Things To Do
For those that like to get out and about, something to do is
never too far away from Steam Mill Lodges.
Shopping
Birmingham
(Approx 30-40 minutes drive)
Leicester
(Approx 40-45 minutes drive)
Derby
(Approx 30-35 minutes drive)
Nottingham
(Approx 40-45 minutes drive)
Nearby Towns & Retail Parks
Burton upon Trent (15–20 mins) – Coopers Square + High Street.
Tamworth (20-25 mins) – Ventura Retail Park.
Lichfield (30 mins) – Boutique shops, markets, cathedral backdrop.
Ashby-de-la-Zouch (10–15 mins) – Historic market town with independents, antiques & delis.
Out and About Locally
Explore the beautiful National Forest and surrounding countryside, with scenic walks, nature trails, and outdoor attractions just minutes from your stay.
For more walking routes and outdoor inspiration, visit the Heart of the National Forest website.
Conkers
Conkers is a place where little explorers can roam, discover and let their imaginations run wild. With 120 acres of woodland, lakes and adventure trails, every visit brings something new to uncover.
Open Wednesday-Sunday, 10am-5pm.
Moira Furnace
Whether you love your industrial heritage, are looking to connect with nature in the heart of the National Forest, or are looking for somewhere fun and affordable for the whole family, the Moira Furnace has all you need for a great day out.
Hicks Lodge
A great day out for the budding cyclist, from tearaway toddlers to young teens perfecting their skills, we’ve got a range of trails for beginner to intermediate appetites. Make sure you say hello to our Gruffalo sculpture!
Foremark Reservoir
230 acres of habitat with a rich diversity of wildlife including over 350 species of moths and 200 types of birds, and one of the last patches of lowland heath in Derbyshire.
Staunton Harold Reservoir
A host of walks and wildlife-spotting opportunities await you on a visit to Staunton Harold reservoir. Created in 1964 to provide drinking water for communities in Leicester and the East Midlands
Rosliston Forestry Centre
Our story began with the planting of 120,000 trees between 1993 and 1997, creating a young woodland intertwined with the existing trees in the hedgerows and in Fox Covert.
Ashby de la Zouch Castle (English Heritage)
A stubborn Royalist stronghold during the Civil War, Ashby fell to Parliament after a long siege in 1646. You can explore an atmospheric underground passage from the kitchen to the tower, probably created during the siege.
Twycross Zoo
Get closer to the animals you love, discover new favourites and enjoy a day of adventure for all the family.
Charnwood Forest Alpacas
Charnwood Forest Alpacas is one of the first, original and largest alpaca farms open to the public in the UK.
We are passionate about sharing the wonderful personalities of not just our alpacas, but all of the animals at the farm,
and offer experiences with lots of our animals to help share our passion with you.
Calke Abbey
With peeling paintwork and overgrown courtyards, Calke Abbey tells the story of the dramatic decline of a country house estate.
The house and stables are little restored, with many abandoned areas vividly portraying a period in the 20th century when numerous country houses did not survive to tell their story.
Alton Towers
Alton Towers Resort is located in the county of Staffordshire, England, near the village of Alton.
An amazing day out for children and adults alike – fast and scary rides to slow and steady strolls around the beautiful grounds.
Drayton Manor
Discover the ultimate family destination in the UK at Drayton Manor Resort, home to over 50 rides and attractions!
Enjoy epic roller coasters, Europe’s only Thomas Land,
Black Country Living Museum
The idea to create an open-air, living museum that told the story of the Black Country all started in the late 1960s.
This was a period of rapid change for the region that saw the closure of the last working coal mine at Baggeridge in 1968.
Matlock
A visit to the neighbouring towns of Matlock and Matlock Bath should feature in everyone’s itinerary for a Derbyshire day out!
They occupy a beautiful position in a stunning limestone valley and both offer a wealth of attractions for the whole family.
Peak District National Park
The history of the Peak District National Park is closely tied to the history of all Britain’s national parks.
The Peak District National Park was designated a national park in 1951, making it the UK’s first, but the story of Britain’s national parks started in the 1880s with the first attempt to introduce a freedom to roam.
Barton Marina
Nestled along the peaceful Trent & Mersey Canal in rural Staffordshire, just outside Barton-under-Needwood, our marina offers the ideal base for leisure cruising, full-time residential living, or a unique waterside escape.
Bradgate Park
Bradgate Park was first enclosed as a deer park around 800 years ago. It provides 830 acres of publicly accessible countryside close to Leicester City Centre.