Derbyshire villages

[Icantthinkofausernamee]

Me & DH have a few days child free in a few weeks and want to find a pretty village in Derbyshire (pref within 1hr of Notts), ideally with some nice cafes, nice shops to potter around in, some lovely scenery. Any suggestions would be helpful 🙂

Bakewell is a safe bet. Market day on Mondays so quite busy. Actually it’s always busy!

Was just coming on to say Bakewell. Lots of shops, tearooms, pubs, walks/hikes. Chatsworth House and other smaller villages nearby to explore. Could be Just over an hour depending where in Notts you are. Can be very busy on weekends/BH but sure it's even lovelier once crowds have gone home.

Ashbourne or Bakewell

Yea Bakewell. So many lovely places near there too and Matlock and Matlock bath are not far either.

Second Bakewell. But also Ashford in the Water is very pretty and it's just down the road from Bakewell.

Definitely go to Chatsworth!

Tissington!

Hartington is nice too, and is right at the top of Dovedale, so has some gorgeous walks from it. If you'll be sticking to the village itself, Bakewell is probably the best of those mentioned here, or maybe Ashbourne. The others are lovely but quite small, so won't hold your attention for long unless you're planning on exploring the surrounding countryside.

All of the above.
Hartington has a great creamery and cheese shop.

Castleton/Hope/Hathersage worth considering too.

Matlock Bath and Bakewell are both nice but busy.
If you're looking for quieter then Ashborne, small village, pub, couple of shops and you can walk up to Monsal Head and the viaduct. Monyash has a good pub and there's an amazing book shop but a 10 minute drive away.
Eyam is interesting - known as the plague village. Hathersage is pretty and has the outdoor lido.

I think you might mean Scarthin Books in Cromford. Amazing shop!

Buxton? Not a village, but quite petite.

I would suggest the town I live in... the Gem of the Peak - Wirksworth.

discoverwirksworth.co.uk

It's pretty. Great pubs particularly the Royal Oak and Feather Star in The Red Lion.

There are lots of independent shops. It isn't touristy like bloody Bakewell or Ashbourne. Both of which are busy bottle necks... and expensive!

If you go in September weekend of the 8th it'll tie in with our annual Arts Festival

wirksworthfestival.co.uk

We are just up the hill from Cromford and Matlock Bath.

The High Peak Trail (long distance cycle path) is a stones throw. Bike hire available at Middleton Top. We have Black Rock if you like outdoor climbing. If you like walking, again a great spot for this (look at an OS map and you'll see what I mean).

We are a few miles from Carsington Reservoir.

It's in a stunning spot (again much nicer that Bakewell and Ashbourne).

We have a heritage railway - Ecclesbourne Valley.

It's quite an alternative, arty type town.

I think you mean Ashford in the Water rather than Ashbourne here - it's a god 20 mile walk from Ashbourne to Monsal Head!

Book shop sounds good.

I do indeed rbe78, thanks. Had a brain fart!

@bingobongos I'm a wussa lass and was going to suggest our town too 🤣

I'm just on my way home to Norfolk from Derbyshire and today have been in Bakewell and Eyam. We also went to Buxton, Matlock and Matlock Bath while we were there. I'd recommend any of the above.

I know the area pretty well as I'm originally from Derbyshire and have visited a lot over the years, but discovered the High Peak Bookshop and Cafe yesterday. I absolutely loved it. Didn't look like much from the outside but well priced books and the loveliest cafe.

Oh Wirksworth is lovely. Haven't been for years.

I wouldn't go to Ashbourne. I went last week and it's lots of empty shops. Not a lot to do or see.

Another vote for Wirksworth, it's more of a lived-in working town than some of the other places mentioned but has a lot of charm. I love the Puzzle Gardens area, quite unique and I still haven't figured out how people ever move house there.

Second Wirksworth over Bakewell. We visit the Peak District quite regularly, but typically stick to the smaller villages because I find Bakewell, Matlock and Matlock Bath too busy and touristy. We discovered Wirksworth by accident when visiting Shining Cliff wood (recommended - beautiful walk from Alderwasley) and I loved it - as PP says, it has some lovely independent shops and places to eat, and overall just a much nicer vibe. Very jealous you @bingobongos for living there!

Cromford is nice too but somewhat spoilt by masses of through traffic (esp. motorbikes). Scarthin Books is amazing though and has a lovely cafe.

All of these are good suggestions - I'd also suggest Hathersage, if you fancy swimming at the Lido! Again, within easy distance of Chatsworth, which is a must-see. Haddon Hall also well worth a visit.

Lots of lovely places mentioned - Castleton is gorgeous and you can visit the caves and Buxton nearby. Hartington and Tissington are very cute and the cheese shop at Hartington is amazing. Wirksworth is lovely. I find Bakewell too busy.