The 21 best free attractions in Derby

I really enjoyed my visit to Derby Museum. The archaeology section was full of interesting pieces and told the stories in a way that was easy to follow. The highlight for me was definitely Joseph Wright’s paintings, they were displayed beautifully and felt really special to see in person. The museum itself is easy to get around and has a nice mix of history and art. A great place to spend an afternoon.

Didn't know what a gem this was! Free entry for this place is mad. It has so much to see. There was art, taxidermy, ceramics, history of war room. A cafe on the ground floor too. So much to see and can easily spend a good hour or two here. The staff were pleasant and helpful, too.

This was a fantastic museum to visit, where we went to the section about the history of transportation in Derby! The steam traction engine model is a fantastic feature alongside different trains including diesel ones too, really appreciate the model railways working here.

A fantastic little museum,lots to see even though it's only a few rooms. The artifacts from around the world were very interesting

It's one of the best places to visit It's so good size for a museum that it won't make kids tired. Everything inside it for art to stuffed animals and including Mummy Amazing please to visit

A small museum and art gallery with an idiosyncratic layout and some odd features in the displays (I suppose I don't understand why taxidermy is still shown). But the Joseph Wright collection is excellent. The Bronze Age logboat is the most moving exhibit). And it's free! Although of course donations are appreciated.

I'm surprised at the exhibitions within this museum, I took my daughters as they had there school project put up as an exhibition. The staff were really polite and friendly and we're very informative with my girls. There were many looked after artifacts, ranging from roman, Anglo saxon , Egyptian and many more, to which I was actually glued looking at.

We (two families) went to the paddling pool (last weekend) and had about 30 minutes of water time. We noticed that the water was very cold and dirty, with visible mud. The bathroom facilities were also unclean, and the pool seemed overcrowded. The next day, our children—and the adults who were with them in the pool—experienced vomiting, fever, and diarrhea. This may have been caused by poor water quality. I hope this review is taken into consideration to help improve conditions, such as controlling the number of visitors, enforcing rules like requiring a shower before entering the pool, and ensuring frequent cleaning and sanitation. Otherwise, the play areas were excellent.

Love going here as a family. There are so many things to do. The parking itself is pretty cheap, if you're paying on the MiPermit app you're looking at about £4.70 for four hours which is very decent considering. Recommended to go with kids as the Mundy Play Centre is fantastic. There's a huge park which is great for kids of most ages (smaller section for the little ones and a huge pirate ship and some climbing areas for older ones). There's also canoes, high ropes, bouncy castles, small kids cars and inflatable slides. Most of which you do have to pay extra for, and it varies in price but overall it's relatively inexpensive for what it is. There is also a great shops in the craft centre area. Overall a fantastic day out with the whole family and you can easily spend hours there. Whether you're wanting to entertain the kids, have a picnic or just a stroll round the park

Large open space park offering a range of activities and features for all ages. Plenty of parking but is app only. Scan QR code to download app and then pay for parking. We paid £2.70 for 2hrs. There is a play area for kids and a stream for dogs to play in. Cafe and restaurant for anyone wanting to eat. Also ice cream vans. Some craft shops in centre of park. Plenty of trails and woodland to explore.

Lovely park with a well-maintained kids’ play area and a nice walking path. Clean, peaceful, and great for families.

It's always nice to go for a walk to the park, plenty of space for runners, bike users, there's a playground and some shops. Sunny weather really makes the park look great.

This park is enormous and it have lot of great activities for kids! Amazing place

Beautiful autumn walk with coffee and cake 🍂 ☕️ 🍰

Darley Park is an absolute gem for dog owners! My tiny girl had an absolute blast paddling in the river. It's shallow and gentle enough for them to safely splash around. The park is also filled with mature trees, offering plenty of shade on warmer days, and my dog was endlessly entertained by the many squirrels darting about. It's really convenient having toilets on site and the cafe is a lovely bonus for grabbing a drink. The river itself is truly beautiful, adding to the park's overall charm. However, be warned, this park is incredibly popular, and for good reason! It gets very busy, especially on weekends and sunny afternoons. Finding a parking spot can be a real challenge, so arriving early is definitely recommended. Despite the crowds and parking situation, the joy my dog gets from the river and the lovely surroundings (and the handy facilities!) make Darley Park a lovely spot to visit. Just plan ahead!

