Museums & Landmarks in East Midlands

Two very different days out, in two different corners of the region. National Space Centre in Leicester is a paid, fully indoor science attraction built around space and engineering. National Trust - The Children's Country House at Sudbury near Ashbourne is a historic hall with a separate Museum of Childhood, indoor and outdoor space, and free entry for National Trust members.

The Space Centre suits families with children aged five and up who have some pull towards rockets and planets. Reviewers keep coming back to the planetarium, and the advice is to plan the visit around it: shows fill up, so arrive early enough to book a slot, then expect the afternoon to be calmer than the morning. One travel writer's list of East Midlands days out calls it a must-see for anyone interested in space exploration, singling out the interactive exhibits, the weekly planetarium shows and the 42-metre Rocket Tower, and notes extra stargazing evenings and family days through the year. A regional attractions page lists a Spooky Space Season there in autumn. Give it at least half a day, a full day if you want several shows, and keep the ticket, since it doubles as an annual return pass.

Sudbury works better for mixed ages and toddlers. Children go for the vintage toys and story trails, adults for the architecture and the nostalgia, and reviewers rate the Christmas decorations as the strongest seasonal reason to go. The hall and the Museum of Childhood are distinct, so allow time for both. Parking is free and a buggy service runs from the car park, though availability is worth confirming on the day.