10 Things to do Good for a Rainy Day in Derbyshire That You Shouldn't Miss

June 9, 2021 Rebbecca Marino

Discover the best top things to do in Derbyshire, United Kingdom including Heage Windmill, West Shed, NatWest Hole, The Parish Church of St Mary and All Saints, Hardwick Hall and Gardens, Calke Abbey, Poole's Cavern & Buxton Country Park, Peak District Lead Mining Museum, Pride Park Stadium, National Trust Museum of Childhood.
Restaurants in Derbyshire

1. Heage Windmill

Chesterfield Road Heage, Belper DE56 2BH England +44 1773 853579 [email protected] http://www.heagewindmill.co.uk
Excellent
80%
Good
16%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 171 reviews

Heage Windmill

Our 18th Century Windmill is the only surviving Six Sailed Stone Built Windmill in the Country! We give visitors an insight into the life of a miller back in the day and how the windmill works. The restored windmill is working again and produces flour that can be bought in the shop on site! We look forward to welcoming you to the windmill soon, and we'd like to take the time to thank you for visiting our TripAdvisor Page

Reviewed By 997briant - London, United Kingdom

What a beautiful and historic landmark this is, sitting high up on a grassy ridge overlooking the verdant Derbyshire countryside. It was built in 1797, and after various periods of natural disasters, dereliction and restoration (the latest being in 2002) it stands proud, sails to the wind, and continues to grind flour from local wheat, as it did when it was first built. Apparently it is the only remaining six-sail windmill in England. With the current pandemic the windmill is currently closed to visitors. In normal times you can visit the windmill on weekends between April and October, and also take an inexpensive little tour which is offered. I’ve visited previously, when it was open, and bought a bag of the stone-milled flour ground at the windmill. It’s an excellent rustic strong bread flour. I understand that the flour is available at local farmers’ markets. On this visit we could only view its graceful stone exterior. For the best views of the windmill, follow the public footpath that leads into a grassy field to the left, just before the entrance gate. From this vantage point you will be able to appreciate its grandeur. The windmill is down a laneway off Chesterfield Road (the B6013) near the village of Heage, though we walked on a public footpath from Heage. It’s a beautiful landmark and worth a visit.

2. West Shed

Midland Railway Centre, Ripley DE5 3QZ England +44 1773 743986 [email protected] http://www.prclt.co.uk/what_can_I_see_at_west_shed.html
Excellent
88%
Good
8%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 26 reviews

West Shed

3. NatWest Hole

42 Bath Street, Ilkeston DE7 8HF England
Excellent
93%
Good
3%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
4%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 99 reviews

NatWest Hole

A one of a kind architectural masterpiece that draws visitors from near and far. Children love the novelty of this sight. A genuine landmark and Ilkeston institution.

Reviewed By tsT8478SD

Brilliant architecture, design and practicality. The hole has no bounds, one minute you’re crawling through it, the next you’re on the other side. My partner and I thoroughly enjoyed visiting this landmark. We’re well travelled, but this one has topped them all with its interactive and charismatic design. Well worth a visit if you’re in the area. As a bonus we also used the cash machine. Natwest really are at the forefront of banking and art, so it would seem.

4. The Parish Church of St Mary and All Saints

Church Way, Chesterfield S40 1XJ England +44 1246 206506 http://www.chesterfieldparishchurch.org.uk
Excellent
66%
Good
30%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 686 reviews

The Parish Church of St Mary and All Saints

Reviewed By D768TCjohnb

From J Boy of Derby The largest church in Derbyshire and also one of the most impressive. It's more like a cathedral than an ordinary parish church. Magnificent stained glass windows each with there own story, many tombs and memorial plaques are on display. This time of the year is the annual Christmas tree festival, a most impressive display with over a hundred trees from various organisations across the town and surrounding area. It's an impressive display trees lit up against the background of this beautiful church, with a pianist to add to the atmosphere. At certain times of the year in the afternoon it's possible to climb with a guide to the top if the tower and see for first hand the famous spire that makes the town so famous. Well worth the climb, an interesting commentary is given by the guide.

5. Hardwick Hall and Gardens

Doe Lea, S445QT England +44 1246 850430 http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/hardwick
Excellent
65%
Good
27%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 2,480 reviews

Hardwick Hall and Gardens

Reviewed By Ceyzeriat - Chesterfield, United Kingdom

Hardwick Hall is one of the most important houses historically in the whole of the UK. It's not for me to say whether or not people will like what they find there but it should be on everyone's 'bucket list'! The location is stunning (forget the M1) and as the sun sets in the west, reflecting on the thousands of window panes you can imagine how the local peasantry must have marvelled at the opulence of it all.The National Trust have gone to great lengths to retain the atmosphere of an Elizabethan house and the restoration of the tapestries has been (and still is) a true labour of love. We're so lucky to live nearby and to be able to 'pop in' whenever we have a spare afternoon - we can appreciate both house and gardens in the ever changing seasons. Not to be missed and lots of things for the children to do.

