Poplars Farm

While making a visit to Carsington Water drop by the Wildlife Discovery Room (10 minutes’ drive) for the birdwatching hides or drive the same distance to Kedleston Hall and amble across the 800 acres of parkland surrounding the manor. For more top trekking, the walk up to the limestone hill of Thorpe Cloud starts off from around a 20-minute drive while the Dovedale area and its scenic stepping stones are half an hour by car. Ready to ride instead? The Tissington Trail (with bike hire) is 15 minutes’ drive, as are the heritage trains leaving from the Ecclesborne Valley Railway (Wirksworth Railway Station). You could also get in a bit more history at Belper 15 minutes’ drive away and home of the Derwent Valley Mills preservation site or seek spa town times at Matlock (20 minutes) and Buxton (40 minutes).