Help save our holiday!

[Sunshinesusan33]

I've booked a family holiday in a few weeks time to the Peak District for dh birthday. Staying in a small village right near Chatsworth. Unfortunately all of our plans seem to be falling apart. The pub we wanted to stay at is shut for refurbishment so we've got a last minute air b&b. The salon id booked treatments at for me and SIL has cancelled. And we've just gone to book tickets for Chatsworth house only to find it's closed for the winter. There are lots of lovely walks nearby but we have two dc with us, one of whom is only a year old so we can't do too much hiking etc. So please, if you have any knowledge of the area can you give us some tips of things to do!!! I'm really worried it's going to be a total flop.

Robin hoods cave is up on swanage edge which could be exciting to find but involves hiking. Not ideal probably for littlies.

The caverns would be good.

The train runs through the valley and is quite cheap and scenic and could be fun for village hopping.

Hathersage heated outdoor pool is open now.

Peak wildlife park is lovely if the weather isn't too bad. There's also the water park at Alton Towers

Little John's grave is in Hathersage.

Buxton has a nice indoor pool - take the 11 year old swimming - the there is a really good thai restaurant in town too.

Bakewell is good for a mooch/feeding the ducks

If you are happy to do something with just the 11year old we have used Pete marsh [email protected] for a couple of experiences/sessions with out DC. One was abseiling off the Monsal Viaduct and another climbing near stannage edge - both times with yound children. Pete was fab - lots of experience doing stuff with schools, so knows how to encourage children to push their boundaries.

Weasling is a great thing to take kids on round there as well - clambering through/under/over the rocky edges. Go with a guide (who will have the right kit/know the area) and you really can have a marvellous few hours. Again, Pete ^^ maybe able to help or put you in touch with someone who can help.

You maybe able to find someone to take you canoeing down the river Derwent (stunning) - though time of year maybe a problem. But at least less exposed than Carsington Water and the like.

Cycling Tissington/Monsal Trail an idea - as PP have said you can hire a trailer and good cafes around.

Cafe at the Ladybower reservoir is quite good - and nice to walk/cycle around.

Try out the Grindleford Station Cafe in the Hope Valley - but really, really well known for it's food of the breakfast/chip butty variety. WHatever you order make sure there are chips involved (check the reviews here: www.google.com/search?gs_ssp=eJzj4tVP1zc0TM4uMiuxTIs3YLRSNagwsTBPNEo0sEy2TDI2ME0xtzKoMEpOszQzNDc2NjEzSTI2NPKSKC5JLMnMz1NITkxLVUgvysxLyUlNyy9KAQCJrRgD&q=station+cafe+grindleford&rlz=1CAHUTT_enGB1040GB1040&oq=station+cage+grindle&aqs=chrome.1.69i57j46i13i175i199i512j0i22i30j0i8i13i30l2.8057j0j9&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8 )

Oh my word, YES!! Grindleford Station Cafe. The best chip butties in the world and humongous cups of tea. That is definitely on my list 🫖 🍟

If dry, hire bikes at Hassop Station and cycle the Monsal Trail. Good cafe/restaurant there.

The arcades are in matlock bath, good for a walk and fish and chips. Matlock itself has loads of cafes and bars. There is a new beauty place called Alma in matlock you could try. Definitely the farm park. Wollton Hall is also great. Chatsworth parkland still worth a walk too if weather OK. NT Sudbury Hall museum of childhood not too far away. Dovedale stepping stones...

Also Cresswell Crags.

Darwin forest.
Pub, pool, soft play

Alton Towers isn't too far away!

"Chatsworth parkland still worth a walk too if weather OK."

Sorry to sound thick but is the parkland part of the estate? Like can you see the house from it and can you access the courtyard cafe? I'm trying to figure it out from the map but it's not very clear.

@Sunshinesusan33 I walk a lot around Chatsworth. To the front, there is parkland and you can see the house easily from there. The courtyard is open and you can get food, go into the shops and go to the loo there. The good news is, is that parking is free when it's closed. There is also a tea shop in Edensor (which I prefer) and that is a short, easy pathed walk from the main car park at Chatsworth. Behind Chatsworth, there are marked paths through woodlands and to the reservoirs, of varying lengths. You can't really see the house from here.
For an easy park, then walk and view, I recommend Curbar Edge. Lots of great stones too.

The boilers are broken at Hathersage pool right now (and has been for the past week) so it's a bit cool.

A lot of these suggestions are a long way from Chatsworth...

Yep. You park almost in front of the courtyard with the cafe/shops and then the parkland is the countryside around. I think parking is free whilst the house etc is closed. It’s sort of an L shape with the cafe etc at 12, the car park in the middle of the dial and (what would be) the entrance to the house and gardens at 3. Example walks through the parkland. You’ll normally come across plenty of sheep!

Oh and the caves are open too

I was coming on to say that you should still go to Chatsworth. you can have a stubbing walk along the river and will have a great view of the house. The shops / cafe are nice too. Plus it will be free!

Bakewell, Buxton, you could go to to caves etc in Castleton. Hire bikes and ride on the trial from Ashbourne to Tissington.

If you wanted a more kid focused day you could go to the waterpark at Alton Towers.

Thank you all this has been really really helpful. I got myself in a bit of a fret about it all earlier but feeling more positive now. We will still do the Chatsworth walk and I quite fancy having a walk around Ladybower too. Is that close to derwent dam as that looks quite cool also. The boys would love the caves, not sure I could manage slippy steps with the baby strapped to me! We also plan to have a mooch around Bakewell and maybe grab a Sunday lunch there.

Ladybower will be awesome at this time of year with the plug holes in full flow. They are awesome.
You can park really close by and wander over the dam and then drive up to car park near derwent dam. There are lovely walks from derwent dam too.