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DERBYSHIRE is a hidden gem when it comes to an outdoor keep-the-kidsentertained family getaway.
And it’s perfect for a long weekend or half-term break.
The last time I was in Derby was for university and I never ventured outside the busy city centre. So visiting its neighbour, Ashbourne, was a pleasant surprise. I now have my husband Geoff, two toddlers and a dog, so my priorities have changed somewhat.
We arrived at Landal Sandybrook (one of the brand’s newest parks in the former grounds of a 19th Century manor house, south of the Peak District National Park) and were greeted with a maze of lodges, mini golf and a pub.
We stayed in a well-equipped twobedroom Kedleston Elite 2 lodge.
Our aim was simple: keep the kids going during the day, so we could chill in the evening. And they had a whole timetable of activities – a few you need to pay extra for and I would suggest pre-booking.
They’re mainly for children aged three and above, including football, bodyzorbing (those large inflatable bubbles you can run in) archery, fencing and snorkelling.
For younger kids and rainy days, there is a shed filled with toys and an indoor pool.
Our first day trip out of the resort was to Dovedale, a must-see for its impressive limestone ravines and famous stepping stones. There is a massive car park (£5 cash, the only expense of the day) with toilets and