Places to visit, things to do
If you can’t find what you are looking for here, try these dedicated
tourism sites:
www.visitpeakdistrict.com
www.derbyshireuk.net
www.enjoystaffordshire.co.uk
For specific, local information, give the tourist information centres a call:
Ashbourne tourist information centre, Market place, Ashbourne 01335 343666
Uttoxeter heritage centre, Carter St, Uttoxeter 01889 567176
Our list is divided into the following sections, click to go to the right
section or just scroll down the page to see them all.
The Sunday Stroll
Entertainment
‘and don’t forget our own farm trail’
The Sunday stroll
Here is a popular pastime for visitors and locals alike. If you want an easy walk with no mud and no great effort - take a stroll around the lakes at the JCB headquarters, Rocester. The more energetic can jog round! JCB is only 5 minutes drive in the car from Dove Farm.
When you get to JCB on your right, turn right, off the main Uttoxeter road, and park at the roadside, next to the factory site. The paths around the lakes are paved and level - great for pushchairs, and small children, wheelchairs, and bikes too.
Take some bread to feed the many different waterbirds, but be warned –
the larger ones can be a bit nippy. About 1/3 of the way round, you can walk
through the pedestrian tunnel, into the village of Rocester. Go to the Spar
– buy sweets for the kids and the Sunday papers. On the way back, stop
at the play park, while you read the paper. There is a public toilet at the
side of the community centre. You have to get the key from the Spar shop.
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If you want to go out somewhere, but don’t want to take up the whole day, try our ideas for local places to go, that work on a tight timescale.
• Browse around Ashbourne
• Browse around Tutbury
• Walk along the disused railway line, starting in Denstone
• Drive to the Ramblers Retreat in Dimmingsdale, and walk from there
• Blackbrook
zoological park
• Amerton Farm
• Carsington
Water
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Alton Towers
It is either your idea of heaven or hell – there isn’t much explanation
required. It is the premier theme park in the UK. If some people in your group
want to spend every waking minute there, and there are others of you who desperately
cannot face the experience again – we are close enough for you to drop
off the ‘thrill seekers’ which then leaves the rest of the group
free to spend the day as they wish, picking up the AT fanatics on the way
home – everybody happy. Don’t forget about the water park, Cariba
Creek (though you will have to book a time slot) and the luxurious spa facilities
– that may be more your style!
www.altontowers.com
Chatsworth
Chatsworth is the classic choice for a family day out, where you have varying
interest groups to please! The house is wonderful, and keeps the interest
of younger children too. The gardens are impressive, with plenty of unusual,
hidden places and open spaces for picnics. There is also a farmyard area,
and excellent adventure play area for little ones, with challenging climbing
and zip slides for the older ones. (tickets can be purchased for separate
areas.) Quality gift shops and eating venues, and a farm shop to please most
gourmet tastes. Not cheap but plenty there to offer value for money. Not forgetting,
the scenic walks along the river within the estate grounds, which cost nothing
at all!
www.chatsworth.org
Shugborough
The UK’s only complete historic working estate – a big emphasis
on recapturing the feel of what it was like to live and work on the estate
in Georgian times. Plenty of different environments to experience, including
the mansion, farm, servants quarters and extensive gardens. Special activity
days throughout the year. A fun day out with lots to learn about.
www.shugborough.org.uk
Heights of Abraham
Located above Matlock Bath, opposite the high Tor. First of all, the cable
car ride to the top – then the opportunity to explore 60 acres of wooded
hillside, adventure play areas and guided tours around two spectacular caves.
www.heightsofabraham.com
Trentham Gardens
Trentham has a wide range of activities for everyone to spread out and ‘do
their own thing’. There is an interesting collection of shops to indulge
in a little retail therapy, a fantastic garden centre/gift shop, of course
the gardens, which have been restored and re-planted. There is a lake, with
boat rides and a new attraction, called aerial extreme - a high adrenalin
adventure course to test your nerve. The monkey forest is just a couple of
miles further down the road – so you can easily combine these two sites.
www.trenthamgardens.co.uk
Monkey Forest
Where else can you experience being among free-roaming, Barbary Macaque monkeys?
