10 Best Things to Do in Derbyshire

The Peak District National Park is a huge expanse of moorland and mountain ranges that stretches across most of Derbyshire. Measuring 555 square miles within several English counties, there are weeks’ worth of activities to enjoy. Established in 1951, this was actually the first national park in the UK.

There are plenty of outdoor pursuits to keep you occupied, including hiking, mountain biking, climbing and birdwatching. To learn about the ancient history of the region, you can explore Thor’s Cave, which has evidence of Stone Age civilization living here. The stone circle called Arbor Law is one of the UK’s most important Neolithic relics – it’s still remarkably well preserved, too.

Buxton is a town in Derbyshire that’s famous for its thermal spas. It’s right on the edge of the Peak District National Park, with a relaxed rural vibe running through the town. Stroll around the town park with lakeside views, then head down the main street to enjoy the ornate Victorian architecture.

Plenty of independent shops, cafés and restaurants are found throughout Buxton – look out for the weekend arts and crafts market. Come evening, don’t miss the opportunity to watch a live show at Buxton Theater, which stages musicals, comedy and dance throughout the year.

Crich Tramway Village is a fun look at history, with rides aboard horse-drawn streetcars and visits to old shops and workhouses. Showing what life used to be like in Derbyshire, this delightful slice of nostalgia is geared toward the whole family.

As well as riding the streetcars, you can view many vehicles from years past, stroll through the Woodland Walk to enjoy many sculptures placed between the trees, and take the kids to the children’s play area. Once you’ve explored the village, refuel at a coffee shop or enjoy a couple of beverages in a pub.

Chatsworth House, home to the Duke of Devonshire, is a majestic stately home in Bakewell. This stunning piece of Derbyshire heritage is known for its art collection, which include pieces from Ancient Egypt and works by famed artists like Rembrandt and Lucian Freud.

The house tour takes you through 25 different rooms, including galleries and banquet halls. Once you’ve explored the house, spend some time strolling through the stunning gardens that surround Chatsworth House. Spanning 1,000 acres in total, ranging from woodland to meadows, several sections of the grounds were designed by famed landscape artist Capability Brown. Families who visit Chatsworth House will love the petting zoo and getting lost in the maze.

Gulliver's Kingdom is one of the Midlands' best theme parks, combining fun rides with hands-on activities to suit everyone from toddlers to teens. In total, the park has 20 rides and 6 different worlds to discover. Head to the Western World to ride the Silver Mine rollercoaster and make a splash on the log flume, or go to Adventure Land for a fast-dropping ride called Drop Tower.

Younger kids will find many activities in the Dinosaur Kingdom, with the Dino Explorer Automobiles weaving through life-sized reproductions of ancient beasts. Toddlers are catered for in Toyland. You can even stay within the park grounds at Gulliver's Kingdom Resort.

Matlock Bath is a small town in Derbyshire long associated with thermal spas. Located on the banks of the River Derwent (which flows straight from the Pennines mountain range), there are a handful of different spas to choose from here. Each of them offers a detailed set of treatments, from massage to reflexology, plus bathing pools and bathing pools with geothermally heated water. Healthy meals are also available.

If you're feeling restless, other activities in Matlock Bath include the family-favourite theme park, Gulliver's Kingdom and the Peak District Mining Museum.

Thorpe Cloud is one of the tallest peaks in the Pennine mountain range that makes up a portion of the Peak District. The route to the summit is part of several popular hikes in the region – ranging from less than a mile to a full-day hike – with plenty of stunning panoramas of green rolling hills and wide-open sky.

If you really want to get out and enjoy the British countryside, start from the town of Dovedale and visit attractions like the Stepping Stones before heading up the mountainside. Thorpe Cloud rises to a height of 942 ft, so you'll need a moderate level of fitness to reach the top. It can be blustery in the winter so it's best to save this adventure for the summer season.

The Heights of Abraham is a hilltop park that can be reached by a aerial cableway close to the town of Matlock Bath. The base station is right next to Matlock Bath train station and cuts across Derwent Valley up to the summit of Masson Hill. You can also walk up the hillside in around 1 hour.

Once you reach the top of Masson Hill, there’s plenty to enjoy. You can join a tour of the caverns and mines to discover the old lead mines that once brought people to the area to find work, then learn about the many fossils that were excavated from the surrounding hills.

Darley Park is a popular green expanse in the center of Derby, along the River Derwent. You can take a stroll through the flower gardens, let the kids loose in the playground and visit the butterfly garden. Annual events are hosted here too, such as classical music performances and fireworks displays.

Darley Park is the gateway to Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site, which is home to many of the first factories in the world following the Industrial Revolution. The park is easy to find, being walking distance from the shops and railroad station. Dogs are allowed off-leash in sections.

Royal Crown Derby creates beautiful porcelain and bone china tableware and other ornaments. It’s one of the oldest porcelain companies in the world and has been central to life in Derbyshire for centuries, having been in operation since its inception in 1750.

At the visitors center, you can explore the history of this esteemed brand, admire different works from across the centuries, and peek into the factory to see how their pieces are made with modern techniques. If you like what you see, you can purchase some beautiful porcelain to take home. There’s a tearoom in Royal Crown Derby visitors center where you can enjoy light lunches and specialty teas served on the company products.