Take a trip to the theatre this Christmas / Put your hands together for Panto!

Nothing says Christmas like panto – and, if you’re wondering where to see a good one but can’t face London prices and queues, there’s plenty to choose from in the East Midlands.

So, if you’re coming to stay with us in December, or thinking of a festive break (we still have some availability) why not get properly into the Christmas spirit and check out some of the wonderful pantomime on offer in this region?

Nearby Nottingham is famous for its panto, and this year will be no different with two shows in town. Who wouldn’t want to get tickets for this year’s performance of Aladdin at the Theatre Royal, starring none other than Christopher Biggins as Widow Twankey? (http://www.trch.co.uk/aladdin) Joining him on stage will be Simon Webbe, from boyband Blue, and Nottingham favourite Ben Nickless.

This year is an extra special one for the Theatre Royal, as it celebrates 150 years. Visitors will also get the chance to enjoy a special interactive exhibition, 150 Years of Pantomime, which is on in the Upper Circle Foyer from December 5, 2015, to January 10, 2016, including dressing up for the kids! http://www.trch.co.uk/index.aspx?articleid=29648

Meanwhile, talented actors down the road will be performing another traditional panto on the festive calendar: Dick Whittington.  On at the Nottingham Playhouse, the show is directed by Kenneth Taylor, and promises to deliver all you could want in drama and laughter, not to mention fabulous scenery and frocks http://www.nottinghamplayhouse.co.uk/whats-on/family/dick-whittington/ Tickets are still available, but you’ll need to hurry to catch them.

Slightly closer to home, there is also a fine panto tradition in the city of Derby, and this year’s show is a rival production of Aladdin, featuring Natasha Hamilton from girlband Atomic Kitten, Dan Osborne from The Only Way is Essex, and Ritchie Neville from 5ive http://www.derbylive.co.uk/whats-on/aladdin-2015

Younger audience members may also recognise the characters Ping and Pong, none other than Richard David-Caine and Joseph Elliott from CBeebies’ Swashbuckle!

So let’s hear it for panto … all together now …. “He’s behind you….!”

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So much to do in the Summer Sun!

The summer’s shaping up to be a scorcher and we know that if you join us at Oaklands, you’ll be in the best place to make the most of the wonderful weather and the great British outdoors with the Peak District on our doorstep.

There’s no shortage of fantastic activities to take part in – from leisurely cycling, walking and boating to the more daring tree top adventures at Go Ape (http://goape.co.uk/days-out/buxton), 80 feet of abseiling at Millers Dale Bridge (www.abseilingderbyshire.co.uk) or caving and a myriad of other activities with www.twinpeaksoutdooractivities.com/home.html - all in the beautiful surroundings of the Peak District, and just a hop, skip and a jump away from Oaklands!

So you don’t believe there’s that much to do? Or you’re not sure exactly what you want to do? Then why not check out the best activities on offer on one of the specialist Peak District visitor information sites at www.visitpeakdistrict.com/ or www.peakdistrictinformation.com/visits/

If you’d like to know what top tips others have got for you, then take a look at what The Guardian said about the Peak District earlier this year at www.theguardian.com/travel/peakdistrict, Lonely Planet’s recommendations for what to do while you’re here (http://www.lonelyplanet.com/england/the-midlands/peak-district/things-to-do) or The Independent’s review of walking the Pennine Way www.independent.co.uk/travel/uk/the-pennine-way-at-50-walking-the-cumbrian-leg-from-langdon-beck-to-alston-10193247.html?origin=internalSearch  

And if the great British climate does fail you and the rain closes in, then just take another look at the visitor information sites – they’ve got plenty to do whether it’s rain or shine!

Whether you’re a dare devil, history buff, leisurely lifestyle lover or wildlife enthusiast, we’ve got something perfect for you. And if you’re not all about the outdoors, then why not visit an indoor attraction, swot up on historical facts at one of the county’s museums or visitor centres or have a blast on our social scene?

There’s always the classics like Chatsworth House, Alton Towers and many well established National Trust properties like Sudbury House or Keddleston Hall – or if you’re feeling less traditional you could always try fabulous family attraction Conkers (www.visitconkers.com) or recently rejuvenated Twycross Zoo (www.twycrosszoo.org) 

Well, well, well – are you dressed yet?

Have you ever heard of Well Dressing? If you’re not originally from Derbyshire, it’s quite possible that this ancient custom has passed you by completely. However, if you’re visiting us, we’d love you to take the time to experience these lovely traditional events and find out more about what Well Dressing is, and what it means to us.


The origins of well dressing - the decoration of wells with flowers taking place from Whitsuntide and throughout the summer months - is a little bit of a mystery. Historians believe that the tradition developed from a pagan custom to appease the gods and ensure a continued supply of water, and that the custom was later adopted by Christians. As to why this tradition developed in Derbyshire (almost alone) and why the custom in this county is so much more elaborate in its celebration of wells and water than the rest of the UK, is a question that remains unanswered.