60 acres of enclosed forest provide a safe and natural setting for these fascinating
monkeys. There are no bars or barriers and the monkeys just get on with life!
At regular points along the pathways, there are feeding stations, to encourage
the monkeys to come out and be seen, and guides to tell you all about them.
There is also a ‘monkey and jungle’ shop and café. This
is an interesting visit for all the family, but being so close to Trentham
Gardens, makes it the ideal ‘split site’ day out – leave
the shoppers at Trentham while everyone else moves on to the monkey forest.
www.monkey-forest.com
Conkers Discovery Centre
Conkers is an award winning purpose built visitor attraction at the heart
of the National Forest. It is educational, absorbing and fun for everyone.
Indoors, there are 4 discovery zones for all ages and outdoors there are 23
different activities. Lakeside snack bars and restaurants. Good disabled access.
28 miles away, but worth a trip out.
www.visitconkers.com
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If you just want to occupy the little ones for a while, before dinner, or before everyone else is ready to go out for the day, try these very close to home ideas:
• Jump in the car and pop up to the upper part of Ellastone. Park by the village hall and Church, and just up the lane, is a small play area with a zip slide. (you can tire out the older children by walking the whole way!)
• A short drive to Clifton (out of the village, over Ellastone bridge in Dove St. Take first left into Sidesmill, and follow this winding lane until you get to Clifton.) There is a pub on the left, the Cock Inn – friendly, good food. Just past the pub on your left, is the village hall car park. Leave the car there, and cross the road to a lovely little play area. There is also a grassy area and an all-weather surface, basketball/football area, so the older ones can take along a ball.
• A short drive in the opposite direction, heading towards Uttoxeter. When you get to Rocester, you will see the JCB world headquarters to your right. Turn right, off the main road, park up, and you can walk round the lakes (paved footpaths). It’s a popular destination for local families. You could take some bread to feed the many water birds – but be careful with young children – the larger geese and swans can be a bit nippy. Stand your child on a bench, to keep them out of beak’s reach, then when your bread is all gone – run!
Blackbrook Zoological Park
Blackbrook started life as a bird collection, but has now grown into a zoological
park housing all kinds of birds, fish, reptiles and mammals – many rare
species too, that are part of international breeding programmes. There is
a popular reptile house, pets corner and aquarium, but most of the walk-through
enclosures are outside. Wrap up warm!
www.blackbrookzoologicalpark.co.uk
Amerton Farm
Not really a farm now – but there is a small farmyard of animals to
meet. Amerton has grown into a large collection of food and retail outlets,
arranged attractively around a café courtyard. There is all sorts from
gifts to pottery, to cook shop and bakery. There is a little steam train,
fantastic dairy ice cream and most importantly, a spacious indoor play barn
for younger children – what a godsend on a wet Saturday afternoon!
www.amertonfarm.co.uk
Matlock Farm Park
The farm park is part of a large working farm. There are all sorts of activities
and animals for visitors to see. Pets corner. There is also a riding school/trekking
centre but remember, pre-booking is essential. Adventure play area and café
and shop.
www.matlockfarmpark.co.uk
Big Top Fun Centre
Indoor play centre at Uttoxeter (next to the cinebowl and Tesco store) New
for 2007.
There are different play areas which are restricted according to height. Up
to approx age 12 years. Tel 01889 566604
Cornmill Ceramic café
This is great for older children too, especially on a rainy day. Paint a pottery
object – figure, plate or mug in a relaxed café setting. Don’t
forget, as a visitor to the area, you will not be able to collect your finished
item – and will need to add on an extra cost of postage and packing
for your completed works of art!
