Top Things to do in Derbyshire
Top Hotels in Derbyshire
Top 10 Sights & Landmarks in Derbyshire, England
Discover the best top things to do in Derbyshire, United Kingdom including Heage Windmill, NatWest Hole, Heights of Abraham, The Parish Church of St Mary and All Saints, Bolsover Castle, Hardwick Hall and Gardens, Calke Abbey, Peak District Lead Mining Museum, Pride Park Stadium, Solomon's Temple.
Restaurants in Derbyshire
1. Heage Windmill
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 171 reviews
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. NatWest Hole
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 99 reviews
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.
3. Heights of Abraham
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,641 reviews
Now open daily. Take a spectacular cable car ride to the Heights of Abraham, an award-winning hilltop park. Your cable car ticket gives you free admission to all the facilities at the top, including 60 acres of landscaped grounds, exhibition areas, Masson Pavilion Film Theatre, adventure playgrounds, woodland walks, and two famous show caverns with guided tours, audio visual effects and remarkable stories to tell. Cavern tours take place throughout the day. NEW self guided audio heritage tour available via your mobile phone. Enjoy stunning views across the Derwent Valley from the Vista Restaurant and Bar. Dogs are welcome and travel free on the cable cars, but are not allowed down into the Caverns.
Reviewed By RichardG2938
We came for a day out to celebrate my partner's 30-something birthday and what a day! From my 39 to our youngest girl's 4 years, there was something to interest, even fascinate, all of us. The kids loved the cable car, Punch and Judy show and playgrounds, while us grown ups were fascinated by the history of the park and the cave tour; your guide Graham is a real asset to the place, knowledgeable and informative, but really laid back and funny. We can't wait to come back with the remaining younger manners of your little clan. The only bitter taste was left by the council car park whose ticket machines are cash-only and there's no option to pay by phone as is the norm elsewhere these days. Other than that one single gripe, The Heights of Abraham is a fabulous day out. Thank you!
4. The Parish Church of St Mary and All Saints
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 686 reviews
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. Bolsover Castle
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,467 reviews
With spectacular views over Derbyshire, the fairy-tale Stuart mansion, Bolsover Castle, was designed to entertain and impress. Its reputation for revelry lives on as we now entertain you and your family. Wander the lavish rooms of the Little Castle, explore the romantic ruined terrace range, and delight in the views from the wall walk. Start your visit in the exhibition in the Riding House then run wild in extensive grounds (and fun play area).
Reviewed By Beverley1991 - Kingston-upon-Hull, United Kingdom
Loved our visit here, we visited on a gloomy weekday afternoon, the entry price was very cheap for the amount of time you can spend here and when we visited it was very quiet allowing us to take our time looking around and taking some great photos. After paying you walk onto the site and there are buildings on the left which have information in to gain an insight into the history of this castle, then you can view the castle ruins wondering around different levels and imaging what it would have looked like in its original state, there are also amazing views from here. Then there is the little castle which is a beautiful little castle building were you can go into and look around all levels which have interesting and unique rooms and then from here you can walk around the wall which surrounds the castle with some beautiful views of the site and surrounding views. There is also a lovely small garden area which was well maintained and would be lovely to sit in on a sunny day. We spent around 3 hours here and loved every minute. Before leaving we had a drink in the on-site cafe which was reasonably priced and also bought a few items from the gift shop which were also very reasonable, the staff were friendly chatting to us about our visit and asking how far we had travelled to visit. Would definitely recommend this place if you have a love for history and castles.
6. Hardwick Hall and Gardens
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,480 reviews
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.
7. Calke Abbey
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,450 reviews
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.
8. Peak District Lead Mining Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 181 reviews
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
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 414 reviews
Reviewed By joolsp2018
Love Pride Park, home to my football team Derby County. Great seats. Season ticket. Always a good atmosphere.
10. Solomon's Temple
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 667 reviews
A stroll through Buxton Country park from Poole's Cavern leads to the summit of Grin Low at 1440' altitude and the Victorian viewing tower of Solomon's Temple.Built in 1896 the 20' tower with spiral stairs give a magnificent platform to view the surrounding Peak District landscape and the Spa town of Buxton in the valley below.
Reviewed By letsgopeakdistrict - Hathersage, United Kingdom
Lovely walk up from Pooles Cavern through the woods to Solomon's Temple, the effort to get there is worth it with the views of Buxton that are brilliant - and ace to climb up the inside of the tower.
