Leicestershire combines historic market towns, urban cultural hubs, and scenic countryside with notable heritage sites, renowned food, and accessible outdoor activities, making it an engaging destination in the East Midlands.
24–25 Oct, 28–31 Oct
A family half-term event at Coventry Charterhouse featuring a pumpkin trail, seasonal crafts and Halloween activities, plus dog agility and a best-dressed dog competition in the walled garden.
Coventry is a historic cathedral city in the West Midlands, England, known for its iconic Coventry Cathedral with both a war-ravaged old spire and a modern new building. The city features cultural attractions including the Herbert Art Gallery, Coventry Transport Museum, and numerous theatres. Visitors can enjoy parks, festivals, and rich heritage linked to industry and the arts. Coventry also offers diverse shopping and dining experiences, and is celebrated as the UK City of Culture 2021.
23 Oct
A relaxed, SEND-friendly storytelling session with Fiona the Calke witch, followed by an opportunity for children to make a wooden Halloween wreath. The stories are sign-supported using Makaton, and children can finish their craft during the session or take it home.
27 Nov–23 Dec
A Christmas market in Calke Abbey’s Riding School, featuring handmade gifts from local makers and food and drink suppliers. Local traders rotate throughout the market period.
Calke Abbey is a historic country estate in Derbyshire offering a unique visit with its Baroque mansion in decline, extensive parkland with ancient trees and deer, a vibrant walled garden, and accessible walking and cycling trails. The venue provides family-friendly outdoor play areas, guided tours, cafés, shops, and accessibility features including wheelchair access and mobility aids.
17 Nov
Actor Jonathan Goodwin performs classic ghost stories by M.R. James inside Coventry Charterhouse, with the audience choosing a different selection of tales each night. The performance includes a wander through the historic building.
Charterhouse in Coventry is a historic house with extensive gardens featuring accessible routes and interactive exhibits perfect for families. Visitors can enjoy a café, an adventure playground, and free parking when registered. The venue offers indoor and outdoor experiences including art, history, and outdoor play areas, with good accessibility for wheelchair users.
7 Oct–1 Nov (another 23 days)
A museum room display at Calke Abbey showcasing the Chinese silk hangings from the State Bed. Visitors can look at the hangings and explore the symbolism and meanings in their imagery.
Calke Abbey is a Grade I listed English country house in Derbyshire, cared for by the National Trust, showcasing a baroque mansion preserved in a state of decline surrounded by a landscape park rich in natural heritage and historic estate features.
27 Nov 2026–3 Jan 2027
Visitors can follow an outdoor trail along the surfaced short-walk path at Kedleston Hall, opening 25 Advent doors to find festive challenges, questions and discoveries. The event is presented as a family adventure.
17 Oct (next Saturday)
A guided walk with a Kedleston ranger exploring autumn colours and how the estate manages its woodlands, grasslands, ancient trees and deadwood habitats.
Kedleston Hall is an 18th-century English country house in Derbyshire, featuring Palladian architecture and Neoclassical interiors. Visitors can explore its grand state rooms and extensive landscaped gardens with architectural follies. The historic seat of the Curzon family, it is now managed by the National Trust as a cultural and heritage attraction.
17 Oct–1 Nov
A folklore-themed adventure at Staunton Harold Reservoir, where participants use the Stranger Folk app to work together on puzzles and quests involving goblins and other creatures.
13 Sep, 19–20 Sep
History Talks at Staunton Harold Church provide volunteer-led 30-minute talks throughout the day about the church's varied history, including topics like the Shirley family, the Staunton Harold Estate, the English Civil War, and heraldry. The event takes place inside the historic church and requires normal venue admission.
Staunton Harold is a 163-acre countryside venue featuring a man-made reservoir, wildlife habitats, and walking trails. Visitors can enjoy wheelchair-friendly paths, a dog-friendly café, adventure playground, and various outdoor family activities including water sports and fishing. The site combines outdoor natural beauty with indoor facilities for a varied visit experience.
12 Sep
Bristol 4 Tibet at Kedleston Hall is an event featuring Tibetan calligraphy live demonstrations, traditional Tibetan dance, and Tibetan music and singing in the gardens. Attendees can also try calligraphy themselves and explore Tibetan culture as part of the How Did We Get Here? exhibition extended outdoors.
