Spending time in the county of Derbyshire gives you a chance to explore the rolling hills, quaint market towns, and natural parks in its towns. Among the popular attractions in the county are the sightseeing tours conducted via planes or balloons which provide a bird’s eye view of the natural attractions. On the ground, visiting monuments and antique stores give you an in-depth view of the history of the region while biking and walking tours get you close to nature. Architecture in the manors and seat of the Duke in the region is a must-see and usually covered during group guided tours. If you are planning to visit soon, you are in for a treat as new offerings are continually being added to the many already available in the county. Check out our list of the 10 best things to do in Derbyshire, UK.
1. Enjoy exploring the museum of vintage trams at Crich Tramway Village
The Crich Tramway Village is a popular family attraction. It is also known as the National Tramway Museum in Derbyshire, England. You can experience how people in the old times traveled in trams and carriages with a visit here. This museum also has various other activities such as Woodland Walk and Sculpture Trail, gift shops, an indoor and outdoor play area for children, exhibitions, and the Red Lion Pub. Furthermore, there are many planned events throughout the visiting season.
Crich Tramway Village
Address: Crich, Matlock DE4 5DP, United Kingdom
Website: Crich Tramway Village
Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 10am - 4:30pm; Sat - Sun: 10am - 5:30pm (closed on Fri in Spring and Autumn)
Price: From 23 GBP (29.17 USD) for adults and 14 GBP (17.75 USD) for kids
2. Explore the scenic views on a cable car journey at Heights of Abraham
One of the most popular attractions of Derbyshire is the cab car experience over the hilltop park. Each individual can access two guided tours through well-lit caverns as well as explore the various exhibitions and enjoy the picturesque views. You can also have fun at the adventurous playgrounds, woodland trails, and other similar and extravagant attractions here.
There are also several restaurants located at the Heights of Abraham, allowing you to enjoy your meals and the views. There is the terrace cafe, picnic spots, Vista Restaurants, and a Tavern for your culinary needs.
Heights of Abraham
Address: Dale Rd, Matlock DE4 3NT, United Kingdom
Website: Heights of Abraham
Price: Annual Pass from 48 GBP (60.87 USD) for adults and 34 GBP (43.12 USD) for kids aged 5 to 15; Free for kids below five
3. Take a guided journey to experience various attractions with Poole's Cavern
If You want to have a memorable experience, then the various 45-minute guided tours at Poole’s Cavern are the best way to do it. Discover the glittering stalactites that have been adorning the limestone caverns for more than a million years. Also, stroll around the stunning woodland pathways while soaking in the view from the hills of the Peak District. Do note that all the tours available are guided journeys for understanding the history and legacy of the area.
Poole's Cavern
Address: Green Ln, Buxton SK17 9DH, United Kingdom
Website: Poole’s Cavern
Opening hours: In Winter (November-Easter) 10am - 3pm (daily); In Summer (Easter-November) 9:30am - 4pm (daily)
Price: From 8.50 GBP (10.78 USD)
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4. Explore the picturesque and historic venue of Pavilion Gardens of Buxton
The beautiful Victorian Splendor of Buxton is a perfect place to visit with your family. You will love to explore this Grade II listed historic place in the center of the spa town. It is a 23-acre (9-hectare) garden that can be explored with the help of a boating lake and miniature train. It also offers a play area for kids, fountains for a refreshing time, and great shopping venues.
You can even book this venue for your nuptials and say your vows in this historically rich place for an experience unlike any other.
The Pavilion Gardens
Address: St John’s Rd, Buxton SK17 6BE, United Kingdom
Website: The Pavilion Gardens
Opening hours: 9:30am - 5pm (daily)
Price: Free Entry
5. Explore the striking caves of Blue John Cavern
At Blue John Cavern, which is located in Castleton, you can experience one of the outstanding caves in the region. The cave is one of the four show caves and visitors have to traverse 245 steps that lead to it. At the cave, the stone that also carries the “Blue John” name surrounds visitors. The cave has over 14 types of bluestone which are semi-precious and still mined in the region. Much of the blue-hued stone is currently used to create jewelry. Important spaces to visit in the cave include Lord Mulgrave’s Dining Room and Waterfall Cavern that has a striking dome-shaped ceiling.
Blue John Cavern
Address: Mam Tor, Castleton, Hope Valley, Derbyshire, S33 8WA
Website: Blue John Cavern
Opening hours: 9:30am - 5pm (daily)
6. Traverse the paths of Buxton on a mountain bike (from USD 83.0)
Take advantage of the electric mountain bikes provided as part of this tour and experience the trails around Buxton from up close. The electric bikes make the process of navigating uphill areas easy, a prime option for beginners and those who have less biking experience. As part of the tour, which lasts for about five hours, participants can explore hard-to-reach areas on trails. Participants in the tour also get snacks and drinks and can keep their energy levels high when on the trails.
