The Staffordshire and Derbyshire Peak District offers a wide range of places of interest. Local reclaimed rail tracks provide cycle trails for the energetic as well as walks through spectacular scenery along the Dove and the Manifold valleys.

The area is rich in stately homes and gardens notably Chatsworth, Haddon Hall, Kedleston, Shugborough and Biddulph and the close proximity to the Potteries provides the opportunity to visit the home of Wedgwood, Spode, Royal Doulton and the Gladstone Museum.

The family attractions of Alton Towers and the Heights of Abraham at Matlock Bath are within easy reach.

Dovedale
The most famous of the Derbyshire Dales, and possibly the most beautiful is mostly owned by the National Trust and situated in the Peak National Park. The haunt of the 16th century anglers and writers Charles Cotton and Isaac Walton, it is a very popular spot with fly fishers today. Be dwarfed by spires and crags of limestone, cross the famous stepping stones or climb Thorpe Cloud, a distinctive flat topped hill.

Ilam Village
If you visit Dovedale, don't miss Ilam, where secret grottos nest in the quiet woodland at this National Trust property, mysterious waters bubble from deep underground and the spectacular Italian Gardens wait for you to walk.

Dimmingsdale
This Forestry Commission woodland is a wonderful spot in which to walk and view the impressive Staffordshire Moorlands from outcrops. It's hardly surprising that this area is known as Little Switzerland.

Bakewell
A wealth of historic buildings includes Victoria Mill, which is open to visitors. The parish church of All Saints displays a variety of different architectural styles, from the Saxon cross of the eighth or ninth century to the Norman arches.

Buxton
This spa town dates from Roman times, when the Natural Baths were created for soldiers garrisoned there. Sample the waters at the old thermal spring then see the fascinating architecture of the Opera House, the old Victorian Letter Box or the Pavilion Gardens Concert Halls. The town's museum and art gallery is reckoned to be very interesting.

Cheddleton
The village is best known for its railway history and its mill. Cheddleton Railway Centre comprises the fine Victorian station building and locomotive display hall with steam trains at weekends and in school holidays.

Hanley (Stoke-on-Trent's City Centre)
The main town and centre of the six towns which make up Stoke-on-Trent, Hanley has excellent shops, both around the pedestrianised streets and in the Potteries Shopping Centre, regarded by many as one of the country's finest.

Leek
Queen of the Moorlands, with lots of pleasant shops and Brindley Mill - which illustrates the history of milling. The market is well worth a visit and nearby Rudyard Lake is picturesque. The Leek Westwood Golf Club welcomes visitors, with reasonable green fees.

Chatsworth
The Elizabethan House, owned by the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire, was built in 1555 by Bess of Hardwick. Richly furnished, it boasts a number of world famous exhibits. Over 100 acres of gardens provide many surprises: a maze, a cascade, fountains and tropical greenhouse. The 1,000 acres of surrounding parkland was landscaped by Capability Brown.

Garden Centres and Nurseries
Whether you are actually buying plants or accessories for your garden, or simply browsing, there are a number of nurseries and garden centres locally.

Two that are well known nationally are Bridgemere Garden Centre and Stapeley Water Gardens. Both are close to each other, within easy reach a short distance beyond Stoke on Trent, and could easily form an entire day out, as they have many other attractions besides their garden sales areas.