Family-friendly things to do at Foremark

Image shows a woman reaching to hit a shuttlecock during a game of badminton. In the background you can see another family playing on the grass overlooking the water at Foremark — Enjoy family games at Foremark | © National Trust/Annapurna Mellor

From adventures in the playground to walks through the woodland, there’s plenty of ways to enjoy a great family day out at Foremark. Find out what family-friendly events are coming up and all the information you need to make the most of your visit.

Planning your family visit

If you're planning a day out at Foremark with the family, here is some useful information at a glance:

There are two family parking spaces in the main car park.
Baby changing facilities are available in the accessible toilet by the visitor facilities.
The playground is a short walk away from the main car park.
Breastfeeding is welcome anywhere on site

Family-friendly events

Summer of Play

Come and make the most of being outdoors this summer at Foremark from 12 July – 7 September.

With plenty of open space, there’s lots of opportunities to play in the sunshine and create lasting family memories.

Summer of Play is sponsored by Starling Bank.

Children walking on beginner's stilts — Circus skills workshop at Foremark, Derbyshire | © National Trust/Sue Richardson

Circus skills

Channel your inner performer with circus skills workshops every Thursday in August.

With the help of Circus Sensible and their merry band of performers, you’ll soon master juggling, plate spinning, beginner’s stilts and diabolo.

Find out more

Outdoor games

Choose from a selection of outdoor games and challenge your friends and family to badminton, classic sports day races, giant Jenga or hula hooping.

Find out more

Bring a picnic

Foremark is the perfect spot for a picnic in the sunshine. Lay down a blanket, secure a picnic bench or set up by your car if you’re feeling really peckish.

Bring along your own or treat yourself to refreshments from the kiosk. There’s also ice cream for the whole family, including bambino scoops for little ones, perfect for an Indian summer.

Image shows a family of five sat enjoying a picnic on the grass overlooking views of the water at Foremark — A picnic with a view | © National Trust/Annapurna Mellor

Get active

Whether you’re looking for a short wander or a big adventure, Foremark’s a great place for a family walk.

The green route is perfect for little legs, whereas the orange route offers the chance to venture further afield. Keep an eye out for steps and steep slopes on the orange walk.

Or explore Foremark from a new perspective on two wheels along the multi-use Bridleway. With a relatively flat terrain, it’s the perfect route for a family ride or a stroll with a pushchair. Please bear in mind that this route is also used by horse riders.

Plan your route

Come and play

With plenty of open space, load the car with your favourite games and enjoy an afternoon of family fun. What games will you bring?

For those seeking a bigger adventure, go wild in the playground and enjoy climbing, swinging, and spinning.

'50 things to do before you’re 11¾'

With plenty of open space, Foremark is a great place to start your '50 things to do before you’re 11¾' adventure. Here’s a few ideas to get you started:

No.6 Splash about in the puddles: Don your wellies and head out on a walk around Foremark. The green walk is perfect for little legs looking for an adventure.

No. 7 Fly a kite: With plenty of open space, Foremark is a great place for kite flying. Choose a patch of grass and hold on tight, as your kite soars into the sky. Remember to watch out for those around you.

No.9 Eat a picnic outdoors: Enjoy lunch with a view on one of Foremark’s picnic benches or bring along your own blanket and spread out on the grass. Remember to pack up all your leftovers afterwards to take home.

No.31 Make friends with a bug: Head to Foremark’s woodland and see what creepy crawlies are lurking beneath your feet.

No.44 Watch a bird: Bring along your binoculars and see what you can spot. The water’s edge is a great place to see waterfowl, gulls and wagtails along the shoreline, whereas raptors, buzzards and peregrine falcon can be spotted up above.

Looking after Foremark

You can help us look after Foremark by:

Leaving BBQs at home – whether that’s with gas, coal, a camping stove or however you like to cook your burgers.

Taking any litter home with you.

Staying out of the water – for your own safety, there’s no water access for you or your four-legged friends. Blue green algae is present at Foremark, which can be fatal for dogs.

Keeping dogs on a lead around the car parks, visitor facilities, playground, picnic benches, and along the Bridleway and nearby woodland.

Visiting with your dog?