Things to do in Derbyshire between Christmas and New Year

Chrimbo Limbo – the hazy period between Christmas and New Year – ‘betwixmas’ if you must – can be a funny old time. Whatever your situation, here’s some suggestions of what to do in Derbyshire after Christmas but before the schools go back (around the 7th January 2025, depending on the school). My take on lovely places to go and things to do in Derbyshire, whether as a family, a couple or as a singleton, we all deserve to have a restful, restorative break.

Please do double check details directly with the venue before making a special journey – especially in adverse weather conditions.

Still feeling Christmassy?

There’s lots of festive fabulousness still happening around the county. Check out my previous blogs on the best Christmas events and my guide to eating and drinking out this festive period.

Cabin fever and need to get out?

Feeling like a pig in a blanket (and not in a good way!)? Need to get out of the house?

Bracing Wintery Walks

As part of my collaboration with Visit Amber Valley [AD], I’ve recently written a blog post detailing four beautiful countryside walks, each accompanied by a cosy coffee shop.

You might also be interested in a previous posts on where’s great for a walk and a coffee throughout Derbyshire as a whole, or this post on pushchair friendly walks (also heavily biased towards where you can get a good coffee and cake!).

Explore a National Trust place

Read my guide to National Trust places in Derbyshire and just beyond which includes lots of tips and cool things to look out for. All of the places are brilliant days out with kids but it’s also the sort of thing I used to do by myself. As with all of these suggestions, do double check opening details directly – typically gardens/parkland are open whilst Houses are shut.

Many of the ‘Christmas’ activities, e.g. the free advent trail at Kedleston (normal admission applies) will run for the duration of the school holidays – but do check directly at your chosen property.

Potter around somewhere lovely

One of my favourite type of days out is to wander round a pretty little village or town. Start with a great coffee (maybe breakfast?!) somewhere, bit of a mooch, glass of wine somewhere, some shopping, lunch somewhere else etc.

The Christmas rush is over, but the festive lights will still be up, so now is a perfect time for a quieter stroll around Derbyshire’s most festive places. Bear in mind shops/cafés will be operating on different opening hours.

You might also be interested in my previous post on 8 Great Places in and around the Peak District or 6 Pretty Places for Jane Austen Fans. Similarly, if you’ve never been to Derby there’s lots of things to do there (and great eating and drinking), or check out this guide of Things to Do with Kids in and around Chesterfield or 5 Free Days Out.

While away the hours in a gorgeous book shop 

Check out this guide to Derbyshire’s best independent bookshops – do check opening details.

Cosy pubs

(Childcare commitments aside!) there’s nothing I would like more on a miserable weather day than to be sitting inside a beautifully cosy pub with a glass of something lovely. If you’re looking for somewhere new to try, check out my guide to cosy pubs in Derbyshire.

Plan an adventure

The post-Christmas slump is a great time to get organised and start planning some future adventures. I love having things to look forward to – whether that’s a holiday, a short break, places I want to visit or restaurants to try. If you need inspiration, why not explore my previous blog posts.

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