Derbyshire
This section is not an advert for Derbyshire, really its not, but ever since the railways and then the buses opened up Derbyshire to the proles of South Yorkshire the peaks and dales of
North Derbyshire in particular have been favourite haunts of the South Yorkshire man and woman. There are enough interesting towns, pretty villages and stately piles to keep even the
most hardened tourist happy. Whether you like a nice gentle stroll, a good stiff ramble, or a mountain to climb there are plenty of interesting walks easy to access.
It was not always so. In the Middle Ages and for some centuries afterwards Derbyshire was pretty wild and woolly - as late as the 18th Century it was still necessary to hire guides if
you were travelling in some parts of the county. Before that I rather think that they sent the tax collectors in with heavily armed escorts, otherwise they never saw them or their money
again.
In my usual fashion this is not a comprehensive look at what there is to see in Derbyshire but just some of my favourite places.
Other places to Visit in Derbyshire:-
Bolsover Castle, Bolsover
A 17th Century House built on a Norman fortress. Various opening hours depending on the season. closed 24-26 December and 1 Jan. This was a bit of a dump when I called for a look
around many, many years ago but has since been done up and I have been told that it is interesting and enjoyable. Tel. 01246 822844 or visit the English Heritage website
www.english-heritage.org.uk.
Calke Abbey, near Melbourne
House, walled garden and park which is a National Nature Reserve Tel. 01332 863822 or visit the National Trust website
www.nationaltrust.org.uk.
Caves and Caverns in Derbyshire
There are several caverns open to visit in the Castleton area, I think it was Treak Cliff, Castleton that I visited forty or more years ago. For a nice damp trip underground take your
pick from these:-
The Blue John Caverns
www.bluejohnstone.com.
The Devil's Arse Tel. 01433 620285 or visit the website
www.devilsarse.com.
Speedwell Cavern Tel. 01433 620512 or visit the website
www.speedwellcavern.co.uk.
Poole's Cavern Tel. 01298 26978 or visit the website
www.poolescavern.co.uk.
Crich Tramway Village
The Crich Tramway Museum has been re-branded as Crich Tramway Village. The village and its website have both won awards for excellence. Open daily April - October and weekends
November, December and March. Tel 01773 854321 or visit the website
www.tramway.co.uk.
Hardwick Hall & Hardwick Old Hall, nr Chesterfield
Visit the new Harwick Hall built in the late 16th Century by Bess of Hardwick and/or the ruined Old Hall which was the Hardwick family home and is just opposite the new one. Tel.
Hardwick Hall 01246 850430 or Hardwick Old Hall 01246 850431. You can also visit Stainsby Mill on the Hardwick estate.
Kedleston Hall, near Derby
Peveril Castle, Castleton
A fine Norman castle on a steep cliff overlooking the Hope Valley. Tel. 01433 620613. I understand that there has been a great deal of conservation work here recently and there is
improved access but I seem to remember there was some steep going. Visit the English Heritage website
www.english-heritage.org.uk.
Renishaw Hall Gardens, Renishaw
Gardens, cafe and shop with regular events, also Arts Centre in the stable block and the John Piper Gallery. Open 24 March - 2 October (2005) Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays
and Bank Holidays. The house is not generally open to the public except for special event evenings, or by arranged tours but can be hired for weddings. Visit the website
www.sitwell.co.uk.
Sudbury Hall, near Uttoxeter
17th Century House, below stairs experience Tel. 01283 585305 or visit the National Trust website
www.nationaltrust.org.uk.
This is only a very small sample of what is available. There's Buxton and Matlock, Matlock Bath, Glossop, Eyam and Ashbourne just to mention a few places. In fact I have been reading about
the city of Derby and wonder why I've never been. Other websites to visit if you are planning to see Derbyshire:-
www.visitderby.co.uk
www.visitpeakdistrict.com
www.visitambervalley.com
www.visitbuxton.co.uk
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