Derbyshire is a quiet county in North Central England that is surrounded by the conurbations of the West and East Midlands, as well as of Sheffield and Manchester. It is an area of great historical importance, particularly from the Industrial Revolution, that offers a great range of both urban and rural experiences for prospective visitors.
Derbyshire is landlocked, and includes the lion’s share of the Peak District National Park, made up of the southern end of the Pennine hills. The Peak District is known as one of the most beautiful and well preserved natural areas in the UK, with spectacular mountain landscapes and a vibrant spectrum of colours. This region is also greatly varied, including uplands, river valleys and some smaller sections much influenced by human activity.
The county town is Derby, a small city with a rich history and lot to offer! In addition to the many free exhibits at the Derby Museum and Art Gallery, the city offers grand manor houses like Kedleston Hall and Haddon Hall to tour around, and even the charming Crich Tramway Village for everyone to enjoy!
Other towns and villages to visit include Bakewell, known for the Bakewell Tart, and Matlock Bath, a fantastic home base for those wanting to explore the dizzying heights of the Peak District!
The beautiful countryside, for instance in Dovedale, is a great place to start. Arkwright’s Mill at Cromford was the first cotton mill to be powered by water, and is now a world heritage site. Other popular destinations include Chatsworth House stately home, and there are also plenty of opportunities to get active in the Peak District, with the area being very popular with climbers and cavers.
Of course, the many thrills to be had at world famous theme park Alton Towers are an absolute must see! With action packed roller coasters for the daring and smaller attractions for little ones, you can easily spend a day or two exploring every corner of what this brilliant place has to offer.