Castles by mid-morning. Woodland by lunch. A cosy pint by dusk.

Friday evening sets the tone beautifully at the 1620s House and Garden in Ashby de la Zouch, where the Hello Heritage Open Day invites you to step back into a genuinely extraordinary slice of history. Part of a wider Northwest Leicestershire heritage campaign, this beautifully restored manor house opens its doors for a rare and rewarding experience. Wander the 17th-century period gardens, soak up the stories, and let the whole family take their time discovering a place that feels wonderfully removed from the everyday. Saturday night at Conkers in Moira promises something altogether different, with an Abba Tribute Night that brings live vocals, authentic costumes, and choreography guaranteed to get everyone on their feet. If heritage railways are more your thing, the Loughborough Heritage Open Weekend includes guided tours of Loughborough Central Station at the Great Central Railway, where the impressive Victorian architecture and that remarkable glass canopy alone make the visit worthwhile. Both events land on Saturday and together offer a genuinely lovely contrast of experiences. Sunday belongs to the curious and the adventurous. The UK in Space Festival at the National Space Centre in Leicester offers hands-on activities, expert talks, and stunning shows inside the UK's largest planetarium, making it one of the most exciting days out you can give a young space enthusiast. Over at Statfold, Statbus rolls in with a wonderful combination of restored vintage and modern buses alongside the site's world-renowned locomotive museum, a real treat for transport lovers of every age. When it comes to venues worth building your weekend around, the 1620s House and Garden in Ashby de la Zouch charms every visitor with its barn tearoom, period gardens, and events that suit all ages. Beacon Hill Country Park near Loughborough rewards families with ancient earthworks, a rhododendron labyrinth, chainsaw carvings, and a welcoming café stop at the summit. And if you fancy something with a little more pace, Wheelgate Park near Melton Mowbray delivers unlimited rides, swooping slides, and a water park, all wrapped into one very satisfying entry price. As for the weather, expect a mixed picture at around 12°C across the county this weekend, so layering up and tucking a waterproof into the bag is a sensible move. The good news is that nearly everything on this list works beautifully whatever the skies are doing. There has never been a better prompt to get the family together, pick your favourite from this line-up, and make a proper weekend of it in Leicestershire.