Playgrounds in East Midlands

Three playgrounds, one each in Bakewell, High Peak and Chesterfield, and they differ mainly in how long you want to stay and whether you are paying to get in.

Chatsworth Farmyard & Adventure Playground in Bakewell is the full-day option, pairing rare breed farm animals with a woodland playground. Reviewers repeatedly praise the equipment, the animals and the water play, where an Archimedes screw leaves children soaked, so spare clothes are worth packing in summer. There is a cafe, free parking and birthday parties, and it is pitched at toddlers through to around eleven. Car parks reportedly fill quickly, and a secret tunnel between farmyard and playground is a favourite with younger children.

High Lea Park in High Peak is free to enter and built on a slope, so expect uphill walking between the zip wire and the slide that reviews name as the main draws. Street parking on nearby residential roads is free, transport links are convenient, and a seasonal cafe runs through summer. Reviews are less kind about toilet cleanliness, so hand sanitiser is a sensible addition.

Adventure Playground in Chesterfield has only eleven reviews, but they describe three separate zones each aimed at a different age group, which matters if your children are years apart. A loop around the pond gives parents a walk while kids feed the ducks, and an on-site cafe serves ice cream and hot drinks. Reviewers say facilities are consistently well maintained, which makes it a reliable choice year-round.