Great park with wide open spaces that are perfect for walking and very dog-friendly too. There’s always something going on, from cricket and football to a rock climbing facility we spotted during our visit. There are some lovely pubs nearby and a café right at the park entrance. Just a heads-up the café is cash-only, which is a bit unusual these days. The only downside was the parking. We arrived early and were lucky to get a spot in the small free car park off Darley Park Road, right near the entrance. I can imagine parking would be much more difficult later in the day. There may be other options nearby but we didn’t explore further. All in all, it’s a fantastic spot to spend a few hours outdoors. Definitely worth a visit!

A beautiful Park on the very edge of Derby City Centre, and easily accessible by foot from the ring road, as well as some limited car parking at two areas if you're early enough. There's a wonderful footpath along the western edge of the river Derwent which splits off towards the cricket pitch. There is a wonderful seated patio area with a shop selling ice cream cornets and a few children's play area's as well. The main park is a beautifully manicured grass area with shaded area's of mature trees 🌳 in which to take shade under during hot sunny weather 😎🌞.

A beautiful space, great parking, access, well maintained paths. Sports fields, play area, family picnic areas, the Derwent river banks with beautiful views accross from Darley playing fields, etsablished trees & wild areas, park gardens & cafe, circular walk through Darley Abbey recommended...dog friendly.

Large hillside park leading down to the river Derwent. Huge open spaces with a large number of old trees on the hill side..

A very matured park. The dedicated area to Hydrangea plants are beatutiful with a range of Hydrangea varieties. A free car park is also available outside the park.

Lots of places to roam around in lovely tree lined open spaces - playgrounds - toilets - cafe and ice cream place too. The open spaces appeared clear of usual dog mess with lots of bins for waste. Some nice walks under the different trees and open spaces for ball games. Cafe sells hot and cold food plus drinks with a good sized sitting area outside - parking at busy times difficult and surrounding street parking cintrollled by residents only pass but there are a few areas limited to two hour stays

A stunning pub with a fun menu! A very last minute random choice of The Silk Mill Derby turned out to be a brilliant decision. Despite arrive close to the kitchen closing time, the staff were extremely accommodating and provided incredible service. We sat in the bar area, played the available board games and had the most unreal food. Cannot wait to go again to try more of the menu.

Great pub in the city center. Got both indoor and outdoor seating. Good variety of beer available and they also do a meal service other than just pub food. Drinks can be walk-in but if you are going for food, a reservation is recommended. Staff is friendly and fast which is always good to see. Ideal if you are looking for a pub without leaving the city center.

Excellent pub! I visited here on a Saturday evening with my wife as we were staying at the Premier Inn a few minutes walk away, after watching a show at The Vaillant. So from a location perspective it’s excellent and it’s with a short walking distance of the locations mentioned above and is an excellent choice if you’re not wanting to be in very busy and lively city centre pubs. The staff here were super attentive, friendly and efficient. The pub has an excellent outdoor area, spacious and well laid out. The inside of the pub looks really nice, good decor, clean, plenty of seating available. Good choice of drinks and bar snacks, we didn’t eat here so cannot comment on any food offering. Prices were as expected for a city pub of this standard. Toilets were clean despite the number of customers. My wife made a point of telling me that the ladies was spotless and had sanitary items available for free which she was very impressed about.

Excellent place for a quiet beer and a bite to eat. Wide selection of beers etc. and a decent selection of nosh. Close to the city centre but just off the beaten track. Spotlessly clean,friendly,helpful staff and a lovely laid back atmosphere with some decent background music wafting around. There’s an outside beer garden type place with a smoking shelter that could be mistaken for a sauna ! Well worth a visit.

