The Heights of Abraham, anyone been?

emmaanddave

We are thinking of booking a 2 night stay at a Premiere Inn and have a day trip to The Heights of Abraham. We have 6 yr old girls and have found PI for £58 for the 2 nights. HofA looks like a really good day with the cable car, caves and play area at the top. Also cafe overlooking the scenery look fab!

Has anyone been and would you recommend it for a day trip? It doesn't say on their website how long the cable car journey takes and if you have to wait long for a car.

Also if we book PI and it ends up raining all day what else is there to do near Matlock Baths?

Many thanks for any suggestions. x

artichoke

hi

I live locally and have kids age 5 and 7. We have been to H of A a few times, the cable car ride is very short - 5 minutes?? but is a very impressive ride over the river / the road and up to the top of High Tor. Once up the top there is a good adventure playground, 2 caverns to go down (both with interesting tales to hear from the guides)

there is also another playground with a very big slide...

Lots of places to eat a packed lunch.

and cafe with a very scenic view as you have said.

It if rains the cable car and caverns are still good - although obviously the playgrounds don't have the same appeal.

Gullivers Kingdom is just next door (but expensive)


Matlock Bath also has its own playground by the riverside, and you can walk alongside the river to Matlock itself and you come out by the childrens playground in the park in Matlock which has a good splash pool for toddlers (so bring swimming costume and towels if the weather is good). Matlock park has a small lake with boats to peddle, and a small train ride.

There is a steam train that goes from Matlock station to Rowsely

If it rains there are a few playbarns / soft play places and the Caverns are always a good bet on a rainy day...

There are lots of other things to do in the area for children - i can't work out which side of matlock you will be staying at? i can't think of a premier inn locally??

anyway if you need any more info let me know.

art

Valli

Yeah I'm stumped as well - unless they're staying in Derby or over by me!

I would also recommend the park at Matlock.
Matlock Bath is lovely BUT there are loads of slots, and it does get very busy. There is also an aquarium but not brilliant TBH, nothing like a sea life centre or the Deep at Hull; what makes Matlock Bath's aquarium 'unique' is that it incorporates the spa bath and you can buy carp food and see/feed the carp - it's like a small swimming pool.

And you're not Far from

Peak Village Shopping outlet

Chatsworth

Masson Mills

Your daughters are exactly the right age for Gulliver's Kingdom - we took our kids there many times when they were younger

emmaanddave

We will be staying at the Mansfield Premiere Inn which is just off the M1 where we will be coming from. It says it is about 15 miles from Matlock Bath.
Thanks for the suggestions.x

artichoke

hi

well if you are staying in Mansfield at it is rainy there is a wonderful swimming pool - water meadows - in Mansfield with a wave pool, bubble pools, splash pool etc....


The farmyard adventure playground at Chatsworth is a whole afternoon out (take a picnic) if the weather is fine - or splashing in the fountain in the garden...

or just paddling in the river at Chatsworth (free)

art

Buggles

I went to HA for my 21st Birthday. It was a lovely day. Cable car was a bit scary, but the 3 (?) caves were great. Play area looked really good, loads to do on it. Very busy though (we had a picnic near it).

Matlock is a lovely little village/town.

There is a lot of steep walking.

MonkeySaving?

I live there so here are my recommendations

1) HOA is good, if not a little expensive, however it's one of only a few places in England where you can go on a cable car.

2) 6 year olds will love Gullivers kingdom although again, it's a bit expensive when you compare it to Alton Towers which is an approx 40 minute drive from Matlock.

3) Chatsworth house and gardens is definatley worth a visit

4) Matlock Farm park is good for youngsters

5) The local shopping facilities like Masson Mills and Rowsley Peak Village are well worth a visit.

I've only gone for 5 options as you did mention it was a day trip, stay for a week, you'll love it