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Family-friendly things to do at Foremark

Image shows a child and mum playing with autumn leaves
Experience the awe of autumn at Foremark | © National Trust/Rod Kirkpatrick

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

October half term

Come and make the most of being outdoors this October half term, from Saturday 18 October to Sunday 2 November.

Put your nature detective skills to the test and find ten different leaves hidden around Foremark. Don't forget to pick up a trail sheet from the kiosk before you start your adventure!

With plenty of open space, there’s lots of opportunities to play in the autumn light and create lasting family memories. Why not make a day of it, and check out the Autumn colour challenge wheel at nearby Staunton Harold?

Child about to slide down a slide in the playground
Fun in the playground at Foremark | © National Trust/Rod Kirkpatrick

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.

 

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.

A view across a grassy area towards the reservoir with the headland visible in the distance. There are two picnic benches on the grass overlooking the water.

Discover more at Foremark

Find out how to get to Foremark, where to park, the things to see and do and more.

You might also be interested in

Foremark 

Nature reserve with woodland walks, grass heathland and open water

Derbyshire

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Visitor looking at a view across the water

Exploring the Nature Reserve at Foremark 

Discover woodland walks, diverse habitats and plenty of wildlife at Foremark, a 230-acre nature reserve in the heart of the Derbyshire countryside.

Image shows three women enjoying a walk through the woodland on a summer's day.

Visiting Foremark with your dog 

Dogs are welcome to explore Foremark, where you’ll discover woodland walks, open countryside and reservoir views. Find out more about walking your dog here.

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Staunton Harold 

Countryside space with wildflower meadows, woodland walks and open water

Melbourne, Derbyshire

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A view of the water tower, positioned on a slight grassy hill with a large tree to the left at Staunton Harold

Calke Abbey 

The un-stately home and country estate

Derby, Derbyshire

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A family of visitors walk down a grassy path through the Pleasure Grounds towards the south front of the house at Calke Abbey on a summer's day

Family-friendly places to visit 

Looking for a family day out that'll keep everyone entertained? Find things to do with the kids at the places we care for near you.

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