I came to visit on the 19th March 2025 around 12:45pm for a meeting about my community wellbeing allotment project and I was blown away with the refurbishment. My last visit was back in 2015. The food now is excellent and I fully enjoyed my meal as well as the beautiful surroundings. Friendly staff, great new menu, fantastic chefs and is a perfect place for any type of meetings or events.. I will be back for sure to try the pies next... Thanks again for an amazing visit.. JJ Tait

Derby Silk Mill, located in the heart of Derby, is a fascinating blend of history, innovation, and interactive learning. Known as the world’s first factory, it’s part of the UNESCO Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site, and you can really feel the weight of history as soon as you step inside. The museum does a wonderful job of telling the story of Derby’s industrial heritage while making it accessible and engaging for all ages. The exhibits are thoughtfully arranged, covering everything from the city’s pioneering role in the Industrial Revolution to modern-day engineering marvels. There’s a strong hands-on element — with workshops, maker spaces, and interactive displays — making it a great spot for families and curious minds alike. The staff and volunteers are friendly, knowledgeable, and clearly passionate about the mill’s legacy. The building itself is beautifully restored, mixing its historic charm with modern touches. Plus, the riverside location makes for a pleasant stroll before or after your visit. If you’re interested in history, engineering, or just want an inspiring day out, Derby Silk Mill is a must-visit. It’s not just a museum — it’s a place where past and future meet.

Very nice restaurant and serving good food. Price is reasonable. Light menu’s portion is not light. Service is excellent. Joe initiatively brought us sauces after serving the food. He also offered our dog water and played with him too. He is so friendly. Will come again if I am at Derby.

Lovely museum house/home including The Dracula returns to Derby exhibition on now! 4 stars as I'm disabled and the only access to all floors is via stone stair case with good banister! Free entry, large car park at rear, gift shop and garden.

The staff were very friendly and welcoming, and I was given a helpful overview on arrival. The house is a Grade I listed building and has been beautifully preserved, with original features such as the old bathtub and sink still in place, which adds to its charm. Inside the house, there is also a Dracula exhibition which is very well presented, though I have to admit it gave me quite a scare! The museum is for free!

Very interesting museum! It's close to the center, free admission and is simply unique compared to a lot of other museums I've been to. Visually impressive displays to see. Nice small garden to relax afterwards.

Absolutely brilliant museum, a short walk from the town centre. Interesting exhibitions including toy theatres and dracula. Set over 4 floors, with no lift but plenty of seating for a rest on each floor.

Lovely little museum, just down from the Friar Gate Bridge. The ground floor of the house is set out as it would have been when the Pickfords lived there. Paintings on the walls include sone by Joseph Wright Of Derby. Upstairs are theatrical items, including puppet theatres, and currently there's a Dracula exhibition commemorating 101 years since the play Dracula got its world premiere at the nearby Grand Theatre. It's free and well worth a visit.

Lovely little museum. A house frozen in time. We went for the dracula displays

Curious about the Edwardian household and lifestyle? then this house museum is a must to visit.

Nice park near the city centre. The cycle paths which crosses the park along the river and also out towards Allenton are great routes if you are looking to go longer distances. The routes around the park itself are also good. I especially like the parts by the river. The lake area is not so good as there is a lot of bird much. The free parking is very useful.

Beautiful park. We visited when the funfair was there and the dinosaurs. A nice place for a lovely peaceful walk with the family

Great park Huge pond with fountain Great sitting area Birds were amazing

Nice parkrun Good play areas Lovely lake Connects to riverside footpaths well nice parkrun Has a cafe

Lovely place, lovely birds and park is great too for all ages.

A brilliant park for jogging , running and camping. It’s beautiful with scenic park , ducks and very pleasant environment. There is a walkway beside the beautiful lake and has several seating locations to relax. A good place for picnic . Take a mat , snacks and enjoy time with family.

