The Big Draw at Mr Straw's House
8–10 Oct, 15–17 Oct…
The Big Draw is a display of drawings made by visitors showing their favourite spaces at Mr Straw’s House. Visitors can view the artwork and make a drawing to add to the display.
Nottinghamshire
Nottinghamshire is a historic and culturally rich county in England's East Midlands, famed for Sherwood Forest, Robin Hood legends, historic towns, and vibrant urban centres with excellent transport connections.
Near Mr Straw's House
Mr Straw's House is an Edwardian historic house museum in Worksop showcasing a largely unchanged family home from the 1920s, offering visitors a unique glimpse into period life with original furnishings and personal belongings.
Located in Worksop
Worksop is a historic market town in Nottinghamshire known for its Priory, canal leisure activities, proximity to Sherwood Forest, and ties to coal mining and timber industries.
Walk With Us: Wider Estate Walks
8 Oct, 15 Oct…
Join a guided group walk exploring one of Hardwick’s longer routes through its historic estate parkland. Four routes are offered, ranging from 5.5 to 8 miles.
Near Hardwick
Hardwick Hall is an Elizabethan country house in Derbyshire notable for its Renaissance architecture, large windows, and rich historical associations including as a WWII parachute brigade formation site. The venue offers house tours with period furnishings and tapestries, plus extensive gardens and the ruins of the Old Hall. Visitors can enjoy a significant indoor historic experience alongside outdoor exploration of the estate grounds.
Ghost Tours at Gainsborough Old Hall
11 Oct, 25 Oct…
Visitors join a guide for a tour of Gainsborough Old Hall featuring accounts of its reported ghostly happenings.
Near Gainsborough Old Hall
Gainsborough Old Hall is a well-preserved Tudor manor house in Lincolnshire, showcasing medieval architecture, historic interiors including a medieval kitchen, and intriguing features like witches' marks and a reputed haunting. It is managed by English Heritage and open as a museum for visitors.
Located in Gainsborough
Gainsborough is a historic market town in Lincolnshire, England known for its medieval Old Hall, riverside charm, historic churches, cultural venues, and river heritage.
Apple Celebrations
23–24 Oct
Apple Celebrations is a two-day event in Clumber Park’s walled kitchen garden, featuring apple pressing and tasting, pruning demonstrations, heritage apples for sale and a self-led trail. Saturday also includes beehive demonstrations and Morris dancing.
Autumnal Besom Broom Decorating Workshop
25 Oct
Participants decorate a large besom broom with locally grown dried flowers and other natural materials, learning about the broom’s symbolism and creating a seasonal decoration. The workshop is led by eco-florist Liz Baxter and includes refreshments.
Near Clumber Park
Clumber Park is a large National Trust country park in Nottinghamshire with extensive outdoor natural areas, gardens, a serpentine lake, and a historic Grade I listed Gothic Revival chapel. Visitors can enjoy indoor exhibitions at the Discovery Centre and the Duke's Study café, alongside exploring vast outdoor parklands and gardens featuring rare plant collections and wildlife habitats.
Guided by Nature: Veteran Tree Walk
2 Dec
Join an expert ranger for a 3.5–4 mile walk exploring Hardwick’s veteran trees, their place in the historic landscape and their importance as habitats for wildlife. The walk lasts approximately 2.5 to 3 hours.
Near Stainsby Mill
Stainsby Mill is a restored 19th-century flour watermill in Derbyshire, England, now operated by the National Trust within the Hardwick Hall estate. Visitors can experience both the historic indoor milling machinery and the scenic outdoor mill pond and surroundings.
Floral Pumpkin Decorating Drop-In Sessions
17 Oct (next Saturday)
Create a floral pumpkin display with dried flowers, foliage and other natural materials during a relaxed drop-in decorating session with Side Farm Flowers. Pumpkins can be decorated in a range of sizes and styles.
