Derbyshire Visitor Attractions

Derbyshire Tourist and Visitor Information with links to heritage, nature and tourist attractions, many with brief details of disabled access. Along with the attractions listed on this page you may also find places of interest on the Derbyshire Heritage and Nature pages. We suggest that you also visit the pages for the neighbouring counties to see what else there is in the area.

We support 'Accessible Countryside for Everyone' in providing a brief guide as to the access / facilities for the sites listed, where we have them.

Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site historic mills, including some of the world's first 'modern' factories, covering 15 miles including Cromford, Belper and Derby. Sir Richard Arkwright established a water powered cotton spinning mill here in 1771, birthplace of the modern factory system, this now houses the Visitor Gateway for the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site, Arkwright Experience, narrow boat ride along the canal,guided tours, shops, cafes - Accessible toilet located in the Visitor Centre with full wheelchair access throughout the Visitor Centre, shop and Arkwright Experience
www.cromfordmills.org.uk/visit-us

Cromford Canal - 5 miles of towpath to walk, designated as a site of special scientific interes for its rich diversity of wildlife, visitor centre, gift & refreshment shop, picnic area and toilets - Accessible toilets including a Changing Places at Cromford Wharf car park
www.derwentvalleymills.org

Carsington Water - (STW) - a country park, visitor centre, children’s play area, sailing club, trout fishery, walking, 8 mile cycle route, 4 bird hides, cafe, shop ("hiring a rowing boat or canoe, launching a windsurf or kayak, or to arrange courses or lessons in a range of watersports, from kayaking to powerboats") - "Most of the tracks around Carsington Water are surfaced and suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs", Wheelchairs & Tramper Scooters are also available from the visitor centre, baby changing facilities at the visitor centre and Courtyard
www.stwater.co.uk/my-severn-trent/our-visitor-sites/carsington-water

Caudwell's Mill - Rowsley - "a unique, grade 2 listed historic roller flour mill. powered by water from the river wye...on four floors and usually runs daily...numerous displays, descriptions and hands-on models throughout the mill", mill shop - Unfortunately we have no accessibility information for this site
www.caudwellsmill.co.uk

Conkers - Swadlincote - 120 acres of maturing woodlands, lakes, ponds and play areas, 18 stage Activity Trail, over 100 indoor interactive exhibits, High and low ropes, play zone - The majority of footpaths and routes through out the grounds at the Discovery Centre and Waterside are accessible, accessible toilets, baby changing facilities, two hearing loops at the Discovery Centre, Waterside Centre is accessible with lift access to the lower floor restaurant and lakeside decking
www.visitconkers.com

Cromford Mills - (Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site) - interactive displays, film, Arkwright Experience, narrow boat ride, guided tours, walks, trails, galleries, shops and places to eat - due to the nature of the site, access for visitors with disabilities and wheelchair users is restricted - Reception Services will be happy to offer advice
cromfordmills.org.uk

Crich Tramway Village - recreated period street using buildings rescued from demolition, Great Exhibition Hall displays the ‘Century of Trams’ exhibition, Stephenson Discovery Centre, Workshop Viewing Gallery, Woodland Walk & Sculpture Trail
Tea Rooms, Red Lion pub, Traditional Sweet Shop, Ice Cream Parlour - "There are access ramps or lifts to all our visitor facilities" Please request our Access Tram if you are a wheelchair user (not suitable for mobility scooters). Wheelchairs are available for hire, accessible toilets, all building have lifts and ramps to enable access
www.tramway.co.uk

Castle Donington Museum - Local History Museum, ground floor of a 17th century, stone built house which was originally used as a farm, small garden with outdoor display of artifacts, run entirely by a group of volunteers - we have no accessibility info for this site
www.castledoningtonmuseum.org

Donington Collections - Wheatcroft Military Collection, 2 halls with a world-renowned assortment of memorabilia and artefacts from World War II when it was used as a military storage depot. Grand Prix Collection in four halls with over 130 exhibits, the largest showcase of Grand Prix racing cars in the world, from the 1950s right up to the present day, Café / Bar, shop - -Wheelchair Accessible - sorry we have no other accessibility information on this site
www.donington-collections.co.uk

Ecclesbourne Valley Railway - Derbyshire's longest heritage railway operating between Wirksworth and Duffield, diesel railcars and steam hauled services - Accessible toilets at Duffield station, adapted vehicles are available some trains. In other cases wheelchair can access the guards area of the train.
www.e-v-r.com

Elvaston Castle Country Park over 320 acres of parkland, woodland and more formal historic gardens, nature reserve, cycle trails, cafe - most paths a hard surface and the site is resonably flat, accessible toilets including a Changing Places toilet within the main car park
www.derbyshire.gov.uk/....