Lovely park with a surpiring amount of wildlife, we spotted some mating toads, the play areas were great for for all ages. Nice clean facilities and cafe. It could do with a little tlc and litter collecting but considering the financial constraints of the city council. It was throughly enjoyable few hours our grandchildren loved they were very excited.

Small lovely park with playground, bmx track, coffee shop and small sports equipment.

I took my dog here for a run around and was lovely especially by the river

Chadd park is a great place for family especially if they're hosting an event. These a library and cafe which is amazing however the opening times are very unclear. The park is great and well maintained

Great park for all. There is a fab play area for children with a zipline, a small BMX track and a few football pitches. There is a library within the park, check website for opening times, and they even sell poo bags! There is a public toilet but they aren't always open. There is a bowls area and I think a bowling club for those looking for a hobby. There is also a couple of small wooded areas for the dogs or children to explore and a lovely stream running through the middle of the park. There are a couple of car parks which are quite large and is free with disabled spaces available. The park is accessible to all with there being tarmac and gravel paths around the majority of the park. Overall a lovely family oriented park with facilities for everyone to enjoy.

Our local Park just 0.2 mile from were we live. Take our Grandkids to the playpark/ splash pool when they stay with us. Plenty of Green space & small woodland area's with Chaddesden Brook running through the centre of the park. Cafe and Toilets but Cafe mainly open weekends or summer time weekdays. Great charity store/ shop on the park were I believe the money goes towards improving the park. Community library on the park and War memorial gardens. Derby Orbital cycle route #66 (signed) runs through the park. If you walk around the outer circuit of the Park it works out around a mile. Every Summer the " Big One Event" takes place which includes Shows,stalls,music and a fairground.

Really beautiful wild flowers near car park entrance. Nice wooded area, big open field and a river to walk along. Shame that people don't pick up after their dogs!

Lovely park with ample parking (including disabled) lots of things to do for free..kids play area tennis courts bowling green library water splash area outdoor gym bmx track as well as cafe woodland walks and plenty of wildlife all in the centre of chaddesden

First time playing at the water park today and I like the Atlantis inflatable, very good and exciting. However, I noticed that some parts of the facilities have sharp edges, which can be quite dangerous for children if they run into them. I got a small bruise on my leg when I went through the starting point and smashed the barrier of the top slide. Also, I see time schedules for public swimming on weekends do not offer that many time-friendly options for working individuals like me; most are family swimming after I asked the reception. Mostly, the waterpark provided a good environment for us to relax.

Been a couple of months since we've last been, but what a fantastic difference the new displays make in the pool area. The window vinyls are great. So simple but really makes a fantastic difference to the experience.

Great little waterpark and autism friendly! Sen sessions available but the mainstream sessions are never over crowded with time slots staggered for entry and exit. Lovely and clean with great facilities! Cafe on site and optional soft play for little ones too.

Great leisure centre, pools and water slides are all in new condition. Lots to do with kids (need to be over 1.2 metres to go on slides). Changing rooms are big and clean with lots of lockers. Lots of car parking on sites too

Great place for kids to go to play in the water, several slides to go on and an obstacle course in the main pool (check when this is open as we were too late to go on). Unfortunately some parts were not working (possibly broken) but that didn't affect things much. Definitely worth a trip for something different to do.

We like this place.It was our second visit there when we were on the way to visit our cousin's in Derby. It is worth it to go and have a bit of fun ;-)

Took my 2 kids really good fun. Floatation equipment is worn on the big inflatable meaning loads of fun even if they aren't great swimmers. Really fun slides just check height ratings to avoid disappointed little ones. Spacious changing rooms and showers. Wave pool is deeper than it looks in the still pictures so do bring arm bands for kids if needed, it's deeper than paddling height. I originally begrudged the time slots but meant it wasn't too busy which is the plus even if it was inevitably busy at times. All in all really fun experience for little ones.

i dont know why I've never been here and I live only 30 mins away🙈. What a beautiful place to relax and have a walk. Would be lovely if unused Hall be transformed into a small cafe. Maybe one day!

