14 things to do in the Peak District with kids

If ever you needed an extra excuse to explore the UK’s glorious countryside, the Peak District National Park is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year – and after growing up less than an hour away and visiting with my daughter, I know firsthand that there’s a huge amount to do in the Peak District with kids.

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The dramatic ridges and valleys are perfect for walking – you can even start the Pennine Way footpath here. But there’s far more to the area than hiking, especially if you’re visiting the Peak District with kids who don’t simply want to soak up countryside views.

From classic country houses to small zoos, caves and theme parks, you’ll find plenty of family attractions in the Peak District for a day out, including ideas for rainy days.

And while there’s even more to discover nearby in surrounding Staffordshire, Derbyshire and into Sheffield, you don’t have to leave the confines of the UK’s oldest National Park itself (or go far beyond the borders) with my 14 things to do in the Peak District.

Peak Wildlife Park, near Leek

On the southern edge of the Peak District, this little zoo is perfect for a day out with younger kids – walking through some of the open enclosures, past lemurs and wallabies, is a huge treat.

You can also see the penguin parade and feeding, along with the birds swimming and rock hopping to their heart’s content – we stood there watching their antics (and the cheeky greedy penguin at the front of the line at feeding time) for ages.

There are also now polar bears, for an added thrill when you visit, as well as a new capybara walkthrough area.

Check out our review of a day at the Peak Wildlife Park with kids

Matlock Farm Park, Matlock

There are more meerkats and wallabies to meet at Matlock Farm Park, on the site of a 600-acre working farm – so you can also expect sheep (and sheep races!), pigs and goats as well as more exotic small animals and the chance to pet rabbits and guinea pigs.

The farm park also has some great play areas – the outdoor Enchanted Hamlet play area, as well as the UK’s largest jumping pillow, plus an indoor play area if the weather isn’t so good.

There’s currently no prebooking required if you want to visit, although you can book tickets online.

Crich Tramway Village, Matlock

With a period village to discover, sculpture trail, exhibitions showing the history of trams and unlimited tram journeys on vintage vehicles, the Crich Tramway Village is a great option for a rainy day in the Peak District (although it does have more limited opening hours in autumn, and is closed over the winter months).

But whatever the weather, it’s ideal for transport-obsesssed smaller kids – and anyone who loves stepping back in time a little, especially with a traditional sweet shop along the way. Yum.

There’s an app which has an interactive map, details of walking routes and of the different attractions on site. There’s currently free return for 12 months on full price tickets, which can be prebooked online.

For a full review of a day at Crich Tramway Village, discover what Life with Baby Kicks and her two small boys thought.

Gulliver’s Kingdom, Matlock Bath

Home to more than 60 rides and attractions, including the Lost World of the Living Dinosaurs – with more than a dozen animatronic dinosaurs – this family-run theme park is ideal for primary school age and preschool children, with play areas for todders, a NERF Zone for over-sixes, plus the JCB Zone where you can operate a digger too.

But there are also more adrenaline thrills, a log flume and other activities to suit tweens or older siblings.

Tickets must be prebooked – look out for ticket deals on Wowcher as well, including occasional overnight stay and play options.

The Heights of Abraham, Matlock

One of the best-known family days out in the Peak District, I remember soaring over the countryside in the cable cars, looking over the Derwent Valley, when I was a child – but that’s only one of the attractions at the hilltop park.

Set on a limestone gorge, you can also head underground to some of the show caves: dating back to the time of the Romans, the tours let you discover what life was like at their peak in the 17th century when they were mined for lead.

There’s also the fossil factory, an adventure playground and walks galore, including past the slightly unexpected metal cows.

Prebooking is recommended, with a discount on tickets bought in advance.

Go walking

It seems a bit self-evident to say there are great walks in the Peak District – and if you fancy strapping on a child carrier, you can get out and explore with any age. But it’s also fantastic if you’re going walking with kids too, with plenty of family walks including options suitable for toddlers and little ones.

There are several old railway lines which have been converted into walking routes, so they’re easy to wander along with a buggy or for preschoolers to scoot, balance bike and stroll.

Check out the Monsal Trail, Tissington Trail, High Peak Trail and Manifold Track for starters – all ones I’ve explored as a child myself.

The Manifold trail is not far from the Peak Wildlife Park if you’re looking to combine a couple of ideas on that side of the Peak District, while there are amazing views from the High Peak Trail (though the gravel means that one isn’t so good for scooters).

That’s only the start: you can wander around the grounds of stately homes, ramble near reservoirs – check out the Derwent Dam, while the Ladybower reservoir is a lovely one – plus the famous Dovedale Stepping Stones. This does get very popular in holidays and at weekends, so make the most of being able to visit on a school day!

If you’re looking for another good way to keep young kids entertained during a walk in the Peak District, I love the I Spy series – I Spy in the Countryside is a fun option with lots of photos

Cycling in the Peak District with young kids

The flat old railway tracks are perfect if you’re hoping to go cycling in the Peak District – those buggy-friendly and child-friendly paths are flat and sometimes even tarmacked.

The Monsal Trail, Tissington Trail, High Peak Trail and Manifold Track are all good ones to have on the list, depending where you’re staying and how far you fancy cycling.

