Family Activities In Derbyshire This Easter

If you’re looking for something to do over the Easter holidays then Derby County Council have compiled a list of countryside sites that are family friendly.

The county’s industrial heritage comes to life with the steam days at Leawood Pump near High Peak Junction on the Cromford Canal and Middleton Top Engine House on the High Peak Trail. The powerful beam engines at these sites date back to the nineteenth century and have been kept in pristine condition by volunteers.

On Easter Sunday and Monday (16 and 17 April 2017) this year Leawood Pump will be in operation between 12pm and 5pm and Middleton Top beam engine between 1pm and 4.30pm.

Admission to Middleton Top engine house is £2.70 and £1.30 for concessions and entry to Leawood Pump House is free, although donations are welcome.

This year marks fifty years since the closure of the Cromford and High Peak Railway. To celebrate this landmark there is a photo trail from Middleton Top down to High Peak Junction displaying archive photos which illustrate the history of the railway from Saturday 8 to Sunday 23 April 2017. It is free to visit and the full length of the trail is 2.5 miles.

Also at Easter there is the chance to have a go at making a poker in the forge at the High Peak Junction Railway Workshops. The poker workshop is on Easter Saturday, 15 April 2017 and the cost to take part is £10. The railway workshops themselves are free to visit from Easter Saturday to Easter Monday (15 to 17 April 2017).

Free Easter walks along the Cromford and High Peak Railway take place on Easter Sunday and Easter Monday. Booking for these is essential.

Mike Ashworth, Strategic Director for Economy, Transport and Communities said:

“There’s lots going on at our countryside sites this Easter so why not come along and see what’s happening.

“Take a step back in time at Middleton Top and Cromford Canal, visit the beautiful grounds of Elvaston Castle or take a stroll around Shipley Country Park. There’s plenty to see and do.”

The DCC visitor centres at High Peak Junction and Middleton Top are now open seven days a week for the summer season offering information, maps, refreshments and gifts.

Bikes can be hired at Middleton Top and an audio tour, available for a small charge at High Peak Junction, narrates the history of the Cromford Canal and the railway workshops.

Find out more about about the countryside events.

View the DCC Easter opening times.