7 Family Friendly Spring Things To Do in South Derbyshire this Easter (including where to find the best bluebells)
- Hill Farm
- 19 hours ago
- 5 min read
Easter is early this year, which means it’s time to share our family friendly spring things to do near Derby. Bluebell carpets are part of spring in my mind, however, the best of the bluebells will be in the weeks after Easter (later April and into May), even so, there should be a few pockets of blue giving signs of what’s to come as you walk these beautiful routes. These really are perfect family-friendly Easter holiday days out in south Derbyshire.
Here’s what’s going on around Hill Farm Caravan, Camping and Glamping site this April and May!
Family friendly spring things to do number 1: Spring Wood Bluebell Walk
Spring Wood (Melbourne): Located east of Staunton Harold Reservoir, this woodland is a Derbyshire Wildlife Trust and Visit South Derbyshire say site with an abundance of bluebells in spring, notes the Derbyshire Wildlife Trust and Visit South Derbyshire.
Family friendly spring day out number 2: Calke Abbey Easter Egg Hunt
Calke Abbey: Serpentine Wood on this National Trust estate offers massive displays of bluebells AND…
Easter Egg Trail!
Follow Peggy the Portland sheep on this year’s Easter trail.
From Saturday 21st March to April the 12th
Opening times: 10am-4.30pm (claim your egg at the finish point before 5pm)
Cost: £3.50 per child, includes an allergen appropriate egg!
Extra things to note: Calke Abbey is a National Trust Property
Check their full list of spring events here.
Family friendly spring day out number 3: Elvaston Castle Spring Fair
Head to Elvaston Castle for Derby’s Food, Drink and Craft Fair.
When: May 9th & 10th 2026
Where Elvaston Castle DE72 3EN
Time: Saturday 10am - 6pm // Sunday 10am - 5pm
What you’ll find: Live music, local produce, arts and crafts PLUS a variety of inflatables & child’s rides, a FREE circus skills workshop and children's theatre stage, with great performances perfect for little ones.
Parking is free
Ticket price is TBD, cash on the door only
Dogs on leads are welcome
Family friendly spring things to do number 4: Bluebell Farm Park
Visit the animals at Bluebell Dairy 21 minutes from Hill Farm Caravan and camping, Bluebell Dairy offers Easter events, farm animals, indoor play, and award‑winning ice cream. In spring you can feed baby lambs.
On over Easter is:
The Most Egg-citing Easter Adventure at Bluebells Farm
When: 28th March to 12th April
Where: Bluebell Dairy Farm
Time: 10am - 5pm
Ticketed event , buy them here.
Family friendly spring day out number 5: Alvaston Park Dinosaur Fair
Alvaston Park is on the list as it’s only 20 minutes away from Hill Farm. For Easter if has a funfair and live dinosaur shows throughout the afternoon. If you have dino-fans this could be the one for you.
When: Sat 28 Mar - Sat 4 Apr
Where: DE24 8QQ
Time: 12noon - 6pm
Before the big event, you can enjoy the morning wandering. Alvaston Park offers a wealth of activities from fishing, exploring the science garden, riding your BMX, playing football to enjoying a leisurely walk around the historic lake.
Family friendly spring things to do number 6: Markeaton Park Easter Fair
We’ve talked about Markeaton Park before on our blog. And that’s because, as a family it REALLY worth the visit. From play parks and walks to craft activities, events and more… You’ll easily spend the whole day out, keep the kids busy and boredom free.
When: Sat 4 - Tue 21 Apr
Where: DE22 3BG
Time: 12noon onwards
Family friendly spring day out number 7: Easter at Chatsworth House
Most of the Easter activities at Chastworth House are included with your farmyard and house ticket.
Event details from their website
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Saturday 28 March to Sunday 12 April
Unless otherwise noted, activities are included with your garden and farmyard ticket.
In the Garden
Explore over 105 acres of historic garden, including sculptures, a kitchen garden, maze, Victorian rock garden, arboretum and pinetum, plus acres of lawns and the 6ft Emperor Fountain. During the Easter holidays, you can also join the below activities in the garden.
There’s so much going on we’ve listed the events as on their website. The link to book is here.
Wonderful Water: Cascade Crafts
Join us for a drop-in water-based art session inspired by the Cascade, with crafts including paint marbling and paint blowing.
When: 30 March, 1 April, 7 April & 9 April | 10.30am to 12.30pm & 1.20pm to 3.30pm
Where: The Old Potting Shed in the garden
Included with garden tickets.
Freshwater Explorers
Get involved with a range of hands-on activities, including leaf boat building and racing, exploring the trout stream barefoot (or wearing wellies!), constructing dams and bridges, or wildlife spotting.
When: 31 Mar, 2 April, 8 April & 10 April
Where: The Old Potting Shed in the garden, please see the sign by the door for details
Included with garden tickets.
Nature Play Areas
Let your imagination run wild in our nature play areas in the Pinetum and south of the Grotto Pond, where you can construct, balance and create with wooden blocks.
When: Daily between 28 March and 12 April
Where: Chatsworth Garden
Included with garden tickets.
In the Farmyard
Enjoy egg hunting and Easter-themed crafts at the Farmyard, where you can also meet the friendly animals, including horses, pigs and goats. Take the secret tunnel to the adventure playground, where you can climb the tall towers, zip line, slide, and even dig in the giant sandpit.
Easter Egg Hunt
Join the hunt for hidden chocolate eggs around the Farmyard.
When: 3 - 5 April | 11.15am, 12.30pm, 2pm & 3.30pm and 6 April | 11.30am & 2pm
Where: Chatsworth Farmyard
£3 per child. Please add to your online booking alongside farmyard tickets.
Oak Barn Crafts
Get creative in a self-guided drop-in crafting session.
When: Daily between 28 March and 12 April | 10am to 4pm
Where: The Oak Barn, Chatsworth Farmyard
Included with farmyard tickets.
Tractor Trailer Rides
When: Various times, please see the board upon arrival
Where: Leaves from the Oak Barn at Chatsworth Farmyard
£3.50 per person. Tickets can be purchased at the farmyard entrance.
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If you haven’t yet booked your glamping pod or camping pitch this Easter, there’s no time like today!
With so much on your barefoot wild children (and inner parent-child) will be entertained, adventure-filled and ear to ear happy.
All our Pods, Deluxe and Deluxe Plus Bell Tents come with a woodfired hot tub. So after a long day out you can relax busy muscles in a bubbling hot tub.
We couldn’t think of anything better this Easter.
Happy booking!
Tara x
You’ve got kids? These blogs are a must read!
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