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Kedleston Hall and Park (featured in The Duchess)
A National Trust property and family seat of the Curzons, Kedleston Hall is open to the public and has events ranging from Easter Egg Hunts to Antique Fairs and Kite Flying. Watch out for the Summer Screenings of Film Classics – take a picnic. Take a morning walk along “The Long Walk” or “The Short Walk” followed by a bite to eat at the excellent National Trust Tea shop. Just 5 minutes away from Brailsford Barns. www.nationaltrust.org.uk
Ashbourne
An attractive Grade 1 Listed Georgian Market town and home of the two day Shrovetide Football, Ashbourne is a very interesting place to spend an afternoon. Enjoy independent designer fashion boutiques and go antiquing for fine paintings, Triumph bikes, bronzes and furniture or Country Living shabby chic in the shops along Church Street; don’t forget to take a look inside St Oswald’s Church where Catherine Boothby is laid to rest; savour specialist food shops and feast your eyes on some local art and pottery in the galleries. Stock up at Waitrose or Marks & Spencer food stores or have lunch in one of the many bars and cafes. www.visitbritain.co.uk | www.peakdistrictonline.co.uk
Carsington Water
A whole range of activities, 8 mile circular bike trail around the Lake with bikes to hire, wind surfing, sailing, canoeing, fishing, horse riding, bird watching and an annual calendar of events and courses. Electric bikes for hire by the day.. Excellent children’s adventure playground up to age 14. www.carsingtonwater.com
Chatsworth House and Gardens (featured in Pride & Prejudice)
Stunning setting, spectacular gardens and house. Various restaurants, farm shop and garden shop. A real must if you have never been. In the summer we take a picnic and sit beside the river. Tel: 01246 565300 | www.chatsworth.org
Yeaveley Estate
Learn something new. Try your hand at clay pigeon shooting, archery or a course of fly fishing. Excellent courses, individual tuition or Corporate/Team building exercises. www.yeaveley-estate.co.uk
Rudd Moncrieff
Take a one day cookery Masterclass or perfect your present wrapping or herb growing skills. A great day spent in the fabulous surroundings of The Old Vicarage, Shirley. www.ruddmoncrieff.com
Burrows Garden, Brailsford
Exquisite local garden with seasonal displays and traditional afternoon tea and cakes. A hidden gem. Good way to while away a lazy Sunday afternoon. www.burrowsgardens.com
Wild Park Leisure – the Ultimate Paintball, Laser Tag and Quad Bike Trekking Experience
Wild Park Brailsford also known as Wild Park Leisure is a family run Paintballing, Laser Tag and Quad Bike Trekking venue.
To get the adrenalin going, go to…. www.wildparkleisure.co.uk
Seasoned Cookery School
If you love food then why not indulge your passion and visit Seasoned Cookery School in the Peak District for a fun day, taught by an expert chef. Courses range from Indian Entertaining, Baking and Cake decorating or the Best of British Beef. www.seasonedcourses.com
Alton Towers
The UK’s biggest theme park offers a great day out whilst younger children can enjoy Splash Landings. See the new 4D Ice Age Attraction. Pre-book to obtain the best entrance prices. www.altontowers.com
Tissington Hall and Village
Tissington Hall is a stunning Jacobean Manor house owned by the Fitzherbert family. The house is open to the public by arrangement. Tissington Village is a managed estate famous for its Well Dressings held in May. The village has an excellent tearoom and is a great place to wander around. The Church and village pond are worth a visit. Call 01335 352200 | www.tissington-hall.com
Tissington Trail
A great bike trail across the hills, stop off at Tissington and have lunch in the cafe or take a picnic. You can hire bikes at Ashbourne 01335 343156 and at several locations along the trail including Parsley Hay.
Dovedale
From Milldale the down-stream valley walk will take you to Thorpe and Ilam. This can be busy on warm weekends and holidays. The up-stream walk takes you to Hartington, it is less popular but a beautiful river walk.
Ilam Hall and Village
Ilam is nestled below rolling hills and has a woodland walk along the river. The hall has a National Trust tearoom and shop. Lots of good walks around the hills above Ilam.
Milldale
A simple short walk to stretch your legs and get a taste for the area. Go down past the church and take the footpath on your right across the fields. This will take you down to Milldale, you’ll have some stunning views over the Dovedale valley on the way. Milldale has a stone bridge over the River Dove and a small tea shop. If you take some bread you can feed the ducks.
Wetton Mill & Thors Cave
Park in Wetton (The Royal Oak is a good country pub) and follow the signs to Wetton Mill, the cave is a short walk from the village, if you follow the path down through the wood you will join the Manifold valley bike trail.
Manifold Valley
A great river valley bike trail, park at Wetton Mill or below Grindon and take a stroll or hire a bike in Waterhouses. Very easy walking, stop at the cafe at Wetton Mill.
Haddon Hall (featured in Jane Eyre)
Signed on the road to Bakewell. A fortified medieval manor house dating from the 12th Century. Elizabethan terraced gardens and has a simple restaurant. Tel: 01629 812855 | www.haddonhall.co.uk
Cycling
You can hire bikes in Ashbourne 01335343156 or Parsley Hay 01298 84493. Cycle hire is available on the Tissington Trail, a disused railway route through the hills, on the Manifold Trail, a stunning river valley, call Brown End Farm at Waterhouses on 01538308313 or see www.peakdistrict.gov.uk/visiting/cycle. Try an Electric Bike from Carsington Water.
Factory shopping
John Smedley, Denby Pottery and Emma Bridgewater make a good day out. www.denbypottery.com
Health & Beauty treatments
The Lounge Hair & Beauty in Ashbourne have a full menu of relaxing treatments or why not have Peak Nails to give your hands and feet a treat after a long day out in the comfort of Brailsford Barns.
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