South Derbyshire is steeped in history with stately homes scattered across its hills and valleys. The jewel in the crown is Calke Abbey, the second largest country house in Derbyshire after Chatsworth; Calke is hidden from public view as befitted the home of a reclusive family and offers a fascinating mixture of finery and faded splendour. Elvaston Castle was England’s first ever country park and features formal gardens and acres of woodland to explore.
Wander around the many picturesque and historic villages, relax in cafes, pubs and restaurants. The beautiful villages of Melbourne, Ticknall, Repton and Newton Solney are definitely worth a visit.
If you like messing about on (or in) water, there’s plenty to choose from including the mighty River Trent, the Trent & Mersey Canal, or Foremark and Staunton Harold reservoirs.
Walkers can choose from routes long and short that take them through ancient parkland; along canals and rivers or around reservoirs; or can explore woodland young and old in The National Forest and elsewhere.
The town of Swadlincote is full of surprises such as Sharpe’s Pottery Museum where you can enjoy finding out more about the industrial history of the area; up the pace at the Ski Centre which, despite the Peak District is the only place in Derbyshire where you can ski, snowboard and toboggan all year round. Also to be found in the town is the T G Green Factory Shop that offers a wide range of kitchenware including the world-famous and highly collectable blue and white ‘Cornishware’.
There are also hidden gems such as Catton Hall occupied by the same family since 1745 and Shardlow Heritage Centre where locals bring the past to life in this unique inland canal port.
As if that’s not enough to whet your appetite, there’s an incredible array of places to visit in the surrounding area – far more than can be detailed here! Suffice to say other major attractions nearby include Conkers – the hands on experience at the heart of The National Forest, Coors Visitor Centre & Museum of Brewing (formerly the Bass Museum), Twycross Zoo, and the world-famous Donington Grand Prix Collection, which features the world’s largest collection of racing cars. A short distance away are two of the UK’s major attractions - Alton Towers and Drayton Manor Theme Park.
You can’t do it all in a day, so why not make a weekend of it – or come back again and again? Each year there’s more to discover and enjoy – the challenge is in deciding what to do first!
Our searchable guide to places to visit:
More detailed information about places to visit throughout Derbyshire.
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