What to do and see in Matlock, England: The Best Things to do Good for Couples

We specialise in White Water Rafting, Kayaking, Canoeing and River Tubing! Take to the water with Rapid Horizons. From family groups to stag and hen parties our aim is to give you the best experience on the river. Based in Darley Dale our main location is the River Derwent but we also operate in North Wales on the River Dee and also Nottingham at Holme Pierrepont. No Experience is required for any of our activities. Our staff and River Guides and highly qualified and experienced not to mention incredibly passionate abut their jobs!

Birdswood is an historic ex-working narrow boat belonging to canal restoration charity The Friends of Cromford Canal. The boat and gift shop at Cromford Wharf are run by a dedicated team of volunteers. Birdswood runs scheduled public trips from March to October. Additionally we operate theme events, school trips and exclusive charters, making the boat an ideal private venue for functions for up to 40 people. Come and enjoy a peaceful, relaxing journey along the scenic, rural Cromford Canal, get up close to the fabulous wildlife, and learn about the unique industrial heritage of the Derwent Valley.

Coghlans Cookery School was established by the Coghlan family in 2001 and has quickly become one of the foremost culinary cookery schools for the private sector in the UK. Ideally located in Darley Dale, Matlock (and located close to beautiful Peak District National Park), our Culinary Cookery School is easily accessible from Derbyshire, Yorkshire and Nottinghamshire.

Now open daily. Take a spectacular cable car ride to the Heights of Abraham, an award-winning hilltop park. Your cable car ticket gives you free admission to all the facilities at the top, including 60 acres of landscaped grounds, exhibition areas, Masson Pavilion Film Theatre, adventure playgrounds, woodland walks, and two famous show caverns with guided tours, audio visual effects and remarkable stories to tell. Cavern tours take place throughout the day. NEW self guided audio heritage tour available via your mobile phone. Enjoy stunning views across the Derwent Valley from the Vista Restaurant and Bar. Dogs are welcome and travel free on the cable cars, but are not allowed down into the Caverns.

Crich Tramway Village is a family visitor attraction and home to the National Tramway Museum. Take a trip back in time and ride vintage trams into the open countryside. There's an enchanting Woodland Walk and Sculpture Trail, Tearoom, gift shop, children's play area, exhibitions and Workshop Viewing Gallery. We are open Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Monday 31st August and weekends from 10am until Sunday 1st November 2020. Please check our website for opening times: www.tramway.co.uk and download the Covid-19 Crich Tramway Village Guidelines.

The construction of the Cromford Canal by William Jessop and Benjamin Outram, partners in the Butterley company, was completed in 1794. It is 14.5 miles long and joined Cromford with the Erewash Canal at Langley Mill. The site has a wealth of industrial heritage and lies in the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage site. The canal is a Site of Special Scientific Interest for its entire length from Cromford to Ambergate. The 3.3km southern section from Whatstandwell Bridge to Ambergate is a Local Nature Reserve. The canal is a haven for water vole, a threatened and declining species, and for grass snakes, little grebes, moorhen and coots. The southern end towards Poyser's Bridge is excellent for dragonflies. The canal can be explored from the towpath between Cromford Wharf and Ambergate, a distance of just over five miles. The walk from Cromford Wharf to High Peak Junction is suitable for pushchair's and wheel chairs. We manage the section from Cromford to Ambergate for recreation and wildlife. The canal has a very rich and diverse wildlife running through the attractive Derwent Valley and part of it has been designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest and Local Nature Reserve. The Nature Reserve can be accessed from the north end at Whatstandwell or at the southern end from Ambergate by a towpath off Chase Road. The old towing path which follows the canal is a public footpath - please note that this path is narrow and uneven in places. Birdswood, a restored narrow boat is run on scheduled trips through the year by the Friends of Cromford Canal. Open to all members of the public. Come and enjoy a peaceful journey along the canal, from Cromford Wharf to High Peak Junction, introduced by a booming announcement from the FCC President, Brian Blessed. Birdswood is also available for private hire and for specialist educational trips. Limited canoeing is permitted on the Cromford Canal between Cromford Wharf and High Peak Junction. Because of the sensitive nature of the canal, numbers are strictly controlled. There's a Changing Places toilet for use by the public in the car park at Cromford Wharf.

Cascades Gardens is a beautiful and interesting garden to visit in Derbyshire, in the historic village of Bonsall near Matlock. Ideal for garden enthusiasts, plantsmen and for those who just want to relax in the beautiful natural surroundings and visit a garden in Derbyshire and the Peak District. Come and explore this fascinating garden which originates from the 18th century and surrounds the ruins of a corn mill, with pond and mill race, canal and an old lead mine. Cascades gardens is set on many levels with a new "garden room" around every corner-perennial flower beds, roses, waterside planting and alpine and conifer rockeries. There is a great view from the cliff top path. Every season brings new surprises with hosts of snowdrops, hellebores, hosta, daffodils, unusual perennial flowers, shrubs, trees and conifers. A wide range of plants in the garden are available for sale in the nursery. The informal gardens have been designed to blend in with the spectacular natural landscape of rocks, cliffs and woodland. The Bonsall brook runs through the garden and flows over the ruined corn mill and many waterfalls which gives the house it's name. In the winter the water can be a torrent and in the summer a gentle trickle. Group visits are most welcome and refreshments for groups can be made available by prior arrangement. Talks are given by Alan Clements, the owner, to clubs and societies. Please contact us for details The historic village of Bonsall has many old buildings, and is a great place to walk in the hills. It has two attractive old pubs that offer a warm welcome and serve good food.