Near The Workhouse, Southwell
The Workhouse in Southwell, Nottinghamshire, is a well-preserved 19th-century workhouse museum operated by the National Trust, showcasing historic rooms and offering educational programs for children. It highlights historic poor law practices and Victorian-era workhouse life.
Located in Southwell
Southwell is a historic cathedral and market town in Nottinghamshire, England, known for its beautiful Southwell Minster, rich history, and vibrant cultural festivals such as the Southwell Music Festival and Gate to Southwell Festival.
Summer of Play: Free Weekly Crafts
22 Jul, 29 Jul…
Summer of Play: Free Weekly Crafts is a series of self-led craft activities held in the Summer of Play zone at Hardwick for children, with a different creative theme each week.
Writers' Retreat
22 Oct, 26 Nov…
A day-long writers’ retreat at Hardwick Park, where attendees can work on their own writing projects with quiet writing time, facilitator-led group check-ins and opportunities to connect with other writers. Breaks include time to explore the parkland, and refreshments and lunch are provided.
Floral Pumpkin Decorating Workshop
24 Oct
Participants decorate three locally grown pumpkins with dried flowers and natural materials in a workshop led by flower farmer and eco florist Liz Baxter. Materials and a hot drink with cake or a bake are provided.
Act of Remembrance
8 Nov
An outdoor Act of Remembrance at the Calvary War Memorial in Hardwick Village, with wreath-laying, music from Thorseby Brass Band and a reading of names.
Near Clumber Park
Clumber Park in Nottinghamshire offers a vast 3,800-acre estate of historic parkland, gardens, woodlands, and a large lake, featuring indoor attractions like a Gothic Revival chapel and a discovery centre alongside extensive outdoor trails and gardens. The venue is accessible, dog-friendly, family-friendly, and has food facilities available, making it an ideal destination for both relaxation and exploration.
Stranger Folk at Hardwick
7–31 Oct (another 22 days)
Visitors use the free Stranger Folk app to follow Old Mal’s directions and find folklore creatures around Hardwick’s outdoor estate, solving a riddle to begin and helping to seal a gap between worlds. The activity is recommended for children aged 7–12 and includes spooky themes.
Half-term storytelling in the Parsonage
19 Oct
Storytellers share myths, legends and adventurous tales featuring magical creatures and characters, including dragons, princesses and dinosaurs. Sessions are held in the Parsonage and are suitable for children aged 4–10.
October Half Term at Clumber Park
17 Oct–1 Nov
Two Halloween-themed trails at Clumber Park invite visitors to solve puzzles and uncover mysterious creatures and characters, or use the Stranger Folk app to encounter figures from British folklore and take part in activities such as worm charming and wassailing.
Have a Go Sessions: Knitting at Gainsborough Old Hall
10 Oct (this Saturday)
A free knitting session at Gainsborough Old Hall where craft volunteers help attendees learn the basics or build their knitting skills and confidence. Materials are provided.
2 miles from Beckingham Marshes
Beckingham Marshes is a nature reserve featuring wet grassland and hay meadows supporting breeding wading birds, diverse wildlife, and native hedgerows in the Trent Valley. It offers outdoor walking trails and wildlife watching with free public access.
The Pikachu Art Adventure
7 Oct–1 Nov (another 23 days)
A Pokémon-themed art trail at Hardwick featuring 30 Pikachu cards illustrated by different artists, with facts about Pikachu and an opportunity to design a trading card.
Ink Quills and Writing Workshop
26 Sep
This event is a workshop at Hardwick Estate where participants learn heritage ink making using traditional medieval recipes, hear folklore tales, and engage in a writing workshop with a local poet to create quill-written poems and artwork.
Heritage Open Days
11–12 Sep, 18–19 Sep
Heritage Open Days at The Workhouse and Infirmary offer free admission to explore over 200 years of history revealing changing attitudes to poverty and care. Visitors can discover mice dioramas, secret sundials, candlelit corners, and striking architecture in this well-preserved workhouse, providing an engaging and immersive experience suitable for all ages. No booking is required.
