STEEPLE GRANGE LIGHT RAILWAY

4 Oak Tree Gardens, Tansley, Matlock, Derbyshire, DE4 5WA
Tel: 01629 580917
Web: www.steeplegrange.co.uk

An opportunity to ride on a unique narrow gauge railway built on part of the former Cromford and High Peak Railway branch to Middleton by Wirksworth. The railway uses former mining and quarrying locomotives and rolling stock and climbs up a steep gradient through disused limestone quarries to historic Killers Dale. Passengers may continue on foot to Middleton by Wirksworth which offers opportunities for refreshment. Sale stand at Steeplehouse Station with books, gifts and soft drinks. Car parking at Black Rocks Picnic site or the National Stone Centre.

Operating Times: Easter to October: Sundays & Bank Holiday Mondays, 12noon - 5pm. July & August: Sat, Sun & Bank Holiday Mondays, 12noon - 5pm. Santa Specials 3rd weekend in December.

Beehive Farm Woodland Lakes

Beehive Farm, Lullington Road, Rosliston, Swadlincote, Derbyshire, DE12 8HZ
Tel: 01283 762920
E-mail: info@beehivefarm-woodlandlakes.co.uk

Visitors are able to explore the beauty of this emerging young woodland landscape on foot or horseback using specially laid out trails. Following the trails, you will enjoy the tranquil atmosphere of the three fishing lakes, the Horseshoe, Botany Bay and Jubilee, as well discovering peaceful picnic areas surrounded by wild flowers. Open all the year round, our walking trails join with the local network of footpaths to allow further exploration of the National Forest area, making the Beehive an ideal base. Well behaved dogs are welcome as long as they are kept on leads at all times and horse riding is by permit only. Ample car parking is available at the tea rooms and the Botany Bay lake area.

Derby Gaol & Pie Shoppe

51 Friar Gate, Derby, Derbyshire, DE1 1DF
Tel: 01332 366651

Situated in the depths of the original dungeons of the Derbyshire County Gaol dating back to 1756, the Derby Gaol offers a reminder of the city's grisly past. See the condemned cells and learn of England's last revolution (The Pentrich Rebellion) which resulted in the last hanging, drawing and quartering in the country. Survivors can sample traditional fayre in the Gaol's Pie Shoppe, located in the cell-block where an open fire roars during winter months.

Carsington Water

near Ashbourne
Tel: 01629 540696
E-mail: carsington@rya-online.net
Web: www.carsingtonwater.co.uk

Carsington Water covers 750 acres and offers some of the best sailing in the country. Set in the spectacular scenery of the southern Peak District there are footpaths and cycle routes around the lake and nearby scope for climbing, caving, abseiling and brilliant walks and mountain biking. Carsington Water is located between Matlock and Ashbourne in Derbyshire. It is off of the B5035 Ashbourne to Wirksworth Road and the Watersports Centre is on the North Side of the lake near to the main Visitors Centre. Free Car Parking is available for Carsington Sports and Leisure users next to the Centre.

The Lavender Patch

Hall Croft Farm, Uttoxeter Road, Hilton, Derby, DE65 5FZ
Tel: 07815 956626    Fax: 01283 732303
E-mail: info@thelavenderpatch.com
Web: www.thelavenderpatch.com

Unique lavender garden situated on an arable farm. Half an acre of purple, pink and white lavender where you can come and pick your own. Gifts and refreshments available, together with lavender plants and herbs. Beautiful ornamental poultry also on display. Disabled friendly and free admission.

Bumpi's Big Adventure

23 Ascot Drive, Derby, DE24 8GW
Tel: 0800 083 0853
E-mail: enquiries@bumpi.co.uk
Web: www.bumpi.co.uk

Bumpi's Big Adventure Indoor Play and Blue Cloud Cafe. Learning and development through magical adventure play. It is a fantastic adventure play experience incorporating a three-tier adventure play structure. For children up to 4' 9" (144cm). Our qualified staff are dedicated to help fire the imagination, encourage physical exercise and social interaction of all children. Parent and toddler mornings Monday to Friday. Babies free. ROSPA certified.

Darley Mill Pottery

4 Cotton Mill Yard, Darley Abbey, Derby, DE22 1DZ
Tel: 01332 343070
Web: www.studiopottery.co.uk

Family run pottery studio and showroom. Handmade original designs made on the premises. Specialists in techniques of: throwing on the potters wheel, slab building, soda-glazed, lustreware and Earthstone TM ceramics. Collectors 'one-offs' and special birthday and wedding gifts made by Craft Potters Association accredited makers: Andrew Mason and May Ling Beadsmoore.

