Places to Visit
The surrounding contryside is truly a walkers paradise. High open moorland gives way to peaceful, picturesque dales with gently flowing rivers and breathtaking sweeps of limestone cliff.
Visit cave systems and mines, wildlife parks and bird sancturies, stately homes and gardens. There are numerous industrial heritage museums, steam railways and dozens of villages and towns each its own character. And of course, the ever popular Alton Towers is just a short drive away.
As well as the beauty of nature, there are many visitor attractions in the area. Here are some of the places to visit:
Alton Towers Theme Park, Oakamoor, Stoke on Trent
Alton Tower is proberbly the best Theme Park in the UK, with teeth grinding rides such as Oblivion (The world’s first VERTICAL roller coaster), Nemesis and Submission. Staying literally on the doorstep of this incredible amusement park is too finer opportunity to miss. Thrill seekers of all ages will have an amazing day out and enjoy all the fun of the fair!
Alton Towers is well known as the home of unique, ground breaking rides. Air will give you the opportunity to fly, lying face down with your face inches from the ground! At dizzying speeds of 70km per hour, this multi-million pound ride will give you the freedom to experience a flight of fantasy like no other.
The most recent rides which were introduced in 2004, include: The Flume – unplugged by Cusson’s imperial Leather and Spinball Whizzer. For younger visitors there’s all the imaginative fun of Storybook Land to enjoy plus the extra-special delight of Barney and his friends now performing live shows from their home on Cred Street.
Alton Towers is open everyday from March through to October. Do not forget the special benefits when you book online. Info and Booking Line 0870 444 4455 or visit the website.
Dovedale – Local walk with the famous stepping stones
Chatsworth House and Park, Edensor, Derbyshire
Perhaps surprisingly, this splendid estate has almost as much appeal for children as it has for adults.
The first-class adventure playground is perhaps the highlight for younger visitors: big and well constructed, it has an elaborate spiral chute, swings and sand and water play areas, with commando wires and ropewalks for older children.
The lovely gardens cover 100 acres and are full of surprises; brass bands play on summer Sunday afternoons.
Potteries Museums and Visitor Centres, Stoke on Trent, Uttoxeter Road, Longton, Stoke-on-Trent
Visit some of the Potteriesaward winning museums. The Potteries Museum and Art Gallery houses an unrivalled collection of Staffordshire ceramics, whilst the Gladstone Working Pottery Museum is the only Victorian pottery factory to remain intact with its original workshops, cobbled courtyards and huge bottle kilns.
Poole’s Cavern, Green Lane, Buxton
Some miles away in Buxton lies another cavern well worth a visit. Poole’s Cavern, opened to the public in 1853, has a long and diverse history, with its first visitors arriving more than 5000 years ago when prehistoric man sheltered here in the entrance to the cavern. More recently, archeological excavations in the 1980s have discovered around 4000 ancient remains in the Roman Chamber.
American Adventure, Ilkeston, Derbyshire
At The American Adventure you can experience over 100 rides and attractions that include a live Wild West Show. There are numerous ‘watering holes’ including a new ‘blue fin’ food court and shops.
The ‘Skycoaster’ (Europe’s largest dual free fall ride) lets riders release a rip-cord and fly 200ft into the air! And that is only one of a number of ‘white-knuckle’ rides, including the ‘Missile’ and the ‘Twin Looper’.
Heights of Abraham, Matlock Bath, Derbyshire
Explore the caves at the Heights of Abraham, Matlock, Derby. This former spa town is now home to cable cars, caverns and a hilltop park.
The cable car ticket includes tours down 2 great caverns, the ‘Miner’s Tale’, all the attractions in the grounds and more.
Gulliver’s Kingdom, Matlock Bath, Derbyshire
Family theme park with many rides and attractions aimed at 3-13 year olds, including log flume, chair lift, and some new attractions too.
Uttoxeter Racecourse, Wood Lane, Uttoxeter
Try Uttoxeter Racecourse in its beautiful natural surroundings. Experience all the thrills of famous top class races. Have a little flutter. Everyone is very welcome. Home of the Marstons Pedigree Midlands Grand national, Uttoxeter guarantees a day to remember.
Waterworld, Etruria, Stoke on Trent
Waterworld, is the UK’s No. 1 aqua park and its ride Nucleus, is the sensational indoor water rollercoaster. Check out the new Aqua Splash Jungle House and enjoy wet and wild flume rides, slides and rapids for the whole family.
Haddon Hall, Bakewell, Derbyshire
Built over 600 years ago, a magical old manor house which has escaped the ravages of time. Film location for Zeffirelli’s “Jane Eyre” and the BBC’s “The Prince and the Pauper”.
Peveril Castle, Castleton
One of the most dramatic places in Derbyshire to visit Peveril Castle. Dramatic ruined Norman castle with breathtaking views. The great square tower stands almosst to its original height.
Wedgwood Visitor Centre, Barlston, Stoke on Trent
Today, the internationally acclaimed visitor centres at Wedgood, Royal Doulton and Spode have so much to fire the imagination: craft demonstrations, factory tours, unique museum collections and great shopping opportunities. At the award winning visitor attraction at Wedgewood you can experience the state-of -the -art in 21st Century ceramics manufacture.
Chestnut Centre, Chapel-en-le-Frith, High Peak, Derbyshire
Set on a steep hillside in Derbyshire, the Chestnut centre is (as far as we know) the only place in Britain to see Giant Brazilian otters. The otter enclosures, also including native British, American river and Asian short-clawed, are at the bottom of the hill in a very attractive wooded valley. The enclosures themselves are all of a good size with room for the otters but great views for the visitors. Also down there are red squirrels and a collection of owls.
Nestling high up in the heart of Derbyshire overlooking the famous Derwent Valley and open almost throughout the year, Crich Tramway Village is a lovingly restored period village that is also home to the National Tramway Museum and its world renowned archives.
Bakewell – don’t forget to buy a Bakewell tart from the traditional pudding shop
Yeaveley Estate – The ideal place for Fishing, Clay Pigeon Shooting, Quad Bikes and Much more. Great for corporate entertainment, Hen/Stag Parties or group entertainment.
Coors Visitor Centre, Horninglow Street, Burton upon Trent, Staffs
Learn the story of beer and brewing in Burton upon Trent, Formerly the Bass Museum, the Coors Visitor Centre house the UK’s premier museum of brewing and offers aunique blend of living heritage; visit the Shire Horse Stables, explore the Museum Micro Brewery, authentic Cooperage and vintage vehicle collection.
Drayton Manor Theme Park, Tamworth, Staffordshire
One of the most popular theme parks in the country and features some of the biggest, wettest and scariest rides around. Apocalypse (named as “Britain’s scariest ride” by the Sunday Times) the world’s first stand up tower drop. Stormforce 10 – the UK’s fastest wet knuckle ride and Shockwave – Europe’s only stand up roller coaster, is not for the faint-hearted!
Cadburys World, Bournville, Birmingham
Birmingham’s very own chocolate paradise, a unique place to indulge all of your senses. A fun, educational multimedia attraction dedicated to the story of Cadbury and chocolate. For all the chocoholics!
