Hardwick Park events

Step into Story time

Outdoor woodland play sessions for younger children involving storytelling, craft activities, interactive park trails, sensory experiences, and free time to explore the play equipment. Suitable for children approximately 18 months to five years old. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Workshops are held in our Outdoor Learning Site at Hardwick Park which is a short walk from the Visitors Centre. 1.5 hour of woodland play in our enclosed outdoor learning area.

Price: £6 per child per session. Pre booking required.

Oh Christmas Tree

Date: Wednesday 27 November 2024 and Saturday 30 November 2024
Time: 10.00am (both days) and 1.00pm (Saturday only)

Christmas at Hardwick - Sold out

Make the festive season extra special by visiting Father Christmas at Hardwick Park this December. Visits will take place in our festive yurt. Accompanying adults do not require a ticket, time slots are booked in 30 minute blocks with up to 6 families in attendance. Families will be seen on a first come, first served arrival basis. Children with a ticket will receive a hot chocolate on arrival or a hot blackcurrant, have the opportunity to make their own environmentally friendly reindeer food to take home and get a Festive Park Trail to complete.

Pre booking required. Please note Sunday 8 and Sunday 15 sessions are now sold out. There are very few, limited spaces left on Saturday 7 and Saturday 14 December.

Date: 7 December 2024 to 15 December 2024 
Times: multiple slots between 10.00am and 3.30pm (maximum of 6 children per time slot)
Price: £15 (booked tickets are non-refundable)

Oh Deer! Reindeer Trail

Santa's reindeers are lost in Hardwick Park.  Can you find them all in time for Christmas?  Luckily they are all wrapped up in scarves to keep them warm for their Christmas flight.  But what is each one wearing?

Date: Saturday 30 November 2024 to Sunday 5 January 2025
Price: £1 per trail sheet from café or gift shop during opening hours.

Little Fledglings Forest School - Spring 2025 places

Places are now available for our Spring 2025 programme. If you have a child aged between 18 months and five years old, you can secure a place for them by paying a £10 non refundable deposit, the balance of £38 will then be payable before the 4 February 2025. During the six week programme, each child moves at their own pace, supported each week by our Forest School Practitioner. The school aims to inspire children through nature, building their confidence and self-esteem and encouraging individual growth. Whether children are building, climbing, bug hunting or making mud pies; children will learn through play in the great outdoors with the park as their playground. Children must be accompanied by an adult each week.

Dates: Tuesday 4 March 2025 to Tuesday 8 April 2025 (six weeks in total)
Time: 10.00am to 12 noon
Location: Outdoor Learning Area at Hardwick Park
Price: £48 includes parking passes for each week you attend.

Deposit and pre-booking required. Contact Parks and countryside education officer with any questions.

Self-led Love Exploring trails

Download the love exploring app for free Download the Love Exploring app. We recommend all those who already have the app to update to the latest version of the platform when prompted. Love Exploring is compatible with most but not all mobile phones. Please check you can access all features of the trails before you visit.

Roman game

Try our bespoke new game to learn more about Hardwick Park's East Park and the unique Roman settlement that was found there. See roman buildings rise up from the ground and meet roman characters all in augmented reality. You can also try our games which include shaping a roman pot, solving a bronze making puzzle, and constructing iron tools all through your mobile phone. East Park is found by going through the underpass near the Hardwick Park Tower and Dragon. It is a field with rough paths and we recommend sensible footwear.