Peak District May half term: WHAT’S ON this Spring Bank Holiday for families

If you’re planning your family days out in and around the Peak District for May half term, then you’ve come to the right place. With spring in full bloom across the National Park and lots of sunny days (fingers crossed) it really is a wonderful time of year to explore the UK’s oldest National Park.

DATES FOR PEAK DISTRICT MAY HALF TERM HOLIDAYS 2026:
23rd to 31st May

For general days out, rather than specific events, please check out our guide to Family Days Out in the Peak District, which provides lots of inspiration. Although not much beats a long family walk in the Peak District or family bike ride, and perhaps a stop at a Peak District ice cream parlour afterwards to reward everyone’s efforts.  

As always, we’ll be keeping this page updated as much as possible with news from these Peak District May half term events. But also keep an eye on the Peak District Kids Facebook Group and also our Instagram. Feel free to email us if you know of an event not listed here.

As always, we keep this page updated as much as possible with news from these Peak District May half term holiday events. But also keep an eye on the Peak District Kids Facebook Group and also our Instagram. Feel free to email us if you are an event organiser and your event is not listed.

Paid advertising may affect placement on this page

1. Family Day Rock Climbing with Peak Lines

Running sessions throughout May half term
Click here for further information and to book
Click here for the Peak District Kids review

Spend quality time with your family, discover stunning locations in the Peak District, and create memories to last a lifetime with the family rock climbing sessions over the early May bank holiday weekend.

Peak Lines offer private half-day and full-day climbing experiences in the Peak District. 

• The sessions are friendly, encouraging, and aimed to get you working together as a family
• You will have a go at climbing and abseiling, learn how to hold each other’s ropes and even learn some of the techniques essential to climbing independently
• The session will be tailored to you and your family based on experience, age, and fitness level
• Top-of-the-range safety equipment is provided

Half Day (3 Hours) £210 for a family of up to 6 people, any additional person is £55.

Full Day (6 hours) £299 for a family of up to 6 people, any additional person is £80.

2. Family activities at White Hall Outdoor Activity Centre

Various dates available over the May half term holidays
Check this Eventbrite page for dates and to book online
Click here for our review of White Hall Outdoor Centre

Use code PEAKKIDS15 to get 15% off when booking White Hall activities

Looking for something different for the kids during the holidays? Why not book one of the activity days at White Hall Outdoor Centre running throughout May half term?

Courses range from one-day to five-day adventures filled with fun and challenge. Children aged 6–18 years old are welcome.

There are also family activity days where parents can join in activities with their children, as well as SEND family activity days specifically designed for families and children with special educational needs and disabilities.

Activities on offer include:

• High and low ropes
• Zip wires
• Climbing walls
• Mountain biking
• Orienteering
• Artificial cave
• Problem solving
• Shelter building
• Canoeing
• SUP
• Caving
• Abseiling
• Stream Scrambling

Prices start at £39.40 per person. Each day begins at 9:30 a.m. at White Hall Centre. With pick-up at 4:30 p.m.

3. Family Adventure Experience with Dolomite Training

Various dates available over the May half term holidays
Click here for more information and to book
Click here for our review of a Family Adventure Experience with Dolomite Training

Looking for an active and memorable way to spend Easter holidays in the Peak District? Private Family Adventure Days with Dolomite Training are fully bespoke and designed around your group.

Join in abseiling, caving, climbing and weaselling, with both half-day and full-day adventure options available. A half day typically focuses on one activity, while a full day can be dedicated to an extended single activity or a combination of two. Although at this time of year, our most popular choice is a multi-activity day featuring climbing, abseiling and weaselling.

No previous experience needed, just a sense of adventure. Activities and timings are tailored to suit ages, experience levels and the type of adventure you’d like.

• Half days: 9:00–12:00 or 13:00–16:00 (email to book)
• Full days: 9:00/9:30–16:00/16:30

£300 for a family of 4.

4. TrYumphant May Half Term Holiday Camp

26th to 29th May (8:30am-4pm with optional half-days or extra time until 6pm)
Baslow Sports Field
From £32/day
Click here for more information and to book

Use code PDK10 to get 10% off or get 4 free half days (and 50% off top-ups with code FSM) if you qualify for free school meals based on benefits.

The TrYumphant May Half Term Holiday Camp runs from Tuesday 26th to Friday 29th May and is open to all kids, whether you live locally or are visiting on holiday. 

Rated 5 stars on Google, this camp offers a great mix of creativity, sportiness, and silliness to suit all tastes and talents. They pride themselves on low staff-child ratios (average 1:6) so that they can give each and every child a memorable, confidence-building and fun experience!

