Peak District summer holidays: what’s on guide for families

• Facebook
• Instagram

Not all summer events and activities have been announced yet. We’re keeping this guide updated as soon as they are!

If you’re looking for ways to keep the kids entertained over the long summer break, we’ve rounded up the best events happening in and around the National Park. From outdoor theatre and nature trails to hands-on workshops and summer festivals, there’s something for every kind of family adventure.

So grab your diary, pick your favourites, and make this summer one to remember.

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 keep this page updated as much as possible with news from these Peak District summer 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 Adventure Experience with Dolomite Training

Various dates available over the Summer 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 summer 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

2. Family Day Rock Climbing with Peak Lines

Sessions running throughout the summer holidays
Click here for more information and to book
Click here for the Peak District Kids review

SSpend 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 Easter holidays.

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.

3. Summer at Ilam Park

Dates and details coming soon

Summer of Play is back bigger and better than ever at Ilam Park. Join in the festival feeling and explore the many exciting drop in opportunities for all ages, from tiny tots, to not so grown ups! Spot fluttering flags and colourful bunting as you discover play around every corner of the beautiful parklands. Try the Ribbon Maze, play in the Mud Kitchen or try your hand at dance classes or a dog show!

Ilam Park is proud to offer a circular accessible path (1 mile), a changing place, an accessible path, and step free access to the Coach House Kiosk and Stables Bookshop.  Visit AccessAble to access the full accessibility guide.  

No admission charge to Ilam Park. There is only a charge for car parking £6 for 4 hours and £8 all day, National Trust members and blue badge holders park for free.  

4. Summer at Longshaw Estate

Date and details coming soon

Entertain the whole family with Longshaw Estate’s Summer of Play.  

Test your skills at Pinecone mini-golf or take time to relax at the wonderous Cloud Gazing Station. Learn the basics of soft archery with a lesson and practice session or have a go at orienteering, where you’ll use a simple map to find different checkpoints. You can even try a brand-new dance workshop, with facilitators Shake Out! offering folk music from around the world. 

Relax after your activities at Longshaw’s award-winning cafe, which offers a full range of seasonal lunches, refreshments and locally sourced ice-creams.    

Visit AccessAble to access the full accessibility guide. No admission charge to Longshaw Estate, which is open to everyone. Car parking charges are £6 for 4 hours and £8 all day, National Trust members and blue badge holders park for free.  

5. Family activities at White Hall Outdoor Activity Centre

Various dates available over the Easter 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 the Easter holidays?

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.

6. Woodland Ways Family Survival Course

6th-7th August & 20th-21st August (10am to 10am)
Haddon Hall
Click here for more information and to book

To support families attending together, a group booking saving is available. When booking four places and paying in full, families receive a £50 reduction using the code MAKEMEMORIES.

A 24-Hour Woodland Experience for Parents and Children. The Family Survival Course is a carefully designed overnight woodland experience designed for families who want more than a day out and less than a long immersion. Set over 24 hours, it offers a measured introduction to living outdoors together, combining practical bushcraft skills with shared challenge, comfort, and reflection.

This is not a high-adrenaline survival challenge, nor a children’s activity session adapted for adults. It is a composed, confidence-building experience in which parents and children learn side by side, guided by highly experienced instructors and supported by a calm, well-structured environment.

The emphasis throughout is on capability rather than endurance, and on creating an experience that feels purposeful, reassuring, and quietly memorable.

Suitable for families with children aged 8 and above. Younger children may be considered on a case-by-case basis following discussion with the instructional team so simply give us a call to discuss. Parents are fully involved throughout the experience. This is not a drop-off course, nor one where adults observe from the edges. The learning, responsibility, and achievement are shared.

7. Peaks and Paddles Kayak Hire / Family Canoe trips / Abseiling

Running sessions throughout the summer holidays
Click here for further information and to book
Minimum age of 5yrs for all activities

Kayak hire

Paddle a tandem kayak , meandering at a leisurely slow pace along the Cromford Canal and return. Enjoying the wildlife along the way in a lovely location. 1hr approx.

Teens can paddle together provided a parent is supervising.

This is a no swimming / falling in allowed.

Family canoe trip

Just your group plus the instructor, take control of your canoe and cruise along the canal, with help from the instructor you will be in control in no time! Enjoy a few games and challenges along the way.

2hrs approx.

Millers Dale Bridge Abseil

With a head for heights descend 90ft into the valley below! Safety rope attached at all times with full instruction to get the most out of your experience. Min 4 goes each more if your quick!

2hrs approx.

8. Go Ape in Buxton

Visit the Go Ape website for more information.
Click here for our review

Looking for unique things to do this summer? How about 30ft up a tree? Whether you’re looking for things to do with family or friends Go Ape have adventure covered. Head to Buxton Country Park, Poole’s Cavern, for 2-3 hours of action-packed fun and tackle the Treetop Challenge. Climb up rope ladders, tackle tricky crossings, leap off Tarzan Swings and experience high-speed ziplines in the great outdoors. Our forest doors are open daily. Come rain or shine. Whatever the weather.

Please note that as this is one of the bigger and more challenging Go Ape courses, there is a minimum age restriction of 10 years and a minimum height restriction of 1.4 metres. One adult (18+) can supervise up to two children aged between 10-15 while on the course with them. 16 and 17-year-olds can supervise themselves (but not younger children).

The parking for Go Ape is shared with Poole’s Cavern, so you can combine your visit to the cavern, and/or venture up to Solomon’s Temple.

9. Summer of fun at Thornbridge Estate

Date and details coming soon

Click here to read our guide for visiting Thornbridge Estate

This summer, Thornbridge Gardens is bursting into life with family-friendly fun and magical moments. Explore ten acres of stunning RHS Partner gardens and follow the seasonal nature trail, specially designed to showcase the gardens at their blooming best.

Kids can net a duck at the iconic Rubber Duck Fountain, venture into the enchanted HobbleGobble Woods, and get creative at special summer workshops (additional charges apply). There’s a sense of wonder around every corner; from adding your message to the Love Locker to discovering hidden surprises on the trail.

Dogs are welcome and parking is free