1 / 6The Peak District packs an enormous amount of family fun into a compact stretch of Derbyshire countryside. Whether your kids love running wild in a stately parkland, riding a cable car over a valley, or clambering aboard a boat deep underground, there is a memorable day out to suit every age. Here are our favourite confirmed family attractions in and around the Peak District, with tips to help you plan.
🎟️See things to do in Peak District on GetYourGuide →Chatsworth House, Garden, Farmyard & Playground
Chatsworth is one of Britain's grandest stately homes, set in 1,000 acres of parkland near Bakewell, with a formal garden, working farmyard and adventure playground. Kids love meeting the farmyard animals, tearing around the huge adventure playground, spotting the deer roaming the parkland and cooling off by the Emperor Fountain and maze - there's plenty of run-around space for all ages. Find it at Edensor, near Bakewell, Derbyshire.
Blue John Cavern
Blue John Cavern is a world-famous natural show cave near Castleton - one of only two places on earth where the semi-precious Blue John stone is found - explored on a guided walking tour. Older kids are wowed by the vast underground chambers, the colourful Blue John rock formations and the mining stories the guides share along the way. It's a real adventure below ground in Castleton, Derbyshire.
Heights of Abraham
The Heights of Abraham is a 60-acre hilltop park reached by cable car over the Derwent Valley, with two show caverns, exhibitions and adventure playgrounds. The glass cable-car flight is a thrill in itself, and once at the top kids get two caverns to explore, fossil trails and two adventure playgrounds - typically a three to five hour day out. You'll find it above Matlock Bath, Derbyshire.
Speedwell Cavern
Speedwell Cavern offers an underground boat trip along a flooded 200-year-old lead mine to the 'Bottomless Pit', a huge subterranean lake beneath Winnats Pass. Children get their own little hard hats and ride the boat deep underground - a genuinely memorable 30 to 60 minute adventure, with family tickets available. It's in Castleton, Derbyshire.
Crich Tramway Village (National Tramway Museum)
Crich Tramway Village is a recreated period village and museum with over 60 vintage trams, offering unlimited rides on restored vehicles through the site. Transport-mad kids get unlimited vintage tram rides, a period village to explore, a sculpture trail and indoor exhibitions - making it a strong rainy-day option. Find it at Crich, Derbyshire.
Poole's Cavern & Buxton Country Park
Poole's Cavern is an ancient natural limestone cavern with a 45-minute guided (or self-guided audio) tour through galleries of stalactites and stalagmites, set within a woodland country park. The family-friendly cave tour suits all ages and is dog-friendly, and there's the woodland 'Thomas's Trail' children's animal trail plus walks up to Solomon's Temple. It's in Buxton, Derbyshire.
Gulliver's Kingdom
Gulliver's Kingdom is a theme park designed for children roughly aged 2 to 13, with rides, themed lands and shows built into the hillside above Matlock Bath. It's purpose-built for younger families, with gentle rides for toddlers through to roller coasters and log flumes for older children, plus themed areas like Lilliput Land and a dinosaur zone. You'll find it at Matlock Bath, Derbyshire.
Tips for a family day out
- Layer up for the caves. Underground attractions like Blue John, Speedwell and Poole's Cavern stay cool year-round, so bring a jumper even on warm days.
- Wear sturdy footwear. Cave floors, hillside theme parks and Chatsworth's parkland can be uneven - trainers or walking shoes beat sandals.
- Book ahead in school holidays. The most popular attractions get busy, so buy tickets in advance where you can and arrive early for parking.
- Mix indoor and outdoor. Pair a weather-proof option like Crich Tramway Village or a cavern with an outdoor park so a rainy spell doesn't derail the day.
- Pack a picnic. Many sites have lovely grounds, and a picnic keeps costs down and toddlers happy between activities.
FAQs
What is the best Peak District day out for young toddlers?
Gulliver's Kingdom at Matlock Bath is purpose-built for children from around age two, with gentle rides and themed lands, while Chatsworth's farmyard and playground also suit little ones well.
Which Peak District attractions are good in the rain?
The caverns - Blue John, Speedwell and Poole's Cavern - are mostly underground, and Crich Tramway Village has indoor exhibitions and covered tram rides, all making great wet-weather choices.
Are the Peak District show caves suitable for children?
Yes. Speedwell Cavern hands children their own hard hats for the boat trip, and Poole's Cavern's guided tour is family-friendly and suitable for all ages. Blue John Cavern suits slightly older kids who can manage the walking tour.
🎟️ Top things to do in Peak District
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