There’s much to be proud of in the East Midlands. From stunning countryside and historic landmarks to exciting attractions for all the family, there’s lots to do in our region.
We at KLG Rutland have been a big part of the East Midlands community for over 50 years now, helping homeowners and business leaders upgrade their property with our glazing products. As the area has been good to us, we’re keen to give back and one way we can do this is by encouraging more people to get out and see the best of what the East Mids has to offer.
As such, we have put together a summary of our favourite places to visit in the local area in no particular order, covering Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Lincolnshire. Read on and find your next day out.
Places To Visit In The East Midlands
Lincoln Cathedral
Lincoln Cathedral is a truly amazing landmark for the region. Known for its incredible Gothic architecture and magnificent stained glass windows, Lincoln Cathedral was once the tallest building in the entire world, back in 1311AD when a central spire was built. Unfortunately, that spire collapsed in the 16th century but the Cathedral is still very impressive and a sight to behold. You can even see one of the four original copies of the Magna Carta in there.
Peak District National Park
The Peak District is a quintessential symbol of Derbyshire and the East Midlands, providing the ideal backdrop for exploring nature. This vast national park is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts, with stunning scenery, walking trails and hills to climb. Starting with the Derbyshire Dales in the south but stretching right up towards Manchester and Sheffield in the north, there’s everything from historic churches and stately manors to quaint villages and traditional farms to explore within the glorious Peak District.
Sherwood Forest
Nottinghamshire is famous around the world for Sherwood Forest – a former Royal Forest in the north of the county. This legendary forest is said to be the home of Robin Hood and his merry men, and is a popular spot for walking, cycling and horseback riding. Sherwood Forest is also home to Major Oak, which is believed to be between 800 and 1000 years old and is one of the most popular sights within the forest.
Chatsworth House
Nestled within the aforementioned Peak District is Chatsworth House. This grand stately home is set in extensive grounds and is known for its stunning gardens, art collection and history. There’s events at Chatsworth throughout the year, culminating in the popular Christmas markets which are not to be missed. Film fans may also recognise Chatsworth House as a setting for the blockbuster Pride and Prejudice adaptation back in 2005.
Wollaton Hall
Another amazing property to visit in the East Midlands is Wollaton Hall in Nottingham. Situated on the edge of Nottingham town centre, this Elizabethan mansion is set within beautiful gardens and grounds which is perfect for walking and picnicking on a lovely day. Visitors to Wollaton Hall may spot nods to the Batman franchise around the grounds, as the grand mansion was used as Wayne Manor in Christopher Nolan’s Batman film series.
The National Ice Centre
Thanks to the success of Nottingham-born ice dancing couple, Torvill and Dean, Nottingham plays host to the National Ice Centre. Jane Torvill and Cristopher Dean won gold at the Sarajevo Olympics and have been a key part of ice skating in the country ever since. The National Ice Centre is a part of the Motorpoint Arena and is the home arena for the Nottingham Panthers ice hockey team.
The National Space Centre
What better place for our country’s National Space Centre than the East Midlands? This interactive museum in Leicester is a great place to learn about space exploration and the history of space travel. There’s many exciting things to see here, including a piece of moon rock, the Sir Patrick Moore Planetarium and two actual space rockets within Rocket Tower. You can even view a space toilet if you want to!
The National Water Sports Centre
A third national centre in our region is The National Water Sports Centre, within the Holme Pierrepont Country Park near Nottingham. First built in the 70s, the centre has a huge lake, canoe slalom course and open water swimming lagoon, plus an outdoor adventure park with a play area, mini golf and high ropes course. All kinds of water sports can be enjoyed in this state-of-the-art facility.
Gulliver’s Kingdom
This theme park in Matlock Bath is perfect for a family day out, with rides, attractions, and shows aimed specifically at children between the ages of 3 and 13. Gulliver’s Kingdom includes themed areas such as Toy Land, Lost World, Lilliput Land, Western World and Smugglers Wharf, all bringing to life areas of the world or a time in history.
Nottingham Castle
Sitting high above Nottingham city centre is Nottingham Castle. This hilltop castle is a popular tourist attraction, with stunning views of the city and a museum that tells the story of Nottingham’s history. The castle is now owned by Nottingham City Council and is a popular destination for school trips and family adventures.
Newstead Abbey
Another favoured location attraction for us is Newstead Abbey – a wonderful monastic Abbey built in the late 12th century and the former home of the legendary Romantic poet, Lord Byron in the early 1800s. Situated in Nottinghamshire, just south of Ashfield, Newstead Abbey offers a chance to see Byron memorabilia, art and other exhibitions. During the school holidays, there’s lots of fun outdoor activities for kids too.
Belton House
The grand country house of Belton House is set in beautiful parkland near Grantham, Lincolnshire. It was built during the 1680s and was the former seat of the Brownlow family. They then donated the property to the National Trust in 1984 who have since restored and diversified the property. Visited by over 300,000 people a year, Belton House is known for its stunning collections of furniture, paintings and ceramics.
Heights of Abraham
If you want a great view of one of the prettiest towns in the Peak District, Heights of Abraham is the attraction for you. This hilltop park in Matlock Bath offers stunning views of the Peak District and a variety of attractions, including a cable car, a cliff tramway and adventure playgrounds.
Crich Tramway Museum
Take a step back in time and visit Crich Tramway Museum at the southern end of the Peak District. There are over 80 different trams to view from different time periods, set within a period village that includes a traditional pub, shops and other old-style amenities. There are working trams you can ride into the countryside from the village, which contains many attractions taken from areas around the East Midlands. There’s so much going on at Crich Tramway Museum that we couldn’t cover it all, so go and see for yourself!
Donington Park
Donington Park is a historic motorsport circuit hosting races and events like the Download Festival, situated next to East Midlands Airport on the border between Derbyshire and Leicestershire. This “Motorsport Mecca” offers track experience days and formally played host to a Formula One Grand Prix. Donington Park is truly the place for all motor heads and metal heads in the area.
Dovedale Valley
One of the most popular areas of the Peak District is Dovedale Valley, owned by the National Trust. This beautiful valley is a popular spot for walking, hiking and picnicking. The River Dove winds its way through the valley, and there are a number of caves and rock formations to explore. The famous Dovedale stepping stones are a great place for a photograph, along with Thorpe Cloud above.
KLG Rutland In The East Midlands
There’s two attractions in the East Midlands we’ve not mentioned yet… KLG Rutland’s showrooms in Beeston (Nottingham) and Ilkeston (Derbyshire)! In both our showrooms you’ll find the finest windows, doors and conservatories the East Midlands has to offer, ready to be designed, delivered and fitted to your homes by our experienced and passionate team.