3 miles from Langford Lowfields
Langford Lowfields is a nature reserve in Nottinghamshire transformed from a quarry into a thriving wetland habitat, featuring the largest reedbed in the East Midlands. Visitors can enjoy extensive outdoor nature trails, birdwatching including rare species like Bitterns and Marsh Harriers, and a visitor welcome hut. The reserve focuses on wildlife conservation and offers scenic viewpoints and picnic areas for visitors.
Worksop Royal British Legion Act of Remembrance
11 Nov
A public Act of Remembrance organised with the Worksop Royal British Legion at Hardwick Calvary in Clumber Park.
Wintertide Storytelling and Folk Carols with Storyfolk
19–20 Dec
Storyfolk present festive folk carols and Elizabethan tales about winter in a museum room at Hardwick Hall. The performance lasts one hour.
Create With Us: Creative Writing Workshop
2 Aug, 19 Sep…
Participants create poems and short stories through writing exercises themed around seasonal celebrations, literacy and women in history. The workshops are part of a series held on selected dates throughout the year.
Christmas Wreath Making at Clumber Park
21–22 Nov, 27 Nov…
A Christmas wreath-making workshop at Clumber Park, led by eco florist Liz Baxter. Participants make a festive decoration using natural materials, including foliage from the park, with refreshments provided.
Wintertide Workshop Wreath Making
5 Dec
A guided wreath-making workshop where participants weave a willow wreath base and decorate it with fabric flowers and ribbons to create a festive wreath.
Cheer Up Chuckaboo Trail
7–11 Oct, 14–16 Oct
Visitors follow a trail exploring the meanings of Victorian slang words and phrases from the 1800s. Trail sheets include a prize.
A Christmas Carol presented by This is My Theatre
5 Dec
This Is My Theatre performs a one-act adaptation of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, with carols, in the Chapel of St Mary the Virgin.
Family Fun Dog Show
13 Sep
Clumber Park's Family Fun Dog Show is an outdoor event where attendees can bring their dogs to participate in various competitive classes or simply enjoy as spectators. The event includes registration from 10:00 and different competition classes from 10:30 to 13:30. Independent stalls with local products will be present. The event is free to attend but there is a £1 charge per entry to each dog competition class.
Halloween Crafts at Gainsborough Old Hall
17 Oct, 24 Oct…
Visitors can drop in to make Halloween-themed decorations to take home, with different craft activities offered on each date, including spooky silhouettes, masks and bunting, conker pumpkins, leafy ghosts and spiders.
Clumber Park Runners
14 Oct, 21 Oct…
A weekly running group at Clumber Park for people new to running, returning to exercise or training for events such as parkrun. Participants build their fitness and confidence together and can meet for refreshments in the café afterwards.
Shedding Light on Personal Narratives
31 Aug–6 Sep
Shedding Light on Personal Narratives is an event at The Workhouse and Infirmary that explores how sunlight moved through the site and shaped life, highlighted by secret sundials, candlelit corners, and architecture, featuring a handcrafted sunflower made by textile volunteers. Visitors can discover stories of residents through the property in this exploratory tour.
Summer of Play at The Workhouse and Infirmary
31 Aug–6 Sep
The Summer of Play at The Workhouse and Infirmary is a family-friendly event featuring traditional games with a Workhouse twist, including Tin Can Alley, Chess Catcher, and A Spoonful of Gruel, along with other traditional board games. The event invites visitors to play games and enjoy fun activities suitable for all ages during the summer season.
Pokémon joins Hardwick's Summer of Play
30 Aug–6 Sep
Pokémon joins Hardwick's Summer of Play at Hardwick offers Elizabethan themed outdoor activities and Pokémon inspired zones for children and families, including costume play, music, sports competitions, soft play, and craft workshops on select weekdays, with normal venue admission fees applicable.
Wellness Walks
30 Oct, 27 Nov
Join the Workhouse Walkers for a social walk around Southwell, exploring local footpaths, spotting nature and learning about the area. Walks last about 75 minutes, with a shorter 30-minute option.
