Any Hidden Derbyshire Gems?

Kadeeae

Love Derbyshire

We're going to be near Darley Dale on Holiday this Autumn and wondered if anyone knew of some cheap/free places to visit that aren't touted in all of the regular brochures etc...?? Sometimes the locals know the best spots (and don't want to give them away, lol).

Any good places to eat would be welcome too.

Just the two of us and no pets.

Thanks!

littlestar1981

Dont know where they are in relation to where you're staying but for Derbyshire in general -

Eat at Ye Old Royal Oak then walk to Thors Cave (gasp for breath and at the views, it's a high up cave!) and walk through Manifold Valley

Walk in Dovedale

Eat at Jarvis Arms in Onecote

Go to Bakewell

margaretclare

Denby Pottery - bargains to be had in their Seconds shop. http://www.denby.co.uk/content/141/homepage.aspx

David Nieper https://www.davidnieper.co.uk also have a shop, and good-quality clothing and lingerie bargains are worth a look.

The Midland Railway at Ripley: http://www.midlandrailwaycentre.co.uk/English/findus.html

My_Fathers_Daughter

Lol - it seems so funny that you are going on holiday so near to where I grew up!! But looking again you are in Norfolk and I have been on holiday there many times!!!

Bakewell is a lovely little market town and is worth a wander round.

The Peacock at Roswley (on the way towards Bakewell, on the right just after the Chatsworth turning) does fantastic food, but it may be a bit pricey. If you don't go for the food from memory it has a lovely beer garden by the river if the weather is good.

Obviously there is Matlock and Matlock Bath (avoid MB at the weekends IMHO).

If you go over to Chesterfield can I suggest the road up through Two Dales rather than the main road through Matlock etc) its a lovely twisty, windy road that epitomises the area for me! It takes you across the moors and it is so beautiful up there.

From memory the Miners (Arms? Standard?) at Winster used to do a lovely pint and the food was okay too - through Winster Village and left at the end, up the steep hill!


And last of all, spend a day in the grounds of Chatsworth watching the world go by and wandering around the grounds...it really is a wonderful place.


Feeling all homesick now

RoxieW

Chatsworth house is worth a day -particularly if you have kids, the farm/play area is good. Buxton caves and park. Matlock, matlock bath and the heights of abraham.

Pollycat

Take a look at the Crooked Spire in Chesterfield, it's quite impressive and unusual.
You can actually go to the top on certain weekends.

Bolsover Castle (English Heritage)

Hardwick Hall (National Trust)

Sutton Scarsdale Hall (English Heritage), looks impressive from the M1 but is just a shell. Free

Longshaw Estate and Padley Gorge for walks

Crich Tramway Museum - pricey though.

Ladybower Reservoir and Derwent/Howden dams - lovely

Castleton:
Peak Cavern, Treak Cliff Cavern, Blue John Mine, Speedwell Mine (visited by boat)
Climb MamTor (Shivering Mountain)
Peveril Castle (English Heritage)
Drive up Winnat's Pass - fabulous views

Walk up to Riber Hall (Matlock), now a restaurant and hotel

Walk on my favourite place:
Stanage Edge (not to be confused with Stone Edge near Matlock), it's close to Ladybower Reservoir.

Good walks on Froggatt Edge, Curbar Edge & Baslow Edge, great views.

Eyam (pronounced 'Eeem') 'the plague village', visit the Riley Graves.
http://www.cressbrook.co.uk/towns/eyam.php

Ashbourne is a lovely village.

Arbor Low stone circle.
If this 'floats your boat', there's a few stone circles here:
http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Parthenon/6197/derbys.htm

Plus the places already mentioned.

I love Derbyshire too - and I live there! :j

My_Fathers_Daughter

Ooooo - if you make it as far as Stanage Edge be sure to stop in at the Millstone in Hathersage I used to work there and I am told that the food is still fab!

http://www.millstoneinn.co.uk/index.html



Deary me, all my suggestions are for pubs

timbo86

Just outside ashbourne is a villiage called fenny bentley fantastic pub/restaurant called the coach and horses. Its also near dovedale aswell

Alikay

Some great suggestions by all the previous posters (pollycat's is especially comprehensive!) ...I'd also suggest, for a very cheap meal a bag of chips to eat while you walk by the river in Matlock Bath. Renting a bike for an afternoon at Ashbourne and ridiing along the traffic free, and almost flat Tissington Trail is fun too.

oramgepekoe

Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site
http://www.derwentvalleymills.org/

Well Dressings.
http://www.sinfin.net/welldressing/dates.html

Good walks on Stanton Moor
http://www.cressbrook.co.uk/visits/stanton.php

Matlock Bath Illuminations
http://www.derbyshire-peakdistrict.co.uk/matlockbathilluminations.htm

salsaholic

Some of my favourite places include

Barley Mow pub in Bonsall http://www.barleymowbonsall.co.uk/ very friendly pub often with music / walks / UFO spotting and hen racing to name but a few. They do a basic menu and great sunday lunch. Lovely walks even if you just toddle around the village but you can walk over to Matlock bath - not too far

Also in that area is the pond at Cromford. Really picturesque with a quirky bookshop, scarthin books on one side (great cafe upstairs with home made cooking). Up the hill is Black Rocks where you can go for a walk.

Near to Denby Potteries, mentioned in a post above, is the Old Oak pub which is a real ale pub near denby. Great atmosphere, and great beer. Sometimes have bands on http://www.beerintheevening.com/pubs/s/20/20998/Old_Oak_Inn/Horsley_Woodhouse

Also around denby area is the ritz cinema in belper (think it was voted the best cinema in midlands recently or similar). Its an old renovated cinema with double seats and stands for your wine. It has a bar and you can take your drinks in. http://www.ritz-belper.co.uk/ really good if you get some bad weather. There's also the river gardens in belper which are free to walk around. they have boats to go on the river for hire too. Would also recommend the 'all you can eat' menu at 'new mings court' chinese restaurant in belper which used to be every evening. normal menu is good and also do takeaway.

For cheap accommodation there is a camping barn in ambergate woods not too far away - think this may be run by the YHA.

Derbyshire is great for walking - another favourite of mine to stop off at the Grindleford cafe. It is tucked away near the railway bridge in grindleford but does the biggest mugs of tea and great egg and cheese on toast. Well if you've been for a bit of a walk, you've earnt it!!!

I could go on but they're some of my favs.