice and easy to walk around, shops are all next door to one another kind of like on a parade.

This is a polished and enjoyable shopping destination, especially if you’re looking for luxury brands at reduced prices. The village-style layout makes it feel more relaxed than a typical outlet mall, and the pathways are clean, well-kept, and easy to navigate. The selection of designer stores is strong, and the customer service is generally excellent. It can get extremely busy—especially on weekends and holidays—which sometimes means queues both for parking and for popular boutiques. Still, if you time your visit well, it’s a great place to find quality pieces at good value while enjoying a pleasant, upscale atmosphere.

I recently visited Bicester Village and had a fantastic shopping experience. It's a premier luxury outlet shopping destination with a wide range of designer brands offering excellent discounts. The village is beautifully laid out and perfect for a day trip. I recommend buying your shopping ticket in advance online for a smooth entry and special services. Also, if you travel by train, note that Bicester Village station not supports contactless travel cards, but importantly there is currently no tap-in or tap-out system for contactless payments on the train journey. This means it’s best to buy a ticket in advance or check carefully to avoid any issues. The combination of great shopping, easy access, and the convenience of modern payment options makes Bicester Village a must-visit. Don’t forget to book your tickets ahead and enjoy a seamless, luxurious shopping day out!

Visited recently for a shopping day out and had a very enjoyable time overall. Bicester Village offers lots of high-end brand outlets, making it a premium destination for luxury and designer shopping. You’ll find major names like Gucci, Prada, Burberry, and many more — definitely a paradise for fashion lovers! The atmosphere is great — beautifully designed, open-air, and feels classy yet welcoming. We were so busy shopping that we completely forgot to take any photos! One thing that really stood out was how well the parking situation was managed. As we were about to reach the Village, we noticed clear signage informing us that the main parking was full and directing us to an alternate parking location. There was also a free Park & Ride bus service available, which was super convenient and very well organized. The only downside was the long queues outside some of the popular stores, which took up quite a bit of time. It would be great if they could introduce an appointment or token system to help manage the crowd and make the experience smoother. Overall, a fantastic shopping destination with a wide range of luxury brands, good facilities, and a pleasant vibe — just be ready for some waiting during busy times. We’ll definitely be visiting again!

Very busy but really nice shops. We can find a lot of deals most of the time. Really enjoyed going there. Finding parking is always a challenge but with persistence we can find a spot. Good few spot to eat. Highly recommended for designer shopping

Honestly one of the best days out I've ever had with my daughter. Gorgeous, well maintained paths everywhere. Bird hides to watch over the lakes (while she napped). A big, airy cafe with delicious coffee. Lovely museum with staff who clearly adore what they do! We had so much fun talking to the people who were making a dugout canoe with bronze age tools, and exploring the garden, especially after seeing the spinning and weaving and learning about the plants that make the dyes. My daughter adored playing in the adventure play, of course. There's running water and sand, cute little play beach huts, a mural, slides, more than enough to entertain a toddler for hours! It was really lovely and plenty of seating and shade all around. We will definitely be back with my husband for another full day and hopefully add in some cycling 😊😊 Overall, really cannot say enough about how great the site was but even more so how wonderful every staff and volunteer was everywhere we went during our visit. The kindness, patience, and passion was just beyond what you could ask and we really appreciate it!

Absolutely lovely day out with all of my family which included 19 13 13 10 & 10 year old. There was so much to do and see around the whole of the lakes. My kids especially loved the assault course as did my partner (a little to much if you ask me) 😅. The only thing that I found was missing was bins on the walk ways I understand its for safety reasons but the amount of plastic bottles that were just dropped on the floor was awful. My kids did pick up the bottles they could whilst walking round but had to keep hold of them until the bin at the playground area. Other than that we had a fantastic time. Finished of with a lovely picnic near the playground for my youngest 2.

Love visiting here! Went to a netwalking event held in their conference room with walk around small lake. Facilities were clean and food was delicious (bacon sandwich). Great provision for tea, coffee and selection of cold drinks for the event. Staff were friendly and helpful. Outside facilities are the best part, beautiful nature and well kept paths. Usually you need to pay for car park but as we were at an event, parking was free.

I recently spent a few hours at Stanwick Lakes Country Park (Northamptonshire) and had a thoroughly relaxed and memorable time. The setting is beautiful — wide open spaces, shimmering lakes, and plenty of winding paths through nature. Whether you’re walking seriously or just pottering, the place has a lovely peaceful pace. There’s also an impressive adventure playground (and zip-line/assault-course type features) that means if you’re with kids you’ll very likely hear squeals of delight from the central hub of the park. On the nature side, it’s just as good. The bird-hides, wetland spaces and trails provide a chance to slow down, sit on a bench and watch things happen quietly around you. It’s not just manic play and activity—there are corners of genuine calm and reflection. Like all UK parks do go prepared if it’s been raining: as paths can be muddy and may be dry foot wear

What a great place! So much for the kids to do and see. The water feature is great, the climbing frame is well kept and very safe. The toilets are always kept clean and there is a great choice for food and drinks. Actually they have really nice coffee which is rare. Would be good with a few more benches as there is only a few compared to how many visitors they get but bring a picnic blanket and you'll be fine

A very lovely Nature Reserve. Trails are great for riding on, there's lots to see and do. Very pretty area to visit. And the play areas for kids are fantastic too!