Duffield Castle is a historic Norman motte and bailey castle site in Derbyshire with extensive stone keep foundations, known as an early archaeological monument preserved by the National Trust. Visitors can explore the outdoor remains of this once strategically important castle with a rich history dating back to Norman times and earlier.
13 Nov
A festive wire-craft workshop where participants learn to shape wire and beads into mistletoe and holly decorations, stars or Christmas card embellishments. Materials, tea, coffee and mince pies are provided.
The Weaver's House is a restored 1540s historic weaver's cottage in Coventry showing how John Croke lived and worked, featuring a medieval garden, replica loom, and open days with live demonstrations and talks. Access is limited due to age of property; some wheelchair access available in garden and ground floor.
7 Oct–1 Nov (another 23 days)
Explore locations at Calke Abbey used in *Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man*, with information about filming in the historic interiors and outdoor spaces. A downloadable walking trail highlights filming locations across the estate.
Foremark is a 230-acre nature reserve in Derbyshire featuring diverse woodland, heathland, and open water habitats including a reservoir. Visitors can enjoy walking trails including a wheelchair-accessible bridleway, a playground for children, outdoor family activities, and refreshments at the kiosk. Dogs are welcome on leads in designated areas.
23 Oct–15 Nov
A Diwali celebration at Kedleston Hall, with light installations, marigolds and diya lamps displayed throughout the Hall.
Radbourne Hall is an eighteenth century Palladian home set in extensive parkland and woodland near Derby. It features elegant indoor rooms and outdoor grounds and is available for exclusive hire including filming and photographic shoots.
7–8 Nov, 14–15 Nov…
A self-led visit around Calke Abbey explores how ‘Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man’ was filmed there. Visitors can see rooms used as Tommy Shelby’s home, film-related props and costumes, and photo opportunities.
Staunton Harold is a civil parish in Leicestershire known for its historic Staunton Harold Hall country house and the Holy Trinity Chapel, a rare Commonwealth-era Gothic revival church. Visitors can enjoy both the indoor architectural heritage and the scenic outdoor lakes and brook landscapes.
7–11 Oct (another 2 days)
An exhibition at Kedleston Hall presents Tibetan artefacts and previously untold stories, alongside a film by British-Tibetan artist Nyima Murry. Visitors can also get a behind-the-scenes insight into the conservation work and decisions involved in creating the exhibition.
7–11 Oct (another 2 days)
A self-guided outdoor trail through Kedleston Hall’s park and garden, with seven points exploring the spiritual significance of nature in Tibetan culture. Visitors can follow the points in any order and reflect on the natural surroundings.
4–6 Nov, 9–13 Nov…
A small-group guided tour of Calke Abbey explores how the house was used as a filming location for 'Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man'. Visitors hear about the production and see recreated sets, with authentic props and costumes displayed in designated areas.
21 Jul, 23 Jul…
Calke Crafternoons are craft sessions held in the Walled Kitchen Garden at Calke Abbey as part of the Summer of Play. The sessions include activities such as creating bug magnifying glasses, kite decorating, making bug wands, decorating coasters, coloring puppets, designing tote bags, sewing puppets, cross stitch bookmarks, designing frisbees, decorating flowerpots, and clay creations. They are suitable for children aged 3 and above, with all materials provided, and require children to be accompanied by an adult. The workshops are held under shelter, and booking is essential though some spaces may be available on the day.
5 Sep
Natural History Crafts is a workshop event at Calke Abbey where participants, guided by Sarah Burhouse from Birdhouse Taxidermy, create their own diorama display inspired by exploring historic taxidermy cases. Suitable mostly for children aged 5-12 accompanied by an adult, attendees use provided materials to make a shoebox diorama to take home.
Staunton Harold Church is a rare 17th-century Gothic style church set in the Leicestershire countryside, offering guided tours and historic architecture with scenic views by a tranquil lake. The site features accessibility options including ramped access on request and a visitor car park nearby with charges at weekends and bank holidays.
2 Sep
Brilliant Birds is a free drop-in event at Kedleston Hall where attendees can learn about bird life, make bird feeders, identify owl pellets, and try bird identification with binoculars and an ID chart. Bird watching walks are held at 10:30am and 1:30pm.