Electric Mountain Biking Peak District
Duration: 4 hours
7. Learn about the past of Derbyshire at Peak District Mining Museum
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
At Peak District Mining Museum, visitors get to experience the lifestyle of the miners who mined for lead in the area. The museum has three major exhibits, one of which is the Wills Founder Water Pressure Engine that was used to pump up water from the underground areas in the mines. Three tunnels have been recreated in the museum and visitors can crawl through them. As for the Howie Mineral Collection, it has over 3000 items that were donated to the museum.
The Peak District Lead Mining Museum
Address: The Grand Pavilion, South Parade, Matlock Bath, Derbyshire, DE4 3NR
Website: The Peak District Lead Mining Museum
8. Taste the delicacies at The Old Original Bakewell Pudding Shop
With a rich history dating to the 1800s, The Old Original Bakewell Pudding Shop is a popular spot among visitors to Derbyshire. Located in Bakewell, the shop is famed for its pudding created by hand and is topped off with almond-flavored custard. First created when a cook in a local inn misinterpreted a recipe, the pudding is now a culinary favorite of the area. The shop also functions as a restaurant and offers a famous tart, the original version of which is covered with icing. The other locally famous tart on the menu incorporates flaked almonds.
The Old Original Bakewell Pudding Shop
Address: The Square, Bakewell, Derbyshire, DE45 1BT
Website: The Old Original Bakewell Pudding Shop
Opening hours:10am - 3pm (daily)
9. Fly over beautiful landscapes in Tissington with Virgin Balloon Flights
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Flying in a hot air balloon provides you with a bird’s-eye view of the landscape in Tissington. The hot air balloon flight is designed to provide an overview of Peak District and specifically Dovedale National Nature Reserve. The balloon flights also allow visitors a good glimpse of the stately homes in the region and the important hills and attractions in the countryside.
Tissington Hot Air Balloon Ride
Address: Launch Site: The Green, Tissington, Ashbourne, Derbyshire, DE6 1RA
Website: Tissington Hot Air Balloon Ride
Opening hours: 9am - 5pm (daily)
10. Spend time exploring Chatsworth House
The seat of the Duke of Devonshire, Chatsworth House is one of the best maintained stately houses in the county of Derbyshire. The house had belonged to the Cavendish family for 16 generations. Currently, the house is rented by the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire and is part of a working farm. Inside, visitors can pay for a guided tour and walk through several areas and over two dozen rooms that are filled with art and artifacts. Sculpture, art, and more are present in the house, and these represent several thousand years of Egyptian and Roman civilization.
Chatsworth House
Address: Bakewell Derbyshire DE45 1PP
Website: Chatsworth House
11. Tour a smallholding farm in Hayfield (from USD 15.0)
Opting for this tour, visitors can get an in-depth view of the lifestyle on a small farm. The tour spans a vegetable garden and a collection of fruit trees. At the farm, visitors can also find out more about permaculture and the process of intercropping. Visitors can also feed the various farm animals like chickens and learn about beekeeping while wearing a protective bee suit. The history of the region around the farm is also showcased in the tour and participants can learn about Farlands House which dates from 1870.
My Great Big Smallholding Tour
Duration: 1.5 hours
12. Visit Rosliston Forestry Centre's birds of prey
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
At Rosliston Forestry Centre, visitors get a chance to experience the nature of Peak District from up close. The center has several activities and offers visitors a chance to view birds of prey that are native to the region. Among the birds in the center are owls, hawks, and falcons. Displays of falconry are also held in the center, which is one of the favorite things to do in the area. Spots ideal for fishing, cycling, and nature walking are other important attractions in the center.
Rosliston Forestry Centre
Address: Burton Road, Rosliston, Swadlincote, Derbyshire, DE12 8JX
Website: Rosliston Forestry Centre
Opening hours: 9am - 5pm (daily)
Price: Free
13. Discover herbal and wild plants at Peak District (from USD 42.0)
Walking through the trails in the county, especially in Hope Valley allows visitors to find some of the best herbs in the region. This tour which lasts about two-and-a-half hours gives participants a chance to learn more about the local wild plants and herbs. These plants and herbs have been used for centuries to make tea and are important aspects of the local cuisine. As part of the tour, participants can also taste the plants and herbs in tea.
Hope Valley Wild Herb Discovery Walk
Duration: 2 hours
14. Experience the best of outdoor rock climbing (from USD 83.0)
During this rock-climbing session that lasts about four-and-a-half hours, participants can learn the basics. Experts are on hand to provide participants with knowledge about the ropes, carabiners, and other gear used for rock climbing. As the rock-climbing session is guided by experts, it is ideal for beginners. The session also allows participants to get an in-depth glimpse of nature and sights in the region.
Outdoor Rock Climbing Taster Session
Duration: 4 hours
Derbyshire is much more than the sum of its sights and attractions
When in Derbyshire, you can experience the best cuisine as well as head off the beaten path on adventure tours. An exciting trip to Derbyshire is just around the corner if you know the right tours to pick and the best things to do in the region.
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