Popular places around an hour's drive from Derby to visit for day trips

If you fancy exploring the county now the warmer months are arriving, there are plenty of places near Derby to check out.

Derbyshire boasts so many locations with beautiful scenery and historic buildings dating back centuries.

Around an hour's drive from the city centre, these places are also accessible by bus from Derby.

Bakewell

Known for its famous Bakewell tart, Bakewell is a market town in the Derbyshire Dales.

The town is surrounded by beautiful countryside and lies on the River Wye.

Its market is open every Monday and has a variety of stalls including clothes, fruit and veg, jewellery and flowers.

Special events are held in the town during the summer months with the well dressing in June and the annual carnival in July.

Chatsworth House

Just over 10 minutes away from Bakewell town centre is the historic Chatsworth House.

The home has more than 25 rooms to explore and it showcases works of art by classical and modern artists.

Outside the house is a 105-acre garden with waterworks, sculptures and a Victorian rock garden.

Visitors can dine in the various cafes and restaurants on the estate and shop for fresh Derbyshire produce and gifts.

The Peak District National Park

Derbyshire is home to one of the UK’s national parks which has more than 13 million visitors every year.

Various species of wildlife and nature can be seen in many areas of the park.

There are 65 miles of off-road trail for hikers and cyclists to explore the natural beauty and rural landscapes of Derbyshire.

The Peak District is also popular for activities such as climbing, fishing, horse riding and water sports.

Matlock and Matlock Bath

These popular small towns, within 1.5 miles of each other on the edge of the Peak District, have many things to see and do.

The stunning views of Matlock and its wooded hillsides can be admired on the Heights of Abraham cable car.

Gulliver’s Kingdom is a family-friendly theme park situated in Matlock Bath, specifically for children aged under 13.

Independent shops, cafes and restaurants are accessible in the towns for food and drink.