2–6 Sep, 9–13 Sep…
Meet Pepperpot the Mole is an outdoor sculpture event at Coventry Charterhouse featuring a 4-metre-high mole sculpture by Bruce Asbestos. Visitors can follow a family-friendly trail around the walled garden to discover Pepperpot's locations and learn about moles and the natural world at their own pace. The event is outdoors and suitable for families.
24 Oct–1 Nov
Celebrate Diwali at Kedleston Hall with colourful illuminations, rangoli designs, craft sessions and storytelling. Activities include making decorations, with Indian block-printing sessions on 27 October.
27 Sep, 1 Oct
Photography Open Day at Calke Abbey offers photography enthusiasts an exclusive view of Calke's photography collection, including items not usually on display, with opportunities to meet the house team and share programming ideas for 2027. The event takes place in the Saloon inside the house, which is accessible only by stairs, and is suitable for all ages.
Melbourne Hall & Gardens in Derbyshire offers visitors an early 18th-century English garden in the style of Le Notre, combined with a historic family home open to the public in August. The venue features elegant formal gardens, exquisite furniture, antiques, and unique garden ornaments in a picturesque setting.
2 Sep
Free Archery Sessions at Kedleston Hall offer an opportunity to try archery on the lawn every Wednesday in August from 10:00 to 15:00. Suitable for ages 4 and above, sessions are wheelchair accessible and require no prior booking. The event is free to attend but normal venue admission charges apply.
23 Oct
Children aged five and under can join Fiona the Calke witch for a spooky storytelling session, followed by Halloween crafts including making a crown. The session takes place in the Study at Calke Abbey.
3 Sep
The Grazing at Calke Guided Walk is an outdoor guided walk led by the Ranger team through the parkland of Calke Abbey. Participants learn about the rare breed Portland flock and Longhorn cattle that inhabit the estate and their historical and conservation significance. The walk involves uneven terrain and is not suitable for wheelchairs or pushchairs. It is suitable for ages 10 and up and does not allow dogs.
18 Jul–6 Sep
Pokémon joins Calke Abbey's Summer of Play, featuring Pokémon-themed outdoor activities, Trading Card Game mini challenges, crafts workshops, storytelling sessions, and indoor play activities throughout the summer holiday period at the gardens and house of Calke Abbey.
Melbourne Hall Gardens in Derbyshire offers formal garden landscapes with avenues, specimen trees, sculptures, and water features. Visitors can enjoy restored historic garden layouts, notable ironwork, and statuary in a tranquil outdoor setting.
28 Oct
Join or watch a shadow puppet parade around the grounds of Coventry Charterhouse. Visitors can bring puppets made at the shadow puppet workshops or attend as spectators.
31 Aug
A playful summer event at Coventry Charterhouse offers families summer holiday activities including badminton and outdoor games in the walled garden, discovering a large Pepperpot Mole sculpture, a family trail through the grounds, nature craft workshops, indoor crafts for children, playground and open green spaces. Visitors can also enjoy wildlife spotting, learn history of the Charterhouse, and relax with food and drinks from the café.
3 Dec
Join a Park Guide on a walk along the Tramway Trail to hear about its industrial past and see the landscape, flora and fauna, including woodland planting and winter birds.
Bluebell Arboretum and Nursery in Derbyshire features a beautiful nine-acre woodland garden with a notable collection of unusual trees and shrubs, offering seasonal displays and educational plant information.
21 Oct
A volunteer ranger leads a gentle-paced walk through Kedleston’s historic parkland, highlighting its heritage features, wildlife and current conservation projects.
14–15 Nov
Curly Magpie’s autumn market brings together handmade artisan products, vintage items and local food suppliers. Visitors can browse and buy gifts and homeware from local makers and bakers.
23–25 Oct, 30 Oct–1 Nov
A trained instructor provides a one-to-one cycling lesson for people learning to ride or returning to cycling. Sessions are also suitable for children aged five and over when accompanied by an adult.
29 Nov–1 Dec
Participants make a Christmas wreath using seasonal foliage and natural decorations, with guidance on arranging and styling it. The workshop includes prosecco and a mince pie, and attendees take their wreath home.
24–25 Oct
Children can join Fiona the Calke witch for a spooky Halloween storytelling session in the Study, followed by a craft activity. The sessions are tailored as much as possible to the ages of the children attending.
