We are going on holiday to Derbyshire next Saturday, and as neither of us have been there before any advice on places to go and things to see would be much appreciated.
Andy
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I was there a couple of weeks ago.
Bakewell is a pleasant little place, but what makes it unique is a hardware shop which has the biggest range of hand tools I've ever seen.
As a couple of examples, the guy must have had about 20 or 30 different types of hammers and dozens and dozens of different screwdrivers.
Lots of specialised woodworking tools, too.
Hundreds of spanners, sockets etc.
Can't remember the shop's name, but there's not much to the main shopping area of Bakewell, so you'll not miss it.
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They say the tarts are worth a lick too.
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We stopped for tea and stickies.
I expected to be offered the local tart, but the place we were in didn't have it on the menu.
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I've only been to Bakewell once, about five years ago, and the two things I remember are the tarts and that tool shop. I spent a long time in there. Absolutely amazing place. SWMBO didn't understand!
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If you're ever in Montgomery have a look round Bunner's. It's absolutely chocker.
tinyurl.com/2u4esrj
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Chatsworth is a must-see if you've never 'done' it, especially if you already are already National Thrust members.
Buxton is worth visiting, though I don't think they make the best of it.
I have a soft spot for Whaley Bridge but it's not exactly a tourist trap! Park in Whaley Bridge and hoof it up the canal to Buxworth Basins if you're interested in the historical aspects of canals.
Walking aplenty of course, Edale being one of numerous good starting points
P.S.- I agree on the hardware shop in Bakewell, and the attractions of the tarts.
Last edited by: Manatee on Sun 4 Jul 10 at 19:49
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NB: Chatsworth is not an NT property - still very much in family hands.
Lyme Park in Disley, however, is NT, and well worth a visit.
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And you've forgotten the most important thing - cracking driving roads, mind the bikes though !!
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...cracking driving roads....
True, although I got the impression there is a blanket 50mph speed limit in the Peak District National Park.
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"And you've forgotten the most important thing - cracking driving roads, mind the bikes though !!!"
Living in the grid-locked South East it is always a pleasure to go somewhere you can actually enjoy driving. Am planning on going for a spin over the Cat & Fiddle, the only downside is that we are taking the diesel automatic 407SW - not exactly the ultimate driving machine !
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>>NB: Chatsworth is not an NT property - still very much in family hands.
My mistake. Still worth a visit though.
Lyme Park also good. If I recall correctly SWMBO remarked it was used for Pride and Prejudice filming - Colin Firth winning the wet shirt competition and all that.
Ashbourne's not bad on market day (Thur or Sat). Bakewell tarts can be had here -
tinyurl.com/39693jb
Last edited by: Manatee on Sun 4 Jul 10 at 20:04
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Just been looking at some photos - we visited Lyme Park in 2005, on a sunny August day. There's a "hunting tower" on the estate atop an adjacent hill, an easy 1/2 mile or so walk from the house and there are some great views from there.
I watched a couple of planes, gear down, on the approach to Manchester airport that appeared to be just above the level of our viewpoint as they crossed the low Cheshire plain to the north. In reality they must have been at least 1000' feet higher, as Lyme park is probably 7 or 8 miles from the airport and probably no more than 800' at the tower, but the tower certainly dominates the surrounding area.
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Castleton?
Blue John Caverns with more stalagtites and stalagmites than you can shake a stick at.
Peveril Castle, Derwent Water (where the Dambusters practiced) and Ladybower reservoir are nearby. There are some excellent walks over the hillsides and crags surrounding Hathersage.
Chatsworth and Haddon Hall, Eyam and Monsal are worth a visit.
Comfortable walking boots are essential, a backpack and pac-a-mac are handy for short walks.
Buy an OS map and Google some of the smaller villages before you go, you'll find some PH gems serving decent grub.
Don't be shy to engage the locals in conversation especially that bunch of old guys sat in the corner of the bar. They're really friendly and can tell you about places even the tourist guides don't know about.
If you intend to venture out onto the moors take sensible precautions.[1]
Kevin...
[1] You may meet RoUS (Rodents of Unusual Size). The Princess Bride was filmed around Castleton.
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...Castleton?...
One or two very steep hills around there.
