Derbyshire is in the heart of central England, it has some of the most varied and beautiful scenery, it caters for all tastes from walking and cycling to visiting historic houses and market towns, activity centres to shopping and gardening, there is plenty to keep all the family happy.
Historic Houses
We have many National Trust, English Heritage and privately owned to visit.
Take a short car ride to the magnificent Chatsworth House, gardens,and farm shop, home of the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire.
Include a visit to Calke Abbey or explore Kedleston a celebration of architecture, paintings and sculpture, home to the Curzon family. Hardwick is an imposing house which contains a collection of objects and textiles.Outside you can visit the stumpery, herbaceous borders and herb scented gardens. On the estate Stainsby Mill is a fully operational Victorian flour mill. Sudbury Hall and the Museum of Childhood offer two things at one location, the Hall which is famous for its long galleries exuberant plasterwork and Grinling Gibbons wooodcarving and the toy museum. Outside offers trails wildlife spotting and family crafts. National Trust properties all well worthwhile going to visit.. Why not try Haddon Hall, Tutbury Castle or Renishaw Hall.
Activities
The Peak District is an outstanding area to walk both for beginners and the more advanced. There are many cycle tracks with cycle hire available. Soak up the scenery at the Heights of Abraham. The Stepping Stones at Dovedale leads to a riverside walk through the National Nature Reserve full of caves and pinnacles.
Try caving and climbing and other activities at Buxton and Castleton.
Enjoy a day of multi activities at Carsington Water, try boating or sailboarding then take a walk round and find the wood carvings done by Andrew Frost award winning chainsaw artist.
Yeaveley clay pigeon shooting near by.
For the children visit Alton Towers, Splash Landings, its many rides and attractions, this is a 20 minute car ride away. Thorpe Park 40 mins away.
Why not try Twycross Zoo. Peak Wild life park. Monkey Forest for all you animal lovers.
For the energetic, release some energy at wild park Leisure where Paintball Quad biking, Shooting and Archery are some of the activities on offer 10 minutes away. Go Ape, A tree top adventure. Perfect for a wet day, Clip and Climb an indoor climbing centre in Derby city centre, fun for all the family.Two trampoline parks in the city centre
Riding lessons are available10 minutes away catering for all ages and specialist riding for the disabled.
Crich Tramway museum contain around 60 trams, built between 1873 and 1982 make a whole day enjoying the cafe and pub.
If you fancy a quiet relax why not go for a walk though our rambling estate on the various footpaths and bridleways, taking in the stunning wildlife on offer, either fishing in the brook that passes through our farm or at next door's well stocked fishing lakes.
Shopping
The ancient market town of Ashbourne with its cobbled streets, shops, and cafes is the closest. Belper, winner of the English High Street award is nearby. You can go further and explore Bakewell(home of the tart), Worksworth and Chesterfield, why not try the spa towns of Matlock Bath or Buxton. All have places of interest,shops, cafes, museums, or historic buildings to offer.
Alternatively try our local towns like Derby, Nottingham or Stoke... all of which have large shopping malls.
Gardens
By appointment you can stroll round my walled garden full of perennials or my new woodland shrub garden. Both feature different types of ponds.
Further afield Chatsworth house has stunning gardens and the RHS garden show. Most of the historic houses have beautiful gardens including Renishaw Hall, the walled gardens at Calke Abbey,the Rose gardens at Haddon Hall. try the rhododendron gardens at Lea.
There are many fabulous private gardens which open as part of the NGS open gardens scheme. Some are open daily and sell a wide range of plants such as Ken Sutton at Rocester, he is a phone call away and has a wealth of knowledge to share.
There are also plenty of Garden centres to visit.
Local Events
Shrovetide Football – Shrove Tuesday, Ash Wednesday
Ashbourne Agricultural Show – Mid August
Ashbourne Arts Festival – June /July
Dovedale Dash- Beginning November
Mappleton Bridge Jump – New Years Day
Chatsworth Horse Trials – Mid May
Chatsworth RHS Gardens and flower show – June
Bakewell Agricultural Show – beginning August
Hartington Show – Mid September
Carsington Water- Miscellaneous events through year
Well Dressings- search Well Dressings Derbyshire
Village open Gardens- search open gardens Derbyshire