Heritage Days

There is such a wealth of interesting places to visit we have listed here just a few of them we have tried to add a bit of variety to the mix but any good guide will provide you with all the places we have left out!

Well Dressing
Well dressing is peculiar to the Peak District. Visit a Peak District website to discover which villages are dressing wells when you are planning to come (or see our Year Round Calendar). The women of the village decorate the wells with huge pictures made out of individual flower petals pressed into clay. This is to thank God for the well not drying up. You can watch them making them, or visit at the height of each festival when every village holds it local fete and festivities.

 

 Just one of five wells dressed at Tissington each May - everyone made from thousands upon thousands of flower petals

 

 

Croxall Road

Alrewas, DE13 7AR

The National Memorial Arboreutm provides a living and lasting focus for Remembrance for those who have lost their lives or suffered in the service of their country.  There are 150 acres of wooded parkland and the new memorial to the 16,000 memebers of the forces who have lost their lives since the Second World War.  The memorial was opened by The Queen, The Duke of Edinburgh, The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall in November 2007 (www.thenma.org.uk)

 

The National Memorial Arboretum - an interesting and moving day out

 

Chatsworth Estate
Bakewell, DE45 1PP
Tel: 01246 656300
www.chatsworth.org

 

'The greatest private palace in England' (The Independent), a visit here could last more than one day. It has a fabulous house, gardens, grounds, farmyard and the renowned farm shop all are open to visitors.  It also hosts a number of events throughout the year such as Horse Trials and a Country Fair (usualy the first weekend in September). Chatsworth is now usually open from mid December to 23 December to view the wonderful Christmas decorations

 

 

The famous Chatsworth House - worth exploring for its architecture, history and gardens!

 

Doe Lea, Chesterfield, S44 5QJ

Tel: 01246 850431

The stately ruins of the original Hardwick Hall.  An English Heritage property

 

Doe Lea, Chesterfield, S44 5QJ

Tel: 01246 850430

A fabulous house!  Built by Bess of Hardwick in the 1590s - it was her way of showing off her incredible wealth (built up over 4 marriages!).  Owned by the National Trust it is a great day out and can be combined with a visit to Harwick Old Hall (next door).

 

Market Place, Castleton, S33 8WQ

Tel: 01433 620613

Fabulous views abound from this ruined Norman castle high up above Catleton.  English Heritage organise many events here including mediavel days - great for the kids!

 

 

Leek Road, Cheddleton, ST13 7HL

Tel: 01782 502907

Visit this charming local mill

 

Bakewell, DE45 1LA

Tel: 01629 812855

A wonderful old house, used regularly in filming of period dramas and films

 

Lower Bedford Street, Etruria, Stoke on Trent, ST4 7AF

Tel: 01782 233144

See how the potteries used to operate

 

Uttoxeter Road, Longton, Stoke, ST3 1PQ

Tel: 01782 319232

Another splendid museum!

 

Barlaston, Stoke, ST12 9ES

Tel: 01782 204218

Wedgwood have just spent many millions upgrading their museum.  It is also possible to enjoy the Factory Tour here too

 

 

 

Church Street, Stoke, ST4 1BX

Tel: 01782 744011

Another opportunity to see life behind the pottery industry

 

Congleton

A wonderful National Trust house known by all in my family as the Wibbly Wobbly house.  The kids love it (and the guided tours are informative and included in the entry price.

 

 

Little Moreton Hall - the Wibbly Wobbly House - just wait until you get inside!

Quarry Bank Mill & Styal Estate
Wilmslow
Tel: 01625 527468
This is an old cotton mill, where you can see the machinery in action, visit the Apprentice House (and see how the children were treated for their ailments), see the working power mills (steam and water) and buy cotton still produced here. A really fascinating day out.

Lyme Park
Disley
Tel: 01663 762023
A wonderful National Trust property, famous as the house in the BBC's Pride and Prejudice (who can forget Darcy walking out of the lake?).

Crich Tramway Museum
Crich, Matlock
Tel: 0870 7587267
Take a trip on a tram, visit the museum or the adventure playground for the children. Even on a wet day there is plenty to see.

 

Roe Street, Macclesfield, SK11 6UT

Tel: 01625 613210

 

Marston, Northwich, CW9 6ES and 162 London Road, Northwich

See how the Cheshire's salt industry grew and operated

Arkwrights Cromford Mill
Mill Lane, Cromford, Derwent Valley, DE4 3RQ
Tel: 01629 824297

www.arkwrightsociety.org.uk
Another industrial museum, site of the worlds first water pweres cotton spinning mill, part of the Derwent Valley Mills - a World Heritage Site.

Eyam Village
Not a museum, but the real village where the Plague was famously contained. In the process many villagers bravely died. See the houses where they lived (on the outside walls are marked when the occupants died). The church has a display about the Plague and a wonderful Saxon Cross. A strangely moving experience.

 

Upper Oldhams Farm, Moneyash, Bakewell       or  Stanton Moor, Rowsley, Matlock

Tel: 01629 816200

The Stonehenge of the north!

 

Kedleston, Between Ashbourne and Derby

Another National Trust gem.  Most recently famous as the setting of many of the locations in The Duchess film.

 

Terrace Road, Buxton, SK17 6DA

01298 24658

 

The Strand, Derby, DE1 1BS

01332 716659

 

Cunningham Place, North Church Street, Bakewell, DE45 1DD

 

41 Friar Gate, Derby, DE1 1DA

Tel: 01332 25536

A musuem of Georgian life and costumes

 

 

Crags Road, Welbeck, Worksop, S80 3LH

A bit of a drive from any of our Party Hosues, but if you are interested in prehistoric times and dinasours it could be worth the trip!

 

For more information on some of the famous local churches see our Churches to Visit page

 

 Chesterfield's famous wonky spire (photo: Visit Peak District & Derbyshire)

 

 

Beacon Street, Lichfield

Tel: 01543 306260

This is a grade 1 listed house and a museum dedicated to Erasmus Darwin.  He was not only the grandfather of Charles Darwin, but also a famous physician and founder of of the Lunar Society, a talented scientist and a poet!  It is also situated close to Lichfield Cathedral and the other buildings in this historic small city centre (www.erasmusdarwin.org)

 

Breadmaker Street, Lichfield

Tel: 01543 264972

Another reason to visit Lichfield! Dr Johnson literary achievements can be rediscovered as well as the 5 floors of Georgian house to explore (www.samueljohnsonbirthplace.org.uk) .

 

off Campbell Drive, Barrow Hill, Chesterfield, S43 2PR

Tel:01246 472450

This was built as a maintenence centre for steam trains in 1870. There are lots of trains to view here but also see how train engines can be turned around on a traditional circular turn table

 

Ticknell Near Melbourne, DE73 1LE

Tel: 01332 863822

A fascinating National Trust property that has been left as it was found - full of treasures.

 

Matlock, DE4 3WJ

See the original mill workings

 

Doe Lea, Chesterfield, S44 5QJ

Homes of Bess of Hardwick - the second most influential and richest woman after Elizabeth I. Owned by the National Trust and English Heritage respectively

 

Porter Lane, Worksworth, DE4 4LS

01629 824833

A different sort of day out!  Learn all about the importance of stone in heritage and trails for the children in a dramatic 50 acre geological site.

 

The Pavilion, Matlock Bath, DE4 3NR

Tel: 01629 583834

Explore the world of mining in previous generations of Peak District miners

 

Chesterfield Road, Nether Heage

Tel: 01773 856467