Went for a walk through the wooded areas and also around the lake, free car parking and toilets

What a super place this is. I attended a wellbeing walk with Derbyshire wildlife trust, and I was really impressed with this park. The old hall is no longer open but there are toilet facilities available. There are plenty of well trod paths to follow, or you could just walk around your own way. There's a lake with water fowls, red kites souring over the trees, and gorgeous natural plants and flowers. It is a great place for adults, kids, and dogs, and the car park is free, too.

First time we've been here, can't wait to come back and explore more.

Beautiful landscape. Very quiet. Free car parking. Very basic toilets. No food or drink. Lots of dogs. A great woodland too!

What a gem! All this location needs is a small business allowed to operate out of the main house or outbuildings This would make this area even more inviting, but what a location, totally beautiful huge area Lush green rolling hills, perfect for a walk/dog walk we packed a picnic and headed to the lake, was a warm sunny day sitting by the lake enjoying good food and such tranquil settings If you've not been I highly recommend a visit, we had limited time so there is much more we plan to see Top location Edit Love the location that much its going to come part of our weekly walks, went today and explored further Discovered some rather large hills with stunning views and vantage points (just needs a bench on the top) then went off trail in the big woods to the back of the Hall Where we found carpets of bluebells and a little stream or natural spring flowing from the top. Took some really great photos but they don't do the place justice I highly recommend this location

Absolutely beautiful park to visit. Has a Downton Abbey feel about it. Lots of walking trails, a beautiful lake and various woody areas for a great sensory adventure for our dogs. There is ample parking and a few, not many, poo bins. There are no toilets. Lots of benches dotted around for those who need a break and there is a path that would, in my opinion, be suitable for a wheelchair.

13th century Chapel

Just a nice chapel

Wonderful spiritual place

Fascinating!

Derby Museum is an amazing place to visit! The staff are very friendly and take the time to explain everything in detail. The collection of paintings, antiques, and many other fascinating exhibits make it a truly enriching experience. A must-visit spot for anyone interested in art, history, and culture

We have just celebrated our 5 year anniversary at the Italian Mill (Museum of Making) and cannot fault a thing! From start to finish the staff at the venue were amazing, so helpful and accommodating in the arranging process but also on the night, the staff were so so friendly and guests even commented on this. The venue is absolutely stunning and our event decorator (Silhouette Events) brought our ideas to life in the most wonderful way. It’s such a gorgeous space and perfect central location when you have people travelling from different places which we did. We had plenty of space for our DJ, Dancefloor, Photo Booth, soft play and snack table. We had 110 guests and the space was perfect. The price for hire is so reasonable which was also a major factor for us as some similar event spaces in and around Derbyshire with this same industrial style were just way out of budget. Please consider this location for your event! We and the guests were blown away at how gorgeous it looked on the day and when the lights go down for the evening, it’s magical! Absolute 10/10!!

We called into the museum to use up a couple of hours before catching a train later that afternoon. It would have been easy to spend more time here. It's a free museum with donations welcomed - and in my opinion thoroughly deserved. Over four floors there are a huge selection of artifacts showing how Derby was in at the start of the Industrial Revolution and still continues to be important - it's hard to miss the Trent engine hanging above you! Staff were helpful when required and the exhibits have been displayed in an imaginative way, making good use of the building and natural light.

Free to enter but you can leave a donation, absolutely fascinating place to visit with lots to see, the cafe has a good menu and the food and staff are awesome

I visited the place on a week day. The staff were nice, and they were lifting a bull and added it to the exhibition. The museum shows the history of the area during the Industrial Revolution, but it seemed to be still under development.

Great museum, lovely café, could have spent all day here!

