Gulliver's Kingdom

You'll spot the oversized fibreglass characters before you spot the actual attraction - that's rather the point of Gulliver's Kingdom. This theme park sits just outside Matlock and trades on the Lilliput concept with giant sculptures and playground rides scaled to make adults feel dwarfed. It's aimed squarely at younger kids, roughly ages 3 to 10, though there's something genuinely odd about wandering through a landscape of enormous props that keeps adults mildly entertained.

The place is modest by modern standards. You're looking at two or three hours maximum, including a splash in the water play areas on warmer days. There are rides - nothing intensive, mostly gentle roundabouts and slides - and the novelty of posing next to oversized chairs and beds does wear off fairly quickly. Entry isn't free, though prices aren't eye-watering for a family morning out.

If you're staying at one of the nearby caravan parks like Packhorse Farm or Darwin Forest, it's a convenient half-day diversion rather than a destination in its own right. The Derbyshire Peak District offers far better walking and proper attractions within the same radius, so you might view this as filler between Matlock Bath's other family spots. Summer weekends get rammed, so go mid-week if you can. Best suited to those with restless toddlers who need entertaining for a couple of hours rather than serious theme park enthusiasts.