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Derbyshire in the Summer - matlock - need things to do!!

34 replies

andirobo · 30/04/2009 12:44

Anyone been to Derbyshire - near Matlock - in the summer and been to any great attractions, etc!

We are going for a week in August, and I need to organise a list of things to do / must see, etc, so any advice would be great!

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McDreamy · 30/04/2009 12:46

Where are you staying? We are hoping to go there for a long weekend in half term. Tale your walking gear, loads of magnificent walks!

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andirobo · 30/04/2009 12:49

In a forest Country Park in a pine lodge - matlock area - the website is pinelodgeholidays.co.uk and they do short breaks as well!

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islandofsodor · 30/04/2009 12:49

There is loads in the area. Heights of Abraham cable cars. Gullivers. trip over to Bakewell, Ashbourne is a nice little market town. Blue John mines, Chatsworth House.

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McDreamy · 30/04/2009 12:50

Ah yes Darwin Forest? My friend recommended that place to me - she said the lodges are lovely.

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islandofsodor · 30/04/2009 12:50

We always used to go over to Hartington village too. Not much there but a couple of little villagy gift shops and a pub.

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andirobo · 30/04/2009 12:57

McDreamy - glad your friend liked the lodges!!

Chatsworth is definately on the list as is the cable cars. Not sure if DH would like the theme park, but the kids will (2 and 7). We did Flamingoland last year for a day, and that was ok!

We stayed over that way at New Year at some farmhouse owned by the Chatsworth lot - Manifold Farm, so only went to Carsington Lake.

Any good eating places that are good for kids?

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janeite · 02/05/2009 20:12

Gullivers is actually a pretty good day out. The rides are all suitable for young children. My theme park hating dp and I (also theme park hating) both enjoyed it hugely.

Chatsworth is lovely, especially the farm and the gardens: I probably wouldn't bother with the house itself unless you are into that sort of thing or have a voucher that means you get it cheap - it's not much fun for children.

Bakewell is nice. You can feed the ducks on the river and there is a good fish and chip shop just behind the river iirc.

Dovedale is lovely.

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roisin · 02/05/2009 20:19

you could go and visit my in-laws, cos i never do

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Clary · 02/05/2009 20:27

Gullivers in Matlock Bath is fab for under 10s. The queues IME are always very short (it's a kiddies theme park so no big thrills) and I rate it good value at about £10 a head.

Lots of lovely walking.

Nice park in Matlock, just been refurbished.

Bakewell is nice, good pudding.

Chatsworth, Hardwick Hall, Kedleston Hall, Haddon Hall, all a short drive away.

Caslteton worth a visit too - take your boots and walk up behind the castle and over to Mam Tor. (Though you'll need a backpack for the 2yo.

Lol @ Roisin

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Clary · 02/05/2009 20:28

Oh btw Dovedale gets very very very busy on nice summer holiday days. Top tip is to go late afternoon as the crowds are leaving.

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janeite · 02/05/2009 20:30

Bring us some Bakewell Pudding back, will you?!

Is the Tramway Museum still around, in Crich?

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Clary · 02/05/2009 20:33

ooh yes Janeite, Crich tramway is very good if anyone in your family likes transport at all.

Also Carsington Water is a nice walk/playground. They often have events on in the summer too.

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alibo · 02/05/2009 21:31

We spent a nice day out in Matlock and Matlock Bath last year. My ds,4, loved the park in Matlock itself(not matlock bath); outdoor paddling pool(clean!), miniature railway, boating lake etc.

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mosschops30 · 02/05/2009 21:38

Sudbury Hall near Ashbourne is fab, they have the early childhood museum there and although I havent been for many years, it was great in the 80's so Im sure its improved.
There is also a great museum type place in Bakewell (will try and find it)
The Mining Museum in Matlock Bath
Chatsworth (as others have said)
Alton Towers/American Adventure/Drayton Manor (for theme park lovers)

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StripeyKnickersSpottySocks · 03/05/2009 15:12

The caves at Castleton are good for a rainy day - but will be busy if its raining as everyone has the same idea!

DD has been to the tramway museum and really liked it. Gullivers is great.

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PuppyMonkey · 03/05/2009 15:23

American Adventure has closed now. Thanks God.

Go to Dovedale, Monyash etc. You'll be tripping over day trippers though.

Knockerdown Pub has great cheap camping.

I always find the old historic sites in this area fascinating - where Sir Richard Arkwright etc founded the first factories, Cromford, Belper etc. The area is now a world heritage site because of that dontcha know?

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andirobo · 04/05/2009 21:04

Thanks everyone - some great ideas for me to google!!

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Overmydeadbody · 04/05/2009 21:08

The only thing I do when I go there is climb. Go to Stanage and walk along the top, it really is magnificent

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FluffyBunnyGoneBad · 04/05/2009 21:16

Chatsworth House is nice, they have a farm and adventure playground for the children, fountains in the grounds.
There's things in Derby, swinning baths, museums, cinema etc.

Cromford mill is shite, as is the mining museum in matlock. MIL dragged us there a few years ago. Crap!!!! There's a soft play place in Belper which is nice (chucklebutties), it overlooks the river, you can have a coffee whilst the little ones run around. There's a tramway museum in Crich which is lovely.

Gullivers kingdom is good for small kids, reasonably priced. No good for speed freaks though.

I've lived in Derby for 13 years and never been to Kedleston Hall so I can't comment on this

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Clary · 04/05/2009 21:42

fluffy that's shocking you've not been to Keddy Hall

Agree re museums etc in Derby tho - they are allfree and have good craft type activities on in school holidays - check the derby.gov.uk website.

Mosschops the museum in Sudbury has been refurbed and is even better now! Well worth a visit.

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FluffyBunnyGoneBad · 04/05/2009 21:45

I know. I'm so slack! I've not been to Sudbury either, it's the lack of transport (is my excuse).

Pickfords house is lovely, they have lots of craft activities on in the summer.

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janeite · 04/05/2009 21:45

The museum in Derby that has the huge boat made out of a tree trunk is excellent. I've forgotten what it's called though.

I have never been to K Hall either - and I was born in Matlock! Never even heard of it.

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janeite · 04/05/2009 21:46

The staff in Pickford's House are gorgeous too.

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FluffyBunnyGoneBad · 04/05/2009 21:50

Are you having a joke there janeite?

They are helpful and nice, I wouldn't say they are gorgeous though.

The boat's something that was dug up from shardlow???

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janeite · 04/05/2009 21:54

Gorgeous as in helpful and nice and in the giving of lollipops to littlies; not gorgeous in the dishy young men line, no.

Can't remember where they found the boat but it is very cool.

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