Spent a couple of hours here with my daughter this morning. After building a Minecraft money box, ice scream and bacon roll in the cafe, spent just over an hour trolling the outdoor play area, taking a beating from the vertical twisty slide lol.. The venue has lots to offer , walks and activities, including the previous indoor play area now used for arts and crafts.. nice little venue for the children and adults alike. Friendly polite staff and informative of upcoming events , such as trails , arts and crafts etc..

The palace is very nice. If you're passing through Woodstock and have the time go in and visit the place. Beside visiting the inside of the palace you can have a nice walk around the place. For Harry Potter fans if you cross the Vanbrugh's Grand Bridge and turn left you'll come across The Harry Potter Tree from the 1st movie in the series. In the park you'll find The Column of Victory. The staff are nice and can answer your questions. Best is to buy tickets in advanced. In the summer be prepared for large groups. The parking lot is big, coaches can also park inside. The inside is very nicely decorated, you'll find many paintings, sculptures. Beside seeing how the upper folks lived, the palace is also very famous for beeing the birthplace of the 1st Duke's famous descendat, Winston Churchill. The back grounds offer a nice view over River Glyme. The cafeteria looks nice but the prices are too high.

We had an amazing day here. The staff were very friendly and were quick to let us know that the palace was not in its usual appearance due to the Christmas trails and Palace of Oz. There were amusement rides and also Christmas Markets. But it was still amazing. We almost didn't go however as the website didn't give us the option to purchase any tickets saying there were no spots available. We rang and the information line said show up and there may be tickets. There were, the Palace was not busy at all. So there maybe a website issue. We got here easily on the bus from Oxford. An easy walk from the bus stop. No need to bring a car if you can walk. We loved the special event and walking the grounds. A great day.

The place is stunning, surrounded by beautiful lakes and gardens. However, we arrived only two hours before closing and were not informed that this wouldn’t be enough time to explore the whole palace. We purchased the highest ticket category, but it would have been better if the staff had advised us to choose a lower one. The ticket prices are quite high, and I suggest providing golf carts inside the grounds due to the large area

Came 25th October 2025 for the Halloween event. First impressions weren’t great as the advertised fairground was just three attractions - one of which (the ghost house) was laughably bad. The food and drink vans were also poor - I was expecting better than something you’d see at your local Sunday market! The Halloween trail itself went some way to making up for that and was fantastic in places. The live actors were also great and weren’t too scary for the kids. The placing of a toasted marshmallow seller and bar at the half way point was also a great touch and broke up what otherwise would have been a 20 minute walkthrough. We ended up going round twice as we didn’t anticipate it being so sunny and wanted to see it in all its glory during twilight. There is significant room for improvement though e.g. the UFO scene was a great idea poorly executed with no attempt to dress the lighting rig up as a spaceship. A live actor dressed as an alien here would also have helped. Overall it felt sparse and needed more. In saying that, my niece and nephew both enjoyed themselves so maybe I’m being too critical. Still, I expected more for the money.

It is worth a visit. It is a beautiful palace, with beautiful history behind it. I enjoyed the visit. Also it has a small restaurant on the premises, the soup I had was delightful and matched the cold weather. The palace also contained a small shop, it contains beautiful things and since Christmas is coming the shop is full of Christmas decorations and ornaments. Since I am from a foreign country, we don't have such beautiful ornaments here. I had to buy a lot to bring home with me. Hopefully next time I visit the palace ( definitely will ) I will try to visit in summer so I can enjoy the beautiful gardens more.

Marvelous palace...each detail perfectly managed. The beauty....the art is magnificent. The gardens are breathtaking... The place get still more special with the kind people that work there. Everybody that I have meet. Already planning the next time..... Not just five stars, a constellation 😘😘😘

Christmas at Blenheim. The Palace theme was Wizard of Oz. Lots of beautiful decorations and animations. Very busy attraction, which made the journey round abit slow, but it didn't spoil the walk around. Christmas market had a nice selection of small stalls selling alsorts of trinkets, food and drink. The food trucks were varied but all very expensive. The light trail is different again this year. New additions throughout the trail which is great if your an annual visitor as I am. Great displays along the whole trail. We enjoyed the whole experience and will definitely return next year.

