Derbyshire         

Summary
Derbyshire lies in the east Midlands of England and is a county well-suited to nature lovers, hill hikers and those wanting to sample rural countryside at its finest.

The Peak District National Park is the major draw here with its stunning scenery spread across an area of 1, 438 square km. Amid the rolling moors and forests there are almost 3,000 listed buildings worth discovering and delightful towns and villages including Edale, Bakewell and Castleton. 

Derby is the major industrial heartland of the region, lying on the west bank of the River Derwent, its historic buildings including a Medieval cathedral and industrial museum situated in an 18th century Silk Mill. Both provide a rich historical context to this beautiful part of England.

Getting there/getting around Derby
Birmingham and Manchester are the closest international airports to the region and there are a variety of rail stations, networks and bus routes which cover the county.

The journey time from London St Pancras to Derby station is around one hour 45 minutes, allow the same time if travelling by rail from Manchester (with a change at Sheffield). Matlock station is two and a half hours away from London.

If travelling by car, take the A1 and M1 north from London. There are good motorway links and roads including the A515 and A6020 which trail through the Peak District.  

Sightseeing in Derby
Starting in the south, Derby Cathedral houses a Medieval tower which at 212ft is the second highest of its kind in the world. The town’s Industrial Museum is a great way to learn about the history of railways and coal mines in the region and the Royal Crown Derby Visitor Centre close by is good place to see craft workers decorating china, keeping alive an industry which began when the first porcelain factory opened here in 1750.

Heading north from Derby, market towns like Ashbourne, Bakewell and Matlock are real treats. Take a cable car up to the Heights of Abraham, offering great views of the River Derwent below or enjoy a ride on a steam train through Ecclesbourne Valley.

Heading into the Peak District there are endless natural attractions. From the depths of the Blue John Cavern complete with stalactites and stalagmites in Castleton to the heights of Mam Tor and Kinder Scout on routes from the village of Edale, this is an incredible area to explore.

There are a huge variety of walking trails in the Peak District covering Limestone Dales, High Moorland and even the start of the Pennine Way. To capture some of the best natural sights spare a few hours and leave the car behind for a wander.

Family attractions in Derbyshire
Matlock Farm Park has a wide range of animals including llamas and peacocks to see as well as special playgrounds, a go-kart track and pony trekking trips. This 600 acre farm is a fun introduction to the importance of agriculture throughout Derbyshire. Gullivers Kingdom, also in Matlock, is one for thrills with attractions including a log flume, various other rides and a roller coaster.

Take a trip underground with a visit to Peak Cavern, Speedwell Cavern or Treak Cliff Cavern in Castleton. These impressive rock formations are set deep into the cliffs and the kids will love the safe descent into an eerie underground world on a guided tour.

The Donnington Grand Prix Collection in Castle Donnington has over 100 exhibits connected with motor sport history dating as far back as 1900 and is one for car enthusiasts to enjoy.

Day trips around Derbyshire
Chatsfield House and its grounds are a stunning place to spend the day. As one of the best loved historic houses in England it has been referred to as the “national gallery of the north”, so great is the art collection, antique furniture, state apartments and historic artefacts contained within its walls. With a yew maze, rock garden, fountain and waterfall adding to the 105 acre garden’s attractions, this majestic home should not be missed.

A day trip to Eyam is also recommended as the fascinating story of this settlement relates to the Bubonic plague in the 1660s. The museum here explains how the plague was bought into the village and how the villagers quarantined Eyam to prevent the spread of plague; a heroic act which resulted in less than a quarter of the village population surviving.

Shopping in Derbyshire
For boutique shops or high street stores head to Derby. Westfield Derby is a £340 million extension to the existing range of retail units in the Eagle centre and is due to open in October 2007, granting customers a huge range of products and stores to browse. For craft products and gifts visit any one of the popular market towns around the region.

Fresh organic local produce abounds in this county with farmers markets occurring monthly in places including Buxton, Chesterfield and Bakewell. With stores like Mettrick in Glossop (winner of a best Butcher in England award in 2005) and Hartington Cheese factory (producing a quarter of the world’s stilton cheese) in Hartington, you definitely won’t go hungry either.

Eating out in Derbyshire
Aside from the organic stores and farmers markets there is a whole host of antiquated tea rooms and snug taverns dotted around the county ideal for a Ploughman’s lunch, a Sunday roast or just an afternoon tea. Try the Bakewell Pudding Shop tea rooms to sample some of the baked goodies and tarts for which Bakewell is highly regarded.

Local ales are also popular across the region and The Brunswick Inn, Derby, The George Hotel, Castleton and The Derby Tup in Chesterfield are just three of the many pubs recommended to enjoy a good night out

Also once a year, usually in May, the Derbyshire Food and Drink Fair occurs attracting thousands of visitors to taster sessions of some of the finest local produce around the county. The event in 2007 was held at Bolsover Castle.

Nightlife in Derbyshire
If a soothing pint or glass of chilled white wine in a snug country pub is just a little too sedate for you then head to the region’s main towns.

Derby seems to be the centre of nocturnal fun. For music and clubbing check out The Friary on Friar Gate, the Blu Bambu or the three floor Zanzibar to get your pulses racing. Elsewhere the Pav at Matlock Bath, and the Beach Bar and Mojo in Chesterfield are worth a visit.

For live entertainment the Opera House at Buxton, the Pomegranate Theatre in Chesterfield and the Derby Playhouse and Guildhall Theatre in Derby are all worth a visit