Jeremy's Guidebook
Sightseeing
A very peaceful and inspiring place. There is no charge to enter but you should prebook parking. Cost around £6.00 per car. Pick the areas you most want to see and then come again to see more.
51 locals recommend
National Memorial Arboretum (Alrewas, Staffordshire)
Croxall RoadA very peaceful and inspiring place. There is no charge to enter but you should prebook parking. Cost around £6.00 per car. Pick the areas you most want to see and then come again to see more.
Within 20 minutes drive this is a spectacular palladium house managed by the National Trust.
76 locals recommend
Kedleston Hall
Within 20 minutes drive this is a spectacular palladium house managed by the National Trust.
If you like beer then this is the place to visit. Burton is the home of both Bass and Marstons Pedigree.
15 locals recommend
The National Brewery Centre
A511If you like beer then this is the place to visit. Burton is the home of both Bass and Marstons Pedigree.
A new and very interesting Museum with a great cafe and plenty to engage all ages. Highly recommended
9 locals recommend
The Museum of Making at Derby Silk Mill
Silk Mill LaneA new and very interesting Museum with a great cafe and plenty to engage all ages. Highly recommended
A beautiful National Trust Property which also features a museum of childhood. Lots of interactive opportunities for families with children under 12.
26 locals recommend
Sudbury Hall
A beautiful National Trust Property which also features a museum of childhood. Lots of interactive opportunities for families with children under 12.
At a 45 minute drive away this is further than most of our recommendations. However, in particular, the illuminations from mid September to end October are well worth a visit. Search on line at Derbyshire Dales District Council for information on this and well dressing(May/June).
155 locals recommend
Matlock Bath
At a 45 minute drive away this is further than most of our recommendations. However, in particular, the illuminations from mid September to end October are well worth a visit. Search on line at Derbyshire Dales District Council for information on this and well dressing(May/June).
Theme park and gardens
The U.K’s foremost Theme park. Spectacular rides set in landscaped gardens. Always book on line and look for offers. Supermarket point schemes or Cereal Packs often feature discounts.
329 locals recommend
Alton Towers
Farley LaneThe U.K’s foremost Theme park. Spectacular rides set in landscaped gardens. Always book on line and look for offers. Supermarket point schemes or Cereal Packs often feature discounts.
Home to Thomas Land but with plenty of other rides and activities. Recommended by guests as an alternative or addition to Alton Towers. A meal at the traditional canal pub, the Swan at Fradley junction, will round off your day.
102 locals recommend
Drayton Manor Theme Park
Drayton Manor DriveHome to Thomas Land but with plenty of other rides and activities. Recommended by guests as an alternative or addition to Alton Towers. A meal at the traditional canal pub, the Swan at Fradley junction, will round off your day.
Set in the National Forest with a forest and conservation theme. Indoor and outside play activities ranging from a train ride through to high wire walking. Suitable for 4 to Teenagers. Some of the activities are in addition to the entry price. Overall good value day out with a difference. Take wellies if wet.
35 locals recommend
Conkers
Rawdon RoadSet in the National Forest with a forest and conservation theme. Indoor and outside play activities ranging from a train ride through to high wire walking. Suitable for 4 to Teenagers. Some of the activities are in addition to the entry price. Overall good value day out with a difference. Take wellies if wet.
From near the station at Matlock Bath you can take a Dog friendly ride on a cable car to the heights of Abraham. Stunning views, children’s playground,
the long view exhibition, The Masson Pavilion, The Great Masson Cavern and Rutland Cavern Tours(not dog friendly) Vista bar and restaurant,Terrace cafe, coffee and picnic spots. Well worth a visit. Buy tickets online or at the box office.
160 locals recommend
The Heights of Abraham
Dale RoadFrom near the station at Matlock Bath you can take a Dog friendly ride on a cable car to the heights of Abraham. Stunning views, children’s playground,
the long view exhibition, The Masson Pavilion, The Great Masson Cavern and Rutland Cavern Tours(not dog friendly) Vista bar and restaurant,Terrace cafe, coffee and picnic spots. Well worth a visit. Buy tickets online or at the box office.
