Things to do in Derbyshire
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Derby Cathedral
Founded in AD 943, but extensively reconstructed in the 18th century, Derby Cathedral's vaulted ceiling towers over a fine collection of medieval tombs, including the opulent grave of the oft-married Bess of Hardwick, who at various times held court at Hardwick Hall, Chatsworth House and Bolsover Castle. Peregrine falcons nest in the tower – you can climb up to take a look on supervised tours (adult/child £3/2) once a month.
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Derby Museum of Industry & History
Below the cathedral, overlooking the River Derwent, this well laid-out museum is housed in a former silk mill that was one of Britain's first modern factories. Displays inside tell the story of manufacturing in Derby, from water-powered spinning wheels to the development of the Rolls-Royce aero-engine.
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Royal Crown Derby Factory
Ceramic fans will enjoy a tour around this historic pottery works, which still turns out some of the finest bone china in England, from edgy Asian-inspired designs to the kind of stuff your grandma used to collect. Only children over 10 years can join the tours.
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Hardwick Old Hall
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Hardwick Inn
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Derby Live
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Victorian Tea Shop
The pick of the tearooms, this cavern of chintz has the prerequisite frilly curtains, trays of iced buns and lace doilies.
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Quad
Links to the British Film Institute in London ensure that there are some interesting art-house and old-classic movies shown here among the family films and blockbusters.
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Quad
A striking modernist cube on Market Pl, Quad contains a futuristic art gallery, a cinema and the Mediatheque, an archive of films and TV covering decades of broadcasting, run by the British Film Institute.
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Peak District Mining Museum
A more educational introduction to the mining history of Matlock is provided by this enthusiast-run museum, set in an old Victorian dancehall. The museum is a maze of tunnels and shafts that little ones can wriggle through, while adults browse displays on mining history. For £2.50/1.50 extra per adult/child, you can go into the workings of the Temple Mine by Gulliver's Kingdom and pan for 'gold' (well, shiny minerals).
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Old Bell Inn
On a pedestrian lane just north of Market Pl, this old-school, spit-and-sawdust pub is the setting for gigs by rebel rockers and ageing punk veterans.
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Masson Mills Working Textile Museum
A mile south of Matlock Bath, housed in the vast brick buildings of an 18th-century mill, this museum tells the story of the textile mills that once dominated the Derwent Valley. The attached shopping village is full of outlet stores for big clothing brands.
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Heights of Abraham
Further north, this long-established hilltop leisure park has profited immeasurably from the addition of a spectacular cable-car ride from the bottom of the gorge. Once you reach the top, atmospheric cave and mine tours and fossil exhibitions add extra kiddie-appeal.
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Hardwick Hall
Perhaps the most stately of the East Midlands' stately homes, Hardwick Hall is one of the most complete Elizabethan mansions in the country. It was home to the 16th century's second-most powerful woman, Elizabeth, Countess of Shrewsbury – known to all as Bess of Hardwick – who amassed a staggering fortune by marrying wealthy noblemen with one foot in the grave. Hardwick Hall was constructed using the money left behind when hubby number four shuffled off his mortal coil in 1590.
Designed by eminent architect Robert Smythson, the hall featured all the latest mod-cons of the time, including fully glazed windows – a massive luxury in the 16th century, inspiring the contemp…
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Gulliver's Kingdom
A step up from the amusements on the promenade, this old-fashioned amusement park offers plenty of splashing, churning, looping attractions for anyone as tall as the signs at the start of the rides.
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Fishpond
This pub gets a lively, spirited crowd, including legions of bikers. It has a mixed bag of live music and a decent selection of ales.
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European Restaurant
Opposite the cathedral, this trendy spot serves up good food in stylish surroundings, though 'European' generally translates to Italian when it comes to the menu.
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Derby Museum & Art Gallery
Attached to the town library, this nicely presented museum has more displays on local history and industry, with a focus on the fine ceramics produced by Royal Crown Derby.
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Darleys
Just outside of town in the village of Darley Abbey, this restaurant has a gorgeous setting in a bright converted mill overlooking the river. The modern British food's not bad either. Book ahead at weekends.
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Brunswick Inn
Set at the end of a working-class terrace near the station, this award-winning inn is a warren of cosy rooms where you can enjoy the nut-brown ales fermented by the house brewery.
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Anoki
The best of a long line of Indian eateries on London Rd, Anoki offers an upmarket take on Midlands balti cooking. The vaulted dining room drips with baroque flourishes.
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