Derbyshire and the Peak District are certainly popular destinations, with the Peak District National Park welcoming over 12 million visitors each year.
These are some of the things that almost every visitor to Derbyshire and the Peak District should have done – including trips to some of the county’s most remarkable country houses, historical sites and tourist attractions.
The full list can be found below – is there anything or anywhere else you think should be included?
9. Visit one of the Peak District’s most unique villages
Edensor is a custom-built village on the Chatsworth Estate, which was specially commissioned by the sixth Duke of Devonshire, and incorporates a variety of stunning traditional house designs – including mock Tudor properties and Swiss-style cottages. In the 19th century, the sixth Duke of Devonshire ordered that the old estate village be demolished and rebuilt out of sight, as it spoiled his view of the estate from Chatsworth House - with Edensor being reconstructed entirely at the new site. Edensor also has a connection to former US President John F Kennedy, who made the pilgrimage to Edensor in July 1963 to visit the grave of his sister Kathleen Kennedy (who had married into the Devonshire family). Photo: Brian Eyre
10. Visit the Peak District’s biggest town
If you’re visiting the Peak District, it is almost impossible to miss Bakewell - with plenty of places to shop, eat and drink across the scenic town. Bakewell is the birthplace of the Bakewell Pudding - and there are few better places to sample this sweet treat than The Old Original Bakewell Pudding shop. It is also perfectly located for anyone wanting to visit a number of popular attractions - including the likes of Thornbridge Hall and Haddon Hall. Photo: Anne Shelley
11. Explore the ‘plague village’
Eyam certainly has a unique place in history. It is known as the plague village, after residents quarantined themselves to stop the spread of a plague outbreak in the 17th century. If you want to learn more about the Black Death, Eyam is the perfect place to start - with a past unlike any other place in the country. Photo: Jason Chadwick
12. Delve into the Peak District’s literary connections
Bakewell is home to the Rutland Arms, once acclaimed as ‘Derbyshire’s most famous inn’, which was built in 1804 - and can count Charles Dickens among its famous visitors over the years. It is also believed that Jane Austen wrote the literary classic 'Pride & Prejudice' whilst staying at The Rutland Arms - taking inspiration from the beauty of the Peak District. Hathersage also has strong literary connections - having inspired Charlotte Brontë while she was writing Jane Eyre. The nearby North Lees Hall became the main inspiration for Thornfield Hall. Photo: Anne Shelley