Things to do this Easter in Derbyshire

Derbyshire is a beautiful county in the East Midlands. A large part of the Peak District National Park lies within the county, making it an ideal place to get outdoors. Here are some fantastic Easter activities in Derbyshire.

Crich Tramway Village

In the heart of the Derbyshire countryside is a unique attraction that lets you travel back in time to a world of vintage trams. Crich Tramway Village is home to the National Tramway Museum, which has a collection of over 60 trams manufactured between 1873 to 1982. The recreated period village has various trams which run along a mile long track, passing through original buildings which have been rescued and restored from around the UK. Head to the Great Exhibition Hall to discover a hundred years of tramway development or make your way along the Woodland Walk and Sculpture Trail in the surrounding countryside.

Poole’s Cavern & Buxton Country Park

Venturing deep under the earth is one of the most exciting things to do in Derbyshire this Easter. Poole’s Cavern is a natural limestone cave that dates back to two million years ago. You can take a guided tour down into the depths to explore the extensive caverns and learn how crystal stalactites and stalagmites have formed over time. When you make your way back up, make sure to stroll around the country park woodlands. There’s plenty to see here, including Grin Low and Solomon’s Temple viewpoints, or the Go Ape high wire adventure.

Heights of Abraham

The Heights of Abraham is an incredible destination and not one to miss. This 60 acre hilltop park is accessible via a cable car journey over the Derwent Valley. There is plenty to do at the park, which has been around since Victorian times. You can take a guided tour into two well known caverns: the Great Masson Cavern and the Rutland Cavern & Nestus Mine which were both mined for lead ore and fluorspar. There are panoramic views from the Victoria Prospect Tower and Tinker’s Shaft viewing platform. The park also has a restaurant, terrace cafe and ice cream parlour in case you get peckish.

Chatsworth House

If you love historic houses, then a visit to Chatsworth House is a must. This magnificent stately home on the banks of the River Derwent has been in the Cavendish family since 1549. It has over 30 rooms to explore, including the Painted Hall, State Rooms and Sculpture Gallery. The house also contains a significant collection of artwork that spans 4,000 years – sculptures, paintings and ancient artefacts. Chatsworth House is also home to 105 acres of beautiful gardens, water features and outdoor exhibitions.

Dovedale

This valley in the Peak District attracts millions of visitors each year to its picturesque limestone ravines and charming stepping stones that cross the River Dove. From here you can look up at Thorpe Cloud, a limestone hill reaching up to 287 metres. If you fancy a little workout, climb the hill for fantastic views across Staffordshire and Derbyshire. If you’d rather take it easy, carry on along the river for some scenic woodland walks. There are also longer walks within the Peak District that pass through Dovedale, and some good starting points include Milldale and Wolfscote Dale.

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