Visited with my Historic Houses card that thankfully helps me avoid a very overpriced £30 ticket. As I left, a family of four were handing over something like £87, which I would really advise against. There are limited grounds that you are welcome to roam in, which is something I’m used to at historic houses/gardens. The house itself is impressive of course, although I would have liked better interpretation boards around. Why not provide a list of the paintings? I had to ask a member of staff for their copy as I was curious about one in particular, but was asked to only take a photo of that specific listing. Unsure why there needs to be such secrecy around it. Personally I would like to see some information on the Black presence in some of the statues and paintings dotted around the house. You can’t take photos inside, presumably because it’s still the family house (and also to help sell the guide book), but I hope there might be a way in the future to remove that restriction. The walk around the lake is pleasant enough, although there’s not much to see other than the Diana memorial. There was nothing in the shop of interest to me, and I didn’t try out the cafe. But there are plenty of benches to have your own lunch, which was nice. I also had no issue with the car park being away from the house, but it would be great if there was somewhere to park a bike.

Beautiful place, the cafe is okay. It only offers cold sandwiches and cakes, very minimal hot food - etc soup. The family home is very pretty and the staff is well knowledgeable and proactively explained everything. The oval lake is peaceful, beautiful but also you can feel the sadness around it.

This is one of the most Beautiful and Enchanting places we have visited. The House was exquisite inside, the history was amazing. All the staff inside and out were extremely friendly, helpful and knowledgeable. Outside was immaculately maintained and the Oval Lake where Diana’s resting place is was Breathtaking. Overall one of the best days we’ve had 🥰 A Huge Thank you to All the Staff and most importantly to Lord Spencer (whom we had the pleasure of speaking with) who if it was not for him allowing the public to come into his home and grounds to have a look, we would never be able to see all of this. Such a privilege and honour 🤗🥰 Would highly recommend a visit. We will definitely be returning without a doubt!!

It was such a gorgeous day so we decided to revisit Althorp. The whole place is immaculate and the lake was stunning. Great having the benches to sit on and enjoy the view. Last time I came, there were more flowers in the beds at the rear of the house, which added some amazing colour, but I appreciate there would be a cost involved in that. The trees were stunning and sheer size of the property incredible. The sign into the property could be more obvious - went all the way round to the front gates, as that was the way on last time I visited - eventually found the correct sign but it was quite small and hidden in the hedge. I was able to get some great photographs thanks!

An impressive estate. Tributes to Diana start with a line of 36 oak trees and a plaque part way along. No photos allowed in the house, which has plentiful portraits and ornate furniture. Staff very friendly and informative. Interesting to see the bedrooms already made up ready for future guests. The house is only open during July and August. From the house it is a few minutes walk to the lake where Princess Diana is buried. It is very peaceful, a good place to sit awhile. A monument to Diana stands at the head of the lake, with Charles Spencer's touching words about her engraved into a plaque.

Really enjoyed our visit to Althorp. Grounds were beautifully kept & it emotional to see Princess Diana’s final resting place. The house was very interesting with all its history. The church is very spiritual, like it very much.

Had a wonderful visit to Althorp. The weather was beautiful, so it was lovely walking around the gardens and seeing the deer in the grounds. The house is spectacular with so much history and interesting artwork and furniture. This was our second visit and we learnt new things that we hadn’t found out on the previous visit.

I've been to plenty of breweries and their tours before. And they tend to get very samey. But not Hook Norton, while yes it covered the main talking points, this is an incredibly unique and interesting Brewery from an engineering and structural standpoint. Also never been to a brewery with so many drinks at the end (5 cask, 4 keg). Peter our guide was phenomenal and made the tour engaging and interesting.

What a lovely day out! Our tour guide Monty was very knowledgeable and welcoming. History, beer and food - brilliant experience across all fronts and came away feeling very enriched. The cafe’s version of a Ploughman’s was top notch and the beer went down a treat. Will be recommending to friends and family!

Great spot. Two of us had a couple of pints and sandwich and side of chips. Good simple pub menu. Gluten free menu. Friendly. Glorious to sit in sun having a beer, outside tables had parasols. Not easy to get to, we cycled from Kings Sutton, but worth it. The shop has the full range of beers and some nice gifts.

Very clean and tidy. Staff with very, very attentive. They checked that everything was ok three times! Food was fresh and good sized portions. Peri-peri sauce with the chicken has a good kick to it.

It's really interesting, only tall victorian brewery still working in England. Still family run. Great number of beers and ciders to try. We didn't manage the tour as fully booked but had a stroll around the museum. Saw thd beautiful shire horses that are still used.

Great cafe and bar with well stocked shop. I recently returned to do the brewery tour. It was a very informative tour for the history of the Hook Norton Brewery and how it grew from 1849 and was then extended to the Victorian 3 stage gravity fed brewery of 1899. The tour is 90 minutes long and involves going up and down over 100 steps. It really has a fascinating history which was state of the art when it was built and largley unchanged except a few modern additions added in the 20th & 21st century for effeciency and electrification. Well worth the money and with a great host too called Sally who knew her history. After the tour you get sample the beers and discuss tasting notes. It would be great to do a more indepth day when they are brewing with the brewers to see it all in action and to have a lesson on brewing and the science behind it.

