Top East Midlands Outdoor Activities

This is an amazing adventure, however, previous experience isn't required. This activity is suitable for 8 to 80 year olds. Abseiling over the beautiful River Wye in the Monsal Dale Valley off Millers Dale Bridge, which we access along the Monsal Trail, has got to be one of the best and most unique activities available in the Peak District. It is a fun adventure for friends and families alike in a spectacular setting.

This is a great way to have fun, do something exhilarating, and admire the beauty of the Peak District at the same time. Abseil off Millers Dale Bridge, and see views of the beautiful River Wye below. No need to worry about experience levels—this activity is suitable for beginners and experienced abseilers alike, and an instructor joins you throughout.

You have the opportunity to pony trek on bridleways (no roadwork) on beautiful circular routes through fields, woodland and the archaeological beauty spot of Creswell Crags that dates back to the Ice Age. Come and enjoy a scenic ride embarking on your journey from our farm that was built in 1610 on the most beautiful, kind natured horses and trekking through the most breathtaking scenery Nottinghamshire/Derbyshire has to offer. Very easily situated for bus routes, motorway and train station access.

Get a taste of farmer life on this down-and-dirty tractor driving tour. After a short operational tutorial, it’s just you and the machine. Use the front-mounted bucket to scoop up material and move it from place to place. Come early (or stay afterward) and enjoy a drink or snack at the on-site clubhouse.

We have a breeding herd of 32 alpacas and our experience allows you to get up close and personal with some of the newest babies born on the farm

Entrance for 2 adults and 2 children (4-16 years). 3 and under are FREE WELCOME TO ARK WILDLIFE PARK & EXOTIC ANIMAL SANCTUARY – THE UK’S FIRST RESCUE ZOO AND LINCOLNSHIRE’S NEWEST, AWARD WINNING, INDEPENDENT WILDLIFE PARK. The ARK is a wildlife park with a difference, operating as a rescue sanctuary for exotic animals that is also open to the public like a traditional zoo, the vast majority of our residents are rescues from the European pet trade, the ARK has become a home to a wide variety of captivating animals, from exotic mammals and fearsome carnivores to stunning reptiles and some of your favourite farmyard friends.

Channel your inner Viking while learning to throw a Norse axe—in addition to Russian military spades and expendable knives. This 1-hour experience at the Tournament ground in Nottinghamshire includes the expertise of an instructor to demonstrate throwing techniques, from simple to more challenging, so your weapons land on a special log target.

On this archery experience, channel your inner Robin Hood and shoot for the bull's eye under careful supervision from your instructor. Master the art of firing your arrows on the target range, and put your aim to the test with a series of exciting games and challenges. With the practise round done, hold your nerve, shoot for points, and experience the competitive side of archery.

Learn to shoot at Tournament ground in Workshop, Nottinghamshire, during an hour-long session. Bookable for groups of between two and 10 people, the experience includes a safety briefing, attentive instruction, and a go at the center’s “five-shot challenge.” You’ll get plenty of tips to perfect your target shooting through the session, and time for with photos of you showing off your scorecard.

Meet the Arks many residents, all of whom are rescues from the UK and European Pet Trade. Park entry is included with this experience so you can spend as long as you wish getting to know all the other residents. The highlight is a 30 minute fox encounter where after a full safety briefing you enter the Fox enclosure and get to meet our resident Red Foxes, Sox, Sky and Shadow. Plenty of opportunity to ask questions and learn all you could want to know about these amazing beasties.

This is probably going to be the most satisfying activity you will ever try. Yes, it is as good as it sounds, You get to throw axes! After a short safety briefing, our experienced instructors will coach you giving you techniques to be hatchet throwing like a pro. Then you will get to sling axes side by side against your opponents on one of our axe lanes in a friendly competition to see who will become the axe throwing champion of the session. We will then finish up with some trick shots to end your experience.

