Canine Cruises

An aquarium near Alfreton that focuses on dogs? That's not quite right. Canine Cruises appears to be a boat tour or water-based activity rather than a traditional tank-and-fish setup, though details are frustratingly thin on the ground. If it's what the name suggests - dog-friendly boat trips on local waterways - then it's a genuinely clever angle for the East Midlands, where canal heritage runs deep.

The Derbyshire countryside around here isn't exactly known for seaside attractions, so a water-based outing would be a proper break from hiking and stately homes. Dog owners will obviously lap this up (pun intended), but families wanting a couple of hours' gentle activity without the usual theme park queues might find it worthwhile too. Kids tend to lose interest in boats after about 45 minutes unless there's wildlife spotting involved, so manage expectations accordingly.

You're within striking distance of several solid caravan parks here. Riddings Wood is the closest at 2.8 miles and holds a respectable 4.6 rating, while Silverhill Woodland just over 3.5 miles away hits 4.8 - proper woodland camping if you're after that sort of thing. Golden Valley and Yew Tree Farm are both nearby as well, giving you proper choice.

Before you travel, ring ahead or check their site. Opening hours and admission fees are unclear, and you'll want to know whether dogs actually need to be your own or if this is something else entirely. It's worth a look if you're in the area with a caravan and a four-legged friend, but don't make it your main event.