Derbyshire has a number of must see tourist attractions and they include:-
- Chatsworth House
- Gullivers Kingdom
- Haddon Hall
- Hardwick Hall
- Heights of Abraham
- The National Tramway Museum
Derbyshire Tourist Attractions
Chatsworth, Derbyshire
Chatsworth House and Gardens is one of Britain’s best loved historic houses and estates and is home to the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire. Set in the magnificent landscape of the Peak District National Park is the house, garden, farmyard, adventure playground, gift shops and a restaurant, offering something for everyone to enjoy.
There are famous works of art, spectacular waterworks in the famous garden, the adventure playground has special activities throughout the season and the best shopping, food and drink to complete your visit. The 1000 acre park is open all year round where you can enjoy miles of free walks. It is no wonder that Chatsworth has a long tradition of welcoming locals and tourists from around the world.
Official website: www.chatsworth.org
Gulliver’s Kingdom, Matlock Bath
Gulliver’s Kingdom is a family theme park located in Matlock Bath and was opened in 1978 making it the oldest of the three Gulliver’s Theme Parks.
Nestled in a stunning hillside location with amazing scenery and views, Gulliver’s Kingdom includes 6 separate zones with a variety of rides and attractions designed for children between the age of two and thirteen.
All rides and attractions are designed to offer fun and excitement for the whole family and from the moment you visit Gulliver’s you enter a world of wonder and fantasy where your imagination can roam free.
The six zones at Gulliver’s Kingdom are: Bourbon Street, Fantasy Terrace, Lilliput Land, Little Switzerland, Palais Royale Area and Party House. Climb aboard the veteran cars, twist and twirl on the crazy barrel ride, ride the log flume on its watery journey or swing high in the air on the chair lift. Explore the western world and take a stroll along Bourbon Street.
Get wet and wild in Little Switzerland, shoot and smash your way through Fantasy Terrace, then ride the roller-coaster in the Palais Royale Area. With so many rides and attractions there is something for everyone! Bring your family to Gulliver’s Kingdom and explore the farthest reaches of your imaginations!
Official website: www.gulliversfun.co.uk
Haddon Hall, Derbyshire
Haddon Hall is a Medieval and Tudor manor house dating from the 12th Century and is probably the finest example of a fortified medieval manor house in existence. Home of Lord and Lady Edward Manners whose family have owned it since 1567, Haddon Hall has welcomed visitors for hundreds of years and little has changed over the recent centuries. Providing a unique view of early English life and history, the beauty and atmosphere never fails to enchant. Inside Haddon Hall there is a fine example of a medieval kitchen and an Elizabethan long gallery.
Outside Haddon Hall is believed to have one of the most romantic gardens in Britain featuring glorious terraced rose gardens and the beautiful gardens brim with delphiniums and clematis. We sell a range of lovely gifts and souvenirs in our The Gatehouse gift shop which reflect the seasons and include items by local artists and craftspeople made exclusively for Haddon Hall. Items include Traditional Tapestries’ beautiful cushions, bags, table runners, wall plaques, tapestries, mugs, local honey and postcards to name a few.
The licensed Restaurant is situated in the 17th Century stable block, with views over the River Wye and the chef prepares food daily using locally sourced produce where possible. Haddon Hall is a popular choice as a film and TV location as well as an excellent family day out.
Official website: www.haddonhall.co.uk
Hardwick Hall, Derbyshire
One of Britain’s greatest and most complete Elizabethan houses, Hardwick Hall was built between 1591 and 1597 and is surrounded by superb gardens and 300 acres of parkland. The house was left generally unaltered over the centuries and as a result the exterior of Hardwick Hall remains original. In 1959 Hardwick Hall was transferred to the National Trust who cleaned up the stonework and its towers now gleam and look as new as the day they were built.
