Things to do near Ashbourne

[Peabody25]

We're planning a short break in Ashbourne next March/ April. Any ideas for things to do nearby, both indoors and outdoors, suitable for ages 7-70, not child focussed but still fun or interesting for DS, and not that costly!

Thanks all

Matlock Bath is a good day out, there’s a Gullivers theme park there, plus Heights of Abraham, aquarium etc. Carsington water isn’t far and that’s great if you like to walk/cycle. There’s so many lovely places to visit in the Peak District. Alton towers is local too if that’s your kind of thing.

Chatsworth

Plague museum at Eyam

Tissington trail
JCB visitor centre
Museum of childhood
Crich tramway
Peak wildlife park

Shrovetide football (or maybe not!)

Calke Abbey is well worth a visit it's about 40 mins away though. Or Kedleston Hall, lots of nature walks.

Dovedale for a walk and the stepping stones.
Chatsworth....just the gardens is worth the trip. I don’t like the house that much!
Castleton and a walk up Mam Tor, a trip round one of the show caves.

Seconding the Dovedale stepping stones walk.
Tissington for scones at the cafe and the trail and I think there's some horse riding there too.

The Monsal Trail and Tissington Trail are nearby. Both used to be railway lines but are now miles of flat, traffic free cycle/walk ways. There are places where you can hire bikes (including children's bikes, child trailers and adult trikes) and several of the old stations are now cafes/icecream shops etc. There are interesting things for the kids eg. tunnels to pass through (lit) with buttons to press for stories about the railways/train noises etc, picnic spots, wildlife, an old signal box open as a mini museum etc. Just google them for details.
The museum of childhood is also nearby (run by National Trust) at Sudbury Hall- lots of old toys etc of interest to the adults and hands on playing activities for the kids (indoor- great if it's raining) as well as an outdoor playground.

Another for Dovesale stepping stones, just lovely. And matlock is nice! And gullivers kingdom for the kids

Dovedale**

Amazing ideas, thanks all!

Peak wildlife park is lovely, also close to Alton Towers (I think the indoor water park is open all year). Carsington reservoir is about 15 minute drive from Ashbourne and has a great cafe and play area which is suitable for a 7 year old and has lots of benches so you can actually sit and watch them play.

Also the otter and owl sanctuary at chapel en le frith which is nice.

There's a fabulous outdoor pool in Hathersage. Not too far from Ashbourne

Cromford Mill isn't too far away either.