Thornbridge Estate

Type ‘Rubber ducks Derbyshire’ into Google and your first result is this place – handy if, like us, you keep forgetting its name. Thornbridge Estate or Thornbridge Hall is a stately home with gardens, a house tour, a cafe, and kids attractions near Bakewell. Independently owned, it’s a quirkier, good-value alternative to a National Trust day out. Thornbridge Hall might not have the recognisability of a huge brand behind it, but it has character, beauty and fun activities in abundance.

The gardens are best-known for their fountain filled with hundreds of rubber ducks. Kids love splashing around in there in summer or fishing them out with nets. It’s amazing how long a young child will stay entertained by something so simple. Meanwhile, you can sip a takeaway coffee from the cafe, or head there afterwards for homemade cake or lunch. They also do afternoon teas that you can have outside in the garden in good weather.

There’s an onsite bakery and there used to be a brewery here. Thornbridge Brewery, best known for its Jaipur Ale, has since moved to nearby Bakewell but they still sell its wares in the shop.

The Victorian era formal garden has plenty of interest; grottos, urns, willow sculptures, tunnels, lakes and lawns, plus beautiful flowers in the spring and summer. There’s also a small petting farm, a magical kids trail through the Hobble Gobble woods, and seasonal activities like swing ball, basketball, badminton and crazy golf.

Thornbridge will appeal to families with younger children more so than older kids. Or visit outside the school holidays to enjoy the gardens, cafe-bar, and house in peace.