Family trips out near Carlton, Nottingham

With the weather finally turning warmer and drier, here are

some ideas for a family trip out close to Carlton this spring.

They’re all close at hand and easily reached by car or bus.

Colwick Woods is one of our city’s hidden-gems.

The 50-hectare site was designated a geological Site of

Special Scientific Interest in 1995 and listed as a Local Nature Reserve in

2004.

The rich grassland and ancient woodland provides an oasis of

tranquillity just a mile from the bustle of Nottingham – and even closer to Carlton.

Attractions there include birdwatching, bowling and cycling.

Dogs are also welcome and there's a programme of regular events.

Historians believe the woods have been there since the early

1600s, while points of interest include the Foundation for the Study of Infant

Deaths Memorial Plantation, Saville Spinney, (the site of an 1844 murder), the

Ice House and Pond and a keeper's hut.

Colwick Woods also offers some panoramic views of the city,

Trent Valley and you can see as far as Belvoir Castle

Friends of Colwick Woods can tell you more. 

Ferry Farm park and restaurant is another

perfect place for visits or a family day out.

There’s a range of activities from an indoor activity centre

to feeding the animals.

Fun things include an adventure playground, pedal go-karts,

tractors to play on and an indoor play centre.

It’s entertaining as well as educational, and you finish off

a great family day out at the farm’s restaurant, which is well known for its

home made food, and is set in an old milking parlour.

Ferry Farm is off the A612, Nottingham to Southwell road

between Lowdham and Thurgarton.  The

post code for sat nav is NG14 7JP. Call  0115 966 4512 to find out more.

Green's Windmill in Sneinton was built by the father of

notable scientist and mathematician George Green in 1807.

Today it is a working Mill and home to a popular free museum

and science centre, which teaches new generations of children about the

valuable work of George Green.

George Green was a mathematical genius who developed new

ways of doing mathematics, which have helped scientists to understand the world

around us.

The mill was badly damaged by a fire in 1947, but was later

restored by Nottingham City Council in the 1980s.

The windmill began milling again in December 1986 and the

giant sails can still be seen working to this day.

At the Science Centre in the mill yard, you can yest your

brain power with the hands-on experiments which explore electricity, magnetism

and light, and it’s ideal for young children.

There are a variety of hands-on family sessions run

throughout the year, which you can check out at the city council's website.

Green's Mill is open daily, Wednesday to Sunday plus most

Bank Holidays, 10am - 4pm. Admission to the museum is FREE. For more about special events call 0115 915 6878.

Stonebridge City Farm in St Ann’s has two main functions.

It gives city children who don’t get into the countryside the chance see

some wonderful farm animals, and it also gives work experience to people who

are excluded from paid work due to a learning or physical disability or

difficulty.

The social centre for the wide area has pigs, sheep and lambs,

goats, cattle, chickens, ducks and geese, rabbits and poultry, a donkey and

bees.

It’s completely free to visit and children can pet some of

the small animals, or buy feed to meet the bigger ones.

It is open from 10am - 4pm every day. (Except Fridays, when

it’s open 12 - 4pm)

The thinking behind the project is to offer real work

experience. By opening up opportunities to work on the farm, volunteers and

clients learn how to get on with others in a group situation, take on tasks for

themselves and to support or be supported by others depending on ability.

Visitors can also buy plants, vegetables, and seeds – and there’s

a superb refreshments café there too.

We hope that's given you a few ideas for a day out!

Do you have any other suggestions?

Let us know in the

comments section.