Derbyshire

Derbyshire's towns and villages range from the wooded, spa-town elegance of the Peak District to the busier settlements along its eastern edge. Buxton, with its Georgian architecture and hilltop setting, makes a good base for exploring, while Bakewell draws visitors with its riverside charm and famous puddings. Matlock and Matlock Bath sit close together in the Derwent Valley, the latter offering a slightly quirky, seaside-on-a-river atmosphere with its cable cars and amusements.

For quieter stays, Hartington, Foolow and Tideswell are limestone villages surrounded by dramatic dales, ideal for walkers wanting peace after dark. Hope, near the heart of the Peak District, suits those keen on hiking Kinder Scout or Mam Tor. Ashbourne, on the southern edge of the national park, has a market-town feel with independent shops. Chesterfield, Golden Valley and Stretton lie further east, more workaday and practical for those wanting easy transport links and everyday amenities.

Derbyshire's mix of market towns and open moorland makes for a wide spread of places to stay, from stone-built guesthouses in Bakewell to spa-town B&Bs in Buxton. Matlock Bath suits those drawn to the Derwent Valley and its old-fashioned seaside-in-the-hills feel, while Derby offers a more urban base with easy road and rail links across the county.

Out towards the Peak District, options like Underleigh House and Hawthorn Farm Guest House trade city convenience for hillside views and quiet lanes, useful if walking or cycling is the main plan. Closer to town centres, places such as The Garden Bed and Breakfast, Ellen House and Glendon Bed and Breakfast put shops, pubs and stations within easy reach on foot.

Smaller family-run guesthouses sit alongside grander stays such as Breedon Hall, so it is worth deciding whether you want rural peace or a base close to Bakewell's market and shops, or Buxton's Georgian streets, before choosing where to book.

Derbyshire covers everything from the limestone dales around Ashbourne to the gritstone edges above Edale, and its days out reflect that spread. Matlock and Matlock Bath make a good base for cable cars, caverns and old spa-town curiosities, while Buxton offers a handsome Georgian backdrop alongside its own attractions. Chesterfield and Derby lean more urban, with indoor activities and family-friendly venues filling in the days when the hills are best left for another time.

Outdoor pursuits dominate the Peak District side of the county: climbing centres, mine exploration at places like Temple Mine, and open access walking around Kinder, Edale and the Dark Peak. Families with younger children tend to head for farm-style attractions such as Clary Meadows Alpacas or play venues like Sugar Snap Play, while those wanting something more active can try dog training, climbing walls or an escape room challenge in Glossop or Dronfield. Choosing where to go often comes down to whether you want a proper walk, a wet-weather option, or something built around the kids.

Derbyshire's eating and drinking scene runs from Peak District pub kitchens to city-centre favourites in Derby and Chesterfield. Market towns such as Buxton do well for tea rooms and independent cafes, with places like Kathleen Rose Tea Room and Cobbles Coffee Shop suited to a stop between walks, while Derby offers more variety, from Luciano's to quick options such as McDonalds.

Pubs remain central to the county's appeal, particularly around the Peak District villages, where a meal often comes with a view and a fire in winter. Elsewhere, spots like Hodgkinsons Hotel and Strawberry House show the range on offer, from hotel dining to more casual settings, and Derbyshire's towns also cater well for coffee and shisha lounges alongside the traditional pub trade.

Derbyshire's campsites and glamping sites cluster thickly through the Peak District, where farms around Bakewell, Buxton and Hope Valley open their fields to tents and tourers with limestone dales and gritstone edges on the doorstep. Sites like Peaslows Peak Camping and Top Riley Holidays put walkers and cyclists within easy reach of the White Peak and Dark Peak, while smaller farm pitches such as Church Lane Farm Touring and Unthank Lane Farm offer a quieter, more rural base near Holmesfield.

Further south and east, around Matlock, Chesterfield and Ticknall, the pace softens into gentler countryside better suited to families and short breaks. For those after more comfort than a tent allows, glamping options like Broadleaves Glamping, Peak Glamping Hideaway and Spire View Yurts provide yurts and pods with the same access to moorland views and market towns, without the packing away of canvas.