Book for as many or as few days as you like! For kids aged 3-11 (plus half-price mini-leaders 11-13).

5. Abseiling, kayaking and canoeing with Peaks and Paddles

Running throughout May half term
Click here for further information and to book
Minimum age of 5yrs for all activities
Click here for the Peak District Kids abseiling review and click here for the kayaking review

Use code KIDS10% to get 10% off when booking

Peaks and Paddles will have the following activities available through the Easter holidays:

6. Seaside fun at the National Tramway Museum

23rd to 29th May (10am to 4pm)
Click here for further information and to book
Click here for the Peak District Kids review of National Tramway Museum

The National Tramway Museum in Crich is bringing the seaside to landlocked Derbyshire this May half term; because who needs a coast when you’ve got candyfloss and Punch and Judy?

Enjoy all the fun of a traditional seaside holiday with Howard’s Amusements, £1 funfair rides, face painting, balloon modelling, and the ever-popular Punch and Judy shows. Professor Jon’s Flea Circus runs from Saturday to Wednesday, and there’s seaside crafts in the marquee all week – make a jellyfish (Saturday, Monday, Tuesday) or a fish on a stick (Wednesday to Friday). Don’t miss bingo in the marquee on Sunday!

Vintage trams run daily, dogs are welcome, no need to pre-book, and return tickets are valid. Derbyshire’s very own coastal escape awaits!

7. Dino Half-term at Thornbridge Estate

23rd to 31st May (10am to 4pm)
Adults £8 | Kids £4 | Under 3s FREE
Click here for further information and to book
Click here for the Peak District Kids review of Thornbridge Estate

Unleash your inner palaeontologist this May half term at Thornbridge Estate, where a prehistoric adventure awaits. Follow the fossil hunting trail through the grounds, stretch and stomp your way through dino-yoga sessions on 28th, 29th and 30th May, and transform into your favourite dinosaur with face painting. With plenty of roar-some fun and games along the way, it’s set to be a prehistoric adventure packed with fun from start to finish.

8. May Half Term Fun at Matlock Farm Park

23rd to 31st May (10am to 5pm)
Click here for further information and to book
Click here for the Peak District Kids review of Matlock Farm Park

Head to Matlock Farm Park for a day full of fresh air, adventure and hands-on fun!

Visitors can meet the delightful animals including Highland Cattle, Reptiles, Meerkats, Sheep, Donkeys, Pigs, Emus, Wallabies and Tortoises! There’s also some new arrivals… the Goat Kids!! Be sure to pop down to the Ark to say hello to the new arrivals. Visitors will even be able to take a stroll through their paddock outside and meet the kids up close. Plus the hugely popular event ‘Meet the Reptiles’ and the interactive ‘Tortoise Bathing’ will be returning too.

As well as the super fun half term activities, the amazing Neighbourhood Spider, The Bat, and the incredible Girl of Steel will swoop in for a day full of heroic fun on Monday 25th May!

Whether it’s feeding the goats, cheering on the ferrets in the race or simply enjoying the countryside, there’s something for everyone. There is even the UK’s largest jumping pillow, The Enchanted Hamlet multizone all weather play area and short pony rides! Visitors can book ahead online or simply pay on arrival.

9. Elmer the Patchwork Elephant and 40% off at Gulliver’s Kingdom

23rd to 31st May (10am to 5pm)
Click here for further information and to book
Click here for our top tips for visiting Gulliver’s Kingdom

Much-loved children’s book character Elmer the Patchwork Elephant will be entertaining families at Gulliver’s Kingdom during May and can’t wait for photo opportunities with his biggest fans.

Elmer is the colourful star of 45 books written by David McKee since 1989, with the series selling more than 10 million copies in 55 languages.Elmer will be making special meet and greet appearances at the theme park in Matlock Bath from May 9-31, which includes the Spring Bank Holiday week.

Gulliver’s Kingdom also has a fantastic special offer for the school half-term break where guests can save 40% on standard children’s day tickets for visits from 23rd to 31st May (book your tickets here).

All the exciting rides, attractions, shows and activities at the theme park will be open throughout May, such as animatronic dinosaurs, the Drop Tower, Dino Falls, the Pirate Ship, and two recent additions, the Upside Down House, and the Safari Kingdom area, which has an adventure trail for youngsters to explore.

10. Nature Journalling at Longshaw Estate

23rd to 31st May (9:30am to 4:30pm)
£3 per journal
Click here for further information and to book

Get creative in the great outdoors this May half term with nature journalling at Longshaw Estate. Families can pick up a journal from the Welcome Building and set off on a self-led adventure around the estate, discovering activity stations along the way.