Good place to test the braking arguments Cheddar and NC have been having here:
www.car4play.com/forum/post/index.htm?f=2&t=1831
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If you get to Bakewell, have a trip up the A6 to Ashford in the Water, some nice tea rooms. from there go up to Monsall Head, good pub there for lunch and stunning views to the left down Monsall Dale and the famous viaduct and straight ahead, as in the photo, towards Water-cum-Jolly Dale.
tinyurl.com/2wejjmg
Scroll the photo round you'll see the pub.
There's the plague village of Eyam for a bit of history
Tideswell with the Cathedral of the Peak.
Hartington's nice for lunch and there's the nearby Tissington Trail, the old Ashbourne to Buxton Railway where you can hire bicycles.
Buxton and the Pavilion Gardens are well worth a visit.
I've walked all over this country over the last 50 yrs or so...I love it, it's 'my ' land.
Have a good one.
Ted
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Thanks to everyone for the advice, am really looking forward to going now. Just hoping that the weather will be good !
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Personally I don't much like Chatsworth. CROWDS of people, and the house is dark and dingy - gardens are great. Visit Renishaw and Haddon Hall instead. Harwick Hall, Calke Abbey too.
Visit Buxton - the Bath of the north.
Matlock Bath, Ashbourne, Chesterfield worth a visit too.
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It would seem to be that the biggest problem is going to be how many places we can "do" in one week !
Last edited by: AndyP on Mon 5 Jul 10 at 18:29
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"good pub there for lunch" and a cracking ice cream shop!
JH
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I'd forgotten that TS.
Used to get a cracking lunch at the Monsall Head hotel...in the photo, with the balcony.
traditional English in Victorial surroundings with coffee after in a lounge bit.
The barman/waiter, John, was a uniped but coped well and was always up for a laugh.
I think it's changed it's name and become a B & B.
The pub's set back between the Monsall Head and the cottages.
Watch it on the two car parks though, pay and display, and they do get ticketed in spite of being miles from anywhere !
Lathkill Dale, on the other side of the A6 from Ashford, provides a good ' river ' walk, not too strenuous and Dovedale is a must.
Ted
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>>The barman/waiter, John, was a uniped
A unidexter or a unisinister?
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I have a vague notion that the sinister was AWOL......but it's been a long time.
Ted
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Ah the memories of Pete and Dud's famous sketch.
The one legged Dud hopping around auditioning for the part of Tarzan and Pete advising him......
'I've got nothing against your right leg'....... trouble is ..........neither have you.
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Dud was a unidexter, having only the right leg.
I have heard it used comically of anyone with one leg, whichever it was; but I'm quite sure Pete knew exactly what he meant by it.
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Getting back on the right foot..... ;-)
I highly recommend the National Tramway Museum at Crich, and the Midland Railway Centre nearby at Butterley. There are a couple of other decent preserved railways, Peak Rail at Darley Dale, just outside Matlock, and the relatively new Ecclesbourne Valley Railway between Duffield and Wirksworth.
For those who like to combine industrial history and a decent walk, there is the Cromford and High Peak Trail, which traverses the route of the steepest (rope-hauled) standard-gauge railway in the UK; an engine-house is still in working order albeit powered by compressed air not steam.
As for towns; another plus for Bakewell, which as well as the attractions mentioned above,has a small but excellent privately owned motorcycle museum. Matlock itself isn't much of a tourist town, the main area for that is Matlock Bath about a mile south; I don't care for it too much, bit naff and tends to be over-full of "power-ranger" type bikers at weekends. The latter have made a bit of a rod for their own backs by acting the goat in the past, so there now tends to be an excessive traffic warden and police presence and parking's difficult. It's a bit like Skegness with hills.
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.... It's a bit like Skegness with hills...
Ah, Skeggy, now you're talking.
One of the best crazy golf courses I've seen for years.
Plus plenty of donut/ice cream/hot dog/chips opportunities.
Marvellous.
Last edited by: ifithelps on Wed 7 Jul 10 at 16:30
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I don't think you should visit The Ace HM:)
Pat
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Being a former resident of the area (well, Derby to be precise) I speak from experience, Pat. Going to Matlock on a Sunday used to be as much of a tradition for me as the trip to Brighton or Southend for the regulars of the old Ace. It's since become a 50 mph mimse, by necessity, thanks to the antics of a small minority who, as with most fun things in life, have spoiled it for the rest.