The perfect place if you enjoy post industrial revolution history/social history. It wasn't really my thing but still ok to walk around

I would like to know why is the need to book the football pitch should the park be free for everyone because is not what is happening right now. The kids are on holiday from school and are literally groups of old men’s that tell the kids to come out of the pitch because they tell they book the space when is not true , this is what happens with the second pitch . The first pitch need to book I really don’t know if there’s need to pay what state is this country coming that nothing is for free

It was quite walk with some football and cricket activities also has a tea and coffee centre wich is always booked for party and any since we live nearby we had a injoble walk

Good event today at Nomanton park

A medium sized park with a cricket pitch, tennis courts and cricket practice nets. It had an appropriately sized children’s playground - but I haven’t studied it, so don’t know what it contains. There is a cafe which opens occasionally and toilets which are also open occasionally. There are two fields, one which is almost big enough for a football pitch, but is oval. The other is probably around 200 metres both ways. There is also a small picnic area, lots of benches and a small adult exercise area. There are trees surrounding both fields.

Decent park with 2 football courts, but very disappointed to see the play zone gates firmly locked shut so no one can play in them. What was the point of having that football court if you are going to act all precious about it. Leave the gates open for young children to be get some exercise or don't bother having them..

Varied people. Varied activities. Walking Football. Walking . Football Cricket. Running [ NPR Normanton Park Runners] 10 am Saturday/ Sunday, basketball, netball, Walking netball and volunteers that make the place tick and keep it tidy, Friends of Normanton Park, cafe and Sporting Communities.

Good place for outdoor activities. However, the playground could do with an upgrade.

We walk a circuit nearly every evening with the dog, it's a very friendly place, has the sports and wild areas as well as a modern bike and skateboarding run. It's not a huge park but big enough for good dog and human exercise as well as being a sports hub and a children's playground.

Very attractive and relaxing place for walking around. Also very close to where I stay.

Excellent recreational park. Natural environment. Children and young play area. Good for physical exercise. Good to spend a time there.

Such a nice park really close to Derby! Certainly worthwile taking a day and hiking through it!

This park known for it's serenity.

Taken back to the good old days, UB40 and Third World were both absolutely amazing. I didn't realise it was an outdoor event, though.

A reliable service with no problems.

We spent my husband’s curacy here training, we were welcomed by the church family here so well and enjoyed our few years serving alongside other wonderful people. We particularly liked the contemporary services, alpha and the kids events! After a few years here we planted out to another church in the area with a team of people and are SO grateful for all the people, money and resources that STW sent our way to make church planting work well. Faithful large church committed to planting churches and revitalising Derby. ❤️ oh and the buildings pretty awesome too.

Thank you Lord fpr leading us to this wonderfully welcoming community of faith. Although only 5 years young, she is shining the way in authentic love and care for her members and city

Beautiful architecture and peaceful atmosphere. A lovely historic gem in the heart of Derby

What a delightful church! Full of life, friendly welcome, kids love it. Passionate and caring leaders. Excellent music. Coffee and treats. Lots of like minded families. And diversity. A charismatic brand of the C of E. Will be attending regularly.

Lovely church with a very friendly welcome.

Love it here! Friendly and relaxed, very welcoming despite being a bigger church. The worship is modern and inclusive and the talks are relevant. I’d highly recommend this place to anyone looking for a church, wanting to meet some great new people or just come for a chat with the team.

Great service! I enjoyed the contemporary twist on traditional carols and the lighting effects used during the service. The sermon by the vicar was concise and to the point, inviting people to come home (to Christ) this Christmas. And the people we spoke to before and after the service came across as genuinely friendly. Good church

What a lovely family day out, great variety of animals in a lovely setting and best of all amazing ice cream. Lots to do and see, we loved the wooden toboggan and tractor go karts. Loads of friendly animals after cuddles and feed. Meet the cows that make your ice cream and then try it for yourself. Lots of delicious flavours to chose from. Fantastic day out for all the family.

What an amazing day. I brought the Highland cow experience for my wife for her birthday as she is obsessed with them. I thought it would be just for my wife to do but me and my 5 year old daughter were able to groom and feed them too! Freya the host was friendly and knowledgeable which was lovely. Other than the farm, there is loads for the kids to do. There is a play area, a sledge ride and go karts which was fun for adults too. We will be definitely returning.