Such an authentic tour. Chris was an absolute pleasure as a tour guide and provided us with so many interesting facts and anecdotes. The cellar bar is a fitting end too 🍺

Visited while staying in the area. The selection and choice is vast. Can recommend the classic sausages, really tasty, firm skin and little fat when cooking. Also picked up salad, fresh rolls and fruit from here, great quality and reasonable prices. Parking is easily accessible, sat nav took us to a caravan site just down the road - stay on the main road and you'll find it!

The postcode took me 300 yards down the road. Keep going, you won't miss it there are white signs on the road. Plenty of parking. Actually one of the best farm shops I've ever been too. The cafe / restaurant is very nice with plenty of tables. You can eat in the outside area with dogs. The food that's served is fresh food from the shop itself. I can recommend the vegetarian breakfast!! The farm shop is quite large, with plenty of food and fresh counters. To note, the homeware section is very small, this place is all about the food!! There's an outside plant area, although it's not very big. It can get busy so arrive early. Definitely worth a visit, I shall return !! Toilets available in the cafe.

Beautiful farm shop with lots of different foods, excellent selection of cheeses, meats, fruit and veg. If I could give the cafe 10 stars, I would! The staff were lovely and helpful and the food was delicious and plentiful. The beer battered haddock was superb and I'm difficult to please. Will definitely return.

Brilliant shopping experience in a local independent establishment. Most things farmed on the large grounds or locally. Quality is exceptional and very friendly staff. A cafe is out the back, plenty of parking, local beers and a deli counter. Whilst prices are higher then the major supermarkets, remember there is no bulk buying power and no undercutting farmers here, the profits are put back into a real local business with food quality being much higher. Highly recommended.

Thought I would give breakfast a go again, after being disappointed the last time I tried for lunch. Sausage sandwich - three chipolatas, cut in half, where the thickness of the bread was more than the sausage. Just put more sausages in the sandwich and charge more. Service was excellent I must say, but won’t be returning after the second bad food experience.

Went for a lunch on Sunday with the family and they weren’t busy. The children were asked if they wanted ketchup or mayo with their meals, both said yes. When their food arrived the sauces never did. My salad was swimming in dressing. We order two more cokes after trying to get the attention of 2 waiter’s, only 1 bottle was brought to us. These are simple things that staff should be getting right. Then we went to purchase a couple of items from the shop. There was only one person on the till with a queue already forming. Slowest service so I left the items. Very disappointed visit.

Stopped here for a snack after a day trip. Really nice place. Superb choice of fresh produce and some marvellous hidden gems (white asparagus to name one) . The home made chips were so good we ordered again! Nothing too mich trouble, hopefully see you again

£15/adult to enter. If I'm honest, it was underwhelming. The old Geoff Hamilton TV gardens haven't been kept in the best condition. Many planted areas had weeds or Remnants of plants that should have been cut and put on the compost heap. Seating and most wooden structures were deteriorating. It took us around 1 1/2 hours to walk round all 30+ gardens. There is a nice tea room and cafe on site though, where we had lunch.

As a Dutchy I am a great fan of Gardeners World. In the beginning of the programme I saw Geoff Hamilton talking about plants and gardens and I learned a lot this way. As we were staying not too far away during our holidays, we visited the famous Barnsdale Gardens and enjoyed ourselves very much

we had an amazing visit to Barnsdale gardens today! I'm honored to award Barndale a maximum triple yum (yumyumyum) score for some very yummy scones, warmed up and supplied with a generous serving of cream and jam. the staff were great, and gardens amazing. a beautiful experience for our group. thank you Team Barndsdale!

This site is divided up into many individual gardens, all lovely. It takes about 3 hours to go round but, lots of seats to rest en route.

Beautiful gardens, a fitting legacy of Geoffrey Hamilton. Including lunch, we spent about 5 hours at the gardens. A super return on our 15 pound entry.

We visited on the 26th of August and had about six hours at the gardens. We loved it. The gardens were easy to find and parking was plentiful. We started with a coffee and light breakfast which was all good and very pleasant staff. We then ventured into the gardens and apart from a short lunch stop we wandered the gardens for about four hours. There is so much to see and such a great range of plants. Yes there are some weeds and some areas that need more planting but its an eight acre site and even with all the ground's staff we saw, its a big and constant task to keep on top of such a big and deeply planted area. We very much enjoyed our visit, we purchased a few plants from the shop and we think the entry cost is reasonable. We would recommend it.

Although we had a lovely day out at Barnsdale Gardens we were a little disappointed that the gardens made by the late Geoff Hamilton weren't being looked after as they should. A lot of the planting was overgrown and definitely needed a re-fresh, we had visited before many years ago and wanted to see these mini gardens again. The newer gardens were in a lot better condition. The cafe was a little gem, we had both lunch and later tea and cake, the prices were very reasonable and the food was good. All the staff we spoke to were friendly and helpful.

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!

