[Closed] Milford, Belper

Take the bike and do the Chevin!

Depends how old your kids are but:

- Crich Tramway Museum
- Kedleston Hall (National Trust) - no play area but a good walk around the woods and plenty of playing in the woods.
- Carsington Water

Pubs wise:
- Joiners arms at Quarndon - heard it may be a bit pricey now after lockdown
- Cock Inn at Mugginton

Both a little out of a belper but 10-15 mins max I think

Going back decades but The Holly Bush used to be well regarded food wise. Bikewise with kids - train to Ambergate from Duffield (although this would mean cycling along the A6 for a km) then along the Cromford Canal and back. There are boats and pedalos at Belper river gardens. Crich Stand and the Tramway museum a bit further afield.

Rode through there this evening.

There's a new motor museum at Ambergate with cars from the 70s and 80s.

Arkwrights Mill at Cromford, Cromford Wharf and a stroll down the canal to High Peak Junction.

Matlock Bath for seaside seediness at the furthest point from the coast.

Belper keeps winning High Street of the Year for a mooch.

Chatsworth is doable

If you have bikes, the Monsall Trail is amazing to ride from Bakewell, or start at Hassop Station. High Peak and Tissington trails, but unless the kids are stupid fit, start the High Peak Trail at Middleton Top.

Holly Bush and Joiners Arms +1

Nice one cheers!

The Hollybush is great for beer but not sure about food.

Cock Inn at Muggington has gone down hill big time according to three or four people I know who've been recently so probably best to give it a miss...plenty of other great gastro pubs in the area:-
Duffield a few miles away: White Heart, Angelo's Bisto and if you fancy a Curry, the Viceroy
Probably a fair few places to eat in Belper which is a few miles in the other direction but not too familiar so wont recommend anything specific.
Ambergate: The Hurt Arms

But so many decent pubs serving good grub in the area so you can't go too far wrong.

Things to do...Matlock Batch..a bit 'kiss me quick' style seaside feel about it but can be fun... can ride the cable cars upto the Heights of Abraham.

If museum stuff is your bag you can go and see the Arkwrights mill...where the whole industrial revolution kicked off that is off the A6 on the way to Matlock Bath.

So a fair few places to eat and do stuff.

The Bear Inn at Alderwasley did a fantastic carvery when I used to work there.

National Stone Centre at Wirksworth is interesting, outdoor fossil trails you can walk around.

There’s a new motor museum at Ambergate with cars from the 70s and 80s.

I think that's just Ambergate.

Sorry that's not helpful.

+1 for Monsal trail, I'd start at Hassop and bike to Miller's dale for refreshments and return depending on your kid's ages. That way it's slightly downhill on the way back.

National Stone Centre at Wirksworth is interesting, outdoor fossil trails you can walk around.

You have to really like rocks to go there. Which you may do.

I'd agree with all of joat's last post. Unless themuffinman pops on this thread, think he still lives in Ambergate.

Nonno's in Belper is always good...
https://nonnos.co.uk/

The Bluebell at Farnah Green well thought of...
https://www.thebluebellinnfarnahgreen.co.uk/

Hurt Arms - personally I'd give it a miss - style over substance. Good for drinks though, but the food is variable. It's my local and the only reason I eat there is I can stagger home! 🙂

Bear Inn at Alderwasley has been closed for years.

National Stone Centre at Wirksworth is interesting, outdoor fossil trails you can walk around.

You could kill a good day in that area alone though.

Arkwright's Mill, Stone Centre, followed by a trip on the Steeple Grange Light Railway (which costs bugger-all), followed by a walk up to the top of Black Rock to take in the views.

Depends how old your kids are.

Matlock Bath - my view is tainted by how bloody heaving it is at the minute! Unless you like fish and chips, arcades and heaving pavements don't go in the day. Best to go in an evening when the crowds have thinned.

Bear Inn at Alderwasley has been closed for years.

Really? What a shame 🙁 ! I worked there for about 4 years, it was a lovely place then. But evidently I've not been back that way in ages.

It was great finbar - my niece Charley Torr - worked there in it's hey-day too. We've had all sorts of family functions there. It's just rotting away at the minute.

Chatsworth House is well worth a trip though. If you can afford it do the house, gardens and farm yard and playground (you can skip this if your kids are over 11 ish). You can make a day of it there easily, then have a picnic and a game of football by the river at the end of the day.

Booking is recommended though. And if it feels too busy at times a short walk up to the lakes and hunting tower gets you away from the crowds.

Trying not to sound like an advert for them! They really have got it right and kids are made very welcome. They even let them paddle in the cascade in the gardens.

It's one of the few places we go to 2 or 3 times every year.

Shame about The Bear. I used to work there. I also worked at the Blue Bell, where my bike was nicked by one of the junior chefs, and I was sacked from The Hurt Arms. Mr Dad built the small water wheels at Arkwright's Mill.

I think that’s just Ambergate.

This made me laugh 🙂

Chatsworth is amazing, agree they've nailed it, but I think it's booking in advance for some of it.

Nice walk over to the cafe in Edensor while you are there. Pick up some nice food from their farm shop up the road

Chatsworth is good, but what they've really nailed is the ability to hoover money out of your pockets...

Chatsworth is good, but what they’ve really nailed is the ability to hoover money out of your pockets…

Several centuries exploiting the peasants really paying off.....🤣

If you've never been before, then yes, you'll feel like your money is dropping through a hole in your pocket! 🙂

But in can be as cheap as just paying for parking, taking a picnic and walking through the estate.

Certainly don't eat there!