6. Calke Abbey

Ticknall DE73 7LE England +44 1332 863822 [email protected] http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/calke-abbey/
Excellent
60%
Good
30%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
2%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 2,450 reviews

Calke Abbey

Historic great house, which has remained largely unchanged for most of the 20th century, features unique collections, a landscaped park and walled gardens.

Reviewed By 378lizh - Lichfield, United Kingdom

This is an exceptional place to visit. There are lots of walks to try and it is close to the pretty Staunton Harold reservoir. On the estate are a large country house, preserved in the state in which it was acquired by the National Trust, an estate church, gardens, various greenhouses, such as for ferns etc, gardeners’ tunnels and an ice cave. It ended up being more than we could explore in one day, so a return visit will not be too far away.

7. Poole's Cavern & Buxton Country Park

Green Lane, Buxton SK17 9DH England +44 1298 26978 [email protected] http://www.poolescavern.co.uk
Excellent
63%
Good
31%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,678 reviews

Poole's Cavern & Buxton Country Park

Poole’s Cavern is the most spectacular natural cavern in the Peak District. The cavern is famous for the spectacular and unique crystal formations including the longest stalactite formation in the region. Your expert guide will accompany you on a 45 minute journey through chambers once used as shelter and worship by prehistoric to roman visitors. See the cathedral sized main chamber carved from Limestone by an ancient river and follow safe and accessible walkways through beautifully illuminated passages on a journey deep underground. Back above ground browse through our rock and gem shop and view the archaeological discoveries from the cavern in the exhibition. Due to Covid restrictions we have a reduced cafe with take away drinks and snacks for 2020, lots of picnic tables for visitors. Complete your day with a stroll on our country park woodland trails with animal sculptures to find which lead to Solomon's Temple viewpoint at 439m above sea level and views of the Peak District.

Reviewed By 550bridgete - Milton Keynes, United Kingdom

Great place to visit, we had a very knowledgeable guide,the caves are amazing and are lit really well and with the guides torch you can see a lot, a real gem and well worth a visit

8. Peak District Lead Mining Museum

Grand Pavilion South Parade, Matlock Bath, Matlock DE4 3NR England +44 1629 583834 [email protected] http://www.peakdistrictleadminingmuseum.co.uk/
Excellent
70%
Good
23%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 181 reviews

Peak District Lead Mining Museum

Currently closed due lockdown - hope to be open every day from the 3rd December. Find out about the lead mining heritage of Derbyshire from Roman Times to the present. Interactive exhibits, mock tunnels and shafts to climb, moving models. The new Matlock Bath Through Time exhibition tells the story of a village that was one of the top Georgian Spas in the country. Then visit Temple Mine and find out what it was really like working underground followed by a try at gold panning. Suitable for all ages. Family ticket £28 (2A and 3C)

Reviewed By Navigate775700

Due to Coronovirus we had a guided tour of the mine just to our little family. Chris, our guide, was really friendly and very knowledgeable on the mine and its operations. After the mine, we did some gold panning and all came away with a little haul of fools gold and amethyst. The museum was great with loads of information about the area and its mining history. Some interactive exhibits for the youngster's too. Its a shame covid has forced them to close the climbing tunnels but perfectly understandable. Great shop as well with loads of rocks and gems available to buy as well as books on mines and the local area. Really friendly staff topped the visit off. Would definitely recommend.

9. Pride Park Stadium

Derby DE24 8XL England +44 871 472 1884 https://www.dcfc.co.uk/page/pride-park-stadium
Excellent
56%
Good
30%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
2%
Terrible
3%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 414 reviews

Pride Park Stadium

Reviewed By joolsp2018

Love Pride Park, home to my football team Derby County. Great seats. Season ticket. Always a good atmosphere.

10. National Trust Museum of Childhood

Sudbury Hall, Ashbourne DE6 5HT England +44 1283 585337 http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/sudburyhall/
Excellent
51%
Good
35%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
3%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 331 reviews

National Trust Museum of Childhood

Reviewed By M8708BXangelah - Derby, United Kingdom

A National Trust property where you can b taken back to the very early school days with a very strict teacher teaching on slate boards. Brilliant experience

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