Where to Visit
Each cottage has a wide selection of information on place to visit or explore during your stay and here are some ideas to help you plan your visit to the Peak District.
| Historic Homes | |
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Chatsworth House www.chatsworth.org Bakewell |
The family home of the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire,
everything about Chatsworth is on an impressive scale,
from the sumptuous interiors to the breathtaking gardens
and the 1,000 acre, ‘Capability’ Brown-designed estate
is one of the most beautiful and historic man-made
landscapes in Britain.
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Haddon Hall www.haddonhall.co.uk Bakewell |
A totally unspoilt medieval manor house and for that reason is often the first choice as a film location for period dramas, which have included the recent cinematic release of Pride and Prejudice, as well as in Henry VIII, Moll Flanders and the BBC’s 2006 adaptation of Jane Eyre. |
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Hardwick Hall Chesterfield |
Bess of Hardwick, the Countess of Shrewsbury, was the second wealthiest, second most powerful woman in Elizabethan England after the Queen herself and amassed a huge fortune through a series of marriages and astute business deals. Builder of the original Chatsworth House, her lasting legacy to the region is the impressive Hardwick Hall , one of the finest and most unchanged examples of Elizabethan architecture in England. |
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Kedleston Hall http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-vh/w-visits/w-findaplace/w-kedlestonhall/ Derby |
The Robert Adam-designed Kedleston Hall, home of the Curzon family, boasts some of the finest unaltered Adam interiors in England, while the magnificent state rooms are home to a stunning collection of paintings and furniture. The extensive surrounding parkland, also designed by Adam, is notable for its series of lakes and cascades, fishing pavilion and bridge. |
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Calke Abbey http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-vh/w-visits/w-findaplace/w-calkeabbey/ Derby |
Set amidst historic parkland to the south of Derby is the baroque mansion, Calke Abbey – a great day out if you’re with kids as it is considered the Trust’s most child-friendly and fun property! With interiors largely unchanged since the late 1800s, the Abbey’s highlights also include an intriguing natural history collection as well as underground tunnels, secret garden and restored Orangery. |
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Eyam Hall www.eyamhall.co.uk Eyam |
This small, but charming manor house in the famous plague village of Eyam has been the home of the Wright family since 1671. A Jacobean staircase, fine tapestries, family portraits and costumes are among its interior treasures and the beautiful historic garden completes the visit. |
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Tissington Hall www.tissington-hall.com Tissington |
Home of the FitzHerbert family for over 500 years. The Hall stands in a superbly maintained Estate village and contains wonderful panelling and fine old masters. A 10 acre garden and arboretum. |
| Caves & Caverns | |
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Poole’s Cavern www.poolescavern.co.uk Buxton |
Poole's Cavern is a 2 million year old, natural limestone cave situated in the beautiful woodland of Buxton Country Park. One of the great caves of the Peak District. |
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Treak Cliff Cavern http://www.bluejohnstone.com/ Castleton |
Treak Cliff Cavern is of international fame and geological importance. It has been a designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest for many years and by agreement with English Nature all the Blue John Stone deposits on the visitor route are preserved. |
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Peak Cavern http://www.devilsarse.com/ Castleton |
Unusual rock formations, the eerie sound of running water and echoes of a bygone age await you. Set in the middle of the picturesque Peak District, deep into the cliff is the Cavern's imposing entrance chamber - the largest natural cave entrance in the British Isles. |
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Bluejohn Cavern www.bluejohn-cavern.com Castleton |
The Blue John Cavern in the Peak District is a series of caverns considered to be the finest range in Great Britain. The Cavern Tours are of educational interest showing clearly how the caverns are formed in limestone strata and how the limestone itself had much earlier been formed by the deposits on the floors of great oceans which have long since receded, as the fossilised remains of marine animals now show. |
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Heights of Abraham www.heightsofabraham.com Matlock Bath |
Since first opening its gates to visitors in 1780 the Heights of Abraham has remained one of the Peak District’s most popular destinations. Visitors have travelled from all over the world to experience its unique blend of spectacular underground caverns, stunning views and acres of beautiful woodland. In recent times however, the Heights has become rightly famous for its landmark Cable Car system which was introduced in 1984 - the first of its kind in the whole of the British Isles. |
