Top things to do in Derbyshire and the Peak District
Why visit the Peak District? We have outlined the the top things to see and do in Derbyshire and the Peak District whilst visiting Matlock. We have world-famous country houses, top class attractions for children, hills and dales for walkers, unique market towns, plentiful fishing, history by the bucket load and delicious food!
Country houses, Local History and market towns
Before making any bookings, visit our discounted attraction tickets page, to ensure you get the best deal!
Fine Country Houses | |
| Chatsworth | Home to the remarkable Duchess Georgiana. |
| Kedleston Hall | Masterpiece of neo-classical architecture, designed by Robert Adam |
| Harwick Hall | Built for 'Bess of Hardwick', Elizabethan England's second most powerful and wealthy woman |
| Haddon Hall | A fortified medieval manor house dating from the 12th Century |
| Tissington Hall | The history of Tissington can be traced back as far as 1086, when it is mentioned in the Domesday Book among the possessions of Henry de Ferrers. |
Local History | |
| Bolsover Castle | With spectacular views over Derbyshire, the fairy-tale Stuart mansion, Bolsover Castle was designed to entertain and impress. |
| Caudwell’s Mill | An historic roller flour mill powered by water. The present mill was built in 1874 by John Caudwell and run as a family business for over a century. |
| Cromford Mill | Part of the UNESCO Derwent Valley mills site. Learn more about the industrial revolution and the impact on society. |
| Derbyshire Record Office | The office holds a vast collection of original documents relating to Derbyshire, including Derbyshire parish records. |
| Masson Mills textile museum | The museum houses a fascinating collection of authentic historic textile machinery dating from the 18th century and includes daily demonstrations. |
| Nine Ladies stone circle | A small early Bronze Age stone circle traditionally believed to depict nine ladies turned to stone as a penalty for dancing on Sunday. |
| Lumsdale Falls | The mills and water management features form one of the best examples in the UK of a water-powered industrial archaeological site. |
| Saint Mary and All Saints Church | St Mary and All Saints is the largest parish church in Diocese of Derby and is famous locally and internationally for its crooked spire. |
| Sherwood Foresters Regimental Memorial (Crich Stand) | War memorial. Erected in 1922-23, after the First World War, to the design of Lieutenant Colonel Brewill by Joseph Payne of Crich. Iron railings and gate added in 1929. |
Local Market Towns | |
| Ashbourne Bakewell Castleton Hathersage Eyam | The surrounding villages of limestone cottages, pubs and village greens are charming. Keep a look out for the "well dressings". |
| Buxton | This Georgian Spa town with its Crescent (rival to Bath), Opera House and Pavilion Gardens is well worth a visit. |
Country houses, local history and market towns
Before making any bookings, visit our discounted attraction tickets page, to ensure you get the best deal!
Attractions, Fishing and Walking
Attractions | |
| Crich Tramway Museum | For a great day out visit and pay an old penny to ride on the tram. |
| Alton Towers | Half an hour from the house for the ultimate theme park thrill! |
| Gulliver’s Kingdom | A more suitable attraction for younger children and those of you that are not as adventurous! |
| Uttoxeter Race Course | Meetings are held throughout the year, with a number of themed special events. |
| Heights of Abraham | A cable car ride and show caves, located in Matlock Bath. |
| Blue John Cavern | At Castleton, the tours are of immense educational interest showing clearly how the caverns are formed in limestone strata. |
Fishing and water sports | |
| Ladybower Fishery | Good for fishing |
| Carsington Water | For water sports, horse and bike riding. |
Walking and Exploring | |
| White Peak | The fields are outlined by dry stone walls and criss-crossed with footpaths. |
| Dovedale Valley Manifold Valley | Close-by both valleys provide riverside walks at the foot of towering limestone gorges. |
| Kinder Scout Staffordshire Moorlands | In stark contrast these offer more adventurous walking both within an hour of the house. |
| Peak Walking Adventures | Peak Walking Adventures provide guided walks in the Peak District. They know the best walks in the area. Their friendly, professional guides will 'bring the countryside to life' by sharing with you a wealth of local knowledge'. |
| Tissington Trail | An old railway track from Ashbourne to Buxton, makes for easy walking. |
| High Peak Trail | This also joins the Tissington trail and takes you west towards Wirksworth. |
| Ladybower Dam Derwent and Howden Dam | If you drive to the north of the Peak District National Park you will enter the Dark Peak, due to the grit stone rock deposits and moor land. Here you will find the 3 dams. Derwent and Howden dams were made famous in 1943 when the RAF 617 Squadron used them to practise their famous Dambuster raid against the Ruhr dams in Germany. |
Places to visit on Google Map
Click on the map numbers for details, opening times and contact details.
Attractions, Fishing and Walking
Attractions |
| Crich Tramway Museum |
| Alton Towers |
| Gulliver’s Kingdom |
| Uttoxeter Race Course |
| Heights of Abraham |
| Blue John Cavern |
Fishing and water sports |
| Ladybower Fishery |
| Carsington Water |
Walking and Exploring |
| White Peak |
| Dovedale Valley Manifold Valley |
| Kinder Scout Staffordshire Moorlands |
| Peak Walking Adventures |
| Tissington Trail |
| High Peak Trail |
| Ladybower Dam Derwent and Howden Dam |
Places to visit on Google Map
Click on the map numbers for details, opening times and contact details.