The interior of Hardwick Hall are amongst the most exciting in England, with its fine plasterwork, rich decoration and splendid furniture. The High Great Chamber was especially designed to display a magnificent collection of tapestry and period needlework, whilst the Long Gallery, occupying the entire length of the east front, has a collection of family portraits. Inside the atmospheric Hall you can see Europe’s finest collection of 16th and 17th-century embroideries and tapestries. The permanent and award-winning ‘Threads of Time’ needlework exhibition tells visitors the story of ‘Bess’ Elizabeth Hardwick (former owner of the house) and the collections in the Hall. Fine portraits at Hardwick Hall include three of ‘Bess’, two of Mary Queen of Scots and others of Elizabeth I, Lord Burghly and James I.
Outside there are gardens divided into large walled courtyards and 300 acres of parkland with woods and meadows, ideal for leisurely walks and feature attractive views. The tranquil walled courtyards enclose the magnificent restored herb garden, orchards and lawns. The charming orchard features crab apples, damsons, plums, medlars and mulberries. The park that Hardwick Hall stands in has avenues of limes where a collection of Longhorn cattle and Whiteface Woodland sheep graze. In the grounds you can also visit the remains of Hardwick Old Hall, which Bess continued to use after this new house was built. Picnic by the lakes or enjoy lunch in the licensed restaurant and for a souvenir there is a gift shop. Enjoy a free introductory house talk at one of the Hall’s open days, one of many events that are regularly held at Hardwick Hall by The National Trust throughout the year.
Official website: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-hardwickhall
Heights of Abraham, Matlock Bath
One of the Peak District’s oldest and most popular days out, The Heights of Abraham first opening its gates to visitors in 1780. In those days visitors reached Masson Hill on foot, scaling the steep slopes. Nowadays the famous Cable Car system is used which was introduced in 1984 – the first of its kind in the whole of the British Isles. With heights at almost a thousand feet there are stunning views of the Derwent Valley and beyond to Matlock and the Peak District. Enjoy these views in the comfort and safety of a cable car, but this is not all The Heights of Abraham has to offer.
The Show Caverns are a large network of naturally formed caverns and passageways dating back millions of years with regular guided tours allow you to retrace the footsteps of the Miners who once mined here. The new Masson Cavern attraction is a spectacular cavern system borrowing deep into the hillside. A state of the art lighting installation and your guide will take you on a fascinating journey. Featuring many other attractions such as the Fossil Factory, The High Falls Rock Shop and exhibitions, it’s not just the hilltop views and famous cable car system that attract people from all over the world.
Official website: www.heightsofabraham.com
National Tramway Museum, Derbyshire
The National Tramway Museum is the finest transport museum of its type, offering an enjoyable day out for all ages and open most of the year. Located in the restored Crich Tramway Village, nestling high up in the heart of Derbyshire overlooking the famous Derwent Valley, this is a unique place to visit. Take a tram ride through time on the vintage trams that run every few minutes, over the cobbled period street complete with working pub, past the original facades of historic buildings before heading up the valley to experience spectacular views. You even pay with an old penny you are given on entry and then you are free to ride the trams all day, of which there are over 70 vintage steam, electric and horse-drawn trams from all over the world.
There is an exhibition hall with fascinating exhibitions dedicated to the history of the tram, including a recreation of the 1905 Tramways Exhibition, plus there is a Workshop Viewing Gallery where you watch trams being restored and repaired. For children the indoor “Discovery Depot” with its ball pit and tram-themed soft play area and the outdoor Adventure Playground will keep them occupied for hours. A relaxing stroll along the Woodland Walk and Sculpture Trail is ideal for a picnic or simply to enjoy the stunning views and fascinating sculptures. Refreshments are offered at the Red Lion pub or Rita’s Tea Rooms, whilst the Scothern & Williamson Gift Shop is packed with souvenirs, toys, confectionary and books and Barnett’s Sweet Shop will appeal to the children!
For those who want to relax the Woodland Walk & Sculpture Trail is ideal, and there are a wide range of monthly events held on the site such as the famous Transport Extravaganza and weekend recreations of the 1940’s and Edwardian Era. Whatever your interest there is lots to see, explore and discover at the National Tramway Museum, and Crich Tramway Village makes an ideal family day out in the heart of Derbyshire.
Official website: www.tramway.co.uk