Fantastic! I love the curve theatre, the staff are always really helpful and the shows I've seen there have been brilliant. This time I saw Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat which was absolutely amazing. The theatre isn't massive, so it feels like anywhere you sit you get good views. This time I was near the front, but for the previous show I saw, we were near the back and it still felt like you were close to the stage and in good seats. Would definitely recommend.

What a fantastic place. Very jealous that our nearest town does not have anything like this. Very clean. It is well signposted, toilets, bar, reception, box office etc. Carpark is next door NCP. Access card accepted for disabled allowing a complimentary carer. Just a nice place to be. We saw Ghost Stories, via door 3 and the theatre was well laid out and comfortable.

The Bat Out Of He'll show was good. The Theatre the air conditioning was not working when it was a full show I found this very uncomfortable. I had a job to keep a awake . This should not be the case . I spoke to a usher about how uncomfortable and hot it was . She said there was air conditioning under the seat . I got light wide leg trousers on I didn't feel any. My husband said that usher said normally the air conditioning comes from the ceiling because the show full it was not working. JUST BONKERS SPOILT THE SHOW FOR ME .

What a lovely theatre. The staff here are so nice, friendly and helpful. Parking is plentiful right next to the theatre. There a plenty of places to eat and drink nearby. That's if you don't want to eat at the theatre's own eatery. The views from the seats in the stalls were fantastic. It was almost like being on stage. A fabulous visit.

Travelled all the way from Londn to see the show. Great theatre. Will definitely go back

Visited as a group of three to watch Kinky Boots, the seats were very comfy and the view was really good. It’s a very modern theatre, you walk around the entirety of the stage and several toilets and bars are dotted around. The toilets were very clean and the bar staff were quick to serve me- for two soft drinks and a large wine it was £13.00. I look forward to coming back. There is a car park right next to the theatre.

Went to see Muriels Wedding. Really enjoyed this production at the Curve, good sound quality and set, liked the round stage. Nice and spacious theatre, staff friendly and really helpful. Left a pair of glasses there. Thankfully the housekeeping found them so they are now returned to us, thank you 😊. We live quite a distance from the Curve, it is not our nearest theatre, but would definitely come back to see another production as it was a lovely experience.

A very well thought through visitor centre , with very helpful, staff. Some of the exhibits are amazing, especially the 'interactive exhibits". It explained the 'science of the DNA testing' as well as the archaeology part. The history and circumstances of Richard III that led to him being at Bosworth Field, and the very sad outcome. The shop & cafe are excellent, and the outside courtyard- with beautifully planted flowers and trees are all excellent; with plenty of seating under shading trees. Altogether, the layout of the experience was very good, well thought out. The fact it had air con, all around the tour was also excellent. The tour is on two levels ground floor , and upper floor - which can be reached by a lift , so no problem for wheel chair users. It was a very moving moment to see where they actually found him in the car park; it has been preserved, for posterity, exactly where they found him, this is outside in a very beautiful 'sanctum' covered over with toughened glass. The visitor shop is also excellent, with many interesting gifts and books, on medieval topics, including the Yorks & Tudors.. The entrance "doubles" also as the exit. I am so glad I came, to see this exhibit - finally..!!

A really awesome and well executed piece of history. The museum is amazing and the display which shows the location of Richard’s burial is incredible. There was an amazing volunteer named Julie who explained the full story behind the discovery of Richard. The centre has done an excellent job. It is a must visit for any historian.

This is a fairly new exhibition with good information. It’s not extensive but there’s lots of information upstairs about the discovery of Richard III body. Staff were very helpful and friendly.

Very informative and enjoyable visit. Staff were knowledgeable and provided a real insight into the burial of Richard lll and how they found him. We also then walked across the road to visit the cathedral to see his new resting place which complemented the visit to the visitor centre. Had lunch in the cafe which was great. Highly recommend a visit to both.

Loved visiting here. Very well put together and great displays to tell the story of Richard and the project to find him. Special thanks to Jan for her wonderful talk at the grave location about the dig and about the two Princes. A fantastic addition to Leicester

The staff are friendly and helpful the story is interesting but I was kind of left with the feeling that some of the exhibitions were almost unnecessary and making a lot out of nothing really such as a pair of wellies worn but the lady who helped find King Richards grave and even a mask and coverall used to prevent DNA passing from the person who removed the bones to the skeleton of Richard ...hardly anything of note regards historical artifacts asides part of the greyfriars abbey walls and floor tiles under a glass floor ! Whilst informative in places not the best museum I've visited .

Brilliant, but not for kids. There is more to read than to see. However, it is certainly not boring for someone interested in history or for a person who is curious and keen to discover new things. And once done, you are right by the cathedral and the pedestrian streets full of interesting shops, restaurants, and major brands outlets.

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.

Coventry Cathedral is absolutely stunning and full of history. The ruins of the old cathedral are a powerful reminder of the past, while the new cathedral stands as a symbol of peace and reconciliation. The contrast between the two is breathtaking and makes the visit really special. The atmosphere is peaceful, and the architecture is impressive both inside and out. Staff and volunteers are welcoming and very knowledgeable, which adds to the experience. A must-visit landmark if you’re in Coventry – both moving and inspiring.

