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Original poster

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

46 replies

GreedyCymraes · 11/08/2021 12:31

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 😊

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ShinyMe · 16/08/2021 20:26

I really like Chatsworth - I don't bother with the house any more, but it's worth seeing. But I love the gardens and park, you can walk for hours and see all sorts.

I also really like Castleton for a day trip. There are lovely quirky antique shops, a couple of nice pubs, an interesting ruined castle, a walk up Mam Tor with great views, and some caves - there's the Speedwell Cavern where you can do a boat trip, or the Devil's Arse where if you're lucky you can hear the river farting in the cave.

ShinyMe · 17/08/2021 19:51

But don't go to Bolsover Castle, it's utterly rubbish.

Original poster
GreedyCymraes · 20/08/2021 16:03

Wow. Thanks all. Those thjngs all sound great. Cream tea and romantic tour deffo happening and will stay for dinner too, will bus/train it up and back so we can have a few drinkies

Devils Arse sounds like a must! 🤣

I'm not sure on Chatsworth. Need convincing. Not one for big ostentatious mansions but the grounds may be worth it

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clary · 20/08/2021 16:08

You don't say if you have DC but if so I suggest Crich Tramway museum and also Carsington Water on a nice day - great playground and interesting visitor centre.

Food wise I love Nourish at No 44 in Belper and Darleys in Derby is nice if you are feeling flush.

You have had lots of other good ideas too so I won't repeat.

I've not been there but Hathersage Lido is open again if you like swimming in the open air (I do, but it's a bit far away and £££ for a regular swim. Good for a special trip tho.)

Original poster
GreedyCymraes · 20/08/2021 16:08

Any special places to eat or drink in Belper itself or within 20min walk?

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Original poster
GreedyCymraes · 20/08/2021 16:09

@clary

You don't say if you have DC but if so I suggest Crich Tramway museum and also Carsington Water on a nice day - great playground and interesting visitor centre.

Food wise I love Nourish at No 44 in Belper and Darleys in Derby is nice if you are feeling flush.

You have had lots of other good ideas too so I won't repeat.

I've not been there but Hathersage Lido is open again if you like swimming in the open air (I do, but it's a bit far away and £££ for a regular swim. Good for a special trip tho.)

Deffo no children in attendance (other than us two big kids!)
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Original poster
GreedyCymraes · 20/08/2021 16:09

@clary

You don't say if you have DC but if so I suggest Crich Tramway museum and also Carsington Water on a nice day - great playground and interesting visitor centre.

Food wise I love Nourish at No 44 in Belper and Darleys in Derby is nice if you are feeling flush.

You have had lots of other good ideas too so I won't repeat.

I've not been there but Hathersage Lido is open again if you like swimming in the open air (I do, but it's a bit far away and £££ for a regular swim. Good for a special trip tho.)

Number 44 and the lido on the list too. Any good bars/pubs we should plan in?
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clary · 20/08/2021 16:10

Lovely independent cinema in Belper itself as well

ShinyMe · 20/08/2021 16:22

Oh the Hathersage Lido is gorgeous, I love it there. You do need to book in advance though, and it sells out pretty quickly (unless you want fast lane!).

You don't have to do the house at Chatsworth, you can buy a ticket for garden only. I love the gardens, but maybe you need to like that sort of thing. There's a good kitchen garden, lots of parkland, ornamental gardens, a maze, glass houses, the cascade where you can paddle, woodland, a huge rock garden thing with ponds and a waterfall, various sculptures and fountains dotted around the place. I can easily spend a few hours there.

Do you like walking? As someone upthread said, Curbar edge is a lovely walk, and you can do it as a fairly short, flattish one if you prefer - park at Curbar Gap and walk along the edge for a mile or two, and then back, not too much uphill. Or get right up above Longshaw Estate and walk over the moors, some nice circular walks there. Or up above Ladybower there's a nice ridge walk past some bonkers huge stones that look like vol au vents.

silverlace · 20/08/2021 16:46

I agree with a PP that Chatsworth gardens are lovely. I had been to Chatsworth park many times but never in the gardens until a couple of weeks ago. They are lovely and not formal "park flower beds" style and are also huge.

Afternoon tea at Chatsworth is £40 pp so at that price it better be good!

ShinyMe · 20/08/2021 16:56

I would never buy the picnic at Chatsworth! I take my own! If I'm feeling extravagant then I go to the Chatsworth farm shop up the road and buy some fruit and a fancy pie or something and take that.

Original poster
GreedyCymraes · 20/08/2021 20:32

Is there anywhere nearby as a day spa or for a massage?

OP posts:
MissFritton65 · 21/08/2021 17:46

@GreedyCymraes Buxton Crescent Spa hotel has only opened in the last 12 months and they were advertising spa days.

Original poster
GreedyCymraes · 21/08/2021 18:32

[quote MissFritton65]@GreedyCymraes Buxton Crescent Spa hotel has only opened in the last 12 months and they were advertising spa days.[/quote]
Thanks. I did look but they only seem to do with overnight stay so will check again. Thanks.

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LoveFall · 21/08/2021 18:49

We stayed in a B&B very near Haddon Hall (only a short walk). It was lovely. It was quite a few years ago so I don't remember the name, but it could have been Haddon House Farm. It was on a hill with a gorgeous view.

I found Haddon Hall very atmospheric.

We went walking with our friends and visited Eyam (the plague village) which was fascinating. Also Chatsworth House.

My most prominent memory is waking up to a beautiful cow sticking its head into the bathroom window to say hi. Lovely place.

ICouldHaveCheckedFirst · 21/08/2021 18:59

I second the museum in Eyam. You have to book but we booked a slot at about 2 hour's notice, on a Saturday recently.

ShinyMe · 21/08/2021 20:00

Buxton has the actual spa too:
devonshire-spa.co.uk/

VanquishGirl · 21/08/2021 20:17

Following because I've recently moved to Derbyshire and need ideas for days out.

Useyourfork · 24/08/2021 20:27

You can get the sixes bus to Duffield for an evening out Angelos is highly recommend and there’s the White Hart pub.
Belper used to have a bit of a music scene, not sure what it’s like now.
You may enjoy a walk at Black rocks. Park at the car park there it’s £4 ish pay and display, climb up the rocks for a spectacular view then have a wonder over to the stone centre where there is a lovely cafe and surprisingly really quite interesting.

Useyourfork · 24/08/2021 20:35

I’ve not been but I know people who love Hoar Cross Hall Spa 🙂

Original poster
GreedyCymraes · 31/08/2021 20:10

It looks lush but bit costly for me. I tried Q Hotels as they had a deal on but full until end of sept 😩

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