Gullivers Kingdom sits above Matlock Bath and is a special place for children while also enjoying some great views. Some rides are restricted to over 90cm or over 110cm but the majority are open to all ages if accompanied by an adult.
Check on line for details and booking. Offers are available through reward schemes.
110 locals recommend
Gulliver's Kingdom Resort
Temple WalkGullivers Kingdom sits above Matlock Bath and is a special place for children while also enjoying some great views. Some rides are restricted to over 90cm or over 110cm but the majority are open to all ages if accompanied by an adult.
Check on line for details and booking. Offers are available through reward schemes.
Cycling and Walking
Starting at Ashbourne this is a bridal way and footpath finishing at Parsley Hay ( 21 km). Where it joins the High Peak Trail. Hire bikes from the Bike Barn in Ashbourne or from the peakdistrict.gov. UK
Make time to visit Tissington Village and cafe.
36 locals recommend
Tissington
Starting at Ashbourne this is a bridal way and footpath finishing at Parsley Hay ( 21 km). Where it joins the High Peak Trail. Hire bikes from the Bike Barn in Ashbourne or from the peakdistrict.gov. UK
Make time to visit Tissington Village and cafe.
Ride on the disused railway line passing through tunnels and over spectacular bridges. Fantastic views and a lovely cafe/resturant.
62 locals recommend
Hassop Station Cafe and Monsal Trail Cycle Hire
Hassop RoadRide on the disused railway line passing through tunnels and over spectacular bridges. Fantastic views and a lovely cafe/resturant.
Open water swimming
This is unsupervised and care must be taken. Enter water gradually to avoid cold water shock.
Source 10 best open water swimming Guardian Newspaper.
River Trent, Anchor Church, Ingleby, DerbyshirThe great river Trent, artery of the coalfields and industrial heartlands of the east Midlands, doesn't sound promising, but there are plenty of bucolic stretches to explore. I like the extraordinary caves of Anchor Church, a mile upstream from Ingleby near Derby, where the river has carved out a series of rock grottos. Hermits and saints have inhabited this remote place since the sixth century, adding windows and fireplaces. The swimming, in a quiet lagoon just off the river, is safe and it's a perfect place to explore with children or to shelter from the rain.
Grid reference: 52.8415, -1.4975warnjng not easy to find or park.
Anchor Church
Zoo
A compact Zoo concentrating on endangered species. Rightly famous for its collection and display of Primates.
New for 2022 the Gruffalo Trail is an excellent addition for children up to 10 years.
58 locals recommend
Twycross Zoo
Burton RoadA compact Zoo concentrating on endangered species. Rightly famous for its collection and display of Primates.
New for 2022 the Gruffalo Trail is an excellent addition for children up to 10 years.
Alternative sports
A great opportunity to enhance your Skiing , snow boarding or join in the fun with tobogganing sessions. Suitable for all ages.
Large swimming pool also on site.
44 locals recommend
SnowDome
RiverdriveA great opportunity to enhance your Skiing , snow boarding or join in the fun with tobogganing sessions. Suitable for all ages.
Large swimming pool also on site.
Hire Kayaks or Paddle Boards on the River Trent or Trent and Mersey canal depending on conditions. Guided adventure and training also available.
Mercia Guests get a 10% discount with the community card.
Trent Adventure | Canoe hire adventures
Hire Kayaks or Paddle Boards on the River Trent or Trent and Mersey canal depending on conditions. Guided adventure and training also available.
Mercia Guests get a 10% discount with the community card.
Abseiling Derbyshire
Suitable for any age 8 plus.
Lodge guests may fish from two designated areas in the marina. Please contact reception
19 locals recommend
Mercia Marina
Findern LaneLodge guests may fish from two designated areas in the marina. Please contact reception