Lovely blend of old and new architecture, with lovely staff who were very helpful. Lovely exhibition and a good amount of information. The small museum is only open on weekends but it's a nice walk around anyday.

I had a truly uplifting day in the Coventry area, where everything felt nice and tidy. The food was delightful, and the city centre offered a fantastic shopping experience with all the major shops within reach. Coventry is brimming with attractions, showcasing its rich history alongside a vibrant present and promising future. I was pleasantly surprised by the talented live performers I encountered, enhancing the city's lively atmosphere. There were no beggars or aggressive solicitations—just a welcoming and serene environment, which is a breath of fresh air in any city. Restrooms were conveniently located, and I noticed that disabled access ♿ was nearly everywhere, ensuring everyone can enjoy themselves. The city also appears to embrace dogs warmly, further adding to its charm. Families will find plenty of activities and sights to explore; just take the time to browse. Parking was straightforward and reasonably priced, making it hassle-free. I wholeheartedly endorse this magnificent city, and I believe you, too, will discover joy here—whether alone, as a couple, or with the entire family. It's an adventure filled with fun for every budget!

Wonderful modern cathedral. I feel very moved being here. The artistic skill that went into the design, both of the building and the aspect of the windows as you walk through it. Magical light falls through the stained glass . A triumph over terrible suffering during the Coventry blitz. It is free to enter but do leave a donation for it's upkeep.

Well worth a visit, for a slice of history about Coventry. (When visiting I didn’t even know this existed, so it was a pleasant surprise!). It's beautiful and well maintained. Lots to read and see, very aesthetically pleasing. Located on a beautiful tudor looking street in the centre too. Highly recommend.

Coventry Cathedral is well known for its unique modern architecture alongside the ruins of the medieval building. This is what makes this cathedral unique. In simple terms you would witness New cathedral and the bombed cathedral stand side by side which also reflects transformation from destruction to new light. If you visit then it's worth starting your journey from ruin / old cathedral to new cathedral. New cathedral has a magnificent interior, stained glass, and tapestry. Stain glass in the side wall is very impressive. One of the interesting things to note here is the Tapestry on the back wall. The tapestry was woven by hand and the detailing is astonishing.

It's really all about the stained glass and etched glass. There was a brilliant exhibition about the diverse nature of the people of Coventry and those who built the new cathedral in the 50s. A timely reminder of real community unity in a time of division and flag shaggers.

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.

Interesting museum showcasing the various forms of transport originating in and around Coventry. So, not as much scope as some in terms of makers but does include both motorcycles and cars, trucks and buses - plus bicycles.

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.

Visited the arena for the first time last night to see rock orchestra. The concert was amazing... But so was the arena, it's facilities and it's staff. On arrival, there was a very fast moving queue through a security check and then in to a ticket scanning queue, despite the large number of people we were inside the stadium in less than 3 mins. Inside it was busy, it's a nearly sold out concert of course it was busy but every thing just flowed well. The bar staff were fast and efficient at dealing with customers and moving to the next, the toilets were clean and the one way on and another way out system worked a dream to keep the flow constant (unintended pun). Prices for drinks and food were reasonable for an arena, I didn't feel ripped off, but being a Yorkshire man I always love a bargain if I can find one. The staff were very friendly and approachable and excellent knowledge of the arena. Absolutely would visit again in future for other events! Well done!

A World-Class Night: Duran Duran and VIP Hospitality at Motorpoint Arena Nottingham ​The Motorpoint Arena Nottingham truly lives up to its reputation as a world-class entertainment venue. While the arena is a long-standing cultural landmark in the East Midlands, attracting massive international acts to its 10,000+ capacity, experiencing it via a VIP package for the Duran Duran concert took the entire evening to another level. ​The experience began with the VIP dinner and hospitality, which was the perfect prelude to the main event. We were impressed by the attentive, professional service and the quality of the dining. It provided a sophisticated and relaxed atmosphere, completely bypassing the typical pre-show rush and crowds. Having a dedicated space to relax and dine made the transition to the show seamless and truly felt premium. ​Once the show started, the arena proved why it's such a vibrant hub for live music. Despite the massive capacity, the acoustics were surprisingly crisp, allowing Simon Le Bon's vocals and the band's iconic synth-driven sound to shine through clearly. Duran Duran themselves were phenomenal, delivering a high-energy set of hits that had the entire crowd on their feet. The lighting and visual production were top-tier, fitting the grandeur of the band and the venue. ​In short, the Motorpoint Arena Nottingham provided a flawless, end-to-end entertainment experience. From the elevated pre-show hospitality to the flawless concert atmosphere, it was a night that was well-organized, highly enjoyable, and certainly confirmed the venue’s standing as one of the best in the UK. We’d highly recommend the VIP route for anyone looking to make a great night even more special.