In actual fact it was one of the reasons why I moved down to West Wales, where I can still ride my bikes at a decent (though not insane) pace without being stopped every 5 minutes by a copper who then proceeds to go through my bike with a fine toothcomb. They never got me for owt, but it spoils your day, which of course is the intention.
I wouldn't mind so much if the BIB applied the same diligence to car drivers.
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I take your point HM, did you ever used to go to The Durham Ox on the A46 when you lived at Nottingham?
Tuesday night if I remember right was Biker night and the Police were excellent. They used to allow a 10 mile radius exclusion zone and leave us alone.
Now that's progressive policing and gains so much respect:)
Pat
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, did you ever used to go to The Durham Ox
>> on the A46 when you lived at Nottingham?
Yep. I was the one on the Harley with the beard, leather waistcoat and sunglasses! ;-)
Didn't use the Ox very much, it was a decent run but as you know the roads are mostly gun-barrel straight so not really interesting for me. Preferred a blast down to the "Mucky Duck" at Woolsthorpe-by Belvoir.
I agree about the sensible policing though.
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On a hot sunny night I was the one with the Aerial Leader, a yellow Kaftan and a leather jacket with bells on the zip:)
Walks away embarrassed!
Tilton Coplow has some good roads too!
Pat
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Thanks to eveyone who has taken the trouble to reply, it is much appreciated.
Now the next question is which will be the best route, we are actually staying in Leek, Staffs ? I will be leaving North Kent late Saturday morning, is the M25/M1 option the best or will i be better off going M25/M40/M42/M6 even though it is about 20 miles further (i would use the Toll) ?
Andy
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thats like staying in brighton and going up london everyday
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M25/M11/A14/M6 would be my choice.
Your only problem at that time of day will be the Bluewater/Lakeside/Dartford Tunnel traffic.
Pat
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Thanks Pat, i work just off of J1B of the M25 and the congestion at the Dartford Crossing seems to be getting worse by the week, but possibly it wouldn't be too bad at that time on a saturday. Incidentely i see that they are now talking about taking away the Toll boths and replacing them with a system like the London congestion zone which may help reduce the queues.
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Here's was me thinking we'd paid for the bridge by now and it would soon be free!
If only they would take plastic a lot of congestion would be saved.
And they need some left hand toll booths for foreign vehicles.
My in laws are from close to Hartley so it's a trip we undertake quite often and always delay leaving until about midday.
Pat
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The bridge was paid for in 2003, but strangely enough the promise to remove the tolls never materialised !
The queues got a lot worse when the toll charge for a car increased to £1.50, extra coins/change being given etc i presume !
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I have thought about doing that myself. I did actually stay in Brighton for three days because we could not afford five nights in London. Stayed in a very posh four star hotel in Brighton for less than the cost of a Travelodge in London.
As for Derbyshire I have never stayed the night there, I think it always seems a bit too close to hope to bother staying over. I would also miss the sea too much.
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>As for Derbyshire I have never stayed the night there, I think it always seems a bit too
>close to hope to bother staying over.
Hope is actually quite a nice place to stay ;-) The Losehill Hotel is very good.
>I would also miss the sea too much.
I think you'll find that it's called 'The Manchester Ship Canal'.
Kevin...
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For some reason - probably because I have always been on holiday by the sea I can never fully feel I am on holiday unless I can see the sea. I think it is why I like North Wales so much.
Derbyshire is a lovely place and there is some stunning countryside there but from Manchester it is very much a day trip.
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Hairy Bikers are in Derbyshire on Food+1 at the moment.
Kevin...
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well they got the choice of fish and chips in seahouses wrong. They recomended one chippy there, but the one opposite is better.
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>They recomended one chippy there, but the one opposite is better.
The one opposite specialises in "Fish and Chips for Southerners".
Kevin...
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i was in the seahouses recommended fishy shop last year having been to the island
i too didnt rate the likkle fishies or the likkle chippies
we sat on the rows of seats looking onto the harbour
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Peak District Holiday - Iffy