Tutbury Mill Mews, Tutbury DE13 01283 814211
Spectra
Call at the shop ‘Spectra’ while you are in Tutbury – situated
at the top of the high street, next to the clock shop on the corner. It is
a small shop absolutely full of everything to do with fossils, gemstones,
beautiful objects and fairies. Ann the proprietor, is better than any museum
curator. Ask her politely, say you are staying with us at Dove farm, and she
will explain what all the crystals and fossils are. Children can hold a mammoth’s
tooth or a hadrosaur’s egg, or whatever Ann has in stock. But don’t
forget, it is a shop and items do get sold!
www.spectracrystals.com
National Stone Centre
Worth a mention in this section - just for the bag of sand! Go to the shop,
buy a bag of sand and tiny gemstones, and children get the chance to go ‘panning’
and sift out their ‘jewels’ from the sand. Children love it. The
stone centre is just a bit further on from Carsington Water, at Middleton
by Wirksworth – so rounds off a day spent there very nicely.
www.nationalstonecentre.org.uk
Rosliston Forestry Centre
Acres of woodland nature trails, outdoor and indoor play areas, herb garden,
picnic areas and birds of prey displays. Excellent if you get a chance to
see these magnificent birds.
Various family events going on all year round. Check calendar for details.
www.roslistonforestrycentre.co.uk
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Heritage and museums
Coors Visitor Centre
Formerly the Bass museum – a living history of the brewing industry.
Interest and activities for children too.
www.coorsvisitorcentre.com
Etruria industrial Museum
Has an official ancient monument, and special working steam days.
www.stoke.gov.uk/museums
Gladstone Pottery Museum
Unique ‘hands-on’ experience of how 19th century potters lived
and worked. Great fun for all ages and very informative. Also includes museum
of the toilet!
www.stoke.gov.uk/museums
Potteries Museum and Art Gallery
All sorts of collections, including of course, superb Staffordshire ceramics
www.stoke.gov.uk/museums
Derby museum
Varied collections of all kinds – a good natural history section that
children usually enjoy.
Situated in the town centre, so works well as part of a visit to Derby.
www.derby.gov.uk
The Silk Mill museum
On the site of one of the world’s oldest factories.
www.derby.gov.uk
Denby visitor centre
A real treat if you like Denby ware. – with plenty of interest for children
too. Including well-explained factory tour and large factory shop. Opportunity
for ‘hands-on’ with paint a plate and make a clay frog. Great
cook shop.
www.denby.co.uk
Wedgwood visitor centre
Substantial and informative visitor centre with well reputed factory tours.
– added bonus, easy to find - you don’t have to travel into the
centre of Stoke on Trent. Good disabled access. Combines well with a visit
to Trentham Gardens – can do a circular route, and call at Wedgwood
on the return journey.
www.thewedgwoodstory.com
Moorcroft
Visitor centre, factory tour and shop
A must for enthusiasts and collectors
www.moorcroft.com
Royal Crown Derby
Visitor centre, factory tour and shop
A must for enthusiasts and collectors
www.royal-crown-derby.co.uk
Caudwell’s Mill and craft centre
A grade II listed, historic flour mill – specialist flours may be purchased.
Situated at Rowsley,on the way to Chatsworth and Peak village shopping outlet.
http://www.peakdistrictproducts.co.uk/caudwell/
National Stone Centre
Tracks and trails through quarries with interesting fossil finds. The story
of stone, the chance to do fossil rubbings, and panning for gemstones (buy
your bag of sand!) there is a very good mineral, gemstone and fossil shop,
for enthusiasts. The stone centre is just a bit further on from Carsington
Water (Middleton by Wirksworth) and combines well, with a visit there.
www.nationalstonecentre.org.uk
Ceramica
A purpose built, exciting interactive centre. There is everything here, to
do with the pottery industry and the potteries area, where it all happened.
The exhibitions cover past, present and future, with plenty of interactive
areas to keep visitors busy. Located in Burslem, in the heart of the potteries.
www.ceramicauk.com
Eyam museum
A small but poignant museum, telling the story of how the villagers of Eyam
isolated themselves to stop the spread of the Bubonic plague, which broke
out in the village in 1665.
www.eyammuseum.demon.co.uk
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Houses and Gardens
Chatsworth and Shugborough are the big stars, and are detailed above in Family Days Out. There is a quite literally, a wealth of stately homes, halls and gardens in the area – here are the more well known ones:
Sudbury Hall
Late 17th century house, in the nearby village of Sudbury. Includes Museum
of Childhood.
www.nationaltrust.org.uk
Hardwick Hall
One of Britain’s greatest and most complete Elizabethan houses.
www.nationaltrust.org.uk
Haddon Hall
One of the finest medieval and Tudor houses in England
www.haddonhall.co.uk
Biddulph Grange Garden
One of Britain’s most unusual gardens
www.nationaltrust.org.uk
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Cycling, walking, sports
for sporting action days, check out our activities page in the Business section.