Take a crossbow shooting lesson with a small-group class at Tournament Ground in Nottinghamshire, the home of fictional character Robin Hood. Learn from an expert instructor during a lesson that covers safety, and how to load, aim, and fire a crossbow with accuracy. The clubhouse has restrooms, and refreshments are available for purchase.

Our lessons and taster sessions offer anyone from complete novices the chance to pick up a bow and arrow, then the load arrow, draw, aim and shoot accurately. We will teach you skills and scoring for traditional competitions and play fun and entertaining games where everyone is in with a chance of winning. Our target archery range includes traditional circle faces on 130cm foam bosses and 3D animal targets as well as some unique custom targets. So why not come down and see what Arrowdox archery in Bedford can offer you? We are Based in Ampthill, Bedfordshire only 12 miles from Milton Keynes and Luton.

Would you survive in the wilderness? Spend some time getting to know the outdoors and learning what it takes to survive without any of your home comforts. Experienced bushcraft instructors will teach you fundamental survival techniques such as how to light a fire; build your own shelter; purify water; and how to catch your own meal.

Get up close to our gorgeous Sox the fox and his friends in this fun and interactive animal encounter. One of the few places in the UK to offer this unique experience Plenty of photo opportunities and chance for interactions with these friendly members of the wild canine family. Fun filled 30 minutes full of interesting facts and information from your guide. Private encounter, you will not be joined by other groups. Also includes entrance to the park for as long as you like on the day so you have plenty of time to meet the other 250plus animals at the Ark!

Get up closer than the general public to some of our wildcats (Does not include direct contact) One of the few places in the UK to offer this unique experience Plenty of photo opportunities and chance to feed Echo the Lynx her favourite treat. Fun filled 30 minutes full of interesting facts and information from your guide. Private encounter, you will not be joined by other groups. Also includes entrance to the park for as long as you like on the day so you have plenty of time to meet the other 250plus animals at the Ark!

Go on an unforgettable adventure and discover the beauty of Nottingham and the surrounding area in the most unique way...from a private micro plane! You’ll see stunning views of the city, the Peak District, the Derbyshire Dales...and many more sights for you to discover with a local pilot! Your pilot is key to this adventure. They are sharing the flights' direct cost, not making a profit. They just love to fly and want you to understand their passion for aviation. So be sure to meet your pilot directly at Nottingham airport. ++Confirm weather conditions with your pilot before++ --> Access a local airfield --> Discuss the flight route together with your pilot --> Pre-flight check --> Up you go, enjoy the view from a whole new perspective! The flight can depart between 9-17h, depending on the availability of the pilot, aircraft, and weather. Please let us know your flexible hours/days upon booking, and make sure that you've been in touch with us beforehand!

Pillions/Passengers are charged at a lower rate please contact for details. On this single day tour it is more of a view from the saddle. We start with a quick scenic ride to a famous Cotswold brewery for breakfast and some photos. After breakfast we head to an ancient and mystic relic site. After a short stop we head for some famous towns with an incredible view from a twisty B Road. We then arrive at one of the prettiest village in England. We'll move on for a spot of Lunch where we will visit a Roman villa off of one of the most famous roman roads in England. Making our way onward to more well known towns and villages. We then end the ride with a view of an ancient Tower.

There is no better way to enjoy a delightful Autumn day than packing your rucksack, lacing those boots and taking a walk back in time, through one of North Nottinghamshire’s most historic towns, quaint villages, pretty waterways and surrounding countryside. The small and attractive market town of East Retford in North Nottinghamshire is one of the oldest boroughs in England and is steeped in history and local folklore, from the notorious Highwayman, Dick Turpin, to the most legendary outlaw, Robin Hood. Our walk takes us over field edge tracks, through ancient woodland and by road, before joining our pretty waterway path along the Chesterfield Canal, where we will stop for a delightful picnic provided by BaRnby’s from Blyth.

The Peak District is known for its spectacular natural beauty, and this experience allows you to explore its scenery from a new vantage point and exercise at the same time. Choose from a two-person canoe or a single-person kayak, then get out on the water with a qualified instructor to guide you around the picturesque Errwood reservoir.