Went here for The Secret of Us Tour ‘25, it was amazing! The staff were super friendly and helpful! Snacks and drinks were on the expensive side and the water you could get wasn’t really that cold and it was extremely warm in the arena. Also the toilets were kind of gross but obviously they can’t clean during a show unfortunately. Other than that, everything was pretty good, including the sound even from up in the nosebleeds seats!

Went to see Mcfly play, they was absolutely brilliant. The arena was very well organised for the event, better than a lot I have been to! Got us in quick, also doing security checks which some people may groan about having to wait longer, I think this is a good thing.

Visited for the first time to see Marilyn Manson. I was on the floor in general standing for the gig, right in the heat of the mosh pits, so I don't really remember what actually happened! Although, I do remember how good the venue is. Only problem I'd say is if you have vertigo, do not book in the upper seats. From the view I had, it is very steep. But, overall brilliant venue.

Really good venue! Excellent transport links, easy to get in and out of, find the loos, get a drink etc.. Its big enough to draw grate bands and feel epic, but still has a hint of intimacy to it. That bad you like? If they're coming to the ice arena, see them here.

We went to the Marilyn Manson gig who was well on top form as was the support band The Dead Posies & we had the best night, perfect view of the stage & the staff were very friendly & helpful & we will look for more gigs at the venue, cheers for an excellent night

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.

Personally, we thought £15 entry for adults (£30 for us both) was expensive for a one-off visit if you wanted a tour of the caves that was an extra £8 per adult (we did not go on that). Yes, the entry ticket lasts a year and you can go as many times as you want which is good if you live close by, It's nice that children are free to enter, nice grounds with views over Nottingham, it's not really a Castle more like a mansion building which houses an art gallery / museum in the main building, the Robin Hood experience is more for kids with lots of interactive things to do, we enjoyed the Rebellion part of the exhibition and all about the history of Nottinghams troubled past, Wasn't really impressed with the echos of the Forest exhibition lots of tree photos and a video of some ladies dressed on cloaks hiding in trees, it may be I would prefer to walk in a natural woodland or forest and listen to the natural sound of nature, personally we would not return as we have seen it

Lots of area to walk and explore. There are bikes and trikes to hire, ducks to feed and fishes to catch. There is a Good cafe, icecream shop and toilets there. There is jet ski stunts to watch for. And if you are lucky you might even see RC model boat racing happening at one of the members dedicated place. There is plenty of woodland and water body to explore. I would recommend for a day out with family

Kingsbury Water Park is a wonderful place to visit and we had such a lovely day out. Even in the winter cold, the walks around the lakes were beautiful and perfect for taking the dog. The scenery is peaceful and well looked after, with plenty of information boards about the local wildlife and the nature of the lakes, which really added to the experience. We were lucky enough to catch a miniature boat race on the water, which was great fun to watch. The children’s play areas are brilliant, and the little railway is a real highlight – even though we didn’t go on it, it was still very entertaining to watch. The café was welcoming and served the most delicious hot chocolates, just what you need on a chilly day. Parking is £5 for the whole day, which we thought was excellent value. We’d definitely recommend a visit!

Can't beat Kingsbury Water Park. Always first thought of for a family day out, £5 parking all day! Huge park to go exploring with the kids, a good size playing area too! If you're lucky, you will see some baby ducks! Great for outdoor exploring, great for families, dog walkers, fishing, and so much more. Well looked after and always and enjoyable family day out.

Nice park visited during school holidays hence it wasn’t easy finding a parking space at first. Free admission, paid £6 for parking. Well maintained walkways and many lakes, really nice place with a miniature train, playgrounds for the kids and a cafe, well worth a visit

Lovely place to walk around with plenty of parking in various areas. There is even a sailing club, so great to see. There is a giant play area for the children. There's even a little train.

What a fabulous place to get lost in! I walked from the campsite on a busy Sunday but met very few people until I reached the msin visitor car park. Here there were toilets, cafe, seating, a huge play area and a little train station. There's plenty of walks, lakes and wildlife and a great day out for young and old. Cafe was slow and seemed a bit inadequate, it took me a long time queuing just to get a takeout cup of tea. And it was difficult to try and follow the coloured trails as at junctions signposting was sometimes missing but these are minor issues.

It's a great place for a walk or a day out in the nature. There are plenty of activities (fishing, jet ski ing, cycling, etc) and cafés to eat. There is a small train operating around the water park. All day parking better March and October is £5.

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.

Not the best of days from a weather point of view but certainly from the number of people there. We will definitely be coming back and hopefully on the next visit go around the house. The cafe coffee and smoked bacon baguette was superb imo.

The grounds and lake, as well as the cafe and deli along with the wandering deer are worth the visit for the £5 (£6 at weekends) parking fee. But Wollaton Hall itself is no more than a taxidermist’s museum labouring under the ‘nature conservation’ banner. And at £15 each, not worth it - not our thing, but may be yours. I forgot, the connection to the 2012 Batman Movie, ‘Dark Knight Rising’ where this was Bruce Wayne’s Manor, but this was only mentioned once on an obscure info board.