Walled Kitchen Garden Tour
1 Sep, 6 Oct
Join the team for the Walled Kitchen Garden Tour at Clumber Park to learn about the history of the walled kitchen garden and witness traditional horticultural methods being used. The tour meets at the entrance to the garden and explores the outdoor garden space.
Festive Table Centrepiece Workshop
19 Dec
Participants can create a festive table centrepiece in an indoor workshop led by flower farmer and eco florist Liz Baxter of Side Farm Flowers. The workshop includes a hot drink and cake or bake.
A Plum Pudding Trail
17 Oct–1 Nov, 7–8 Nov…
Visitors follow a trail around the Workhouse to find the ingredients used in a traditional Victorian plum pudding and complete its recipe.
parkrun
10 Oct, 17 Oct…
A weekly, timed 5k run at Clumber Park, following a two-lap course over tarmac paths, stoned trail and forest paths. It is suitable for beginners and more experienced runners.
Bramley Apple Day at The Workhouse & Infirmary
24 Oct
Bramley Apple Day features the longest Apple Peel Challenge, where visitors can take part and win a themed prize, and performances of traditional and familiar songs by the Pauper Choir.
Heritage and Horticulture Amble
19 Jan, 16 Feb…
A monthly guided amble around Clumber Park’s core visitor area explores a different theme, with short insights into the estate’s history, gardens and seasonal features. The routes are no longer than 3km.
Heritage Open Days
12–13 Sep
Heritage Open Days at Stainsby Mill offer free entry to explore the Victorian water mill and learn about its innovative technology. The mill is open on selected days with no booking required. Visitors can also explore the historic parkland of the Hardwick Estate.
3 miles from Sutton Scarsdale Hall
Sutton Scarsdale Hall is a Georgian Georgian ruined stately home near Chesterfield in Derbyshire, England. The Grade I listed site is an outdoor historical attraction preserving the shell of a once grand mansion, managed by English Heritage.
Trust10 Trail Run
22 Nov, 27 Dec
A monthly 10k trail run at Clumber Park, following two 5k loops through lakeside and woodland scenery and over the ornamental bridge. The October 2026 run has been cancelled; the listed remaining dates are in November and December.
Halloween half-term at Bolsover Castle
24 Oct–1 Nov
A Halloween half-term event at Bolsover Castle featuring interactive storytelling, spooky games, a themed trail and a seasonal selfie spot. Children can also take part in a daily fancy-dress competition.
Becher Walk
4 Nov
Join a guide portraying Reverend John T. Becher on a 2.5-mile historical walking tour of Southwell, exploring his connections with the town as a churchman, magistrate and social reformer.
Bess: Unframing the family
7 Oct–1 Nov (another 23 days)
An exhibition about Bess and her family brings together portraits and other collection objects, exploring their creation, conservation and investigation. Visitors can learn about the technical analysis used on the portraits, watch a short conservation film and follow displays through the Hall.
Clumber Park's Summer of Play supported by Pokemon
30 Aug–6 Sep
Clumber Park's Summer of Play supported by Pokemon is a summer event featuring 6 play zones catering to all ages with activities including sports, nature exploration, imagination games, loose parts play, a toddler zone, and a Pokemon-themed area. The event offers storytelling sessions and ukulele taster sessions on specific days with some paid creative workshops. It is a free event but normal venue admission charges apply. The event takes place mainly outdoors on the front field at Clumber Park with some accessible play areas supporting wheelchair users. Dogs are welcome but must be on lead and restricted from certain structures. Booking is not needed, and visitors are encouraged to bring suitable clothing, picnic, and blanket or chairs.
Bright Winter Nights at Bolsover Castle
26–27 Nov
Bright Winter Nights features light installations, colourful projections, soundscapes and immersive artworks at Bolsover Castle, including works co-created with local community groups. Visitors can explore the installations and a special display of stories celebrating Junction Arts’ 50th birthday.