Great place to spend good time with kids. They have cows, sheep's, boat, pigs, rabbits, birds, hen, chicken, roaster, play are for kids,. They also have party hall to celebrate events. Great location for celebrating kids birthday. Cafe with great ice cream options and few snack options. Kids enjoys cuddling with small calfs and rabbits. Many tents are located in the form, so Great option if you wish to do picnic with kids. Staffs were very friendly.

We visited this place for our two children’s birthday after hearing great reviews. It was super easy to buy tickets online, and you can even buy animal feed in advance, but you can also buy it right there. I was pleasantly surprised by how much there was to do! Not only could we feed the animals that the kids loved, but there was a cafe/restaurant, a park, and even a pillow bounce. We could have spent the whole day there if we hadn’t had other plans. Oh, and a big shoutout to the person in the gift shop who made us feel so welcome and gave us some great advice about the Birds Ice Cream! We’ll definitely be coming back here again!

Great day out for family/small children. Lots of animals to see and you can pet them because they're close - cows, goats, sheep, alpacas, guinea pigs, chickens. Some live feeding shows and also chance to have a gentle walk around the paddocks. Some kids play areas, which are suited to smaller kids - toddler to primary school age. Food is ok and you can order via the app to your table, but the main attraction is the ice cream 🍨🍦 so nice and loads of flavours, yum!! Will definitely go back

We visited today for highland cow week. Wow! Such a great place and getting to cuddle Jessie the highland cow calf just made my day! All staff we met were very friendly. Lots of different animals to see and feed. Plenty of fun things for kids to do too. Ice cream was delicious. Go visit you won’t be disappointed!

We loved visiting Bluebell and will definitely be back with our youngest son this time. The Highlands were the highlight as my partner absolutely loves them to bits. All the animals were very well kept and it was one of the cleanest farms we have ever visited

The high peak trail is a beautiful path which goes from Cromford all the way up to Parsley Hay near Buxton. You get to see on this trail things you could never see by road. The trees, views, nature, animals, flowers, is all specular. There are so huge hills on this path so not so easy for the not so fit. As beginners we started at parsley hay and came down for our first time, its a very fun bike ride.

Cycled through here for the first time in years. Cycled to carrsington and cut across onto the trail. The views are stunning but certainly tested my breaks out. Even with e assist I didn't fancy going up it haha

We approached this trail from the east side of the River Derwent via the metal footbridge. The improbably straight cut rises at about eight degrees for roughly a mile, with glimpses of Black Rocks above on the left. The relief at creating the hill is palpable, and is greeted by one of the most wonderful views in the area, looking across the river valley to Willersley Castle, Cromford Mills and much more. The respite of the flat section and view is quickly quashed by the second rise, equally brutal in gradient, but not quite as long. It ends at Middleton Top Visitor Centre, with its fabulous winch station and very airy southern views. I’m sure that many walkers and particularly cyclists would choose to start and finish at this point, without the climb. From here the cycle path is a totally different beast, with recorded gradients such as 1:1,660 it has some magnificent sweeping viaducts over rolling high farmland. After about 15 miles, the path merged with the Tissington Trail, at Parsley Hay, which intersects the High Peak heading north south. At this point we chose to head south

Great area for short or long walks, many paths and trails to veer off too, Cromford Moor, via woodland, or you can walk down to Cromford via the trail. Wirksworth and the history of the mill at the top. Back rocks is a little climb and is great for viewing sunsets.

My favourite trail in the Derbyshire dales ,spent many years exploring different sections of this trail and it never disappoints

Some surprisingly steep inclines on this route with partly restored winding engines and information boards. Useful limited opening hours snack cafe for hot/cold drinks and snacks with adjoining public toilets

We have been walking along the High Peak trail for more than 40yrs. It is a fantastic facility in the heart of the Peak District. Last week we walked from Minninglow car park over the impressive embankment and then up to the tumulus at Manningford. From here we walked down to the ancient site at Royston Grange. A fabulous day out.