Would loooove some input for a peak district trip!!

[Calmomiletea]

I'd be so glad of some local info!!

Usually I have hols planned to a T, but the last few months have been hectic so I haven't had the same time to plan this one... in two weeks we leave Northern Ireland for two weeks in the peak district. We will be staying in a small place called Thorpe near Ashbourne.

I'm really looking advice on the following:
Are there any "authentic" towns close by or even an hr away that have really good independent shops and/or good antique shops?! I recently had a trip to Lewes in East Sussex and it is sooo fantastic for independent shops, as was Ashburton in Devon last year, I'd love to know if there is anything similar in the peak district area?!
I'm not keen on touristy shops: for context, I didn't think much of the shops in Bourton on the water, or Rye, as lovely as the towns themselves were 🙈😅. I'm thinking Bakewell might be a bit like BotW or Rye?! But I hope I'm wrong!

Also, are there any fantastic restaurants in the area? I really lament wasting money on mediocre restaurants.

I think I have a fairly good list of things to do made out for my two boys (5 and 3), but I'd love some input into which caves to go see?! We have some great caves in fermanagh. I'm not sure how the peak district's compare - I'd love a great tour for them!

We are there next week but we're going as a group of friends to swim in rivers etc so probably not much help! Will let you know if we come across any little towns/villages that meet your description, although you're going a lot further south than we are

Ashbourne is a lovely town, so is Bakewell and Buxton. They are all worth a visit. Matlock Bath is a bit more touristy, with fish and chip shops and arcades but the cable car ride is definitely worth a go.

The Blue John Cavern at Castleton has guided tours, or you can do a boat trip through Speedwell Cavern. These caverns are pretty spectacular.

The upper Derwent Valley is also worth a visit. There are a series of lakes and the scenery is magnificent. The visitor centre is called Fairholmes. The Dam Busters trained here in preparation for their daring raid on the dam in Germany, during World War Two.

Generally the pub food is pretty good in The Peak District. We like The Monsall Head Hotel. The Monsall Trail is close by.

Don’t bother coming to Chesterfield. Currently we have no market due to remodelling, but before this there was hardly any stalls taken. The council have the cheek to call it a Market Town.

As someone else has mentioned Bakewell and Buxton are worth a visit, Matlock is quaint with some independent shops, don’t go on a Sunday, it’s full of bikers and parking is nigh on impossible. Chatsworth is lovely, you don’t have to go in the house, the estate is beautiful with a garden centre and coffee shop.

With your childrens ages they’d love Gullivers Kingdom, this is in Matlock. We used to take our daughter there, there’s also some cable cars in the town.

Leek has some interesting speciality and antique shops as well art galleries and independent food shops. There’s a general weekly outdoor market on Wednesdays and an indoor market on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays in the Victorian Butter Market.
Croots Farm Shop is really good and it has a nice cafe with a children’s menu and there’s some outdoor seating next to a small play area.
The Packhorse Inn gets rated very highly but it does get very busy. For a good gastropub alternative, I like The Duncombe Arms

The Old Dog is the pub in Thorpe - gets very busy on weekends.

you asked for nice restaurants… Fishers at Baslow is Michelin starred, Stones in Matlock is great but probably not for young children…

Other options - especially if you have a babysitter or maybe for lunch are:

1510 in Castleton is a really good Italian. Devonshire Arms at Beeley has a nice bistro extension as well as main pub, and
Prince of Wales at Baslow is great food.

there are loads of great pubs for food across the peak… Scotsman’s Pack in Hathersage, Wheatsheaf in Bakewell, Robin Hood on the road from Chatswirth to Chesterfield are all part of a group and child friendly.

I’d say Buxton over Bakewell - the latter seems to be full of tart/pudding themed shops and parking is horrendous.

I’d also recommend a short stop at the David Mellor place - really good cafe, unbelievably good kitchen shop, and a small museum of his industrial design.

Dovedale and Thorpe cloud is the classic family day out in that area. Also Carsington water is near Ashbourne and has areas to walk, play ground and cafes etc. I think you can still hire bikes and kiddy trailers there. There is also the Tissington Trail for walking/cycling, and you could have a day at Chatsworth House- more cafes and playgrounds.
Crich Tramway museum is worth a visit too.

The Red Lion in Birchover is a lovely pub, and you can do a nice circular walk from nearby.

I've not been for a few years but I'd recommend https://www.heightsofabraham.com/ which is perfect for kids your age they will love the cable car across and it has caves, an adventure playground and a nice restaurant. Also Monsal Trail you can hire bikes there, is safe for kids and has a great cafe. Also try Wirksworth for shops and Ashford in the water for pretty village.

In Buxton the craft stall in the glass houses in the park are good - the town centre is a bit tacky. Matlock (rather than Matlock Bath) has a nice antique shop - Belper has a couple of decent antique places - one posh, one cheaper.