Derby Cathedral Centre

18-19 Iron Gate, Derby, DE1 3GP
Tel: 01332 381685
Web: www.derbycathedral.org

The new Derby Cathedral Centre is located in a grade II listed building opposite the Cathedral. The Centre hosts a Coffee Shop and Gift shop, an education centre, a library, exhibition and meeting rooms, a treasury displaying the Cathedral's historic objects, a Biblical garden, listening rooms and the Cathedral offices.

Little Chester Heritage Centre

St Paul's Church, Mansfield Road, Derby
Tel: 01332 363354
E-mail: jdarcy@qcinternet.co.uk

About 80 AD the Romans built a fort beside the River Derwent at Little Chester and called it Derventio. They occupied the area until at least 350 AD and during that time a town grew up around the fort. After 500 AD Anglo-Saxons settled in the area and some of their burials have been found at Little Chester. During the 8th century the region became the kingdom of Mercia and the town of Northworthy, later Derby, became established about 1 mile down river. Opening of the Derby canal in 1792 followed by the railways in the 19th century brought new industries and rapid expansion of population and housing to the area, creating what is known as Chester Green; now, a conservation area. Displays, models and exhibits in the centre show aspects of the rich heritage of the area from Roman to recent times. It is situated in St. Paul's Church on the edge of the attractive Chester Green - one of the earliest public spaces in Derby.

The Dolls House Emporium

Codnor Gate Business Park, High Holborn Road, Ripley, Derbyshire, DE5 3YD
Tel: 0845 434 9201    Fax: 01773 514408
Web: www.dollshouse.com

The Dolls House Emporium is the world's leading supplier of over 25 dolls houses and 2,500 accessories. All of our display houses are built, decorated, lit and fully furnished. We stock a range of products only available in-store and you can also pick up our free mail order catalogue.

Paint a Pot

Markeaton Craft Village, Markeaton Park, Derby, DE22 3BG
Tel: 01332 202652

Paint a Pot is a ceramics studio based in the Craft Village of Markeaton Park, Derby. We have a wide range of blank pottery shapes for you to decorate. Great for any age and you don't need any great artistic talent. Birthday Parties - a party full of creative fun suitable for all ages. Our package includes: party invitations, party host, every child will paint their own pot, drinks and biscuits, a unique gift for the birthday child. Pack-a-Party - If you can't come to us, we can come to you or prepare a party box for you to collect.
Something for everyone - Kids Club, Business Fun Days, Group Bookings, Education sessions for schools, Footprints are Forever - a perfect gift of your child's precious footprints or handprints on a plate or tile.

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Learn a tale or two during one of the varied walks available around Derby city centre with local historian Blue Badge guides.

Popular themes include Architectural tours, the Victorian period, ghost walks, the Railway era and Secret Derby. We recommend comfortable footwear, as walks last at least 1 hour 30 minutes.

You need to book walks in advance from Derby's Tourist Information Centre in the Market Place. Please phone or call in. Full timetable of scheduled walks also available.

Ilam Country Park

Ilam, near Ashbourne
Tel: 01335 350245
E-mail: ilampark@nationaltrust.org.uk

Shipley Country Park

Heanor, Derbyshire
Tel: 01773 719961

Attractive countryside of woodlands, meadows and lakes with an extensive network of easily used paths, some suitable for wheelchair users. Visitors centre, shop, cafe and toilets. Cycle hire and hand cycles for disabled people. Open all year Mon to Friday 11am to 4pm, Sat and Sunday 10am to 4.30pm.

Staunton Harold Reservoir

Nr Melbourne, Derbyshire
Tel: 01283 701709

This 209 acre reservoir provides footpaths and nature walks which link to Calke Abbey. A new visitors centre includes an information room with exhibits and 3-D models. Open April to Oct, 7am to dusk, Nov to Mar 9am to 4pm. Small car park charge.

Legendary Ghost Walks

Booking necessary. for details please
Tel: 01332 299321

Encounter the fright of your life on a choice of ghost walks operated by local historian and haunt hero, Richard Felix. All three options offer surprises and tales of intrigue and mystery: City Centre Spooks, Hangman's Friar Gate, Haunted Pub Crawls.

High Peak Trail

Middleton Top Visitor Centre, Middleton by Wirksworth, Derbyshire, DE4 4LS
Tel: 01629 823204    Fax: 01629 825336

17.5 mile trail for walkers, cyclists and horse riders, running through the South Pennines. As well as plenty of picnic sites and spectacular views, you can hire a bike at Middleton Top or explore the inclines and engine houses on this fascinating old railway. For full details please send for a leaflet.