With stops including the Kitchen Garden and pond, children are encouraged to slow down, explore their surroundings and record what they see through drawing, writing and imaginative activities. It’s a lovely way to connect with nature at your own pace while creating a keepsake to take home. Ideal for families who enjoy gentle outdoor adventures and creative play.

Check out the Peak District Kids Longshaw pram friendly walk and our Longshaw toddler walk if you do visit this May half term. We also have a lovely circular walk that incorporates both Padley Gorge and Longshaw Estate.

11. Nature Journalling at Ilam Park and Dovedale

25th May (10am to 4pm)
FREE event
Click here for further information and to book

Get creative outdoors this half term with Nature Journals at both Ilam Park and Dovedale. Families can pick up a journal for £3 per person and set off on a self-led adventure, using the surrounding landscapes as inspiration for drawing, writing and recording wildlife discoveries.

There are creative stations to help personalise journals, along with Hidden Wildlife outdoor photography displays to spot nature seen in these special places.

At Ilam Park, families can also follow nature stations around the grounds and enjoy a special Meet the Moths event. A lovely way to slow down, explore together and create a keepsake to take home.

Check out the Peak District Kids Ilam walk to Dovedale if you visit.

12. YHA Kids Creative Nature Writing Drop in at Ilam Park

23rd to 31st May (9:30am to 4:30pm)
£3 per journal
Click here for further information and to book

Join the Ilam Youth Hostel Activity Team for a fun drop in scavenger hunt. Then the children can choose their favourite item and write a poem or shorty story exploring the use of language and words inspired by the five senses. ‘The feel of crunchy leaves in the hand’. ‘The smell of fresh air’. ‘The sounds of birds chirping in the tree’. ‘The sight of beautiful butterflies’. ‘The taste of rain hitting your lips’.

The children can enjoy drawing a picture with their creative work or gluing their favourite nature item onto their poem or story to take away as a lovely memento of their day.

13. Move with Nature Trail at Carsington Water

23rd to 31st May
FREE event
Click here for further information

Get outdoors and enjoy the Move with Nature Trail around Stones Island. Families can test their nature knowledge by following the route and answering questions along the way, making it a fun activity for all ages.

Free to take part in and with no trail sheet needed, it is a great excuse to enjoy some fresh air, explore together and learn more about the natural world while staying active this half term.

While visiting, perhaps bring the bikes and enjoy a cycle around Carsington Water, or if the family are up for a long walk, there’s the pram-friendly loop around the reservoir.

14. Chatsworth Family Festival

23rd to 25th May
Click here for further information and to book
Click here for the Peak District Kids guide to visiting Chatsworth with kids

Chatsworth’s Family Festival returns for the May bank holiday weekend with three days of family entertainment included with all ‘house, garden and farmyard’ and ‘garden and farmyard’ tickets.

Set across the gardens, there will be a lively mix of storytelling, theatre, circus skills, creative workshops, crafts, music, poetry and hands-on nature activities designed for children and grown-ups alike. Families can expect plenty of chances to join in, from character creation and bug-themed sessions to floral crown making and interactive performances. There will also be drop-in activities running throughout the festival, making it easy to explore at your own pace.

For an added adventure, The Big Tree Climb gives families the chance to scale one of the tallest trees in Stand Wood under expert supervision, with relaxed sessions available too.

Make sure that you check the schedule on the Chatsworth website to work out which sessions you would like to attend.

15. Brick Corner On The Road

Events running throughout the May half term holidays.

Brick Corner On The Road is running some wonderful events for families across the Peak District this May Half term.

16. Go for a family walk

A family walk in the Peak District is really number one reason to visit the National Park, and you should at least fit in one of our family walks into your May half term.

With hundreds of public footpaths criss-crossing the National Park and gentle rolling hills that aren’t too taxing on little legs, it’s the perfect free activity.

On this website we have over 80 family walks, including pram friendly walks and toddler walks, to more challenging walks such as Stanage Edge or Win Hill. Or you may even want to take on an epic walk up Kinder Scout with the kids.

17. Get out on the bikes

May half term is a good time to dust off the bikes stored away over the winter months, and head out on one of our Peak District cycle routes.

There are lots of old railway tracks that have been transformed into traffic free routes for walkers, cyclists, horse riders and wheelchair users through some of the Peak District’s most spectacular limestone dales.  As these are traffic free and relatively flat, they’re a great place to go for a family bike ride.

Plus, there are also some lovely routes around the reservoirs (including Ladybower cycle route and Carsington cycle route), although kids will need bikes with gears for these ones.

Below are our top tried and tested Peak District family bike routes. Though remember, you don’t have to do the whole route, you can always cut it short for tired legs.