Mr Straw's House Worksop Walk
30 Oct
A volunteer-led walk through Worksop explores the town’s history and its connections with the Straw family, following their footsteps from home to work and their final resting place. The walk lasts around three hours and includes a refreshment break.
Discover With Us: Craft Activities & Demonstrations
27 Oct, 29 Oct
Visitors can drop in to the East Stables for seasonal natural-craft activities and demonstrations, including making friendship bracelets, herb sachets, felted flowers, paper crafts and willow wreaths. Activities vary by date and are suitable for all ages, with children accompanied by an adult.
Bess's Dream
7 Oct–1 Nov (another 23 days)
Bess’s Dream is a display in Bess of Hardwick’s bedroom exploring her life and the thoughts and memories that may have featured in her dreams near the end of her life. It features her letters, a 400-year-old gown and an eight-minute film.
Mr Straw's House: Revealed
22–23 Sep
Mr Straw's House: Revealed is a guided tour event where an experienced guide takes attendees beyond the ropes to explore parts of the house usually closed to the public. Attendees learn about the Straw family history and the National Trust's care for their possessions. The tour includes opening doors and lifting blinds to see areas of the house normally unseen, followed by a tea and chat with the team.
Rooftop tours
1–2 Sep, 9–10 Sep…
Rooftop tours at Hardwick Hall offer an exclusive guided experience to explore panoramic views over the Derbyshire countryside. Participants learn about Bess of Hardwick's history while ascending through the hall to the roof to see local landmarks and visit Bess' rooftop banqueting room. The tour requires booking and admission payment, lasts approx 1 to 1.5 hours, involves climbing steps and is suitable for those over 16 years only.
Heritage Open Day
12–13 Sep
Heritage Open Day at Hardwick offers free entry on 12 and 13 September 2026 with demonstrations in natural dyeing techniques, specialist crafts, architecture tours (booking needed for tours), and access to Stainsby Mill. The event includes exploring the hall, gardens, and parkland. It is held both indoors and outdoors throughout the day from 09:00 to 18:00.
Pushabout
12 Oct, 9 Nov…
Pushabout is a monthly, volunteer-led walking group for people with pushchair-aged children. Attendees can walk different routes through Clumber Park, usually around three miles on mostly hard-standing paths, and meet other adults.
Specialist Craft Open Days
12 Sep
Specialist Craft Open Days at Hardwick feature members of the specialist craft teams, including carpenters and masons, who care for National Trust collections and historic properties. Attendees can talk to the teams and learn about their skilled work. The event takes place on selected days during spring and summer, with sessions open from 10am to 3pm.
Meet Father Christmas at Clumber Park
28–29 Nov, 5–6 Dec…
Families visit Father Christmas in his cosy living room at Clumber Park, with time for children to share their Christmas wishes and receive a coin to spend in the Elves’ toyshop.
Sunday 8 Mile Hike
11 Oct, 8 Nov…
Join the Clumber Park team for a led eight-mile hike around the park, meeting fellow walkers and learning about the area along the way.
Autumn Photography Walk
17 Oct (next Saturday)
Join volunteer photographers and fungi enthusiasts on a walk through Clumber Park to explore autumn colours and fungi, with photography tips and information about the park.
Folk Dancing Workshop with De Mowbray's Musicke at Gainsborough Old Hall
27 Oct
De Mowbray's Musicke lead a workshop teaching traditional English folk dances in the Assembly Room at Gainsborough Old Hall.
Festive Fun at Bolsover Castle
5–6 Dec
Festive event at Bolsover Castle, with visitors invited to explore the castle and enjoy seasonal activities for the whole family.
Architecture Tour
12–13 Sep
The Architecture Tour is an outdoor guided walk at Hardwick Estate exploring the architectural features of the Stableyard, Old Hall and Hardwick Hall. The tour includes history about Robert Smythson, an early English Renaissance architect, and details about stone work and Masons' marks. Booking is essential and normal admission charges to the venue apply.
