What to do in Derbyshire
Derbyshire is our home county, we’ve both lived here our entire lives. There are many beautiful places in Derbyshire including the Peak District which we will cover in other posts.
Calke Abbey
Known as the un-stately home and country estate, Calke has many things to do from the home itself, parkland or gardens. Even as locals we don’t think either of us have ever been into the home. The gardens at Calke are beautiful to look at year round but especially in Summer months. We tend to go to Calke to walk round the parkland with Barney, and have done this for many years before. This is where you will hopefully find the deer.
As a National Trust property, members can enter for free otherwise the park and gardens charges are £7 per adult and £3.50 per child. To enter the house £10 per adult and £5 per child.
Foremark Reservoir
Foremark is another local spot we have both been coming to since we were kids. There are no set walking routes around the reservoir but there are a variety of paths running through woodlands, along the water or on the bridleway. There is also a playground here for the kids and a small beach area.
Car parking is £3 for 2 hours or £5 for all day.
Staunton Harold Reservoir
Staunton Harold holds a place in our hearts as this is where Chris proposed! There are multiple different sides to Staunton Harold, the main side has the tower, this is where all the amenities are and the play area. Then there is the Staunton to Calke walk which is the side we tend to go to. This has now reopened since this route was closed off half way because of Covid, so that Calke could keep track of visitors.
Car parking is £3 all day in both of the car parks.
Kedleston Hall
Kedleston has a lot going on, parklands, gardens, restaurant, hall, and museum. The gardens and parkland are dog friendly and this covers the biggest area so there is plenty to explore across the four marked walks. We explored the pleasure grounds and then back round to the hall through the gardens on our latest visit.
As a National Trust property, members can enter for free otherwise the park and gardens charges are £9 per adult and £4.50 per child. To enter the hall as well is £14 per adult and £7 per child.
Haddon Hall
With 900 years of history, Haddon is brimming with history and stories of old, a remarkable tapestry collection; an early English furniture collection reputed to be the best of its kind in England; and stunning Elizabethan Walled Gardens, recently redesigned by Arne Maynard.
At Haddon Hall dogs are not welcome anywhere, this is different to anywhere else similar that we’ve been to in Derbyshire. Tickets are £23.90 for adults but children can enter for free. Also in 2022 they are running 30% discount for Derbyshire residents!
Bolsover Castle
With spectacular views over Derbyshire, the fairy-tale Stuart mansion, Bolsover Castle, was designed to entertain and impress. Wander the lavish rooms of the Little Castle, explore the romantic ruined terrace range and delight in the views from the wall walk. We spent around an hour here wondering around, it was cool to see all the rooms and ruins.
Adults £12.90 and children £7.70 for entrance fees. Dogs on leads welcome in the grounds only. Unfortunately, dogs are not allowed in the Little Castle or at the cavalier horsemanship displays.
Carsington Water
Carsington Water has an aray of things to do, walking, cycle hire, watersports and fishing. We only do the walking, it can take a long time, especially if you go all the way round like we do. We tend to only come here in a day so that we have plenty of time to walk all the way round.
Car parking here is now an automated number plate recognition system, you pay on exit based on how long you have been there. There are also three different car parks to choose from at different price points in each.
Linacre Reservoir
There are 3 reservoirs at Linacre, which are surrounded by fields and bluebell woods. There are several trails around the Reservoirs. Part of the trail around the Upper Reservoir crosses the water on a boardwalk - parents with children should take care as it has no railing.
The car park costs £1.50 for up to 2 hours or £3 for the whole day.
Hardwick Hall
A spectacular Elizabethan house filled with rich furnishings and tapestries preserved by successive generations of the Devonshire family. Dogs are welcome in the parkland and part of the restaurant. We went with Barney so stayed in the parklands and followed one of the many paths around it, there are cows throughout the park so beware with your dogs. We hope to go back again soon to see the hall and gardens without Barney. The halls are both covered in scaffolding right now.
Entry to Hardwick starts at £16 for adults and £8 for children if you are not a National Trust member.
Longshaw, Burbage and Eastern Moors
A wonderful place to discover spectacular views of the Peak District, ancient woods, parkland and heather moorland. We went specifically to Longshaw and walked the blue route - 2 1/2 miles of moorlands. It was a beautiful walk and we didn’t see many people doing this route so it was quite relaxing.
Longshaw car parks are free for National Trust members. Otherwise, the charge is £4.50 for up to 4hrs, £6 for over 4hrs. There are other car parks available which are free.
Elveston Castle
Elveston Castle Country Park has approximately 321 acres of open parkland, woodland and more formal historical gardens. The park has many walks, a play area for kids and then the castle which holds events a lot. We had a walk round the castle and a bit of the grounds, trying not to get too lost.
Parking charges are £1.60 for 2 hours which was plenty for us.
Hopton Hall Gardens
Hopton Hall Gardens are open twice a year, Snowdrop Walk usually open during the month of February and then Summer Rose Gardens open end of June to July. We didn’t manage to get there this year, but will definitely be there next year.
Entrance to the gardens is £5 for adults and £2.50 for children. Dogs are not welcome in the gardens.
Monsale Dale
Monsal Dale is a wonderful example of calming Derbyshire countryside - a place where you can walk along the river, take in the landscape and sit by a weir and have a picnic.
Monsal Head, directly above Monsal Dale, is one of the most famous and photographed viewpoints in Derbyshire. At the Monsal Head view point there are benches where you can sit and enjoy the view or watch the sunset and also a nearby pub at the Monsal Head Hotel.
The dale itself is for exploring on foot, with the Monsal Trail crossing the old railway viaduct providing another fantastic viewpoint above the riverside meadows.