Things To Do in and around Ashbourne and Belper, Derbyshire

So you are in the area – what do you do, what can you do!

This page is a list of things to keep you and your family entertained – they are only suggestions.


Ballooning		 
Heart of England Balloons0789 488219
Dragon Balloon Co. sister of company of
Cappadocia Hot Air Balloon		01159 473778
Boat Trips 
Canal Boat Trips, Froghall Wharf, nr Stoke01538 266486
Bowling 
Derby Super Bowl and Quasar01332 270057
AMF Bowling centre, Ilkestone01159 322092
ActivityTelephone Number
Adventure Playgrounds 
Chatsworth House Farmyard and Adventure Playground01246 565300
Carsington Water01629 540478
Antique Fairs/Centres 
Bob Evans Antique Fairs01664 812627
Pavilion Gardens, Buxton01483 422562
Bakewell Antiques and Collectors centre01629 812496
Peaks & Dales Antique Trail Website for the areas antique shops & centers 
Aquariums 
Matlock Bath Aquarium01629 583624
Castles 
Peveril castle, Castleton01433 620613
Bolsover Castle, Bolsover01246 823349
Tutbury Castle (ruins) 
Wingfield Manor, South Wingfield01773 832060
Caves 
Pooles Cavern, Buxton01298 26978
Speedwell Cavern, Castleton 
Treak Cliffe Cavern, Castleton01433 620571
Blue John Cavern, Castleton01433 620638/620642
Heights of Abraham, Matlock Bath01629
Cresswell Crags, Welbeck01909 720378
The caves of Nottingham, Drury Walk,Nottingham0115 924 1424
Caving 
Perception01733 314924
Canal Boats and Canals 
Jannel Crusers, Shobnall Marina, Burton on Trent 
Canoeing 
Perception01733 314924
Carsington01629 540478
Cinemas 
UCI, meteor Center, Derby01332 347765
Showcase Cinema, Osmaston park road, Derby01332 270300
Metro Cinema, Green Lane, Derby01332 347765
Climbing Areas 
Frogatt Edge, nr Hathersage 
Black rocks, nr Cromford 
Matlock Bath 
Climbing Groups 
Perception- Climbing/Abseiling01733 314924
Peak Activities 
Cycling Hire and Trails 
Tissington Trail Cycle Hire01335 343156
Brownend Farm Cycle Hire01538 308313
Carsington water cycle hire01629 540478
Peak Cycle Hire 
Water Houses01538 30860
Ashbourne01335 343156
Parsley hay01298 84493
Derwent01433 651261
Middleton Top01629 823204
Hayfield01663 746222
Factory Shops 
Courtaulds Textiles factory shop, Alfreton01773 831035
David Nieper, Alfreton01773 833335
Pretty Perfects, Ashbourne01335 344497
End of the Line Furniture, Ambergate01773 821532
Coats Viyella Clothing, Ambergate01773 853473
George Brettle and Co., Belper – Now Slenderella of Belper – email01773 – 822340
De Bradelei Mill Shops Ltd, Belper01773 829830
Jaeger Knitwear, Belper01773 829830
Dartington Crystal, Denby01773 513116
Denby Pottery Visitor Centre, Denby01773 740799
Budget Fabrics, Heage01773 853552
The Fabric Factory, Heanor01773 718911
Langley Furniture, Heanor01773 765544
Coppice side pottery, Langley Mill01773 716854
Dayclear Lighting Ltd, Langley Mill01773 763787
P W Shepherd Upholstery, Langley Mill01773 769395
One Stop Factory Shop, Langley Mill01773 717111
John Smedley Ltd, Lea01629 534571 ext 426/424
Derwent House Factory Shop, Milford01773 842666
Standard Soap Co. Ltd, Riddings01773 604063
Charnos, Riddings01773 540408
Chelsea Design, Ripley01773 570047
Nuthall Factory Shop, Ripley01773 570000 ext 227
Coats Viyella Factory Shop, Somercotes01773 727590
Ideco (UK) Ltd, Somercotes01773 607523
Farm and Craft Shops 
The Studio, Alfreton01773 836907
Artists Cottage Studio01773 821910
Crich Pottery and Gallery01773 853171
Ram Furniture, Crich01773 857092
Yew Tree Studio, Heage01773 857301
The Old Pine Factory, Heage01773 570692
Jewellery Factory Shop, Heavor01773 530439
Little London Gallery, Holloway01629 534825
Alan Ward Pottery, Holloway01629 534284
The Coach House Farm and Craft Shop01629 534346
Riddings Pottery, Riddings01773 603181
Claycraft, Ripley01773 746550
 Farms 
Matlock Farm Park01246 590200
Sherwood Forest Farm Park,Edwinstowe01623 823558
Fishing 
Course – Brailsford – Birch house angling, A52 Derby to Ashbourne Road (Bailiff operated or tickets from Brailsford Stores 
Course– Markeaton and Alvaston Lakes, DerbyTickets from Artisan Angling 141 London Rd Derby01332 340081