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.

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.

Amazing staff/volunteers making sure your visit is :) I wish I had noted the name of the lovely lady at the visitors centre who went through the areas I and the dogs could visit. The old hall, gardens and estate are brilliant. We loved our visit ❤️

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.

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.

Everything about this aircraft is completely awesome. To be in a hangar with it, to be able to walk under it, see up into the crew area and to talk to people who've flown and maintained it, is utterly wonderful. Well worth the entry fee. I just hope when the old bird ends her flying days in Oct, they will allow entry to the cockpit and crew area as well. Not possible when I visited (due to ejector seats being "live"), but it would be the icing on the cake for anyone who loves this icon of British cold war engineering.

Attended a event here for work. A fantastic venue to engage with clients under the backdrop of the magnificent Vulcan Bomber. All the staff were excellent and provided a great experience for all visitors (about 1000) attending. The gift shop was reasonably priced giving the chance to pick up a few interesting mementos.

An amazing experience, and the best bit of our holiday. Spending 2 hours with the Vulcan was truly amazing. The chap who gave the speech was really interesting and the time flew by (sorry for the pun). I would love to come again.

Dear Vulcan to the sky. Today my wife and I attended a coffee morning in the hanger of XH558. We thoroughly enjoyed our time viewing this amazing aircraft. We would like to mention Danial who took us around the aircraft. Not only was he very knowledgeable but he was also very capable of explaining in a way that was accessible to non-technical people like us. 5 stars to Vulcan to the Sky and 5 stars to Danial. Thank you for a most enjoyable visit.

A wonderful fun and fact filled tour for young and old alike. As well as THE VULCAN there is a brilliant array of artefacts to view. Staff are all volunteers but as professional as any I have encountered. The ladies tend to enjoy the tours much to their own surprise 😉

AMAZING day out for the whole family, everyone enjoyed it from my 80 year old father in law to my 4 year old son and all of us in between. The trip was well worth it and they both got an ice cream at The Doncaster Dome in the end for being good boys on the journey.

Excellent day out covering the history of Vulcan XH558 and also the V force as a whole. Chance to get up close to XH558 and a number of other exhibits (Canberra & Supermarine Swift). Sadly closed at present, however they are still completing engine ground run experiences - get yourself along for a feel of what the vulcan howl sounds like up close & personal!!

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.

Great place to walk over the mountain, enjoy water and have lots of fun. Get ready to spend at least 4 hours. There is parking facility and credit card is accepted. There are toilets for free. Carry food & get ready to walk for kms. Great pleasure ahead.

A beautiful area with plenty of walking, the path along the riverside can be rough in places so mind your step. The walk (fairly steep and loose) up Thorpe Cloud by the stepping stones gives stunning views of the surrounding countryside.

Beautiful place, however the natural beauty is spoiled by many who leave behind all their rubbish. Fulled used baby nappies in the car park, left in the parking bay with bins within 20 yards, plastic bottles, crisp packets amongst many. The National Trust staff try their best to litter pick and offer bin bags to large families who set up picnics but there are still many individuals who can't use the bins. Maybe it's a strange concept or maybe they are just dirty, lazy people. This is a national park that should be looked after by all.

One of my favourite places to hike in the Peak District because of how gorgeous it is and how accessible it is for us. The stepping stones are always fun. The climb to Thorpe Cloud is lovely for a great view and very doable with kids. There's a £6 min. charge for parking (unless you have a National Trust membership, in which case it's free). There's a small coffee truck on the car park for refreshments. We tend to take a picnic with is instead.

I visited Dovedale Stepping Stones recently and absolutely loved it.The walk from the car park is short and easy, with gorgeous views of the River Dove all along the way. The stepping stones themselves are such a fun and iconic feature,great for kids and adults alike❤️❤️

Dovedale is a gem of a dale, I as a preference would say it is the best of the Derbyshire dales. It has a very nice river with lots of bird life, you can walk down the whole length. There are stepping stones to cross the river,caves which have been lived in and if you fancy a challenge you can walk to the top of Thorpe Cloud. On coming to the Ilam end there is a national trust car park and cafe. If you carry on into Ilam passed the memorial you get to Ilam Hall which i9part youth hostel and part national trust with a cafe belonging to the national trust,you can also get food from the youth hostel.

Lovely and scenic walking tracks with a no of spots for picnic. Lovely lime stone formations.. The tracks are not wheelchair friendly...

Such a fun visit. Loved seeing the place where so many films have been set, and learning about the castle's true history. Well-worth the visit; make sure to go outside and walk around the peaceful gardens.

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.

Amazingly well preserved medieval hall. If you visit on Mondays there are free guided tours, our guide was both fun and informative. Would definitely recommend the restaurant as well, great home made food at a reasonable price.

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

What a magical day out! Definitely the best Christmas market I've been to - so classy, great stalls, good food and just so well done. Will absolutely be going again!

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.

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.

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.