The Heights of Abraham & Cromford Mills

Awake to a breakfast of champions – bacon, eggs, sausage, beans, mushrooms, tomatoes, toast, and as much tea or coffee as you like. Or keep it light with some fresh fruit and juice. Either way, you've got time to relax this morning, before checking out and heading out to explore.

It's just 10 minutes in the car to your first point of interest today. The train station car park charges a reasonable fare for a few hours, and is only a short walk from the places you'll be visiting.

First up is the Peak District Mining Museum, a fascinating tribute to and insight into the life of a Derbyshire Lead Miner – from Roman times through to the 1980s. You'll see the equipment they used to extract lead ore from the ground, and you'll also get to clamber and crawl through the tunnels if you fancy. If you stay a little longer, you can also join a guided tour of Temple Mine and pan for minerals.
To book a tour, you'll need to phone ahead.

Matlock's top attraction, The Heights of Abraham, is not to be missed. Take flight in the cable cars and glide over the verdant Derwent Valley in style, enjoying views of Matlock Bath below. The journey takes you over 554ft upwards to the summit, 100ft above sea level, to a 60-acre hilltop estate, with views of peaks and valleys in all directions. Learn tales of heritage and history, from when the estate first opened in 1787 to visits from royalty and its rich mining history. You can take another underground guided tour, this time of two illuminated show caverns, The Great Rutland Cavern and The Great Masson Cavern. After, retreat to the Vista Restaurant and Terrace Café for lunch with an unbeatable view. A table on the balcony will treat you to views stretching for miles across the valley. The menu includes burgers, pies, pasta, salads and curries.
You'll definitely need to book ahead – and make restaurant reservations separately. Lunch is served from midday until 3.30pm.

Once back on ground level, take a small detour to the Matlock Bath War Memorial to spare a thought for those who lost their lives during the first and second world wars. It's a very well sculpted monument and includes a plaque with more information.

Jump back in the car and continue your journey south to Cromford, your next destination.

History buffs will already know how significant a role Cromford played during the Industrial Revolution. It was in fact the birthplace, after Sir Richard Arkwright built the world's first water powered cotton mills here, and pioneered the factory system. The village developed around the mills as a purpose built industrial community, and today you can visit Cromford Mills – which forms part of the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site – to discover this hugely important period of not just British but global history.
Inside you'll find interactive displays and even get to meet a holographic version of Sir Richard Arkwright himself in the “Arkwright Experience”, narrated by Brian Blessed. Take a narrow boat ride along the canal or a guided tour of the area to fully grasp the groundbreaking significance of the mills.
The miss are open daily from 10am––5pm through spring and summer. There are guided tours scheduled for 3.15pm. Book your ticket here.

After visiting the mills, wander along the Cromford Canal – or take a ride in a canal boat – to take in the picturesque scenery. There's a small cafe at the far end where you can refresh with a coffee, cold drink or ice cream.

From the canal, follow the High Peak Trail for a mile and a half until you reach Black Rocks. This is a popular climbing spot but you don't need to be athletic to get to the top and marvel at the stunning views. There are easier paths, with the odd scramble and some steep edges at the top, but it's worth well the effort, especially if the sun is low in the sky casting an orangey glow onto the rocks.

Beyond Black Rocks is a B road leading back to Cromford town centre. You can take the bus here to save some time – just turn right off the trail onto the B road, called Steeple Grange, then left where you'll see the bus stop on your right. The bus will bring you back to Cromford Mills Car Park, right beside the mills.

Dinner tonight comes courtesy of another typically quaint and friendly Derbyshire pub, The Barley Mow, down the road in the village of Bonsall. Interestingly, the village is famous for its World Championship Hen Races and – amusingly – for being place where you are most likely to be abducted by aliens, according to UFO magazine. Hopefully, you will remain on Planet Earth for the duration of your meal, which can be taken inside or out on the terrace if a sunny day.
The menu changes regularly according to what's in season and available at the local butcher, Maycock’s of Holloway, but you can expect the likes of beef burgers, fish and chips, chilli con carne, and gammon steaks. The pub also brews its own ales at the 'Chickenfoot Brewery', situated in the car park.
There is also live entertainment some evenings. Book your table in advance to avoid disappointment.