A Parent’s Guide To The Peak District With Toddlers

The Peak District With toddlers

Everything you need to know about the Peak District with toddlers – where to stay, what to do, and most importantly – where you can get a good Bakewell Tart!

Cow In the Peak District

The Peak District is located more or less in the middle of England, at the bottom of the Pennine Hills. No one knows exactly how it got its name, but the Peak District was England’s first national park founded in 1951, and today it is one of Europe’s busiest national parks.  Contrary to its name, there is no Peak but the national park is characterized by lush green hills, stately homes, wild moorland and spa towns like Buxton. At 555 square miles, there is plenty to explore in the Peak District.

Reasons To Go To The Peak District With A Toddler

#1. Easy to get to – The Peak District is almost slap bang in the middle of England, so it is easy to get to from most places. The M1 runs close to the Peak District (but isn’t close enough to disturb the peace)

#2. There Is Loads To Do – From the Chatsworth House Farmyard, to the Heights of Abraham, Crich Tramway Village and Gullivers Kingdom there is loads to do in the Peak District with toddlers. You definitely won’t get bored.

#3. Beautiful Scenery – The Peak District is a stunning part of the world with lush green scenery, rolling hills and majestic stately homes. Here are some photos to show you how beautiful it is.

Wild garlic in the Peak District

The Peak District hills

Hot Air Balloons in the Peak District

#4. Bakewell Tart – Need I say more? Seeking out the best Bakewell Tart is an essential part of a holiday in the Peak District.

#5. Lots Of Outdoorsy Things To Do – If you love walking, biking, and generally being outside, then the Peak District is the place for you. And, it is really well set up for toddlers too. There are loads of disused railway lines which have been turned into traffic free cycle trails with bike hire shops and cafes along the way, as well as plenty of walks which are suitable for little legs.  For a fantastic family friendly walk, take a look at this dovedale walk on the Peak District Kids website.

#6. Easy To Get Around – The Peak District is relatively small so you can get around it quite easily. Stay somewhere central and you can be anywhere in the Peak District in less than an hour.

Best Places To Stay In The Peak District With Babies & Toddlers

#1. Hall Farm Holiday Cottages

baby and toddler friendly cottages in the peak district

Welcome to Hall Farm Cottages in the Peak District! Run by parents Emily and Tom, this collection of family friendly cottages has all the key ingredients for an amazing holiday. There’s loads for babies and toddlers at Hall Farm including a brand new playbarn, outdoor play area and loads of wide open space and friendly  baby and toddler friendly cottage in the peak district

baby and toddler friendly cottages in the peak district

Learn More – Hall Farm Holiday Cottages

#2. Darwin Forest Lodges, The Peak District

toddler friendly log cabins
Darwin Forest Lodges is a 5* holiday park set in a forest in the Peak District. Some of the holiday homes even have their own hot tub. There is an indoor swimming pool, indoor soft play and outdoor adventure playground for babies and toddlers. Cycle hire is available and there are plenty of bike trails to explore the forest using your own steam.
toddler friendly holiday uk
toddler friendly holiday uk
More Info – Darwin Forest Lodges

Read More – 9 Places To Stay With Babies & Toddlers In The Peak District

 

Things To Do In the Peak District With Toddlers

#1. Chatsworth Gardens and Playground

Chatsworth Farmyard


Playing in the sand and water in the Chatsworth Farmyard

Adult Tickets to the Gardens, Farmyard and Playground cost £15.90

https://www.chatsworth.org

#2. Crich Tramway Village

The Blackpool Boat Tram at Crich Tramway Village

The Crich Tramway Village is the home to the National Tramway Museum, and is the perfect day out for transport loving toddlers. Here you can spend the day hopping on and off vintage trams travelling along a mile long stretch of track through the Derbyshire countryside.  There is also an outdoor playground and picnic area.

Adults – £16.50. Children under the age of 4 – free

http://www.tramway.co.uk/

#3. The Heights Of Abraham

The Heights of Abraham with toddlers

Toddlers will love getting the cable car to the top of the High Tor hill – and at just 7 minutes long it is the perfect length of time for an impatient toddler. At the top there is a cave, fossil factory and 2 playgrounds.

Adults – £15, under 4’s Free

http://www.heightsofabraham.com/

#4. Gulliver’s Kingdom – Matlock Bath

Gullivers at Matlock

Gulliver’s Kingdom is is a theme park specially designed for children aged 2 – 13. There are loads of rides for toddlers in Adventure Land, Dinosaur Kingdom, Liliput Land and a special Under 5’s indoor play area in Toyland.

https://www.gulliversfun.co.uk/

#5. CBeebies Land At Alton Towers

Cbeebies Land

CBeebies Land at Alton Towers is a must for Cbeebies Fans. There are 14 rides and attractions including the Furchester Hotel Live show and the Go Jetters Zoom Ride. Other rides include the Octonauts Rollercoaster and Postman Pat’s Parcel Post.

Adults – £32, Under 3’s are free.

https://www.altontowers.com/

Off The Beaten Track

The Peak District isn’t just about theme parks and busy days out. It is the perfect place to get outdoors and explore the natural beauty of the national park. These are my top tips on things not to miss in the Peak District.

#1. Going Swimming Outside

Hathersage Swimming Pool

Not wide swimming, but a nice relaxing dip outside in Hathersage Swimming Pool in the North East of the Peak District. This heated outdoor swimming pool is open from April to November and is heated to 28 degrees – toddlers will love it!

#2. Go On A Bike Ride

The Manifold Valley Trail

The Peak District is a fantastic place for toddlers to get their confidence and build a love of cycling. There are loads of flat, traffic free cycle trails with cafes located at regular intervals and bike shops which rent out baby bike seats, tag a longs and adult bikes.  Some of our favourite bike trails for toddlers are the Manifold Valley Trail, Tissington Trail and Monsal Trail – click here for 3 toddler friendly bike rides in the Peak District

#3. Play Pooh Sticks At Ilam Park

Ilam Park

The National Trust’s Ilam Park is a great spot to play pooh sticks and do some den building in the woods. Older toddlers will also love fossil hunting at neighbouring Dovedale.  There are usually loads of extra family events taking place at Ilam Park in the busy summer months, so check out the National Trust website beforehand to see what is going on.

 

Comments

  • i live in sheffield, 1/3 of it lies in the peak district, so it is somewhere i go often and lovesomuch.i havebeen toallof these places. 🙂 i love heights of abraham, matlock bath is seaside in the peak district! also castleton, buxton and eyam are lovely too.
    #mondayescapes

    29th April 2017
  • ooh we were at Alton campsite at Easter. We haven’t spent much time in the Peak District but are definitely going to be back there again this year and next we had a really lovely time there. Thanks for linking up to #MondayEscapes

    3rd May 2017
  • Great post Jo, I think even though our boys are older they would still love lots of these activities. I would love to go to Chatsworth House and omg I LOVE Bakewell Tart. Thanks so much for linking up #MondayEscapes x

    4th May 2017
  • Best Post Jo 🙂

    19th July 2017
  • Oxfordshire family

    We visited the Peak District for the first time this summer with our 6 and 3 year old girls. We stayed at Darwin Forest country park which was perfect. There was plenty to do for the children, they enjoyed Heights of Abraham, had a great time at Alton towers water park and guillivers kingdom. We had a really beautiful walk to the Stepping Stones in Dovedale, we didn’t get to Chatworth House unfortunately so that’s a must for next time.

    26th September 2017

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