School holiday top picks
Make the most of the school holiday with our top picks of events and activities taking place across the county.
On this page
- Adventures
- Creswell Crags
- Holme Pierrepont Country Park and National Watersports Centre
- Inspire at Nottinghamshire Libraries
- Notts Help Yourself
- Notts Outdoors
- Rufford Abbey Country Park
- SEND activities
- Sherwood Forest
Adventures
Location: Mill Waters, Sutton in Ashfield, Nottinghamshire, NG17 4PA
Adventures await at Mill Waters with fun for all ages.
Enjoy high-flying excitement by King’s Mill Reservoir, with High Trek Plus, the Net Park, a 100m zip line, and The Drop into an airbag. Take to the water with pedalos, kayaks, and paddleboards, perfect for all skill levels.
Find out more on the Adventures website.
- High Trek Plus – Climb, balance and zip your way around our high ropes course at 6m and 10m high. Packed with exciting obstacles and aerial thrills.
- Zip Line Experience – Take the leap and soar 100m through the air before landing with a bounce on our giant airbag.
- Net Park – Bounce, climb and explore our giant netted playground – perfect for younger adventurers (and the young at heart!).
Make it a bigger adventure! - book two or more activities and use code SAVE5 to get £5 off.
Creswell Crags
Location: Creswell Crags Museum and Heritage Centre, Crags Road, Welbeck, Worksop, Nottinghamshire, S80 3LH
Walk in the footsteps of early humans and woolly mammoths through a dramatic gorge. Marvel at the Ice Age rock art still visible in extraordinary caves. And enjoy exploring amongst the timeless beauty of the woodland, meadow, and reflective lake.
Find out what's on and book on the Creswell Crags website.
Holme Pierrepont County Park
Location: Adbolton Lane, Holme Pierrepont, Nottingham NG12 2LU
At Holme Pierrepont Country Park you can enjoy an exciting day out or short break for all the family, from adrenaline-pumping activities through to family-friendly fun, nestled amongst 270 acres of beautiful parkland.
There are activities for everyone to enjoy, from thrill-seekers to those looking for a family adventure outdoors, both on and off the water.
Find out more on the Holme Pierrepont Country Park website.
Inspire at Nottinghamshire Libraries
Location: Various libraries across Nottinghamshire
Our libraries have a wide range of activities to help you have a fun-filled break. Take a look at what's taking place over the holidays, including FREE fabulous family activities suitable for all.
See what's happening across Inspire or find regular events at your local library.
Be a reading rockstar this summer!
Celebrate stories, music and sound in this Summer Reading Challenge 2026: Read to the Beat. Sign up for FREE in your local Inspire library, set your 6 reading goals and start collecting your fantastic rewards. Pick up your starter pack from Saturday 4 July and start your summer reading journey today!
Find out more about the summer reading challenge.
OFFBEAT Exhibition
Following the Read to the Beat challenge, Inspire's new Artist and Author in Residence, Sian Watson and Ashley Thorpe, have teamed up with local pupils in Beeston to create the OFFBEAT Exhibition and workshops.
Learn more about the exhibition on Inspire's website.
Notts Help Yourself
Notts Help Yourself hosts a range of activities and ideas for all the family, including:
- baby groups
- parent and toddler groups
- local parks and pay areas
- family days out
- soft/indoor play areas
Find things to do with Notts Help Yourself
Notts Outdoors
Holiday Clubs
The Mill Adventure Base is running holiday clubs throughout August on weekdays. These sessions are an opportunity children and young people to try new activities, develop new skills, make friends, and have plenty of fun along the way.
The Mill Holiday club
- For ages 7 to 13
- Price: £40 per day, £190 per week (Bookable in weekly blocks)
- Date: Monday 24 August to Friday 28 August, 09:30am to 4pm
Find out more on the Notts Outdoors website
The Mill Teens Holiday club
- For aged 13 to 16
- Price: £50 per day, £230 per week (Bookable in weekly blocks)
- Date: Monday 3 August to Friday 7 August, 09:30am to 4pm
Find out more on the Notts Outdoors website
Sailing Courses
Stages 1, 2 and 3 available at The Mill Adventure Base
Two-day courses running various days in August
Cost: £95
Stage one is ideal for beginners aged 8 to 16. Start with sailing, shoreside skills and simple classroom learning, then build on your skills with stages 2 and 3!
Archery Adventures with Robin and Marian
Stages 1, 2 and 3
Location: Rufford Abbey Country Park, Ollerton, Nottinghamshire, NG22 9DF
Set in beautiful parkland, Rufford Abbey offers over 870 years of history, from its origins as a 12th-century Cistercian monastery to its period as a Jacobean-era family home. There is plenty to explore; with walks through the native woodlands, a lake and gardens plus events to enjoy.
See what's on at Rufford Abbey Country Park
Rufford Summer Trail
Visit Rufford for a brand new outdoor quest through our beautiful gardens. It’s the perfect summer activity for curious minds and mini-explorers.
- Daily from Saturday 18 July to Sunday 6 September
- 10am to 3pm
- Price: £3 per child - and includes a trial sheet and special prize at the end
Find out more about the summer trail.
White Post Wednesdays
Meet a variety of friendly and charming creatures including mice, guinea pigs, bunnies, snakes and lizards, plus some fascinating creepy crawlies.
Purchase your tickets on the day of your visit from the visitor information centre. There is no need to book in advance for this event.
- Wednesday 29 July, 5 August, 12 August, 19 August and 26 August
- 10am to 3pm
- Rufford Abbey Country Park
- £3.50 per child
SEND activities
Location: Various locations
The SEND local offer website has listings for SEND activities in and around Nottinghamshire. From arts and crafts to days out and support groups, there is plenty on offer for all ages.
To find things to do, visit the Your Notts Directory website
Sherwood Forest
Location: Sherwood Forest NNR, Edwinstowe, NG21 9RN
Sherwood Forest is bursting with things for all the family to enjoy. Find out more about events and how to book on the Sherwood Forest website.
For more information on your upcoming visit to Sherwood Forest, visit the Plan Your Visit page.
Nottinghamshire Day weekend - Rebels, Regents and Rulers
An actioned-packed day of activities are planned which include an interactive, family friendly outdoor trail that brings local legends to life, plus a thrilling, tournament-style combat show with swords, shields and knights. A similar programme of activities will run on both days.
- Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 August
- 11am to 4.15pm
- RSPB parking charged at £7 all day.
Forest Fun Activity Booklet
Full of family-friendly seasonal activities, our booklet will get you to look at your surroundings in a different way, get your brain working with some tricky trivia, and get the creative juices flowing.
- Daily until Friday 31 July
- 10am to 4pm
- Price: £3.50 per booklet - and includes a Sherwood Forest pencil as a souvenir of your visit.
Robin Hood Festival
The Robin Hood Festival is back for its landmark 40th year, bringing a summer packed with spectacular arena shows, captivating performances and exciting displays for visitors of all ages to enjoy.
- Saturday 1 August and Sunday 2 August
- Saturday 8 August and Sunday 9 August
- Saturday 29 August to Sunday 31 August
- 10am to 4pm
