This summer at Markeaton Park

Tue 30 Jun 2015

There are some exciting new things happening Markeaton Park this summer. We have plenty of shows and activities taking place, therefore we would like to encourage everyone to come down and enjoy some of the following…

Our Outdoor Theatre Season is about to commence, so if you’re a fan of outdoor theatre or haven’t experienced it yet then be sure to come along to one of our performances!

From Tue 28 - Thu 30 Jul we are delighted to host Derby’s favourite Oddsocks, who will be throwing a Shakespearian party night with their performance ‘Twelfth Night’. This will be a madcap musical treat with Shakespeare's love story intertwined with well-known British Chart hits to keep the blood pumping and the mood merry. So join Olivia & Orsino in this exciting love story!

Then from Thu 6 Aug - Sun 9 Aug we have theatre available for the kids! Rumple-Trumpy-Bum & Other Cheeky Chappies, which will feature in three terrific tales: a greedy wolf and a clever kid, a humble hedgehog and a horrid hare, and a selfish King, a poor Miller’s daughter, and a trickster, who can spin straw into gold. 

As well as fantastic theatre performances we also have some workshops, activities and things for you to do & see!

From Tue 4 - Sun 9 Aug we're giving you the opportunity to get the kids involved workshops such as the Babbling Vagabonds (the theatre company who brought you the Guildhall Theatre Christmas shows - The Christmas Chocolate Shop and Naughty Meg and the Christmas Elves) will be putting on a shadow and a story workshop - a watch, make, and play workshop for children old enough to use scissors.

Some of the great activities available at Markeaton Park include football, tennis, cricket, rowing boats and pedalos, fishing, having a picnic or just having a stroll to enjoy the gardens & fresh air. In addition to these amazing activities we now have even more activities available to choose from. You can now have a game of Footgolf starting from Sunday 28 July. Footgolf involves a combination of the best of football and golf played on part of the pitch and putt course using a regular football. The aim of the game is to get the ball into the hole using only your feet in the fewest number of shots available!

We are also really excited to announce the opening of Closer to the Edge High Ropes at Markeaton Park, which is now open to everyone. The course includes a range of activities such as high & low aerial treks, zipwires, powerfan descender, climbs and some amazing team challenges. The activities here are suitable for those aged 5 and above. There is something here for everyone from the serious adventurer to those who have never experienced the thrill of jumping, swinging and balancing at height before. We provide a high level of supervision and all of the equipment to ensure that you are safe and are having a great time.

You also have a chance to explore and experience the re-vamped Craft Village. The Craft Village opened in 1987 and has recently been re-vamped and now has a visitor reception & information room. It is full of local crafters selling a unique range of products, such as framed prints, outdoor toys, painted furniture, vintage model vehicles, garden furniture and much more. There is a range of activities and events, which will take place at the Craft Village, including ‘Paint a pot’ sessions, a ceramics craft room workshop with drop-in sessions between 11.00am to 4.00pm and children’s craft parties for various ages.

The Orangery café, which overlooks Markeaton Park’s formal gardens, is now back open after being closed for refurbishment. Take a look inside the new re-furbished café and enjoy tea, cake & lots more. A lovely place to rest on your day out, whether you’re just taking a nice stroll around or putting your skills to the test in a game of footgolf, tennis or climbing the high ropes!

As well as all of those activities, we will also be holding a special launch event on Sunday 26 July at 10am - 4pm to launch the re-furbished Markeaton Park with a day jam-packed with things to see and do. Visit Furthest from the Sea’s Handmade Market, browse the stalls and listen to the music from the stage in the Craft Village, have a go at Footgolf and enjoy lots of family activities at Abzorbed’s Family Fun in the Sunday event.