East Peak District Tourist Information

Matlock Things To Do

The Matlocks, Matlock town and Matlock Bath, are very much adjoined with the host of family friendly attractions in the area accessible whether you're based in Matlock Bath or Matlock town. Matlock town is more the top craft shopping centre of the two boasting a choice of fine antique shops, craft shops and gifts shops. Great restaurants, pubs and chic cafes also line the main A6 high street at Matlock town.

Attractions in Matlock include the scenic heritage Peak Rail steam railway which runs regularly all year round between Matlock Riverside and Rowsley to the north through spectacular Derbyshire countryside. The nearby Carriage Museum in Matlock contains one of Britain's best selection of horse drawn heritage carriages and offers both local horse drawn carriage rides and longer rides to Chatsworth House and back. As well as top shopping in Matlock town, pretty Hall Leys Park is also easily accessed as are the beautiful riverside walks along the River Derwent and walks up to the magnificent limestone crag of High Tor which overlooks Matlock and Matlock Bath.

Access to the ticket office and boarding point for the not to be missed Heights of Abraham cable car ride is also within walking distance, conveniently situated between Matlock and Matlock Bath. Both Matlock town and Matlock Bath boast railway stations connected direct to Derby city centre via the Derwent Valley line (East Midlands Trains). A wide choice of bus services from Matlock also push into the Peak District and favourite holiday hotspots like Bakewell, Chatsworth and Buxton.

Matlock town is just north of Matlock Bath holiday village, making it the closer base to great factory shopping, craft centres and historic homes around Rowsley. These attractions include the great factory shopping village Peak Village, Cauldwell's Mill Craft Centre and the spectacular Haddon Hall. The Matlocks also sit at the end of the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage trail which runs from Derby to Matlock Bath. Heritage attractions on this World Heritage Site include Richard Arkwright's showpiece Masson Mills at Matlock Bath, a top factory shopping village with onsite mill museum and tour. Nearby Cromford is also home to Arkwright's famous mill village. Top family attractions like Crich Tramway Village also sit near Matlock and Matlock Bath.

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Attractions in Matlock Bath

Family attractions in Matlock Bath are impressive. This is one of the top family holiday hotspots in the Peak District. Matlock Bath attractions include the spectacular alpine style Heights of Abraham cable car ride. Once at the top of the Heights attractions feature woodland walking trails, interactive exhibits, children's play areas, great viewpoints like the Prospect Tower and a choice of cafes and restaurants. Spectacular views across the Peak District can be seen from the top of the Heights of Abraham in Matlock Bath.

Gulliver's Theme Park in Matlock Bath also sits elevated in the hills overlooking the village. Perfect for younger children, a host of rides, slides and themed adventure play areas, both indoors and outdoors, can be found at Gullivers in Matlock Bath.

Visit the Peak District Mining Museum & Temple Mine housed within the historic Edwardian Pavilion in Matlock Bath. Other family attractions in Matlock Bath include a great choice of family cafes, pubs, restaurants, fast food kiosks and pretty riverside strolls. Not to be missed is a visit to the Matlock Bath Aquarium, site of the original Victorian hydro and thermal pool.

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Wirksworth Tourist Guide

Wirksworth has a rich quarrying heritage explored in-depth at the Wirksworth Heritage Centre. Around Wirksworth sit a variety of great family museums, visitor centres, walking trails and reservoir playgrounds.

Access on to the High Peak Trail is near Wirksworth at Middleton Top and within easy reach of Wirksworth is top family attraction Carsington Water with visitor centre, family walking and cycling trails and watersports. The National Stone Centre near Wirksworth is great for families and explores the history of quarrying in the area inclusive of a tour of several old quarries which surround the visitor centre.

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Winster Town Information

Winster village 4 miles to the west of Matlock has a rich heritage in lead mining stretching back to the Roman period. Nestling on the beautiful Derbyshire limestone plateau, Winster is a peaceful village with fine local free house real ale pubs. Historic buildings in Winster include the National Trust's first acquisition in the Peak District, the late 17th century Winster Market House.

Historic mining cottages also feature in the village as well as the Georgian Winster Hall, now a fine hotel. Winster sits near the Limestone Way, within easy reach of the High Peak Trail and close to ancient sites atop of Stanton Moor. The village hosts a selection of traditional events including the Winster Wakes Week Carnival, Pancake Races on Shrove Tuesday and a 'Secret Gardens' event. Look out for the Winster Morris Dancers and Guisers who can be seen performing during Winster events.

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Chesterfield & Bolsover Attractions

Chesterfield is a beautiful bustling market town in the East Peak District. A major eastern gateway into the Peaks, Chesterfield is home to the famous Crooked Spire Church in the Peaks. Tours are available up the Crooked Spire for a birds eye view of the lead clad crooked spire, interior oak frames and spectacular views across Chesterfield towards the Peak District.

Markets in Chesterfield are numerous and include a choice of weekly themed markets and annual special market events all based around the stunning Chesterfield Market Place.

Nearby Bolsover Castle (English Heritage) sits high on a hill affording spectacular views across to Derbyshire countryside. Bolsover has strong links with the Cavendish family at Chatsworth in the Peak District. Originally the site of a medieval castle built by the Peverel family after the Norman conquest, Bolsover was lavishly transformed into a showpiece retreat by Charles Cavendish of Chatsworth fame in 1612. His son William Cavendish completed the project.

Other beautiful stately homes near Chesterfield include Hardwick Hall, one of England's finest surviving Elizabethan houses built by Bess of Hardwick, the second most powerful women in the country to the Queen during the Elizabethan era. The exquisite Italianate Renishaw Hall Gardens, historic home of the Sitwell family, is also within easy reach of Chesterfield.

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Belper Tourist Information

Belper sits at the heart of the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage site trail. The industrialist pioneer Jedediah Strutt features strongly in Belper. Strutt was a onetime partner of Richard Arkwright and built his first water powered cotton-spinning mill here in Belper in 1776. Strutt's North Mill in Belper is now a museum with guided tours available around the mill.

Belper was Strutt's famous mill village. Many of the historic cottages and buildings in World Heritage Site Belper were built by Strutt for his mill workers. The site is essential viewing along the Derwent Valley Mills trails and is also home to the Derwent Valley Mills Visitor Centre.

Around Belper there are spectacular riverside walks along the River Derwent, the Edwardian Belper River Gardens and the town boasts a wide choice of fine pubs and shops. The Belper area is also a hotspot for designer factory shops including the popular De Bradelei Mill shopping outlet.

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Things to See in Alfreton

Alfreton in the Amber Valley makes a great eastern gateway into the Peak District. The Derbyshire Dales, Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site and the cities of Nottingham, Derby and Sheffield are all easily accessed from Alfreton which sits just off the M1 Motorway.

Alfreton Heritage Centre is where to find out more about Alfreton's history. A choice of top Peak District family attractions are within easy reach of Alfreton including the Crich Tramway Museum, Matlock Bath attractions and the East Midland Railway at Swanwick. Alfreton and the Amber Valley are also top spots for designer outlets and discount factory shops.

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Dronfield Attractions

Dronfield just north of Chesterfield and just south of Sheffield almost dips in to South Yorkshire and is superbly situated for easy access into the Peak District and Sheffield city centre attractions. Based in Dronfield visitors are a mere 3 miles from the Peak District National Park.

Dronfield features some beautiful historic buildings including the historic 12th century St Johns church, an architectural gem, with its magnificent spire, this time a straight one and not 'crooked' like Chesterfield's All Saints. Great sport and leisure facilities can be found in the Dronfield Sports Centre.

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