Another vote for the cable car at Matlock Bath. There are caves and fantastic playgrounds at the Heights of Abraham at the top so perfect for 5 and 3 year olds.
Try the Longshaw estate for nice short walks with a NT tearooms. You can walk down as far as Padley Gorge if the kids are up for a bit of a scramble.
Bakewell does fit the nice small town criteria with a lovely antique shop in the courtyard opposite the Rutland hotel but in all honesty, better for adult pootling about rather than small children.
The farmyard at Chatsworth is perfect for that age group and you can combine it with a wander around the estate ( head up into Stand Wood to see the aqueduct and hunting tower). Don’t bother with the gardens or house as they are pretty expensive and more adult focussed.
Another good short walk for children is to park at Burbage North and walk up Higger Tor. Lots of scrambling over rocks at the top for kids and great views towards Stanage and down the Burbage valley. No facilities there but there’s usually an ice cream van in the summer.
if you have your own bikes with you then you can get straight onto the old railway lines at Hurdlow and there is a pub called the Royal Oak which is child friendly and there is good food. There are also two ice cream parlours both within a mile.

Cromford's nice - , pretty, industrial heritage and a very good second hand and new bookshop.

Envious OP - I love the Peak District! Another vote for The Blue John mines. Think I still have my chunk from when I was a kid.

Heights of Abraham and Gullivers Kingdom, both Matlock Bath will be ideal for your kids ages, Heights also has cable cars and caverns to explore.
Blue John cavern in Castleton, Speedwell Mine are good for caves, Buxton & Ashbourne are nice towns with independent shops but there are a lot of roadworks in the town centre of Ashbourne at the moment.
plenty of great walks - Monsal Trail there’s a lovely cafe at the Hassop station, and that’s also really close to Thornbridge Hall.

I live near Bakewell & Matlock so happy to help more if I can x

Thank you so much for all the fantastic advice!
@Stinkbomb I am wondering would gullivers travels be better than cbeebies/alton towers? My 5 year old loves a roller coaster 😅 I wouldn't take them to both. But we do plan to go to the waterpark at alton towers one day.

*gullivers kingdom 😅

I’d say Buxton over Bakewell - the latter seems to be full of tart/pudding themed shops and parking is horrendous.

Huh? Parking is waaay easier in Bakewell than Buxton. Even on the busiest days we have had no problem parking in Bakewell, there is a big long stay Smiths Island and usually poo arking near the agricultural centre. Both nice towns but I would say Bakewell has the edge.

Second the suggestion of Chatsworth

You have lots of great suggestions which I agree with. Another vote for the Old Dog at Thorpe, Devonshire Arms pubs + The Old Smithy at Beeley is great.

Activities Heights of Abraham, Gullivers, Matlock Farm Park, Crich Tram Museum, Chatsworth, Thornbridge Hall.

Head to Tissington which is lovely and quaint with a fantastic sweet shop. There is an old railway trail running by for a walk/ cycle.

Similarly, Eyam village has some history and is pretty to walk around plus a great playground. Bloom restaurant does great pizza which is always a hit!

The Longbow restaurants are great and can be found in Hathersage, Grindleford, Ashford, Rowsley if you are in the area. Bank House Hathersage is another winner for us.

For any rainy days the soft play at Peak Village is a good back up plan, so is Bonkers mini golf in Matlock Bath.

Enjoy!

The Little Shed in Ashbourne is a nice cafe and The Bowling Green in Ashbourne is a good steakhouse. You’re near Alton Towers if Theme Parks appeal to you. Tissington is a pretty village to visit which is very close to Thorpe too.

I love in Chesterfield. Don't go there though 😂

Padley Gorge is stunning. No shops, just beautiful countryside. Its fun for children as you can paddle.

Lady Bower Reservoir is a lovely walk.

Frogatt/Curbar Edge have some lovely walks.

Matlock will be fun for children, but if you're not keen on tourist places you might not like it.

The boat trip through the caves in Castleton is great fun.

Eyam is pretty with lots of history.

Surprise View is worth a visit for the photos!

Even somewhere like Bolsover Castle is worth a visit if you like castles of course. It has an amazing view.

Leek has a lovely craft market on the first Sunday of the month and there's a similar one in Macclesfield last Sunday of the month. For food we love The Flintlock near Leek, the chef has been on The Great British Menu twice now! Duck Goose in Leek is also lovely. Alton Towers is very close and the Monkey Forest in Trentham Gardens, oh and you've also got Dovedale and Thor's Cave. Wish I was going there again!

Hope you had a great time.. I did love river swimming as a teenager, I think my boys would like a bit of that!

It was great, especially as it wasn't too hot! Returning to Suffolk was quite a shock.
Matlock was like driving through Gt Yarmouth, found that very odd!
New Mills was great, our accommodation at The Torrs apartments was fantastic and so cheap! Explored the charity shops there and in Matlock, prices much better in Matlock.
Three Shires Head was awesome, I found details of a parking spot closer than the main one.
Peakdistrictkids .co.uk was really useful, even as a group of adults!