Whether you want rugged and spectacular, or gently scenic with a pub lunch en-route, you will find what you are looking for within easy travel. Choose from the Peak Dictrict, Derbyshire Dales, or Staffordshire Moorlands.
Classic walks in the area, are in and around Dovedale, Tissington, Alstonefield
– why not try Dimmingsdale around Alton, in Staffordshire, for a less
frequented, really lovely woodland walk.
www.go4awalk.com
www.ramblers.org.uk
Tissington Trail, Ashbourne
13 mile trail, from Mapleton Lane, north of Ashbourne, to Parsley Hay
Cycle hire, Mapleton Lane 01335 343156
(signposted from market place, Ashbourne)
Manifold Trail, Waterhouses
8 mile trail, from Hulme End to Waterhouses.
Cycle hire, Brown End Farm, Waterhouses 01538 308313
Both these trails link up with others, and it is possible to draw up longer,
circular routes, for the more energetic!
Try www.visitderbyshire.co.uk
for an overview of the trails, and a starting point to explore their possibilities.
Carsington Water
There is something outdoors for everyone at Carsington. There is a dedicated
water sports centre, offering tuition and courses in various kinds of sailing
and surfing. There are nature trails, cycle hire, or simply walk around the
reservoir. Play area, grassy area and picnic benches. Visitor centre, good
disabled access. Carsington is signposted from Ashbourne.
www.carsingtonwater.com
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Caves and Caverns
The Heights of Abraham www.heightsofabraham.com
and Pooles Cavern www.poolescavern.co.uk
are both within comfortable travel of Dove Farm.
Other peak district caves are based in Castleton, 40 miles from us, so we
have not listed them here. Check for weblinks to individual caverns on www.visitpeakdistrict.com
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Steam trains and stuff
Churnet Valley railway
Trains now stop at Kingsley/Froghall station, on the A52 Ashbourne-Stoke road.
www.churnetvalleyrailway.co.uk
Foxfield Steam Railway
Mainly run by volunteers. Check trains are running before you go.
www.foxfieldrailway.co.uk
Crich Tramway village
Further away, but an interesting and fun step back in time
www.tramway.co.uk
Rudyard Lake Steam railway
Operated and maintained by volunteers. Picturesque setting. Combines well
with a visit to the market town of Leek
www.rudyardlake.co.uk
Peak Rail
Operated and maintained by volunteers. Stations at Matlock and Rowsley. Rowley
easily accessed from A6 and close to peak village shopping outlet, Caudwell’s
mill, Haddon Hall and Chatsworth House.
www.peakrail.co.uk
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Garden Centres
Both these nearby garden centres have a comprehensive and interesting range
of gifts and have café/restaurants, as well as gardening products.
Good disabled access at both. (steep slope at Doveleys).
Fairways Garden Centre, Clifton, Ashbourne DE6 2GN 01335 347900
Doveleys Garden Centre, Denstone, Uttoxeter ST14 5BZ 01889 591999
www.doveleys.com
Byrkley Park, Rangemore
A bit further afield: Popular café/restaurant, quality plants, excellent
gift shopping and aquatic centre including tropical fish. Depending on the
time of year, a great maize maze nearby, also lovely Christmas things. Good
disabled access. 01283 716593
www.byrkleygardencentre.co.uk
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Check tourism websites for seasonal events in the area –
there are plenty throughout the year.
Cinebowl, Uttoxeter 01889 566644
As it suggests, cinema and bowling (next to the Tesco store)
www.cinebowl.org
Uttoxeter Racecourse
Check website for details of race meetings
www.uttoxeter-racecourse.co.uk
Indoor play
The Big Top Fun Centre, Uttoxeter
new for 2007 – indoor play centre, including soft play, for approximately
up to age 12 years. (height restrictions apply to different play activities.)
situated next to Cinebowl.
01889 566604 or mobile 07804 851604
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