I visited the 17th century Nottinghamshire beauty spot that's the perfect place for a fun family day out
Finding somewhere scenic and peaceful to go for a family day out can be a difficult task for some folk around the country.
Thankfully it’s not something we’re ever going to need to worry about in a Nottinghamshire that features bags of natural beauty wherever we look.
Whether it’s the spacious Clumber Park in the north, the delightful canal walks of Newark in the east or the various attractions dotted around Nottingham, there’s something for everyone.
And perhaps nowhere best sums up just how lucky we are here in Notts than the area around the A614 Old Rufford Road which boasts Rufford Abbey, Sherwood Pines, Sherwood Forest and Thoresby Park all within a few miles of each other.
Thoresby Park, which features an impressive 1,000 acres of parkland, remains a firm personal favourite of mine and often feels like it has come straight out of a Jane Austen novel thanks to its timeless beauty.
And while the iconic writer’s famous characters such as Mr Darcy and the haughty Lady Catherine de Bourgh would no doubt be familiar with the estate’s luscious grounds they would be less used to seeing thousands of people admiring the surroundings.
Nowadays Thoresby Park itself welcomes approximately 80,000 annual visitors to its retail, gallery, and courtyard areas, while the wider estate sees hundreds of thousands more flock in to enjoy countryside walks, picnics, the picturesque river and seasonal outdoor events.
But perhaps the best bit is that this idyllic slice of nature is all yours for just a £5 car park fee. It’s no surprise that Thoresby remains highly popular for families looking for a cheap outing.
At the centre of this stunning country estate is the magnificent Grade I listed Thoresby Hall, which was built between 1864 and 1871 following damage to the original structure. Today, the 1871 structure operates as Thoresby Hall Hotel and Spa run by Warner Leisure Hotels.
And while staying at that particular hotel remains out of reach for most of us, the building itself will offer a sense of familiarity to plenty.
That is because Thoresby Hall, located a little over 20 miles from Mansfield, is best known as the filming location for the 1999 adaptation of Charles Dickens' classic, Great Expectations.
It’s just one of many varied uses in the epic life of Thoresby Hall over the years.
The imposing 221 room mansion served as a fully-staffed private family home until 1955. It was briefly occupied by the National Coal Board and used as a health spa, later falling into disrepair until its restoration by Warner Leisure Hotels in 2000.
The surrounding Thoresby Park estate remains under private ownership by the Matheson family and has successfully moved into the modern era as a highly popular leisure attraction, combining natural beauty and nostalgia with fun for all .
As well as the day to day events, Thoresby boasts a busy year-round activities calendar, such as classic car events, historic theme days, an annual duck race and the much-anticipated Gloworm Festival.
The festival will run between 7-9 August and has been especially created for grown ups and their little people.
It brings together the magic of live music, interactive performances, inspiring workshops, and stunning light displays in an event that is certain to keep the crowds coming to enjoy this delight on our doorstep.
For more information on Thoresby Park and their events programme visit https://thoresby.com