Gulliver’s Kingdom - Matlock Bath - theme park aimed at children aged between the years of 2 and 13, Over 60 rides, attractions, shows and experiences, play area - accessible toilets, wheelchairs available for hire, mobility may be difficult or restricted on steeper slopes, please see the access statement on their website
www.gulliversfun.co.uk

Heights of Abraham - Matlock - Masson Cavern and Rutland Cavern show caves, cable car, viewing platform, Long View exhibition of 230 years, adventure playgrounds, woodland walks - "due to the natural gradient of the site and natural formation of the caverns, certain areas of the estate are inaccessible to wheelchairs and people with mobility issues or of limited vision." Cable Cars now have pushchair and wheelchair access, Loop Systems in key areas, accessible toilets, portable hearing loop on request
www.heightsofabraham.com

Little Monkeys - Darwin Forest Country Park, Matlock - indoor play centre, multi-tiered adventure play structure includes loads of attractions to keep every child fully occupied, 4-lane Astra slide, Sports Pitch, cafe we have no accessibility info for this site
www.little-monkeys.co.uk

Midland Railway-Butterley - heritage steam and diesel locomotives running on 3.5 miles of line, Railway Museum, ‘West Shed Experience’, Demonstration Signal Box and Victorian Railwayman's Church, From the Swanwick Junction Complex you can access the 35 acre Country Park - we have no accessibility info for this site
www.midlandrailway-butterley.co.uk

Peak Rail - preserved steam and diesel railway operating between Rowsley South and Matlock Platform 2 for a distance of 4 miles - A specially adapted carriage that is fully accessible to wheelchair uses. "Wheelchair access is available to Matlock (Platform 2), Darley Dale and Rowsley South Stations and Disabled Toilets could be found at both Darley Dale and Rowsley South Stations"
www.peakrail.co.uk

Poole's Cavern - Buxton - show cave tours, woodland walks, picnic area, Go Ape adventure course with zip wires and aerial walkways, cafe and visitor centre - Wheelchair users can access the main chamber of the cave which is 100 metres/300ft long unassisted, the remaining cave has many steps, woodland trails are not suitable for wheelchairs, baby-changing facilities, and accessible toilets
poolescavern.co.uk

Rosliston Forestry Centre - Swadlincote, in The National Forest - woodland playground for visitors of all ages and physical abilities, walks, cycle, cycle hire, fishing, orienteering, falconry, archery, astronomy, laser games, soft play and outdoor play areas - designed for visitors with a variety of different accessibility needs, half of the site’s surface paths are fully accessible for wheelchair users others are grass or gravel, Mobility Scooters and Wheelchairs are available."Our Childrens’ Play Areas are wheelchair-accessible and also feature specialist play equipment suitable for use by disabled guest", Accessible toilet and Changing Place with hoist
roslistonforestrycentre.co.uk

Speedwell Caverns and Devil‘s Arse - Speedwell underground cave system tours includes an underground boat trip. The Peak Cavern "Devil‘s Arse" has the largest natural cave entrance in the British Isles - not suitable for wheelchairs
www.speedwellcavern.co.uk

Steeple Grange Light Railway - near Wirksworth - 18-inch gauge line with battery-electric and petrol locomotives and passengers are carried in an old National Coal Board manrider."twenty minute train ride through dramatic limestone scenery" - we have no accessibility info for this site
www.steeplegrange.co.uk

Treak Cliff Cavern - Castleton - famous for its Blue John stone, guided tour though the mine and caverns - the cavern is not suitable for wheelchairs
http://www.bluejohnstone.com/

Upper Derwent Valley - (STW) - "The Derwent, Howden and Ladybower Reservoirs that make up the Upper Derwent Valley", bird, wildlife, network of walking trails, a range of cycle routes, cycle hire, Trout and fly fishing is available at Ladybower Reservoir, picnic tables, Fairholmes Visitor Centre - Most paths are fully accessible, being wide and well surfaced -
www.stwater.co.uk/my-severn-trent/our-visitor-sites/upper-derwent-valley

White Peak Estate - National Trust - including Ilam Park, Dovedale and Hamps and Manifold Valleys - walking and cycling - we have no accessibility info for this site
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ilam-park-dovedale-and-the-white-peak