News
7 December 2023
Family winter walks in Derwent Valley
Enjoy family-friendly winter walks in Derwent Valley this winter. Getting the train to your destination will feel like a festive adventure in itself!
Lover's Walk and Derwent Gardens, Matlock Bath
Matlock Bath is an excellent family-friendly destination. Just 2 minutes from Matlock and 32 minutes from Derby by train, the village has a wide range of cafes and indoor attractions for rainy days, including the Peak District Mining Museum and Matlock Bath Aquarium.
This suggested Lover’s Walk route has options which are level and lots to see along the way, perfect for young explorers: Family Activity Walk Matlock Bath
The Clusters and Belper River Gardens, Belper
A trip to Belper makes a great first family train journey, just 12 minutes from Derby and 22 minutes from Matlock. On rainy days, enjoy a film at the independent Ritz Cinema or a festive treat in Belper Rivers Gardens cafe, or visit Dormouse Books which has a great range of children’s books.
This walk from Belper station to the River Gardens via the Clusters gives children the chance to imagine how life might have been for mill workers in the past, and let off steam in the playground in the River Gardens: Family Activity Walk Belper
Festive fun in Derby
There’s lots to do in Derby, from favourites like Derby Museums and Art Galleries to seasonal events like the Cathedral Quarter Ice Rink and Santa’s Magic Cabin at the Derbion. Take a look at the Visit Derby website to find family events in the city: What’s On in Derby
Head from the station to the city centre via this accessible, mainly traffic-free route: Derby Riverside Path
Attenborough Nature Reserve family trails
This is a great family destination, with excellent visitor facilities and trails which are accessible for buggies. Little ones will love exploring the sensory garden and spotting wildlife such as ducks, swans, and herons on the lakes and ponds.
The reserve is clearly signposted from Attenborough station, about a ten minute walk. Get there by train in 9 minutes from Nottingham/3 minutes from Beeston and 20 minutes from Derby: Attenborough | Derwent Valley CRP
Travelling with the family
Did you know that children under 5 travel for free, and children under 15 travel for half price across the rail network? You might also benefit from a Friends and Family Railcard, which can help you save up to a third on rail tickets. You can also buy Groupsave tickets on board some EMR trains, which are valid for groups of 3-9 adults and up to 4 children; T&Cs apply: Group train tickets | EMR
You can download our Family Activity Book from our website, which has walks and things to do at each station between Matlock and Derby: Family Activity Book