Derbyshire/Peaks area - fun/romantic/unusual thjngs to do

[GreedyCymraes]

Staying in Belper mid September. Can anyone advise on fun, romantic and unusual things to do or events please. Already seen Shipley Country Park food festival on and will be going to Alton Park for the day.

Fancy Manchester or Liverpool for the day but the train time and cost make it less appealing.

Will have a car but don't want to spend all the time driving.

Restaurant, pub & bar recommendations would also be welcome
Thanks 😊

Scarthin books in Wirksworth is worth a potter if you like quirky bookshops.

There’s a hotel in Buxton with a swimming pool on the roof, and some other spring fed pools inside. Roof one is not spring fed. The New Bath hotel in Matlock Bath has an outdoor, spring fed pool open to non residents.

The walk around Carsington Water is nice, but can be busy around the visitor centre.

Heights of Abraham

My dc abs dh really like the tram/bus museum at Crich.

Various cave tours in Casteton, Treak Cliff, Blue John Cave.

Sorry, these might be a bit far north for you, I’m most familiar with the Dark Peak (north side of the Peak Park).

For Manchester, could you drive to Glossop and get the train from there?

@BikeRunSki

My dc abs dh really like the tram/bus museum at Crich.

Various cave tours in Casteton, Treak Cliff, Blue John Cave.

Sorry, these might be a bit far north for you, I’m most familiar with the Dark Peak (north side of the Peak Park).

For Manchester, could you drive to Glossop and get the train from there?

wow - thanks so much for the quick response - Buxton def on the list and didnt realise they had spa pools there. I will check them out

Also looking at the various Go Ape sites too - i like the idea of the tandem zip in Nottingham Pines even though i am terrified of heights :)

A lush afternoon tea is also on our list if you have any recommendations please

Have no issue with an hour or so drive if it's a fantastic day out!

If you’re going to Sherwood Pines for Go Ape, it’s a good day out. There are mtb trails (and hire), walking trails, a cafe, a playground. I think there is a riding school nearby too.

I can’t recommend a place for afternoon tea, but Ashbourne, Matlock and Buxton are all old spa towns with some “naice” hotels. I’m sure you’ll find one.

You could visit Lumsdale Valley near Matlock. It's stunningly lovely. Park at the top by the secondary school and walk down. Think it's shut at weekends, so if you are there during the week you should be fine.

Theres a go ape or similar in buxton near poole's cavern.

If you are into beer Buxton Brewery is excellent.

There is a market every Tuesday and Saturday too i believe.

Also The Bakewell Pudding Shop...

@RedToothBrush

Also The Bakewell Pudding Shop...

I came back to say that! We got married in Bakewell 😊

Bit gutter up the M1, Cresswell Crags has caves with the only cave paintings in England (maybe UK?), if that’s your thing. Think you still need to book.

Also The Bakewell Pudding Shop...

Which one? :) I think I remember at least four of them!

Heights of Abraham and the illuminated caverns. Eat at the Vista Restaurant or drink at the Tavern www.heightsofabraham.com/eat-shop/

River Tubing is really fun www.rapidhorizons.com/tubing

@BikeRunSki I’m also in the Dark Peak (well, just on the fringes of it but spend all my time in the Peaks doing the things in your username! …And my sister got married in Bakewell.

Im going to Leek, near Buxton, in October so Im following with interest
I`m hoping we can get the start of the Christmas season too

@YetAnotherSpartacus

Also The Bakewell Pudding Shop...

Which one? :) I think I remember at least four of them!

There is only one. The Original One.

@YetAnotherSpartacus

Also The Bakewell Pudding Shop...

Which one? :) I think I remember at least four of them!

tittesworthwater.co.uk/ Tittesworth Watersports. Been before and recommend.

For your afternoon tea, I would go to Beaurepaire, based in Belper. The Talbot based also in Belper is a nice restaurant.

Chatsworth house - visit the house and book afternoon tea (or go to the coffee shop in the stables or the one in the garden centre or the one at the farm shop)

You have to try The Lighthouse Restaurant .
www.the-lighthouse-restaurant.co.uk/
It's totally amazing, not cheap but great value for the level of food, which I thought was as good as Michelin star.

There's a woodland festival mid September in Elveston Castle Park.

If you like cycling, the Tissington Trail is an easy traffic free cycle trail. I think you can hire bikes at a place called Parsley Hay near the top of the trail.

How about a paddleboarding session? Very senic on the lake.
www.tittesworthwater.co.uk/index.php/water-sports/taster-sessions/start-paddleboarding

The forest distillery have recently refurbished The Cat and Fiddle near Buxton.

theforestdistillery.com/cat-fiddle/

The A6 runs through the centre of Belper and has a really good bus services which run to Matlock & into the Peaks if you don't fancy driving - search for the trans peak and the sixes (run by Trent Barton)

Some things within a 10 min drive or bus ride of where you are staying:

• white peak whisky/Gin distillery offer tours and tastings if that's your thing.
• Cromford - walk around the town, boat trip on the canal, visit the historic mills
• Wirksworth has a heritage steam/diesel railway
• kedleston Hall/calke abbey are worth a visit if you have NT membership

My must-dos would be Chatsworth house & gardens, Castleton caves. Chatsworth -
has a brilliant farmyard/adventure playground if you have children.

Shipley park is a bit meh. It's built on an old coal pit site and is ok but nothing special. You would struggle to make a day of it. Somewhere like Carsington is far nicer. I am prob a bit biased though as I much prefer the part of Derbyshire north if Derby.

It's recommend a day in Buxton and so the following;
Walk around the Pavilion Gardens for a simple walk, with boots on head to the Pooles Cavern car park and head up the hill to Solomons Temple and then down the Cavern. There is also a Go Ape there.

Head to No.6 tearoom in the old square (next to the Pavilion Gardens) for a fab cream tea.
Then go on the little red tour bus for cute and romantic. It meets outside the gorgeous Opera House.
You could also do the heritage tour in the newly returned Crescent Hotel. You need to pre book. There is also the Buxton Museum and Art Gallery or the Derby Uni dome which is the largest unsupported dome in the UK. All worth a look.
If you stay for more food/drink I'd go to either Simply Thai, 53 degrees North/Tap house/ Lone Star or the Bar Brasserie. They are all in the same more exclusive area called the Quadrant. The main town centre is more basic.
Also Chatsworth House/Gardens is a must visit.

everyone said the Monsal trail but we found it a boring route
Liked curbar ridges - just googled a walk