Derbyshire Tourist Information

Derbyshire is situated to the north east of the midlands of England. A large proportion of the County lies within the Peak District National Park.

The scenery is varied, both dramatic and gentle, with the Pennine Hills and part of the National Forest within the County.

The Derbyshire Dales are renowned for their beauty, lovely river valleys and fascinating caves, which were worked by the Romans for lead - today some are still quarried for limestone.

The County town is Derby, which only gained city status in 1977, but has a long and interesting history. There are many interesting attractions and good shopping facilities in the city. Derbyshire Tourist Information centres are in all the main towns in the County.

The Peak district in the north of the County offers dramatic scenery, with high rocky crags rising from heather covered moorland. Edale in the heart of the region is the beginning of the Pennine Way. Walkers, potholers and climbers will appreciate the adventurous terrain of the Peak District.

Derbyshire Tourism has since early times focused upon Buxton, a spa town famous for its spring water. Buxton is one of the highest towns in England at over 1,000 feet, but sheltered by the even higher surrounding hills, making it one of the most popular inland holiday resorts in the country. In the late 18th century the 5th Duke of Devonshire built 'The Crescent', modelled on the Royal Crescent in Bath.

The village of Castleton is situated at the head of the Hope Valley - here is Peveril Castle, one of England's first Norman Forts, immortalised by Sir Walter Scott in his novel 'Peveril of the Peak'. Under the castle lies one of the finest underground caverns in the area - Peak Cavern. From here you can take a boat trip to nearby Speedwell Cavern set at the foot of the spectacular Winnats Pass, high above the village of Castleton.

Derbyshire Tourist Information can be found in the towns of Ashbourne, Bakewell and Matlock, situated in the Derbyshire Dales. Beresford Dale, Bradford Dale, Chee Dale, Darley Dale, Dove Dale, Lathill Dale, Miller’s Dale, Monsal Dale and Wolfscot Dale are all beautiful unspoiled areas. The rivers Derwent, Dove and Wye flow through the area creating verdant valleys, perfect for walking or cycling. There are ancient market towns and villages to explore and a choice of Stately Homes to visit such as Chatsworth and Haddon Hall near Bakewell.

South Derbyshire is at the heart of the National Forest, one of Britain’s biggest environmental projects, with over five and a half million trees having been planted in the last ten years. The region is less rugged than that to the north and is good walking country.

Situated a short drive south of Derby is Melbourne Hall, home of Lord Melbourne, first Prime Minister to Queen Victoria. Sudbury is one of the show villages of Derbyshire, here you can visit Sudbury Hall.

At the village of Crich in the Amber Valley, enjoy a day at the Crich Tramway Village, a great outing for all the family.Gullivers Kingdom is in the beautiful setting of Matlock Bath - a great place to ‘get away from it all!’. Also in Matlock Bath is The Heights of Abraham - a unique hilltop park where you can experience a cable car ride and visit two show caverns.

Nearby is the small town of Wirksworth, famous for its Whitsun well-dressing ceremony. Call into Wirksworth Heritage Centre, an interesting place to learn about the area.

North east Derbyshire is the home of Hardwick Hall one of the greatest Elizabethan houses, which survives almost unchanged today. The historic 300 acre parkland with woods and meadows has great walks and many attractive views.