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UK Travel

The Peak District

26 replies

TheFutureSupremeRulersMum · 05/09/2014 19:56

What are the best things to do/see in the Peak District? We're going for a week in October and we'll have DD with us who is 2yo. She can go in a backpack so doesn't have to be pram friendly. I've already added a day trip to Leeds to the list to see Grayson Perry's exhibition. Is Chatsworth worth seeing?

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ArtyBat · 05/09/2014 20:06

matlock bath - is gorgeous. I've visited it several times and am looking forward to my next one.
Below is some blurb about it, but I'm sure you could find more with a quick search of the net. Enjoy your break! Smile

1.5 miles south of the town of Matlock, on the busy A6, Matlock Bath is set in the beautiful gorge of the river Derwent, with attractive riverside gardens, wooded hillsides and rocky limestone crags. A popular tourist destination since the late 17th Century when the spa waters were discovered, its' heyday was in Victorian, times when it became known as "Little Switzerland" by the poet, Lord Byron.
A popular destination for families, bikers and fun seekers, there are plenty of things to do and see. There is wide a variety of accommodation available for overnight stays and with good transport links it is a popular destination for a day trip. The Matlock Bath Illuminations are a popular feature from September to the end of October, when the riverside is decorated and the cliffs floodlit to create a magical scene of colour. At weekends there are parades of decorated boats, entertainments and, on certain dates, firework displays.

Things to do; An exciting cable car ride takes you up to The Heights of Abraham, where the wooded country park is crowned with the Victoria Prospect Tower. The Great Rutland and Masson Caverns are former lead mines that have been adapted as show caves. The Grand Pavilion houses a Tourist Point and the Peak District Mining Museum. For youngsters, the theme park of Gulliver's offers hours of fun and enjoyment. There is also an aquarium and a photographic museum in the village. The Riverside Gardens and Lovers Walks offer gentle strolls away from the crowds, and nearby High Tor affords spectacular views from its lofty summit. The Derwent Valley Heritage Trail runs through the village.
Half a mile south of the village is the shopping complex and working textile museum at Masson Mills. There are lots of places to eat and drink and the village has a variety of gift shops.

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Pancakeflipper · 05/09/2014 20:14

Chatworth has great gardens.
There's a farm area too. Think the play area may be too old for her.

Is expensive though. But if it is a dry warmish day then the gardens are great -many little surprises for adults and children and worth the money.

There is also Haddon Hall and Hardwick Hall. Bolsover Castle isn't too away far.

There's the Heights of Abraham (cable car up to amazing views with some caves) at Matlock Bath and a Guillivers Theme Park if you are up to it! Matlock Bath also has loads of fish and chip shops and you can get to the park in a short walk. It's like a little seaside front but no sea. Bizarre.

There's the Blue John Mines at Castleton. And some caves near Buxton.

If you like walking then you are spoilt for choice. Padley Gorge/Longshaw estate/Stanage Edge/Birchen Edge to name a few with easy walks to do with a child on your back.

Derwent Reservoir?

Oh I am getting boring now....

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TheFutureSupremeRulersMum · 05/09/2014 20:15

Wow! That sounds brilliant, it's definitely going on the list. Thanks for suggesting it because I don't think I'd have found it from my googling and tipadvisor searches.

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Pancakeflipper · 05/09/2014 20:15

oops crossed posts with the very knowledgable ArtyBat

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Potcallingkettle · 05/09/2014 20:16

Chatsworth definitely worth seeing. Farmhouse, adventure playground, beautiful gardens with a sculpture exhibition at the moment.
Try walking up Padley Gorge and brave a meal in the Grindleford Station Cafe. Any of the edges are lovely for walks and plenty of rocks for the little one to scramble over. Try Stanage, Baslow Edge or Higgar Tor.
There are also lots of old railway lines where you could hire a bike and trailer e.g. Monsal, High Peak or Tissigton trail.
Lots of lovely towns and villages to visit. Eyam has lots if history associated with the Great Plague.
Near Derby is Sudbury Hall which has the National Museum of Childhood.
Come prepared for all weathers and there is loads to do.
Enjoy.

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Bunbaker · 05/09/2014 20:17

Castleton is lovely.

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Potcallingkettle · 05/09/2014 20:17

Tissington not Tissigton. Not sure where that autocorrect came from.

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TheFutureSupremeRulersMum · 05/09/2014 20:21

Thanks everyone. Lots of great ideas.

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TheFutureSupremeRulersMum · 09/09/2014 17:12

bump for any more ideas

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clary · 14/09/2014 01:31

Deffo recommend Gullivers, theme park aimed at under 10s, slightly down at heel but brill IMO.

Also Sudbury museum if you are Nat Trust members. Leeds is a long way away tbh.