Allestree Circular Walk

Woodlands Road Car Park, Woodlands Road, Allestree, Derby
Tel: 01332 255802

An enjoyable walk for all the family but not suitable for pushchairs and wheelchair users.
The walk takes in parkland, woodland, river valley and farmland using footpaths and minor roads, through Allestree park to Duffield Church returning via the village of Quarndon. Distance: 9 kilometres/5.5 miles - allow between 2 1/2 and 3 hours. Free leaflet available from Derby Tourist Information Centre 01332 255802.

The Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Woodland

Occupation Road, Albert Village, Swadlincote, Derbyshire
Tel: 01283 229494    Fax: 01283 229496

47 acres of newly planted woodland created as a tribute to Diana, Princess of Wales. Includes sculpture trail, peace glade and children's glade.

West Park Meadow Nature Trail

West Park Meadow, West Road, Spondon, Derby
Tel: 01332 715537

West Park Meadow is a nature reserve located off West Road, between Chaddesden and Spondon. Since 1993, Derby City Council has worked with the Derbyshire Wildlife Trust, English Nature, The Countryside Agency and local people to improve and manage the site which was declared a Local Nature Reserve in 1998. The trail starts on the footpath at the end of West Road and follows a reasonably flat route about 750 metres long which should take about an hour. Not suitable for independent wheelchair users. A free leaflet is available from Derby Tourist Information Centre 01332 255802.

Alvaston Park

London Road, Derby
Tel: 01332 715537

Alvaston Park is in the south of Derby, about two miles from the city centre off the A6 London Road. It lies adjacent to the river Derwent, and from here you can cycle or walk along the riverside path - north west to the city centre or south east to Elvaston Country Park. You can also go south to Chellaston, Swarkeston Lock and Melbourne along the filled-in Derby Canal. There is a car park on Meadow Lane, off London Road. Children's Playground - the play are contains a range of play equipment. Toilets - these are in the pavilion, near the main car park. BMX Bike Track.

Chaddesden Wood Local Nature Reserve

Springwood Drive, Oakwood, Derby

Chaddesden Wood is the only ancient oak woodland in the city of derby. Declared a Local Nature Reserve in 1991. The Nature Trail starts at the main entrance, off Springwood drive, Oakwood. it is just over 1 kilometre/0.6 miles and should take around 45 minutes.
The Nature Trail is accessible to wheelchair users except the access points off Silverburn Drive, Foxglove Drive and adjacent to Green Close.

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Beehive Farm Woodland Lakes

Beehive Farm, Lullington Road, Rosliston, Swadlincote, Derbyshire, DE12 8HZ
Tel: 01283 762920
E-mail: info@beehivefarm-woodlandlakes.co.uk

With lots of farm animals and cuddly pets to meet, Beehive Animal Farm is a fun place for children to bring their mums, dads and grandparents. There's a great new children's playground too for the under 12's to explore. Animals include: Sheep, Rare breed pigs, Ducks, Rare breed poultry, Goats, Donkeys, Miniature Shetland pony, Rabbits, Guinea Pigs, Peafowl, Pheasants.

'Safari Parties' at Grangewood Zoo

Grangewood, Netherseal, Swadlincote, Derbyshire, DE12 8BE
Tel: 01283 760541

Visit to see small rain forest animals, birds, reptiles and lizards. Learn about Ringtailed Lemurs, fascinating lizards and snakes. Meet the meerkats and 'Barnaby' the Coati. For 3 - 13 year olds book an exciting and unusual birthday party with 'Safari Parties'.
Open Tuesday to Fridays 10am to 4pm - Parties only on Saturday & Sundays. Open only to the General Public at Bank Holidays, Easter Holidays, Summer & Christmas School holidays. Phone for further details. Group admission includes guided tours and meeting some of the animals. Decking ramped walkway access to lodge building. Separate entrance gate for wheelchair users to access Zoo grounds.

Highfields Happy Hens

Heage Lane, Etwall, DE65 6LS
Tel: 01283 732083    Fax: 01283 732083
E-mail: happyhens@happyhens.force9.co.uk
Web: www.highfieldshappyhens.co.uk

Highfields is a special farm - it provides training for young people with Special needs - the hens, sheep & cows are part of the therapy of love & understanding. Our customers make it all possible by buying our produce - all are welcome to look around & see how good food should be produced. Opening Times: Open all year round, Monday to Friday - 9.00 - 17.00; Saturday 10.00 - 17.00. Closed Sundays, 25th/26th December and 1st January.