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Derbyshire
TOUR A - SOUTH DERBYSHIRE HISTORIC HOUSES , COUNTRY WALKS AND WATERWAYS
Calke Abbey tells the story of the dramatic decline of a country house estate. This National Trust house and stables are little restored, with many abandoned areas vividly portraying a period in the 20th century when numerous country houses did not survive to tell their story. It is without doubt an interesting tour.
In sharp contrast is Melbourne Hall which is one of the most exquisite of the smaller stately homes of England, while the formal gardens… are as close to perfection as any in the country. It stands in an idyllic setting at the east end of this small village overlooking the 20 acre mill pool with its own independent craftsmen occupying some of the stable block.
On the outskirts of Derby is Elvaston Hall Country Park which has 321 acres of lovely walks with the gothic estate (not open to public) in the background. Courtyard and cafe are usually open.
Foremark Resevoir is a beautiful place with a selection of lovely woodland walks of varying lengths and degrees of difficulty and lots of places to sit and enjoy a picnic. Alternatively a canal boat trip from Willington.
Castle Donington Track is close by and the museum makes for an interesting hours entertainment.
For an entertaining and informative boat tour or a relaxing sunset dinner cruise, Mercia Swan boat tours are the best Willington cruises on the Trent and Mersey canal. ·
Alternatively Shardlow is one of the best-preserved inland canal ports in the country and by the River Trent. It is a fascinating place to explore, still busy with boats, now used for leisure and not for commerce. All this activity is good news for the canal side pubs, which swarm with customers in the summer and at the weekend. A walk along the canal towpath brings you into contact with many of the old buildings of the Canal Age.
TOUR B - NORTH DERBYSHIRE HISTORIC HOUSES, VIBRANT TOWNS AND FOUR WONDERFUL ATTRACTIONS (Time to choose:)
Bolsover Castle is an unlikely mix of early Norman stronghold, Jacobean manor, country house, and romantic folly. Explore the Little Castle, the ruins of the Terrace Range and impressive Riding House. This hilltop pleasure palace of a horse-mad Cavalier playboy enjoys breathtaking panoramic views and admire the period plantings in Venus Gardens.
Nearby explore the intriguing shell of a tall Elizabethan mansion built by the formidable Bess of Hardwick, richest woman in Elizabethan England. Just behind the Old Hall is the National Trust HardwickHall which is worth a visit in its own right. Extensive gardens and lakeside walks plus lovely gardens.
Onto Matlock Bath and a chance to enjoy a lovely walk along the River Derwent, enjoy a drink and fish and trips and if with young ones why not visit Gulliver's Kingdom. (Our children loved the experience) Alternatively Abraham Heights are well worth the cable car entry fee to explore 60 acres of landscaped grounds, trails and woodland walks plus two famous caverns.
A few miles South of the town is The National Tramway Museum. The museum contains over 60 trams built between 1873 and 1982 and is set within a recreated period village containing a working pub, cafe, old-style sweetshop and tram depots. The museum's collection of trams runs through the village-setting with visitors transported one-mile out into the local countryside and back.
A very popular walking spot needs to be followed by a lovely coffee with stunning views of Carsington Water Reservoir from any table in their restaurant .
If it's shopping you prefer continue along our circular route to the town of Chesterfield with its crooked church spire. Market days are Monday, Friday and Saturday which add to the atmosphere in Derbyshire's second largest town or if you prefer East Midlands Deigner Outlet with 70 stores is close by and just off M1.
Our final historic house to tempt you is Renishaw Hall and Gardens which have an award winning garden including stunning borders, statues, woodlands and walks.
TOUR C - THE PEAK DISTRICT (So much choice:)
Such is the popularity of the oldest National Park in England and is there any wonder with the sheer number of quality attractions it is hard to really recommend any particular day! So instead here are various attractions to choose your perfect jurney. Please feel free to have a chat with us to arrive at your perfect day.
TOWNS
Bakewell is famous for its Bakewell Tart and is a quintessential small town situated on the River Derwent. It also holds second largest Farmers market in the UK usually on last Saturday of every month.
Buxton Spa town has lovely buildings and gardens, especially the Pavilions' and the Opera House plus is the highest elevation – about 1,000 feet above sea level – of any market town in England.
Ashbourne contains many historical buildings and independently owned shops, and offers a historic annual Shrovetide football match. Its position near the southern edge of the Peak District makes it the closest town to Dovedale, an area of outstanding beauty and famous stepping stones.
VILLAGES
Castleton, Tideswell, Tissington, Hathersage, Ashford and Eyam are VHE'S favourite villages. Each village enjoys great walks, history in abundance from a plague village to a castle or reservoir dominating the village to magnificent private houses all located in idyllic settings.
PRIVATE HISTORIC HOUSES
The jewel in the crown is Chatsworth but a real favourite and elegant stately home is Haddon Hall. (Chatsworth Flower Festival is in June usualy.
BIKE AND WALKING TRAILS
The Manifold and Tissington trails are perfect for all age groups and bike hire is easy to come by if you book in advance. Far harder trails are available!
CAVERNS
Around Castleton there are four major tourist sites, Blue John, Peak and Speedwell Caverns with the latter entered by boat. Peveril Castle is the other attraction.
PUBS
Too many good ones to list!
PLEASE SEE VARIOUS HIDDEN PURSUITS TO ASSIST IN THE PLANNING OF YOUR PERFECT JOURNEY AROUND THIS HISTORIC REGION
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