If you don’t have your own bikes, you can hire them easily too – Middleton Top Cycle Hire near Wirksworth has tagalongs and trailers, for example, as well as child bikes, child seats and child helmets, and it’s easy to get to the High Peak Trail (open daily during the summer, at weekends, bank holidays and school holidays during April/May and September/October).

Parsley Hay bike hire has a similar range and is a good start for the Tissington Trail too, plus you’ll find a couple of options for the Monsal Trail including at Hassop Station in Bakewell, and Blackwell Mill at the start of the trail.

Or head off to the Carsington Reservoir for the Carsington Water loop, which stretches for around 7.5 miles, and the White Edge Loop on the Longshaw Estate in Hope Valley, for an easy taste of an off-road path.

Alpaca walking

Sometimes, you need a bit more of an incentive to get kids out for a walk – so the chance to wander alongside an alpaca is easily the best motivation.

Brackenfield Alpacas are set on a 17-acre farm in Derbyshire’s Amber Valley, and on their 90-minute treks, you can head off to explore the farm with a cute fluffy-faced companion, learning more about the animals from your guide before heading into the paddocks to feed some of the other alpacas.

Children of all ages are welcome – under-sixes walk with an adult alongside the alpaca, although it’s not suitable for pushchairs and prams.

The Castleton caves

The area around Castleton is home to semi-precious stone Blue John – and four separate show caves where you can head underground, ideal for rainy days in the Peak District.

Treak Cliff Cavern is one of the few places the gem is found, including the largest piece ever discovered, as well as featuring some spectacular stalactites and stalagmites plus regular activities for families, and there’s a self-guided tour to download to your phone. Blue John Cavern is also open for tours.

Or take a boat trip underground in Speedwell Cavern, cruising along a canal in the 200-year-old lead mine to discover the Bottomless Pit – a huge subterranean lake. Tickets should be prebooked online.

You could also walk past old miners’ cottages to Peak Cavern, with the ruins of Peveril Castle loooming above, before discovering the rope-makers who lived here (and nicknamed it the Devil’s arse!) and venturing inside, through the largest natural cave entrance in the British Isles.

Each cavern has different booking details – prebooked tickets are essential for some and advised for others, thanks to limited numbers – so always check before you visit.

Poole’s Cavern show cave and Buxton country park

There’s another underground option further west too, and Poole’s Cavern is ideal if you’re looking for Peak District days out near Buxton.

Stalactites have grown up over millions of years in the limestone cavern (joined by Santa at Christmas-time), while outside there are walks through the woodland trails, including to the viewpoint and folly known as Solomon’s Temple, looking out to some of the Peak District’s landmarks.

Tickets should be prebooked and are for specific time slots for a 45-minute guided tour, although there are some self-guided times if you prefer.

The Country Park also has its own Go Ape treetop adventure course, one of the highest high ropes courses in the UK (for kids aged 10+ and over 1.4m tall only).

Buxton Pavilion Gardens, Buxton

At the heart of the Peak District, the 23 acres making up the Pavilion Gardens is ideal for somewhere to relax.

As well as playgrounds and boating on the lake, there’s a miniature train, which usually runs at weekends and during school holidays, trails to follow, including special themed events during the year.

There’s also a soft play area, which is handy if you’re looking for ideas of things to do in the Peak District in the rain.

For more ideas of things to do in the Peak District with young kids, check out this post

Chatsworth House, Bakewell

Another of the best-known days out in the Peak District, this stately home also has a woodland playground and a working farm, where you can pet some of the animals and see cows being milked.

But do head inside the house too, which dates back to the 16th century, and is home to the Duke and Duchess of  Devonshire – keep an eye out for animals including some stone lions as you explore.

Prebooking tickets is recommended, and there are often family-friendly events taking place – look out for the Family Festival around May half-term.

You can also discover Haddon Hall, which dates back to the 12th century, and runs occasional children’s activities, and Eyam Hall (formerly a National Trust property) with its craft centre.

Ecclesbourne Valley railway

Heritage diesel and some steam trains travel through the lovely Ecclesbourne Valley, for a chance to explore without tiring little legs.

There are special events throughout the year, such as a Santa train and Halloween ghost train, while previous years have included wizarding themed trains, travelling between Duffield and Wirksworth.

Peak Rail

Another heritage railway, Peak Rail also has both steam and diesel trains chuntering between Rowsley South and Matlock.

There are occasional free entry days for kids, as well as themed trains such as Santa specials (otherwise there is a limited timetable in winter), while you can also hop off at Darley Dale station which has books for preschool children as well as a small museum on the history of the line.

If you’re looking for places to stay in the Peak District with kids, check out these holiday cottages in the Peak District.

**First published 2018, updated 2026**

PIN FOR LATER: THINGS TO DO IN THE PEAK DISTRICT WITH KIDS

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links – any purchases you make are unaffected but I may receive a small commission. All opinions and memories of flying over the Peak District in a cable car are my own. 

Images: Peak Wildlife Park image copyright MummyTravels, all others courtesy Depositphotos/Adobe Stock/Picfair.

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