As the Easter holidays approach, the Peak District is buzzing with family-friendly activities. Whether you’re looking for outdoor adventures, creative workshops, or fun-filled farm visits, there’s plenty to explore just a short drive from The Ashford Arms.
Check out our top picks for Easter 2025, and don’t forget that The Ashford Arms is the perfect base for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or a boutique countryside stay.
Easter at Chatsworth House
A visit to Chatsworth House over Easter is always a treat, with stunning gardens, family-friendly activities, and exciting workshops for all ages.
Easter holiday highlights include fresh water explorer sessions, creative water marbling and paint blowing workshops, a family trail featuring stream rapids and fossil spotting, the Pinetum play area to test agility, spring-themed craft workshops, guinea pig and chick handling, animal feeding with a small charge for feed, tractor and trailer rides, sand and water play in the woodland playground, and Easter egg hunts from the 18th to the 21st of April.
Check the Chatsworth House website for full details and ticket pricing.
Easter Egg-Stravaganza at Thornbridge Hall
From the 7th to the 21st of April, Thornbridge Hall is hosting an Easter Fun Zone, packed with games, arts and crafts, and a film club. Kids can also embark on an Easter egg hunt around the gardens, searching for hidden treasures.
Special Easter workshops at Thornbridge Hall include a Lego printing workshop on the 11th of April where kids can create unique artwork using Lego bricks and printmaking techniques, and a Posca pen workshop on the 14th of April led by artist Dave Elsom, where children can experiment with acrylic paint markers.
Both workshops include garden entry for one child and one adult, with all materials provided, and cost £20 per child. Pre-booking is recommended.
Easter at Matlock Farm Park
From the 5th to the 21st of April, Matlock Farm Park is hosting its annual Easter Egg-Stravaganza, packed with animal encounters, treasure trails, and farmyard fun.
Daily Easter activities include meeting the cade lambs and watching them being bottle-fed, joining in the Easter Treasure Trail for mini prizes, enjoying sheep racing, ferret racing, and meerkat talks, getting hands-on with small animal petting and wallaby encounters, trying a pony ride, and bouncing on the UK’s largest jumping pillow.
Over the Easter weekend, there’s even more fun on offer with Easter egg hunts and the Find the Golden Egg challenge with a special prize.
Good Friday, 18th April – Dinosaur Fun Day
On Good Friday dinosaurs take over the park with Dinosaur Fun Day, where families can meet Rita the T-Rex and baby dinosaurs while joining in an exciting dinosaur dig site adventure.
Easter Sunday, 20th April – The Big Bubbleman
On Easter Sunday The Big Bubbleman will be creating giant bubbles and swirling clouds of colourful bubbles, with children having the chance to make their own magical bubble creations.
Tickets start at £16.50 for children and £18.50 for adults. Discounts are available for family passes, NHS, Armed Forces, carers, and senior citizens.
Easter at Peak Village
Located in Rowsley, Peak Village is a fantastic shopping and leisure destination, with independent boutiques, national brands, and cosy cafés. Over Easter, it’s also hosting a special Alice in Wonderland-themed Easter Fun Day on Sunday the 20th of April.
The event will include storytelling sessions, craft activities, and a themed Easter trail inspired by the classic tale.
Make The Ashford Arms Your Easter Base
After a busy day exploring the Peak District, The Ashford Arms is the perfect place to relax and refuel. Whether you’re *staying overnight or just stopping by for a meal, there are plenty of options available.
Breakfast is served from 8 am to 11 am to fuel your Easter adventures, lunch and dinner feature a seasonal menu packed with fresh, locally sourced ingredients, and afternoon tea is available Monday to Saturday from 12 pm to 5 pm with advance booking required.
Book your table or room today and make this Easter extra special.
*Please note, we have no family rooms at The Ashford Arms. Please check our sister venues The Maynard and The George Hathersage for availability.