14–20 Sep
Heritage Open Days at Kedleston Hall offer free access to all elements of the property where visitors can explore the house and parkland. No booking is needed to attend this family-friendly event, which runs from 14th to 20th September 2026 from 9am to 5pm daily. Well behaved dogs on leads are welcome.
27 Nov–23 Dec
Christmas at Calke features festive decorations and displays across the stableyards, house, gardens and tunnels. Visitors can explore the displays, look for hidden knitted mice, enjoy festive games and a carousel on weekends, and see a Christmas-themed underground light experience.
17 Sep
Heritage Open Day: Collage at the Cottage is a scrapbooking workshop held in the garden at Stoneywell. Suitable for all levels, attendees can create their own collage inspired by the family home and natural surroundings while enjoying mocktails under a marquee. The event is free and booking is essential, but it is not suitable for children and wheelchair access to the garden is limited due to slopes. The event offers a relaxed creative environment in the late summer evening.
Ulverscroft Nature Reserve is a 56-hectare protected area in Leicestershire featuring diverse natural habitats such as woodland, heath, wet grassland, and a sphagnum bog, ideal for experiencing rich local flora and wildlife outdoors.
17 Oct–1 Nov
Visitors can explore Calke Abbey’s tunnels and encounter spooky surprises, including mysterious potions, creatures and ghosts. The event is particularly suited to children aged 4–7, with a quieter first hour each day.
14–15 Nov
A weekend of Diwali celebrations at Kedleston Hall, with South Asian music and dance, food, and illuminated historic interiors on Saturday evening. Families can also take part in storytelling and craft activities across the weekend.
31 Aug, 4–6 Sep
Summer of Play at Stoneywell offers outdoor play, woodland adventures, and creative activities in the garden and woodland for all ages to explore and enjoy from 10 July to 6 September 2026. The event takes place in a natural outdoor setting with space to climb, imagine, and relax, with facilities including a tearoom. Booking is required for visits, but the event itself does not require an admission fee beyond normal property entry charges.
Ulverscroft Nature Reserve in Leicestershire offers visitors a rich experience of ancient forest heathland and woodland habitats, managed by the Leicestershire & Rutland Wildlife Trust, with beauty especially noted in spring during bluebell season. A permit is required for non-members to visit.
15 Oct, 12 Nov
A guided wellbeing walk led by the Charterhouse Head Gardener through Charterhouse Heritage Park and its gardens, focusing on the area’s nature, beauty and distinctiveness.
15 Nov
A guided meditation and gentle journaling session with The Soul Collective, offering attendees time to pause, reflect and reconnect.
7–11 Oct, 14–18 Oct…
Stories That Made Us is an exhibition featuring new work by artists Hardish Virk and Shaniece Martin, inspired by Coventry Charterhouse and its surrounding communities. Personal reflections and immersive installations explore identity, memory and belonging.
5 Nov
Join a Park Guide for an autumn walk in Calke’s parkland, learning about the resident deer herds, their behaviour and history, and rutting season.
5 Sep
Spoon Carving Workshop at Kedleston Hall is an introduction to greenwood carving where attendees create a cooking spoon using three simple carving tools. The workshop is guided by an expert wood carver and teaches safe tool use, wood types, form and function, and decoration methods. Wood is provided and the event aims to build confidence for further woodworking projects.
21–22 Nov
A seasonal craft fair at Coventry Charterhouse featuring local makers and artists selling handcrafted gifts, including jewellery, glasswork, festive home décor and original artwork.
31 Aug–6 Sep
Summer Of Play at Kedleston Hall features a variety of fun outdoor activities in the Secret Garden such as giant dominoes, jenga, penalty shoot-out, an outdoor theatre, nature camp, obstacle course, and soft play for smaller children. The event is suitable for children and takes place in the garden area with seating available.
7–8 Oct, 10–15 Oct…
Explore photographs and photobooks about two generations of the Harpur Crewe family’s children at Calke Abbey. Visitors can read, try a jigsaw and rocking horse, and dress up to act out a play.
11 Oct (this Sunday)
A full-day yoga retreat welcoming the arrival of autumn, with mindful movement, breathwork, meditation, restorative yoga and Yoga Nidra. The programme also includes a mindful walk and a seasonal lunch.