You can't visit the Peak District without taking some time to explore and appreciate the beautiful countryside, nature and wildlife the Peaks has to offer.
Take a walk, cycle, climb or even a wild swim amongst the rolling hills and fascinating landscapes.
Discover the working farmyard at Chatsworth House! You can meet the animals before heading through the secret tunnel to the huge playground with zipwire, climbing frame and water & sand play.
The Donkey Sanctuary is a worldwide charity that rescues and improves the lives of donkeys. Their Derbyshire location happens to be right next to our sister venue, The Bull i' th' Thorn, where you can visit them on one of their open days.
Matlock Bath is a definite must-see when visiting The Peaks. It has a seaside holiday feel to it with its illuminations, arcades and fish and chip shops. Housed in a Victorian building you will find the aquarium with over 50 species of fish and a large thermal carp pool.
Located near Leek, Peak Wildlife Park is a unique attraction and a must-visit for animal lovers. The park focuses on interactive and immersive experiences such as walk-through enclosures and feeding sessions, allowing you to get up close and personal with all the animals. They are also centred around sustainability, biodiversity and the wellbeing of their animals.
Matlock Farm Park is a fun day out for all. There are traditional farm animals such as sheep, cows and chickens as well as non-native residents like meercats and wallabies. The park offers a great opportunity for kids to interact with the animals through petting, feeding and other events.
Feeling brave? Head to Go Ape in Buxton, a great outdoor adventure located amongst the tree tops of Grin Low Wood. Climb, swing and zip your way through the exhilarating course and enjoy a well earned coffee and cake afterwards.
Journey back in time and experience the heritage steam and diesel train line between Matlock and Rowsley. A fabulous day out and loads of fun for all the family!
Looking for a fun place to splash around? Hathersage Swimming Pool is an outdoor heated swimming pool where you can enjoy a swim amongst the surrounding Peak District hills.
A small café with a big twist. Head to Brick Corner Café in Buxton where adults can enjoy delicious coffee and cake whilst the kids play with the abundance of Lego they have, great for a rainy afternoon!
Located in the picturesque village of Rowsley, Peak District Soft Play is a great indoor play area and café, perfect for the little ones to burn off some energy before exploring the village.
Spend a few hours pottery painting at The Potty Sheep, a great opportunity for all ages to get creative. It is located at Blaze Farm where you can also see the farm animals and have lunch in the lovely cafe.
Gulliver's Kingdom is a small theme park targeted for children aged 3-13 but, of course, fun for all ages! It is located in Matlock Bath which is less than a half-an-hour drive from the Oak.
If you're a thrill seeker after something a little bigger, visit Alton Towers, a well-known theme park, water park and resort. Aimed at all ages with Cbeebies land for the little ones and top tier rollercoasters to challenge even the steadiest of nerves. Located in Staffordshire, it takes around 40 minutes to get to the park by car.
Carsington water is a large reservoir about a half-an-hour drive towards Ashbourne. It has everything needed for a great day out! There are over 12kn of walking paths around the reservoir, perfect for wildlife spotting and picnicking. There is also a water sports centre, cycle hire and play area.
A slightly closer option is Tittesworth reservoir which is about 20 minutes drive from the pub. They also have a water sports centre, play area and also offer outdoor activities like climbing.
Peaks & Paddle is an outdoor activity centre based around Derbyshire. They offer water sports, abseiling and caving for all ages and abilities.
Chatsworth is on everyone's Peak District bucket list. The house belongs to the Devonshire family and has been passed down through 16 generations. There is loads to do at Chatsworth, whether you go inside the house, visit the farm and playground or head for a walk through the beautiful grounds. They also hold seasonal events such as their esteemed Christmas Markets in the winter.
Step back to medieval times when you visit Haddon Hall. Enjoy looking round the house and gardens and admiring the Tudor and Elizabethan architecture and interiors. They also have a number of seasonal events.
Treasure trails are an amazing way to explore, see the sights, keep kids entertained and learn lots about the history of each town or village. They talk a couple of hours to walk and are only £9.99 to purchase.
Adventure underground and marvel at the rock formations and spooky atmosphere in one of the Peak Districts caves and caverns. Castleton is home to some of the finest caverns in the UK and the only place to find Blue John Stone, or take a tour through the limestone tunnels of Poole's Cavern in Buxton.
In the heart of Buxton is 23 acres of landscaped gardens. The area is complete with a playground, boat lake and miniature railway and it also holds various events throughout the year such as markets and live music.
After a day full of exploring it's time to head back to the Bull i' th' Thorn where we will warmly welcome you into our cosy pub. Take a break in our cosy pub and bar area (where Mum and Dad can have a well-earnt pint), play a game of pool or gather in the pizzeria and have one of our hand-stretched pizzas to refuel for the next adventure.