Reservoir– Carsington 
Lakes– Alton Manor Farm, Wirksworth,01629 822318
Lakes– Yeavely Estate01335 330247
Lakes– Chatsworth House Angling Fayre01263 711736
River/fly– R. Dove, Rocester01889 590347
River– R. Dove, Doveridge01889 565986
Course– Belper – River Derwent Tickets from local tackle shop Hendersons, Bridge St., Belper.01773 822525
Course– Ashbourne fish pond (day tickets)01335 300159
Course– Boyleston, top farm – nr Ashbourne. Tickets at bank side 
River– R. Derwent, nr. Matlock, day tickets from Derwent Hotel, Derby Rd01773 856616
River– Wye Monsall Dale01629 640484
River/Fly– Charles Cotton Hotel01298 84229
Furniture Makers 
Nigel Griffiths, Grangemill01629 650720
Ram Furniture, Crich01773 857092
Galleries 
Victorian Gallery and Restoration Centre, Ashbourne01335 348189
Ferrers Centre, Staunton Harold (16 Workshops) 
Hoar Park Craft Village and Antique Centre, Nuneaton01203 394433
Derbyshire Craft Centre, nr Baslow, Hope Valley631231
Victoria Gallery Studio, Ashbourne01335 00844/ 343982
Derek Top Gallery, Rowsley, nr Matlock01629 735580
St John St Gallery , Ashbourne 
Red Square Art Gallery, Ashbourne01335 300534
Gardens 
Field Farm, Kirk Ireton
Stapley Water Gardens, Nantwich, Cheshire01270 623868
Lea Rhododendron Gardens, nr. Matlock01629 534380
Tansley Garden Centre, nr Matlock01629 534380
Fairways Garden Centre, Clifton, Ashbourne01335 347900
Dunge Valley Hidden Gardens, Kettlesholme01637 733787
Biddulph Grange Garden, nr Stoke- National Trust01782 517999
Tissington Nursery, nr Ashbourne01335 390650
Grange Farm Garden Centre, Mickleover, Derby01332
The Herb Garden, Pilsley01246 854268
Chatsworth Garden Centre, Beeley01629 734004
Go-Karting. 
Wild park Leisure01335 360485
Swains Centre, Buxton01298 71037
Golf. 
Brailsford Golf Course, nr Ashbourne01335 360096
Ashbourne Golf Club, Wyaston Rd, Ashbourne
  ” ” (Professional’s Shop )
01335 342078
01335 347960
Leek Golf Club, Staffs01538 384767
Allestree Golf Course01332 550616
Sinfin Golf Course, Derby01332 766462
Belmont Golf Driving Range, Needwood9283 814381
Belper Golf Centre (Shop)01773 827884
Kedleston Park Golf Club, Quarndon01332 840035
Mickleover Golf Club, Uttoxeter rd.01332 513339
Morley Hayes Golf Course01332 780480
Strutt Club (indoor golf), Belper01773 820088
Glass Workshops 
Derwent Crystal, Ashbourne07790 985066
Degma Glass, Chesterfield01246 545193
Hang Gliding 
Airways Airsports Ltd, Darley Moor Airfield.,Ashbourne01335 344308/ 07768 472654
Helicopter Flights 
Penning Helicopters01457 877833
0161 7893030
Heritage Centres 
Wirksworth Heritage Centre, Wirksworth01629 825225
Derby Heritage Centre, Derby01332 299321
Hill Walking 
Perception01733 314924
Horse Riding 
Haddon Horse riding stables, nr Bakewell01629 813723
Ringer Villa Equestrian Centre01246 810456
Spring Paddock Riding School, Charlsworth01457 853175
Alton Riding School, Alton Chesterfield01246 590267
Amber Hills Equestrian, Belper01773 824080
Barleyfields Equestrian, Ash Lane, Etwall01283 734798
Birchwood Riding Centre, Somercotes01773 604305
Breaston Equestrian Centre, Breaston01332 872934
Brimmington Equestrian Centre, Chesterfield01246 235465
Buxton Riding School, Buxton01298 72319
Delowen Stud and Livery Yard, Duffield01332 843622
Elvaston Castle Riding Centre01332 751927
Field Farm Riding Stables, Shipley, Heanor01773 713164
Ridgewood Equestrian Centre, Higg Lane, Alderwasley, Belper01629 824914
Tissington Trekking Centre01335 350276
Matlock Farm Park01246 590200
Horse Trials 
Chatsworth Horse and Hound International Trials01295 788492
01246 565300
Ice Skating 
Nottingham Ice Rink01159 50198
Industrial Museums 
Derwent Valley Visitor Centre, Belper Mill01773 880474
01773 841485
Light Aircraft 
Derby Aeroclub, Eggington01283 733803
Market Days 
Ashbourne – Thurs and Sat 
Alfreton – Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday 
Bakewell – Monday 
Belper – Saturday 
Burton on Trent – Thu, Fri, Sat 
Buxton – Tues, Sat 
Chapel-en-le-Frith – Thurs 
Chesterfield – Mon, Thur (flea mkt), Fri, Sat 
Clay Cross – Saturday
 
