A Trip to Derbyshire

 

Last Thursday we went away to Ripley in Derbyshire to visit a few places in the area and stayed at the local Premier Inn.  This is the first time this year we’ve been away.  David didn’t use the motorways and en route we stopped at The Bramble Patch, a favourite quilt shop. It would be rude not to make some purchases and as I didn’t have a project in mind I bought some stash builders.  I like Moda Grunge and Pure Elements and there was a fat eighth box of Janet Clare fabrics, so all quite neutral fabrics that’ll come in handy.

Our first visit was to the Ecclesbourne Valley Railway at Wirksworth.  Rain was forecast, but it was heavy rain, so not much opportunity to explore the area, just a train ride to Duffield and back again. There is a small museum which was worth visiting. 

We headed to Denby, near Ripley, famed for its pottery.  There is a retail village there where we stopped for a late lunch and some shopping. 

David didn’t want to pose for the above photo, given the weather I’m not surprised.

Saturday was a better day and we went to Ambergate and a new motor museum, focussing on British cars called the Great British Car Journey. Not only remembering the cars we grew up with, but also cars we’ve driven ourselves over the years. We spent quite a bit of time there before venturing to Bakewell later, which was very busy and touristy, but it’s a place we won’t be in a hurry to return to.  While in the park eating ice cream, a wedding party arrived to have photos taken.

Going through the park we found a community hall which had panels of embroidery in the far corner made by members of the local U3A.

Sunday saw us back at a favourite haunt in the area, the National Tramway Museum at Crich.  Sunday 1st August was Yorkshire Day and there was a Sheffield tram in operation.  As well as that

were trams from  Blackpool and Chesterfield.

There were also some MG sports cars on display from the local owners club.

There are rides up and down the line, and on one of the return journeys we stopped at Wake Bridge to go on the woodland walk.

Along the route there’s some wooden sculptures to spot along the way and some views across the dales.

Also this stone and glass sculpture, liking to look of the lichen

We treated ourselves to a lovely Sunday dinner at a pub near Duffield, which finished off our weekend away, before heading back down South on Monday.  I hope we can get another break away in the autumn.