2 miles from Bolsover Castle
Bolsover Castle is a historic 17th-century castle built on medieval ruins in Bolsover, Derbyshire. Visitors experience both indoor historic rooms and outdoor gardens and earthworks. The castle features notable architecture by Robert Smythson, rich history including royal events, and is maintained by English Heritage as a popular tourist site.
October half term
17 Oct–1 Nov
A family-focused October half-term programme at The Workhouse and Infirmary includes a Victorian plum pudding trail, pumpkin decorating, garden and indoor tours, costumed storytelling and demonstrations, and Bramley Apple Day activities with a choir performance.
Heritage Open Days - Worksop Canal Walk
12 Sep
Heritage Open Days - Worksop Canal Walk is a free family walk event along the Chesterfield Canal starting at Mr Straw's House. Volunteers guide participants on a 4.5 mile walk uncovering the canal's history and role in Worksop. The event includes a free canal spotter trail for children.
Shinrin-yoku 森林浴, 森林 - Forest Bathing
11 Oct, 25 Oct
A two-hour forest-bathing session at Clumber Park, involving walking through the forest and using the senses to connect with the natural surroundings. The session is intended for participants aged over 14.
Kitchen Garden Tour
21 Oct
A member of the gardens team leads a tour exploring the history of The Workhouse’s kitchen garden and its recreated Victorian vegetable plots and heritage varieties.
Tales from The Workhouse
17 Oct, 19 Oct…
Meet costumed characters at The Workhouse and Infirmary, hear stories about the inmates’ lives and see them at their daily tasks. Activities include writing on a slate, helping with washing and learning to pick oakum.
Hallowtide Storytelling with Storyfolk
30 Oct
Storyfolk present an after-hours performance of myths, legends and history inspired by Hardwick’s collection. The 1.5-hour storytelling takes place in the High Great Chamber.
Hallowtide Half Term Activities
17–31 Oct
Families can take part in Hallowtide-themed half-term play activities at Hardwick, including witches’ hat hoopla, a barefoot broomstick walk and traditional apple games. Visitors with a House and Gardens ticket can also follow the Apple Jack trail in the orchard.
Worksop Harriers Clumber Dirty Dozen
26 Sep
The Worksop Harriers Clumber Dirty Dozen is a trail running event featuring a 12-mile run through the trails and paths of National Trust's Clumber Park. The race includes marshalled routes, water stations, finishers' medals, trophies for top placements, and stalls in the race village. It is intended for runners aged 17 and over, with no dogs allowed due to licensing restrictions. Free parking and park entry are included for runners and their families. Booking is essential as the event is expected to sell out.
Remembrance Sunday Service
8 Nov
A Remembrance Sunday service at the Chapel of Saint Mary the Virgin follows an Act of Remembrance at the Calvary War Memorial.
Family Volunteering: Raspberry Picking in the Walled Kitchen Garden
8 Sep
A one-hour family volunteering session in the Walled Kitchen Garden at Clumber Park where participants learn about growing soft fruit and help pick raspberries. Families can take home fresh raspberries with a recommended donation. The event supports the garden's fundraising efforts and requires booking in advance.
Storytime with Father Christmas for Toddlers at Clumber Park
3 Dec, 9–10 Dec…
Toddlers and babies visit Father Christmas at Clumber Park, explore a Winter Wonderland grotto, and join in storytime, nursery rhymes and songs. Each child ticket includes a book from the Peter Rabbit library and a photograph with Father Christmas.
Summer of Play: Family Minibeasts Safari in the Garden
1 Sep
Summer of Play: Family Minibeasts Safari in the Garden is an outdoor family activity event for children aged 4-12 held in the formal gardens of Hardwick. Participants can explore and learn about minibeasts and their role in the ecosystem on a guided safari through the gardens. The event is free but normal admission charges to the venue apply.
Guided by Nature: Bird Walk for Beginners
21 Oct
Join a guided beginner birdwatching walk around Hardwick’s ponds and wood pastures, learning about local birds and looking for seasonal visitors and woodland species.