Derby – Eagle Market: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Market Hall: Monday to Saturday
 
Dronfield – Thursday 
Glossop – Thurs, Fri, Sat 
Heanor – Friday, Saturday 
Ilkeston – Thursday, Saturday, Thursday (flea market) 
Killamarsh – Thursday 
Leek – Wed 
Longeaton – Fri, Sat 
New Mills – Fri, Sat 
Ripley – Fri, Sat 
Staveley – Friday 
Swadlincote – Tuesday, Friday, Saturday 
Utoxeter – Wed, Sat 
Wirksworth – Tuesday 
Micro-Light Flights 
Airways Airsports Ltd, Darley Moor Airfield.,Ashbourne01335 344308/ 07768 472654
Ram Air0797 4466923
Mill Centres 
Flour mill – Cauldwells mill, Rowsley01629 734374
Hosiery – North End Mills, Wirksworth01629 824731
Industrial – Belper Mill, Belper 
Mining Museums 
Peak District mining museum01629 583834
National Stone Centre, Wirksworth01629 825403
Miscellaneous 
Crooked Spire, St. Marys Church, Chesterfield01246 206506
Derby Cathedral01332 341201
Derby County Football Club01332 202202
Derby Museum and Art Gallery01332 716659
The Heights of Abraham, Matlock Bath01629 582365
The Revolution House, Old Whittington01246 345727
Ridgeway Craft Centre, nr Eckington01142 2473739
Shipley Country Park, Heanor01773 719961
Wind in the willows, Rowsley01539 488303
Wirksworth Heritage Centre01629 835225
Heritage Wood, ednaston01335 360488
Oriental Rug Gallery, Ashbourne01335 346466
Pickfords House, Derby01332 255363
Moira Furnace Museum, Moira01283 224667
The Evil Sheriff of Nottingham Mediaeval Banquet0115 924 0088
The Galleries of Justice, Nottingham0115 952 0555
The Museum of Nottingham Lace, High Pavement,Nottingham0115 989 7365
Museums 
Bass Museum, Burton-on-Trent01283 511000
Buxton Museum and Art Gallery01298 24658
Chesterfield Museum01246 345727
Eyam museum, Eyam, Hope Valley01433 631371
DH Lawrence House Museum01159254891
Newstead Abbey Museum, nr Nottingham01623 455900
Museum Of nottingham lace01159 846914
Costume Museum, Castle Gate Nottingham01159 153500
Greens Mill and Science Museum0159156878
Great Central Railway, Notts01159405705
Galleries of Justice, Notts01159520535
Musical Events 
Derby Cathedral01332 341201
The Derbyshire Singers01629 733328
Eyam Hall01433 631976
National Trust 
Kedleston Hall, Kedleston, Derby01332 842191
Calke Abbey01332 863822
Hardwick Old Hall, Nr. Glapwell01246 850431
Lyme Park, Disley01663 762023
Sudbury Hall Museum of Childhood01283 585337
Harwick Hall nr Chesterfield01246 850430
Paragliding 
Airways Airsports Ltd, Darley Moor Airfield.,Ashbourne01335 344308/ 07768 472654
Paintball 
Wild park Leisure01335 360485
Potteries 
The Bank Pottery, Crowdecote01298 83629
Rookies Pottery, Hartington01298 84650
Denby Pottery, nr ripley01773 740799
Royal Crown, Derby01332 712841/ 712800
Royal Doulton, Stoke-on-Trent01782 292434
Wedgewood factory Shop, Stoke01782 316161
Wedgewood Visitor centre01782 204218
Gladstone Pottery Museum, Stoke01782 319232
Staffordsire Enamels, Longton01782 596596
Royal Winton01782 598811
Spode Museum01782 744011
Potteries Museum, Hanley01782 232323
Portmeirion Factory Shops01782 326412
Royal Stafford Tableware01782 834631
Minton10782 293121
Moorcroft01782 207943
Anysley China01782 593536
Quad – Bikes 
Wild park Leisure01335 360485
Swains Centre, Buxton01298 71037
Race Courses (Horse Racing) 
Uttoxeter Racecourse01298 27493
Railway Centres (Steam) 
Midland Railway01773 570140
Peak Rail01629 580381
Roller Skating 
Rollerworld, Derby01332 345828
Stately Homes 
Chatsworth house nr Bakewell01246 565300
Haddon Hall nr Bakewell01629 812855
Hardwick Old Hall, nr Chesterfield01246 850431
Hardwick Hall 
Lume Park Disley01663 762023
Sudbury Hall Museum Of Childhood01283 585337
Calke Abbey, Ticknall01332 863822
Tissington Hall01335 390650
Shugborogh Estate01889 881388
Eyam Hall Hope Valley01433 631976
Melbourne HallMel 863502
Swimming Theme Parks 
Waterworld Aqua Park, Festival Park Stoke-on-Trent01782 28383801782 205747
Swimming Pools 
Ashbourne Leisure Centre01335 343712
Belper Leisure Centre01773 825285
Moor Lane Leisure Centre01332 341736
Matlock Swimming Pool01629 760616
Squash 
Ashbourne Leisure Centre01335 343712
Belper Leisure Centre01773 825285
Moorways Leisure Centre01332 363686
Queens Leisure Centre01332 716620
Theatres 
Buxton Opera House01298 72190
Theatre Royal, Whittingham01159 895555
Derby Playhouse01332 363275
Assembly Rooms, Derby01332 255800
Theme Parks 
Alton Towers0990 204060
American Adventure01773 541521
Gullivers Kingdom, Matlock Bath01629 57100
Drayton Manor, Tamworth01827 287979
Waterworld, nr Stoke01782 28383801782 205747
Tramway Museum 
Crich Tramway Museum, nr Matlock01773 852326
Trekking Centres (Pony) 
Tissington Trekking Centre01335 350276
Tissington Wood Farm, Tissington, Nr Ashbourne0797 1410513
Visitor Centres 
Carsington Water01629 540696
Heights of Abraham, cable cars and caves01629 582365
Longshaw Visitor Centre near Sheffield01433 631708
National Stone Centre, Wirksworth01629 825403
Tittesworth Visitor Centre, Meerbrook01538 300400
Middleton Top01629 823204
Denby Pottery, Visitor Centre01773 740799
Tales of Robinhood,Nottingham0115 948 3284
Walking/Rambling Activities 
Peak Activities
Derbshire, South Derbyshire Ramblers 
Guided walks (New Mills Rambers) 
 
