With Alton Towers, Splash Landings, Guillvers Kingdom and loads more on your doorstep at Knockerdown Cottages, there really are family days out for everyone
Arguably one of the best theme parks in the world, Alton Towers is just a 30 minutes drive away from Knockerdown Cottages so why not treat your family to an amazing day out! From play areas for small children, to white knuckle rides for thrill seekers, it's got over 40 rides and attractions to enjoy including record-breaking rollercoasters and the UK’s only CBeebies Land.
If rollercoaster rides aren't enough then Alton Towers has a whole host of other adventures including the family favourite Splash Landings Hotel & Waterpark. It boasts loads of fantastic interactive water features. Float on lazy rivers, get soaked with crazy cannons, and brave the sensational speed of the Master Blaster water coaster. The wet and wild waterpark is open all year round, offering bucket-loads of fun for all ages. The indoor waterpark is home to high-speed water slides and interactive play areas. In the summer months, Alton’s water park extends to the outdoor pool area. Enjoy the Bubbly Wubbly bubble pool and Flash Floods flume ride in the sunshine.
Discover thrilling rides and amazing attractions at Gulliver's Kingdom Matlock Bath, just a stones throw from Knockerdown Cottages. Located on the edge of the Peak District National Park, Gulliver's Kingdom is a unique theme park experience. Enjoy adrenaline-fueled adventures all with spectacular views thanks to its impressive hillside setting. Climb high above the Crows Nest Quest or take a ride on the log flume, 300ft above Derwent Valley!
Take a flight on Britain's first alpine style cable car. Witness the spectacular views of the surrounding Peak District as you begin your journey up to the summit. The 60 acre Hilltop estate has masses to explore from its two famous show caverns, Tinkers Shaft, The Long View, Masson Paviliton, The Fossil Factory, Victoria Prospect Tower, Adventure playgrounds and estate walks, there is something for everyone at The Heights Of Abraham.
An animal lovers paradise! Peak Wildlife Park has a whole host of animals ready to meet you and your family! Set in the Staffordshire Moorlands and just a short drive from Knockerdown be ready to meet Penguins, Lemurs, Zebras, Otters, Pigs, Goats and Wallabies to name a few.
Once you have visited all the animals take a rest at the family picnic area, or head over to the play areas. Jungle Bounce and large outdoor play area is a great place for the kids and includes a bouncy castle, large sand pit, jungle gym and space hoppers means that there will always be something to entertain your little ones. There is also an indoor soft play area set over two large jungle themed levels; there's an array of slides, bridges and ladders for the little ones to contend with, not to mention the ball pool! It's large open plan design, wonderful wooden interior and Asian Short-clawed Otter viewing area make this an attraction not to be missed!
Farmyard fun for all ages, all year round, in the fresh air and tranquillity of the countryside! Matlock Farm Park has a plethora of lovely animals to meet, feed and cuddle, an indoor play barn to have fun in, go-karts to ride around on, a shop to browse and a cosy café to visit. The riding school is also open all year round and offers lessons or hacking for all abilities as well as short pony rides.
You’ll find one of the popular Go Ape sites here in the heart of the Peak District. This leafy course based in Buxton is beautiful in all seasons – a lush green tunnel high up in the tree tops. This is one of the highest Go Ape courses in the UK which features one of our biggest Tarzan Swings. With this claim to fame they have added a whole host of zip wires meaning there’s an exhilarating extended course with its own tree-to-tree section to fly through. Perfect the adventurer!
Crich Tramway Village contains over 60 (mainly British) trams built between 1873 and 1982 and is set within a recreated period village containing a working pub, café, old-style sweetshop and tram depots. The museum's collection of trams runs through the village-setting with visitors transported one-mile out into the local countryside and back. A great day out with the kids, you can stroll the streets of the period village, ride on the trams, visit the pub and shops and take in the history of trams in the great exhibition hall.
Denby Pottery is named after the village of Denby in Derbyshire where it is based. It primarily sells hand-crafted stoneware tableware, kitchenware and serve ware products including dinner sets, mugs and serving dishes, as well as a variety of glassware products and cast-iron cookware. The Pottery Village is a great place for shoppers to explore and with a factory shop, cook shop and garden stall on site, making it easy to find the perfect souvenir pottery piece. They also have lots of hands on experiences for visitors to try including pottery throwing classes, craft studio and experiences, a museum, factory tours and children's parties to keep the little ones entertained.
Poole's Cavern is a ancient natural Limestone Cavern. Explore with our expert guides these vast, beautifully illuminated rock sculpted galleries and marvel at the variety of crystal Stalactites and Stalagmites renowned as the finest underground scenery in the UK. The cavern and country park woodlands are found on the outskirts of the historic Spa town of Buxton in the High Peak of Derbyshire. Explore the cavern and take a stroll around the huge park, or lunch in the café which serves great food and coffee.