| Speedwell
Cavern www.speedwellcavern.co.uk Castleton |
Enter the inner world of the underground cave system in the heart of the Peak District National Park and absorb the atmosphere as a watery silence echoes all around you. Set at the foot of the spectacular Winnats Pass, high above the village of Castleton, Speedwell Cavern takes you on an incredible underground boat journey. |
| Museums, Railways & Theme Parks | |
|
Peak District Mining Museum
http://www.peakmines.co.uk/ Matlock Bath |
Visit a museum where you can experience and wonder at the forgotten world of a Derbyshire lead miner. For centuries, men have toiled underground in cramped and hazardous conditions to earn a meager living by extracting the mineral galena (lead ore). See the tools they used, clothes they wore, the advances in technology and the importance of this metal in our modern day lives. |
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Arkwright's Mill http://www.arkwrightsociety.org.uk/ Cromford Nr Matlock Bath |
In 1979 the Arkwright Society purchased Sir Richard Arkwright's Cromford Mill and began restoring the Grade I listed building. There are shops, a restaurant, meeting rooms and an exhibition. The mill and the surrounding area have now been given the status of a World Heritage Centre. |
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Alton Towers www.altontowers.com Alton |
Fantastic day out for all the family at Britain's best theme park, just 20 minutes from Ashbourne. Take a splash in the water park, play some golf, relax in the wondrous spa or experience the thrill of some of the exhilarating rides. |
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Crich Tramway Museum www.tramway.co.uk Crich, Nr Matlock |
Nestling high up in the heart of Derbyshire, overlooking the famous Derwent Valley, the Crich Tramway Museum is a unique place to visit, whatever your interests. Take a ride on a restored tram, paying with an old penny that you are given on entry. You are free to ride the trams all day. |
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Gullivers Kingdon www.gulliversfun.co.uk/ Matlock Bath |
A family theme park, opened in 1978, caters for families with children aged 2 to 13. There are rides, attractions, shows, restaurants and shops - not forgetting the resident characters Gully and Gilly Mouse. |
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Peak Rail www.peakrail.co.uk Matlock - Darley Dale - Rowsley |
Peak Rail re-opened in 1997 and now runs regular steam and diesel hauled heritage passenger trains between Matlock Riverside and Rowsley. Open most weekends throughout the year. |
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Go-Ape www.goape.co.uk Buxton |
The award-winning, high wire forest adventure course comprises rope bridges, tarzan swings and zip slides set high in the trees tops. Based at Poole’s Cavern in Buxton, the 1km course is suitable for a wide range of ages (minimum age 10, minimum height 1.40m) and offers three hours of memorable, adrenaline-fuelled fun for those looking for a unique and exhilarating outdoor adventure. |
| Out & About | |
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Carsington Water http://www.moretoexperience.co.uk/server.php?show=nav.5997 Carsington, between Ashbourne & Wirksworth |
Carsington Water is a local centre for
outdoor activities - there is a sailing club active next
door to the Visitor Centre, and there are many opportunities
for walking and cycling around the reservoir and the
surrounding villages. Cycle hire is available and there is
plentiful car parking. For young children there is a
children's playground near the visitor centre. |
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Derwent Valley www.moretoexperience.co.uk/server.php?show=nav.6009 Derwent Valley |
The Upper Valley of the Derwent is a deep valley surrounded by gritstone edges and dominated by three great reservoirs, constructed by the Derwent Valley Water Board primarily to provide water for Sheffield, Derby, Nottingham and Leicester. |
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High Peak Trail Cromford Nr Matlock Bath |
The High Peak Trail takes the line of the former Cromford and High Peak Railway between Parsley Hey and Cromford. Cycle hire is available at Parsley Hay (tel: 01298 84493) and Middleton Top (tel: 01629 823204). |
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The Monsal Trail Bakewell |
The Monsal Trail follows the path of the former Midland Railway from Blackwell Mill cottages to a point about 1km past the former Bakewell station, a distance of about 20km. For the most part the trail follows the path of the River Wye, which means it offers some spectacular scenery. The eastern end of the trail is accessible by bicycle, but the western section is not, for the section around Chee Tor is quite difficult even when walking, and the section between Litton Mill and Cressbrook Mill follows a concession path on which cycling is forbidden. |
| Tissington
Trail Ashbourne / Tissington |
The London and North-Western railway opened its line between Buxton and Ashbourne in 1899 and closed it in 1966. The line was purchased by the Peak National Park and Derbyshire County Council in 1971 and reopened as the Tissington Trail, for cyclists and walkers. The southern end of the trail starts just out of Ashbourne, on the Mapledon road. |