Derbyshire Activity 
High Peak Trail Information 
Watercolour Activities 
Offcote Grange Holidays, Ashbourne01335 344795
Watersports 
Carsington Water01629 540478
Perception- Canoeing01733 314924
Youth Hostels 
Hartington Hall01727 855215
Ilam Hall, nr Ashbourne01335 350245
Zoos and Open Farms 
Riber Castle Wildlife Park, Matlock01629 582073
Bently Fields Open Farm, Alkmonton01335 330240
Blackbrook Zoological Park01538 308293
Fresh Fields Donkey Rescue01298 79775
Twycross Zoo Warwickshire01827 880250

The following list is under construction – These are some of the activities I have done so I’ll rate them out of 5 for “kid appeal” – (based on your average 9 year old), and parent appeal (for your average 46 year old).

(If any readers have some more ideas – please email me and I’ll ad them – webmaster)

ActivityWhereDistance from Ashbourne (time by car)TimeCostKids ratingAdult ratingComments
Duck feedingAshbourne recreational ground01 hrfree24 (I like ducks!)
PlaygroundAshbourne recreational ground01 hrfree31Good set up – with play equipment for very young and older children separate.
Gulivers KingdomMatlock Bath30 min4 hr£ 45!5!Mini Alton towers for small kids (4 – 11 years) (adults can fit on the rides as well). A good day out.
Matlock Cable Car rideMatlock Bath30 min2 hrs??55Cable car ride to the top of the hill. (name escapes me at the moment)
SwimmingAshbourne Swimming Pool01 hr£ 143Parents can sit in the cafe part (in the dry) and watch their older children in the pool!
Ilam Hall walk around groundsIllam10 min1 hrfree  2 4Nice little walk around the grounds of Ilam Hall.
Milldale to Dovedale walkMilldale15 min3 hrsfree34Easy walk from Milldale to Dovedale along the banks of the River Dove. The Milldale carpark is free. There is also a nice pub on the way out of Milldale.
Walk up Thorpe CloudDovedale10 min1 hrfree35Spectacular views over the surrounding countryside.
Manifold Valley walk & Thor’s CaveWetton (then follow signs to Wetton Mill)20 min3 hrsfree35Walk along the Manifold Track following the Manifold River (The river is usually dry for most of the year). Climb up to Thor’s cave for spectacular views. (take a torch)