Best day trips from Derby, England
 

My DH is going to be on a business-trip weekend in Derby in May. What would be two recommended day trips (he's very apprehensive about driving but willing to try)? (And he has to stay in Derby because that's where nearest the facility he'll be working at). I suggested Lincoln and Shrewsbury (we're big Brother Cadfael fans, and although he and I are going to be in London in July, it doesn't look like he and I will be going to Shrewsbury, so he may get to go without me!) I've been to Warwick and loved it and suggested it, but he'd rather go someplace we don't have pictures of! What say you all?

One of the best options and easy driving would be up into the Peak District. Great scenery, not very crowded, plus places like Chatsworth, Hardwick Hall and Lyme Park are nearby.

Chatsworth's pretty impressive, and there are a number of other historic houses within easy reach. You could also spend a day exploring the countryside; the Peak Disrict is probably the best option. Have a look at this website for ideas: http://www.visitpeakdistrict.com/html/plan-your-visit/

I was hoping you'd respond, janisj; you seem to be dependably responsive! Can't let him go to Chatsworth; saving that for my trip with him in July!!!! (I'm not too excited he might go to Shrewsbury without me! Just kidding) He likes history and walking and taking hundreds of pictures; will he enjoy Lincoln and Shrewsbury? Or maybe go take a hike in the Peak District, even if he doesn't actually go to a village or estate?

Chatsworth isn't technically in the Peaks - just very near them. So you can swear him to just go for hikes/nature and stay away from Chatsworth :)

http://www.peakdistrict.org/index/visiting.htm

Lincoln Cathedral is wonderful.

Or - How about sending him off to York on the train - no car needed??

Derby might look central, but it's a complete sod to drive to or from. Getting to either Shrewsbury or Lincoln involves slightly messy route planning, an extraordinary amount of roundabout-negotiating routes around tricky towns and a great deal more time (even for those of us who drive tens of thousands of miles a year here) than you'd think it humanly possible to travel less than a hundred miles. Lichfield (where the cathedral was founded by St Chad, the patron saint of crooked elections, whose feast day in 2004 really did fall on Super Tuesday), is a lot handier

One of his days, however you dress it up, HAS to involve the Peak District. Most men find stately homes about as appealing as being dragged round clothes shops, so he'll probably be able to contain his disappointment at being asked not to go to Chatsworth. But if it matters, ask him to go to Hardwicke House instead. Personally, I'd spend both days around the Peak District and forget about ancient cities.

Derby's surprisingly well connected by train, though - assuming Derby station is actually convenient for him (in which case, my deepest sympathy, since it means he's staying in beautiful downtown Derby, though others might describe it differently). IF he really is staying in Derby, easy day trips are possible by direct train to York, Oxford, Winchester, Cheltenham or Durham. A quick way of planning this is to go to www.nationalrail.co.uk, type "derby" into the "live departures" panel on the right, then press "details" opposite each train. That shows you the destinations for direct trains from the town and the time the trip takes.

If he's staying outside (which is probably more likely) near a station like Alfreton Parkway, there's a much narrower choice of direct trains.

He can get a Derbyshire Wayfarer Day Rover Ticket that covers buses and trains. It costs £8.30 for a day. See the following for details:

http://www.derbyshire.gov.uk/transpo...er/default.asp

This site gives details of scenic bus routes in the Peak District:

http://www.derbyshire-peakdistrict.c...ctransport.htm

This coach company has coach outings from Derby during May:

http://www.hawkestours.co.uk/sb/show...02144131000040


Around Derby are two stately homes that are well worth a visit:

Kedleston Hall (109 bus from Derby)
http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main...kedlestonhall/

Calke Abbey
http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main.../w-calkeabbey/

Slightly further afield is Hardwick Hall, a spectacular tudor mansion:

http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main...-hardwickhall/

The tram museum in Crich may interest him, and being on the edge of the Peak District the scenery is good too.

One of Derbyshire's unique and unusual customs is well dressing (yes, really!) That might be a fun day out, and you will be there at the right time. See: http://www.welldressing.com/