The Well Dressing story says that Derbyshire’s Tissington is the true heart of Well Dressing. The village has spearheaded the custom since a foray of activity during the 17^th Century, due to (allegedly) giving a great deal of thanks through the practice of Well Dressings for the village surviving the plague, that was rampant at the time.


Beginning with simple flower arrangements around a well in early practices, the line of Derbyshire celebration progressed to making elaborate pictures crafted from petals pressed onto clay by the time the Victorians were around. And the well dressing enthusiasts didn’t stop at wells! Frankly, we’re keen to decorate all sorts of water-related items! Water pumps, taps or fountains are all recipients of this fantastic, gentle custom.


It also seems that when Derbyshire residents moved counties, they often took the tradition with them, so the Well Dressing phenomena can now be found into Staffordshire and beyond – although at Oaklands, being a Derbyshire family, we’d still argue that our Well Dressings are most certainly the best!
To find out more about Well Dressing and Well Dressing events in Derbyshire, log on to http://welldressing.com 

Calling all culture fans!

You might know Derbyshire for its stunning countryside, wonderful walks and famous historic houses, however, Derbyshire’s also home to some of the UK’s most fantastic cultural attractions, events and creations – so much so in fact, that Derbyshire’s even got its own Cultural Prospectus!

So if you’re a fan of culture, what can we recommend?

Derwent Valley Mills (www.derwentvalleymills.org) should certainly be on your ‘to do’ list! Registered as a World Heritage site in 2001, it’s the birthplace of the factory system and stretching 15 miles down the river valley from Matlock Bath to Derby it contains a fascinating series of historic mill complexes, including some of the world's first 'modern' factories.

If you’re looking for a fun-packed family time at then there’s no better time than each year during the October half-term school break. This nine day period is crammed with over 100 activities which allow people to enjoy the World Heritage Site in unusual, entertaining and informative ways so if you’re visiting Oaklands in October, it’s certainly worth a trip!

If you’re after tailoring a trip just for you, then why not take your pick of the best of Derbyshire by checking out the Made in Derbyshire website (www.madeinderbyshire.org)? Made in Derbyshire illustrates the wonderful diversity of Derbyshire and profiles some really interesting artists, inspiring exhibits and creative culture. Here you’ll find that the Arts Derbyshire-supported initiative hosts a wealth of information on independent artists as well as organised cultural events.

If you’re staying with us in September, then there are two key cultural events that you’ll not want to miss – the Wirksworth Arts Festival (www.wirksworthfestival.co.uk) and the Melbourne Festival of the Creative and Performing Arts (http://melbournefestival.co.uk). Both festivals are long standing events that attract thousands of visitors to the county each September and enable even the most local of artists to exhibit their work alongside award winning professionals.  

And we wouldn’t want to forget Derby’s historic and attractive Cathedral Quarter that houses the Derby Museum and Art Gallery (www.derbymuseums.org/museumartgallery) – both the Cathedral Quarter and the Museum & Art Gallery are certainly worth a visit. Our suggestions are just the tip of Derbyshire’s cultural iceberg, so why not log on to www.visitpeakdistrict.com for some more ideas – or ask us when you book your stay at Oaklands?

Fun and fitness at St George’s Park!

When you’re on holiday, we all like to relax, however, as relaxing means different things to different people, we know that some of you will want to stay active during your stay with us at Oaklands. For some of you this will mean enjoying one of the many countryside walking or cycling routes, or even bridleways that are close by, but some of you will want to take a different approach. If you’re looking for a fully equipped gym and swimming pool to use while you’re staying with us, then just down the road we have the stunning St George’s Park that you can visit.


St George's Park is the English Football Association's national football centre on a 330-acre site at Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire (about 15 minutes drive from us) and was officially opened by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge in October 2012. Conveniently St George’s Park has a Health Club & Spa (www.healthclubandspasgp.com) and for just £49 a day, you can have access to the Health Club and Spa, a light lunch for one as well as one of the following 45 minute treatments; Comfort Touch Back Massage, Repair and Protect Facial, Spa Day Pedicure or Spa Day Manicure.

We can recommend the Health Club from personal experience too, as we’re monthly members! I know you’d think we’d get enough exercise with all our work on the farm, but sometimes it’s lovely making time for a break and taking a dip in the swimming pool at St George’s to get away from the hard graft of the farm. You may fancy a leisurely dip in the pool or more intensive exercise at the gym but, either way, we suggest that if you’d like a slice of fitness fun during your stay with Oaklands, then take some time to try St George’s, it’s a lovely environment and we think it’s super value!