Things to do in Derbyshire, England: The Best History Museums

Exciting new museum and all-weather destination for families and inquisitive visitors, bringing to life stories of a remarkable place in the heart of a historic town. Our Webster's café sells lovely home-made food, and our courtyard is ideal for cyclists and dog walkers. We have a wide range of gifts and locally made products, and we run walks, talks, arts, crafts, music and workshops for all.

It was the dark year 1688 when rumour and unrest muttered up and down the country and James II sat uneasily on the throne of England. On bleak and windswept Whittington Moor stood an alehouse called the Cock and Pynot (a dialect word for magpie). Through the rain, three horsemen rode to this remote place, stepped inside and started plotting to overthrow the King. These men were the Earl of Devonshire, the Earl of Danby, and Mr John D’Arcy. Between them, they raised support in the North and Midlands, and planned to offer the Crown to James’ daughter Mary and her Dutch husband William. William and Mary landed at Torbay in November 1688. The country rose in support and James fled to France. The Revolution was over, but the alehouse at Whittington still stands, with its thatched roof and its intriguing name – Revolution House. Today, Revolution House has a display of 17th Century furniture, a video on the Revolution of 1688 and a programme of events through the summer.

Currently closed due lockdown - hope to be open every day from the 3rd December. Find out about the lead mining heritage of Derbyshire from Roman Times to the present. Interactive exhibits, mock tunnels and shafts to climb, moving models. The new Matlock Bath Through Time exhibition tells the story of a village that was one of the top Georgian Spas in the country. Then visit Temple Mine and find out what it was really like working underground followed by a try at gold panning. Suitable for all ages. Family ticket £28 (2A and 3C)

The Museum tells the Story of Chesterfield, from its beginnings as a Roman fort on Ryknield Street to the building of the ‘Crooked Spire’ Church and its growth as a market town. The Museum also reflects the town’s important industrial heritage, tracing the development of coal mining and local industries. Chesterfield’s most famous Victorian resident, George Stephenson, the ‘Father of the Railways’ is also featured. Children can follow the trail around the Museum and make discoveries of their own, then add pictures to the Your Gallery display. The Art Gallery often features the work of Joseph Syddall from Old Whittington, once described as 'the best draughtsman in England'. Syddall was asked to illustrate Thomas Hardy's novel 'Tess of the D'Urbevilles' when it appeared in the Graphic Magazine. The Museum has a changing programme of exhibitions and events.

Strutt's North Mill played a vital role in the UK's Industrial Revolution and is of architectural and historic importance. It is one of a chain of mills that form part of UNESCO's Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage site. Our knowledgeable guides will take you on a tour of the mill and explain more about its social, historic and industrial background.

The Silk Mill is undergoing a process of significant development to create Derby Silk Mill – Museum of Making due to open in summer 2020. During this redevelopment it will be open for specific events only and available for hire until the end of 2017. The Silk Mill is part of the UNESCO inscribed Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site. The building is now closed for public events. The building is available to hire from Summer 2020 through our Business Hub team.

Set in 6 beautiful acres, Masson Mills is located over the banks of the River Derwent in the picturesque town of Matlock Bath, a village situated south of Matlock on the main A6 road in Derbyshire, England. Matlock Bath, a former spa town, is a popular destination for tourists visiting the Peak District as it has something to suit every taste - from shops to museums and amusements. In the 19th century Matlock Bath began to develop as a spa town, whereas previously the town was made up of a collection of small villages. Masson Mills is the gateway to the world heritage site and is joined to the Working Textile Museum. The refurbished Mill built by Sir Richard Arkwright in 1783 was re-opened in 1999. The Shopping Village, Museum and Conference Centre host nearly 400,000 visitors a year, and employs over 70 staff who are always willing to go that extra mile to help you with your shopping needs. Our focus on outstanding customer service and top quality merchandise at great prices is the reason we are the proud award winners of retail outlet of the year.