Chatsworth brill. Castleton great walks on a fine day, backpack will be useful there. TBH loads and loads of great walking if that is your bag Grin. Dovedale lovely but rather busy IME.

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5Foot5 · 14/09/2014 23:28

I was in Matlock Bath only today. It was packed to the seams with motorcyclists. Don't know how typical that is but it felt like every motorcycle in the UK must be there.

I can only second recommendations for Chatsworth which is fab.

If you like walking then the possibilities are almost endless. I have many personal favourites but there are lots and lots of walking guides that would do the trick.

One suggestion that hasn't been made and is perhaps a little further out at Chapel en le Frith, is The Chestnut Centre. This is an otter and owl sanctuary but has a number off other animals too and is rather nice with small children.

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TheFutureSupremeRulersMum · 16/09/2014 11:28

Thanks 5Foot, I'll google the Chestnut Centre. Sounds like a good thing to do with DD.

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MirandaWest · 16/09/2014 11:35

Carsington Water is nearby - if it's a nice day you can have a good walk round it.

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Yorkshirelassreturns · 18/09/2014 05:02

Bakewell is lovely for a potter. Nice shops and tea rooms. Definitely Chatsworth- their farm shop and restaurant which are a couple of miles from the house are also worth visiting... Yummy! There are so many lovely walks/pubs that you should definitely squeeze this in too. Enjoy x

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VestaCurry · 18/09/2014 05:21

Haven't been for years but it's such a lovely area. There was a fish & chip shop in Matlock Bath that served the most luscious fish and chips I have ever tasted.

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TheFutureSupremeRulersMum · 18/09/2014 16:52

Thanks everyone for lots of brilliant inspiration. We're definitely going to try to fit in a few walks too.

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5Foot5 · 18/09/2014 21:47

Definitely Chatsworth- their farm shop and restaurant which are a couple of miles from the house are also worth visiting

I have several relatives work there and they would totally agree Grin

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ThatBloodyWoman · 18/09/2014 21:53

A walk down Dovedale.
Beautiful!

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Follyfoot · 18/09/2014 22:28

Matlock Bath is OK (we live nearby) but as has been said, it gets packed with bikes, especially at the weekend. The village itself isnt somewhere I'd choose to go as its a lot of chip shops and some amusement arcades all on a really busy road, but the Heights of Abraham are definitely worth a visit - via the cable cars - and there are two good children's play areas up there. The caves are fascinating - but they are cold and in one of them, think its the Nestus, they turn the lights off briefly so you get a sense of how it used to be for the miners. Not sure if that might be a bit scary for a 2 year old?

The illuminations are lovely, very pretty to watch (it gets crowded though if the weather is good so its best to get there early and go over the bridge for the best view of the river). There are fireworks on the Saturday nights in October.

Matlock Farm Park is apparently great - and you can feed the meerkats Grin There's a tram museum at Crich, which also has a soft play area. My DD loved the National Stone Centre (between Cromford and Carsington). You can pan for gems which is great fun.

There's a nice flat walk (not many in Derbyshire!) along Cromford Canal which is pushchair friendly and has a lovely cafe at the start/end.

Chatsworth has already been mentioned, and I've always loved the Blue John Mines. Speedwell cavern is great fun - you go in an underground boat. Hope that helps Smile

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TheFutureSupremeRulersMum · 17/10/2014 17:25

Two more quick questions:

  1. We want to go swimming. Is Glossop Pool a good place to go?
  2. Where is good to go for clothes shopping?
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TheFutureSupremeRulersMum · 17/10/2014 18:52

bump

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IsabellaofFrance · 19/10/2014 08:07

Well there is a big retail outlet just off the M1, but t might be a bit far to go.

If you are members of the NT, can I also suggest the Longshawe estate, which is one of our favourite places to go. There are also The Roaches, which are just over the border in Staffordshire, but a lovely walk and you will come across the Peak Districts highest pool.

If you are a bit of a history buff, Eyam, the plague village is a nice walk - they have little plaques on all the cottages to show who died and you can walk round the church. There is a lovely little cafe there too.

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bearleftmonkeyright · 19/10/2014 08:19

I live near Ashbourne and spend many a Sunday in Bakewell with my family. There is a lovely park, and a museum and lots of cute shops and tearooms. Clothes shopping in Equatorial us good. There is a retail outlet in nearby Rowsley but its a bit fuddy duddy for clothes. There is a really good farmers market on the last Saturday of month in Bakewell.

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insanityscratching · 19/10/2014 08:25

A walk alongside Cromford Canal is lovely especially in Autumn and whilst you are there take dd to the Play Mill it's a nice quiet soft play and the food is far better than it is in the majority of these places.

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PanIsNotAButterfly · 19/10/2014 08:41

Glossop Pool is very nice - a detached Victorian building in a park setting.

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