Ten things to do with your kids for free in Nottinghamshire this summer holiday

nottingham,beach,2017
Nottingham Beach 2017

The holiday season has just kicked off and with it the endless and sometimes expensive quest for parents to keep children entertained. But Joanna Oleskow has collected 10 Notts ideas which can keep you, your kids and your wallet happy.


 

1. Plane watching at Nottingham City Airport, Tollerton

Tollerton Airport, also known as Nottingham City Airport.

Here you can be really close to small planes and helicopters, watching them take off and land while sitting in Chocks Away! cafe, which has viewing point. Getting in costs nothing.

The airport is located in Tollerton with access off the A52 a short drive from Nottingham city centre. The cafe serves a selection of home-made food including sweet treats such as cakes, milkshakes and ice creams.


Stonebridge Farm

2. Stonebridge City Farm, St Ann’s

Here kids can meet farm animals and learn about plants and vegetables. The farm is a complex of gardens where the owners grow fruit, vegetables, herbs and also produce honey.

Animals include cows, goats, ducks but also rabbits and guinea-pigs along with play and picnic areas, but if you don’t bring lunch, you can try local products made out of home-grown ingredients.

There are also some events organised on the farm, but small charges apply, for these although entry is free.


Dinosaurs of China - World Exclusive Exhibition

3. Lakeside Arts

Bored with farm animals? Meet two giant dinosaurs from China at Nottingham Lakeside Arts.

The interactive exhibition The Art of Dinosaur Science shows recent evidence of how dinosaurs evolved from birds. After meeting the dinosaurs, there is also the playground or you can rest and eat in two cafes at the University Park.

The exhibitions are part of the Dinosaurs from China exhibition. Much of the exhibition is at Wollaton Hall where there is a charge admission is free to the Lakeside exhibition.


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Picture: Green’s Windmill Trust

4. Green’s Windmill and Science Centre

Do your children like science? There’s the Green’s Windmill and Science Centre where they can discover science behind bread production and much more.

The windmill is still in use and produces organic flour whereas the science centre is a tribute to George Green, a talented scientist from Nottingham. It tells the story of his experiments with light, magnetism and electricity. And it’s all free.


5. Ultimate Outdoors Cafe Soft Play

Located in Castle Marina Retail Park in the Ultimate Outdoors shop, the Ultimate Cafe with its children’s play area is an idea for an afternoon out. Parents can relax with cups of tea or coffee while the kids can explore a three-storey playground area. The cafe specialises in waffles and pancakes  but also has some lunch offers.


Attenborough Nature Reserve, nature

6. Attenborough Wildlife Centre

Just a few miles away from Nottingham city is Attenborough Nature Reserve.

Kids and parents can take a bike ride or stroll across green areas on the River Trent. Wildlife can be observed, especially birds. After exploring, the paths outside come to the visitors centre where you can have lunch or a sweet treat.

Children can play on interactive screens and learn some basic facts about wildlife – around the centre there are bird feeding points along with an insect hotel. Admission to all of this is free.


newark,castle
Newark Castle (Picture: David Ingham, cc-by-sa-2.0)

7. Newark Castle

Newark Castle can offer your kids the opportunity to dip their toes into local history. The ruins of the castle, partly destroyed in 1646 at the end of the English Civil War, make an imposing and fascinating sight.

The admission to the castle grounds and gardens is free and it is possible to book a guided tour (charges apply). The castle is close to Newark town centre with its historic market.


8. Creswell Crags

Ok, so this is just over the border in Derbyshire, north of Mansfield, but only just. Look for some traces from the last Ice Age with your little ones in an area of caves which provided shelter for nomadic groups between 10,000 and 55,000 years ago. Visit to the area is free of charge; there are however fees if you want to book a cave tour or would like to see an exhibition in the visitor centre. The entrance is close to the B6042 and A60.


9. Naturescape Wildflower Farm, Langar

Take your kids to Naturescape Wildlife Farm in Langar and explore a 3 acre wildflower garden full of colours and scents. There is a child’splaying area and two wildlife ponds.

Afterwards, you can have a cup of tea and a homemade cake and if you feel like exploring more, there are a further 40 acres of wildflower fields grown for seed production to see.


10. Canalside Heritage Centre, Beeston

Opened in June this year, Canalside Heritage Centre offers the opportunity to find out more about Nottinghamshire’s canals and local history. You can also have a stroll around Beeston Marina or just relax in the garden or on a rooftop terrace while watching boats and birds.