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Arbor Low Arbor Low is just off the minor road which leads from Parsley Hey to Youlgrave |
Arbor Low is the finest Stone Age 'henge' monument in the North of England, a site of unique archaeological and cultural interest. The site is situated on a high point 375 metres above sea level and, though it this not an impressive hill, the view on a fine day is stunning. It can be a bleak place in bad weather and a gorgeous spot on a fine spring morning, so the monument and its situation can hardly fail to impress the visitor. |
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Buxton Crescent Buxton |
In the late 18th century Buxton followed the fashion of Bath and other centres and was developed as a spa by the great local landowner, the 5th Duke of Devonshire. At the time, he was making vast profits from his copper mines at nearby Ecton in the Manifold valley, and these are reputed to have paid for his building work in Buxton. |
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Mam Tor Castleton |
Mam Tor is a famous viewpoint and landmark, rearing up above the valleys of Hope and Edale. Known as the 'shivering mountain', it is comprised of shale and the East face is a dramatic and loose expanse of crumbling rock. The area below the face is constantly on the move and each period of heavy rain undermines the loose shale and causes it to slip further down the valley. |
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Stanton Moor Stanton in the Peak |
Stanton Moor is in a fine position overlooking both the Derwent and Wye valleys. Possibly it is for this reason that it was chosen as a centre by the Bronze Age inhabitants of the area, who have left so many traces of their occupation upon the moor. |
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Dovedale Thorpe near Ashbourne |
Dovedale is the name given to the
section of the Dove valley between Milldale and Thorpe
Cloud, which contains some of the most spectacular limestone
gorge scenery available in this country. Everywhere the
river is flanked by steep cliffs, with numerous caves and
rock pillars, of which Ilam Rock is only the most
spectacular. Below Ilam Rock the valley narrows, and the path even has a short stretch where duck-boards have been erected to save walkers from having to wade the river. Then it opens out again and high on the left lies Reynard's Cave, a large cave with a natural arch in front. From the cave you have a fine view of the Dale. |
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Harboro Rocks Brassington Nr Matlock |
Sculpted out of an outcrop of Dolomitic Limestone (most of the Peak is Carboniferous) on the high ridge above Brassington, Harboro Rocks are notable for their spiky outline, which can make them look really eery in misty conditions. They offer good quality, if short, rock climbs. The rocks are just off the High Peak Trail and there are no access problems. |
| Black Rocks
Country Park Cromford Nr Matlock Bath |
An outcrop of gritstone sculpted by the wind and rain, Black Rocks hang high above the village of Cromford with Cromford Moor behind and the High Peak Trail (the former Cromford and High Peak Railway) passing just below. It's a spectacular situation which affords a splendid view of the Derwent valley around Matlock and because of its popularity the area has been designated a country park. |
| Monsal Head
Monsal Head |
Monsal Head is a famous beauty spot with a magnificent view down Monsal Dale and up the Wye valley. The position is at a spot where the Wye, on its passage eastwards to meet the Derwent, encounters a band of harder rock and is forced to make a sharp turn southwards and carve its way through a high ridge of limestone. The view is spectacular, with the river far below, winding through a steep-sided and often rocky valley. |
| Stanage
Edge Hathersage |
Stanage is the largest and most impressive of the gritstone edges. Situated on the moors north of Hathersage, and visible from miles away down in the Hope Valley, it stretches for a length of approximately six kilometres (3.5 miles) from its northern tip at Stanage End to the southern point near the Cowper Stone. At about is mid-point the edge is crossed by Long Causeway, the old Roman road from Navio (Brough) to Doncaster. It is a famous location fro rock-climbing and a popular spot for walkers. |
| The Roaches Upperhulme |
The Roaches, with Hen Cloud and Ramshaw Rocks, form a gritstone escarpment which marks the south-western edge of the Peak. Best viewed from the approach along the Leek road, they stand as a line of silent sentinels guarding the entrance to the Peak District, worn into fantastic shapes by the elements. |
| Youlgrave
Church Youlgrave |
Youlgrave was in the Domesday Book, and the first mention of the church was in 1150, when it was given to St Mary's Abbey in Leicester. However, it is quite likely that there was a church here in Saxon times. The Nave and North Aisle of the church are Norman and date from 1150-1170, but the arches above are early Gothic and it seems likely that the church was altered and added to over a period of years, with several changes in style. |
| Ashbourne
Church Ashbourne |
St Oswald's Church, Ashbourne, is one of the grandest churches in Derbyshire. The most noticeable feature is its very tall spire - 212 feet (65 metres) - which dominates the area even though the church lies in the bottom of the valley. |
