Cottages in the Derbyshire Dales

If you love the outdoors, surrounded by the fauna and flora, the Derbyshire Dales district has the best places for you. You can visit the beautiful Lea Gardens located in Lea village near Matlock. It's a hidden treasure covering three acres and has trails with a variety of plants such as rhododendrons, kalmias and azaleas that will immerse you in an abundant variety of colours and smells. As part of your visit, you will also be able to enjoy a tea shop located on a terrace overlooking the vibrant garden. Another place highly recommended by tourists is Markeaton Park, located in the suburban village of Markeaton. The park has a rose garden, ponds with lovely ducks, activities such as golf and tennis, swings, slides and a spider net for children to have fun outside as well. For refreshment, the gardens also have a kiosk offering ice cream and cold drinks. If you want something more remote and rural, the Dovedale Valley is a place worth visiting. You can walk through the countryside and follow the Dove River where you will have to climb a few steps to reach the top of the Thorpe cloud and enjoy the panoramic views. There are many paths to follow and plenty of space for the little ones to run around.

For the perfect date go to Heights Hill of Abraham and make a reservation at Vista Restaurant & Bar. It's a romantic experience where you'll have to ride a cable car to get to the restaurant. You will enjoy delicious smoked salmon, goat cheese, potatoes and apple chutney, all above the clouds overlooking the Derwent Valley. The place also offers a range of alcoholic drinks where you can try the local gin with fruit. If you're feeling adventurous the entrance to the site also includes a tour of the caves that were formed over 350 million years ago. Another alternative for an unforgettable date is to go to Crich Tramway Village. Both of you will be able to get on an ancient tram. You will be transported back in time through the recreated streets and at the end of the tour you can have tea in Rita's Tea Rooms or a lunch at the Red Lion Pub and Restaurant.

Bolsover Castle is a mixture of ruins with spectacular views of Derbyshire that you will love! The preserved medieval architecture and luxurious rooms with carved marble fireplaces will leave you breathless. Explore the terrace overlooking the Scarsdale Valley, wander through the Fountain Garden with its spectacular statue of a Venus and its 5,000 colourful plants and flowers and walk along the restored wall walk. You can have a picnic in the palace grounds or eat a cake in the café at the end of the day.

Entertain the children at Gulliver's Kingdom amusement park located at Matlock Bath. The children can enjoy different themed areas with a variety of attractions such as the Crows Nest Quest where the children will climb 17 metres and pass through 4 levels with 20 elements to test them; The Riggers Revenge where they will go ziplining through the trees; Gully's Magic Bikes where they will take a unique ride through the air on a bicycle and many others attractions that include water slides. Best of all, you'll be surrounded by spectacular views of the hills and the children will have a day full of fun.

During your holiday to Derbyshire you can also go with the children to Matlock Farm Park. The park has friendly farm animals such as furry alpacas, lovely ponies, sheep, goats, donkeys, pigs and cows, as well as slightly more exotic animals such as wallabies, emus and fun meerkats that you will be able to feed. In addition, children and teenagers can go horseback riding outdoors to improve their confidence. At the end of the visit they can have lunch in the Garden Room or in The Rainforest Coffee Shop for some snacks.

At the Peak District Lead Mining Museum you will discover thousands of objects and relics from the lead industry including rocks and minerals from all over the world. The museum also has interactive exhibits where you can go through three mine tunnels, see a huge feat of engineering used to pump water from the depths and Howie's mineral collection with over 3000 mineral specimens with beautiful blue, purple and gold colours.

The district also provides a variety of outdoor activities which you can do alongside Rapid Horizons. You can go on an adventure throughout the district, kayaking or canoeing on the lakes, or go rafting on the river through the breath-taking scenery with strong water currents and climb and cycle in the mountains. This is the best option if you want to stay fit during your holiday.

For lovers of Zombie films, Chesterfield offers the Zombie Uprising experience. Test your survival skills during the Zombie Apocalypse and join the challenge. You will have to go with your armed companions on a 3 hour mission where you will fight the zombies and try to survive in the attempt. Don't get caught! It's a fun, unique experience full of pure adrenaline to have fun with the older ones in the family or with your partner.

If you are looking for a fun day out for the family in the fresh air, you should visit the historic gardens of the Pavilion. Located in Buxton, the site covers 23 acres of beautiful gardens with streams, flowers and a lake perfect for a picnic, as well as fun play areas including a miniature train, sports facilities, swings and slides. It's a perfect place to take the family, appreciate Buxon's Victorian style, relax for a while at the lake cabin and have an ice cream at the parlour with the kids.