Hardwick Park events

Hardwick Park is a country park with a difference, a Visit England accredited attraction, and a great place to visit at any time of the year. Find the latest park news and details of our current events and activities.

Father Christmas in the park (fully sold out)

Back by popular demand, come and meet Santa in our festive yurt!

Dates: 9, 10, 16 and 17 December

Cost: £15 per child

Make Christmas extra special this year! Visit Father Christmas in his Festive Yurt. Children with a ticket will receive a hot chocolate or blackcurrant on arrival. While you wait you can take part in a small wooden craft and children can make their own environmentally friendly reindeer food to take home and pop out on Christmas Eve.

Families are advised that time slots are booked in 30 minute blocks. Ticket holders will be allocated their individual Father Christmas time slot within the booked time slot nearer to the date of your visit. For example, if you have booked the 10.00am time slot your Father Christmas visit will be allocated between 10.00am to 10.30am, if you are given a visit time of 10.00am we would ask you to arrive for 9.45am to complete your crafts then you will visit Father Christmas at 10.00am.

Ticket holders are advised to arrive 15 minutes before their Father Christmas time slot to avoid queues forming.

Toddler Tales and Trails at Hardwick Park

Outdoor discovery sessions for younger children involving craft activities, storytelling and interactive park trails. Must be booked online in advance. To book follow the links in the description below.

We're going on an Elf Chase

Saturday 2 December Sold out

10.00am, book: We’re going on an Elf Chase - 2 December, 10.00am
1.00pm, book: We’re going on an Elf Chase - 2 December, 1.00pm sold out

The Search for Santa's Suit

Date: Saturday 9 December until Sunday 31 December.

£1 per trail sheet, purchase from the gift shop in the visitor centre (cash only and correct change)

Santa is coming to town so must find his Santa Suit ready for Christmas Eve. He needs all the good boys and girls to help him find his clothes that have become scattered all over Hardwick Park.

Self-led Love Exploring trails

Roman game

Try our bespoke new game to learn more about Hardwick Park's East Park and the unique Roman settlement that was found there. See roman buildings rise up from the ground and meet roman characters all in augmented reality. You can also try our games which include shaping a roman pot, solving a bronze making puzzle, and constructing iron tools all through your mobile phone. East Park is found by going through the underpass near the Hardwick Park Tower and Dragon. It is a field with rough paths and we recommend sensible footwear.

Halloween dance trail

If you love searching for scary skeletons, mixing with mummies or zoning in on zombies, this trail is perfect for you! See these creepy characters and more in augmented reality on a fun walk around the park. Our spooky creatures love to come out during Halloween but don't worry they're not too scary, they prefer dancing!

Download the love exploring app for free Download the Love Exploring app. We recommend all those who already have the app to update to the latest version of the platform when prompted.

Love Exploring is compatible with most but not all mobile phones. Please check you can access all features of the trails before you visit.