Quarry Walk Lodges - Fun Days Out

Alton Towers is one of the UK's largest and most popular theme parks, set in over 500 acres of Staffordshire countryside. The rides range from big rollercoasters such as Wicker Man, Nemesis Reborn, The Smiler and Oblivion to gentler family rides, and there are over 40 rides and attractions in all. There's also a waterpark, mini golf and landscaped gardens.

It suits thrill-seekers and families alike. Younger children can head to CBeebies Land, while older ones can take on the headline coasters. History fans can wander the original gothic-style Towers, which date from the estate's days as a stately home. Most visitors spend a full day here, and it's busiest at weekends and school holidays.

Tip: Pre-book your ticket online before you go, as everyone needs one and sold-out dates can't be bought on the day.

Gulliver's Kingdom is a theme park in Matlock Bath, aimed at children aged 3-13. It sits on a hillside on the edge of the Peak District National Park, so many of the rides come with views over the Derwent Valley. The Crows Nest Quest is there to climb, and the log flume runs high above the valley.

The park began in 1978 as a model village and grew from there. Its main rollercoaster is named after the Victorian Switchback ride that once stood nearby. There are rides built with younger thrill-seekers in mind, so it suits families with little ones who want a full day of rides rather than anything too extreme.

Tip: Leaving the car behind? Matlock Bath station is a 10-15 minute walk away, and a valid public transport ticket can bring a discount on entry.

Gladstone Pottery Museum in Longton, Stoke-on-Trent, is a working museum of a medium-sized coal-fired pottery, the kind once common across North Staffordshire. It is a grade II* listed complex, and its bottle kilns are among the few that survive in the city.

You can explore the bottle kilns, the engine house, the slip room and the saggar-making workshop, and try hands-on displays of throwing, moulding and decorating. Galleries cover the history of tiles and of sanitary ware, and the shop sells ceramics made and decorated at the museum. It suits families, history fans and anyone who has watched The Great Pottery Throw Down, which has been filmed here.

Tip: Opening days and hours change through the year and the museum has periods of closure, so check the Gladstone website or call before you set off. Only trained assistance dogs are allowed on site.

Dovedale is a valley in the Peak District, cut by the River Dove and running for just over 3 miles between Milldale and a wooded ravine near Thorpe Cloud. It is a National Nature Reserve, with ancient ravine woodland, wildflowers, limestone crags and plenty of wildlife.

The walk is the main event. Head for the stepping stones across the river, then look out for the Dove Holes caves, Ilam Rock, Lover's Leap and Reynard's Cave. At the northern end, Milldale has the medieval packhorse bridge known as Viator's Bridge. Thorpe Cloud, an isolated limestone hill, gives views up the dale and south across the Midlands plain.

It suits walkers, nature lovers and anyone who likes a bit of history, as people have used the caves here for thousands of years. Next door, Ilam Park has a tea-room, a formal Italian garden and a natural play area for children.

Tip: Bring coins or a bank card for the Dovedale car park, or use Ilam Park's car park instead. Tickets aren't valid at both, and the paths have uneven surfaces, steps and stiles.

Trentham Estate covers 725 acres on the southern edge of Stoke-on-Trent. At its heart are the award-winning gardens, which include the Italian Gardens, the David Austin Rose Border, a lakeside area, and the Rivers of Grass and Floral Labyrinth. There is also ancient woodland to explore, with walks focused on nature and wildlife, plus adventure and play areas for children.

The estate stands on the site of Trentham Hall, a grand house designed by Sir Charles Barry and demolished in the early 20th century. Parts remain, including the sculpture gallery and clock tower. Beyond the gardens you'll find an outdoor shopping village with free parking, a garden centre, and the Monkey Forest, where 140 barbary macaques roam freely. It suits families, and anyone who wants to combine gardens, wildlife and a bit of shopping in one day.

Tip: Book garden tickets online in advance to save money, and park free on site, just 1 mile from M6 junction 15.

Sudbury Hall is the Vernon family's 17th-century country house, now run by the National Trust as The Children's Country House. The Grade I listed hall is known for its Great Staircase, ceiling paintings by Louis Laguerre and carvings by Grinling Gibbons. Inside, you can pose for a portrait in the Long Gallery, dance in the Saloon and play games in the Drawing Room.

The Museum of Childhood, in the old servants' wing, looks at growing up through the centuries. It has hands-on activities, a Victorian classroom and a chimney climb. Outside, the garden has a historic parterre, a lake, a boathouse and Bluebell Wood, plus den-building in the woodland and a small play area. The stableyard has picnic benches and a café. It suits families, and it works whatever the weather.

Tip: Parking is free, about 300m from the main entrance. Follow the path to the Hall. Check the opening times before you set off.

Chatsworth is a Grade I listed stately home in the Derbyshire Dales, home to the Devonshire family for 17 generations. Inside, over 25 rooms show art and artefacts spanning 4,000 years, including the Painted Hall, the State Rooms and the Sculpture Gallery. Some rooms close for annual conservation, so not every one is always open.

Outside, the 105-acre garden has an arboretum, a rock garden, fountains, sculptures and both historic and modern waterworks. The farmyard has been a favourite with children since 1973, with animals such as Eugenie the Suffolk Punch mare and the pygmy goats Itsy and Bitsy. A secret tunnel leads to a woodland playground with towers, slides, swings, and sand and water play. There are restaurants and shops on the estate too, so you can easily fill a full day.

Tip: Book online in advance for free parking. Prams and rucksack-style baby carriers aren't allowed in the house, but there is left luggage near the entrance.

The Potteries Museum & Art Gallery is on Bethesda Street in Hanley, one of the six towns of Stoke-on-Trent. It tells the story of the Potteries through art, local history, natural science and the world's greatest collection of Staffordshire ceramics, and all its collections are Designated.

The big draw is the Supermarine Spitfire, on permanent display in its own gallery. R. J. Mitchell, who designed the earlier Marks, came from nearby Butt Lane. The café serves sandwiches, baked potatoes and the local Staffordshire oatcakes, and there is a shop for gifts and books. The building is step-free, so it works well for pushchairs and wheelchairs. The museum is going through a major redevelopment, so only part of it is open at the moment.

Tip: Check the museum's website before you set off to see which galleries are open during the redevelopment.