Days out: The National Trust Museum of Childhood, Derbyshire
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Situated in the servants' quarters of Derbyshire's Sudbury Hall, the Museum of Childhood tells the story of growing up from the late 18th century to the present day. The hall is 17th century and featured in the BBC adaptation of Pride & Prejudice as the interior of Mr D'Arcy's Pemberley. Around the back, another kind of drama unfolds through a series of galleries and displays in the 19th-century annex, where children get to see the toys of bygone days.
For children
There's plenty of Victoriana on show to remind your kids that they are better off today. Have them take part in a lesson in Sudbury's recreated Edwardian schoolroom or climb a claustrophobic chimney. There's also a classic Victorian nursery, right, an Alice Corridor, specially constructed to make you feel as if you're shrinking, and a Book Tower, where children can pick out their favourites. Family quizzes and trails are available every day during the school holidays.
For adults
See if you spot anything you remember from your childhood in the Betty Cadbury Collection of Playthings Past. Meanwhile, in the squash court you can rediscover marbles, skipping ropes and the ancient Chinese Diablo juggling toy which arrived in Britain in the 18th century and is still going strong.
Refreshments
In the Coach House tea room you can buy snacks and drinks. Tea and coffee costs £1.35, lunches are from £4.45. Bottles of real ale cost £2.50, cakes start at £3 and cream teas are £4.25 per person.
Access
Transfers can be arranged from the main car park, 500 yards away. Two wheelchairs are available. The museum is easily accessed from the ground floor. Stairs have handrails. Adapted WC.
Admission
Open every day until 3 September. Otherwise open daily except Monday and Tuesday. Museum: 1 - 5pm. (Sudbury grounds, 11am - 6pm. Tea rooms 11am - 5pm). Until September 3; Adults £7, children £4.50, family £18.50. All other times Adults £6, children £4, Families, £16.
Advance booking not necessary. Inquire about joint tickets for hall and museum.
How to get there
Sudbury Hall and the National Trust Museum of Childhood, Ashbourne, Derbyshire, DE6 5HT (01283 585305; nationaltrust
.org.uk). By bus: Arriva Midlands service (0870 608 2608; arrivabus.co.uk) from Burton-on-Trent to Uttoxeter goes through Sudbury Village. Get off opposite the Vernon Arms Pub which is five minutes' walk away.
By train: Central Trains (0121-634 2040; centraltrains. co.uk) operates the Derby-Crewe line which stops at Tutbury and Hatton, five miles from Sudbury. Arriva buses connect with Sudbury. By car: six miles east of Uttoxeter leave the A50 at junction with the A515. Follow brown National Trust signs for Sudbury down the Ashbourne Road.
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