Cueball

Pool halls aren't usually the sort of place you'd plan a holiday around, but Cueball in Derby manages to be something more than just another snooker and pool spot. It's a proper game venue where you can actually get a decent match rather than battling sticky cues and dodgy lighting like you might elsewhere.

Inside, the tables are well-maintained and the atmosphere's genuinely relaxed - you've got proper cue sports here, from pool to snooker, and the staff know what they're doing. It's the kind of place where serious players come to practise, but casual visitors are welcome too. If you're decent at pool it's worth a go; if you're rubbish at it, you'll still have a laugh. Expect to pay per table per hour, though prices aren't published online so ring ahead.

This works brilliantly as a rainy-day activity during a Derbyshire break, especially if you're staying nearby at Hill Farm Camping & Caravan Park just five miles out. An hour or two is realistic - enough to play a few frames without it becoming tedious. Take the kids if they're old enough to hold a cue without poking someone's eye out; younger ones will get bored quickly.

Derby itself is easily reached from the city centre. Don't expect to lose an entire day here, but as part of a wider holiday mix - combine it with walks in the Peak District, a brewery visit, maybe the museums - it slots in perfectly. Better on quieter weekday afternoons than weekend evenings when it gets busier.