All About Derbyshire

All about Derbyshire

Derbyshire with its glorious Peak District National Park is a fantastic place to visit for family days out, short breaks and holidays. In 1951 it was made the first national park in the British Isles. The county's premier city is Derby, which although steeped in history, is one of Britain's youngest cities.  The rivers Dove, Wye and Trent, among others, wind their way through the county.  For more information on the Derbyshire & Peak District rivers, please visit www.derbyshireuk.net/river_derwent.html.


The Peak District

The first national park in the UK, the Peak District really has something for everyone.  Offering the visitor varying kinds of countryside to explore: -   Dales and valleys, rock faces and caves, rolling hills and meadows, rivers and streams. 

There are so many picturesque villages in the area it's hard to name just a few, but these are some of the most popular:-

  • Ashbourne - the town is renowned for its excellent range of shops – clustered around the historic market place.
  • Ashford-in-the-water - the lovely village of Ashford-in-the-Water nestles on the banks of the River Wye.  It's mainly 18th century cottages are built of smoothly textured limestone, light brown in colour, giving a warm and cosy feel to the village.
  • Bakewell - is the only market town within the Peak District National Park boundary and its attractive courtyards, independent shops, cafés and its location on the River Wye make it a hugely popular destination for tourists to the Peak District.
  • Buxton - the town became a place of pilgrimage for many hundreds of years, due mainly to the mineral springs, which supply millions of gallons of fresh mineral water daily. The Romans established the first spa here, giving it the name ‘Aquae Arnemetiae'
  • Castleton - is now famed for its four show caves, once all lead mines, each offering a different experience to the visitor, although the only cave in the village itself is Peak Cavern.
  • Chesterfield -  the most famous landmark is without doubt the iconic crooked spire, which stands on the town skyline like a question mark – how did it become twisted?
  • Leek - a delightful historic market town on the River Churnet and was granted its royal charge in 1214. The town is situated on the southern edge of the Peak District National Park and is surrounded by rugged countryside.
  • Matlock - The newly renovated parks alongside the River Derwent in Matlock are ideal for families with boating, play areas and a skateboarding park, all linked with easy walking paths.
  • Matlock  Bath - the vilalge became a tourist resort for the wealthy more than 300 years ago and a spa when the warm springs, which emerge at a constant 68°F, were discovered.
  • Melbourne - Melbourne is a small Georgian market town lying eight miles south of Derby and two miles from the River Trent.  'Melbourne' means 'mill stream' so it is appropriate that one of the best known features is the old mill pool located close to the town centre known as Melbourne Pool, picturesquely landscaped in 1845 for Lord Melbourne, the former Prime Minister (1779-1848).

 

 

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