Country parks and visitor centres

Visitor centres are a great place to start your visit from, whether it be walking, wayfaring or bird watching.

Helpful information staff and rangers are on hand all year round at the visitor centres, and a range of literature is on offer, such as:

Our visitor centres are open throughout the year, please refer to the individual centres for details.

Elvaston Castle Country Park and information centre
Near to Derby and Nottingham, Elvaston Castle Country Park has approximately 321 acres of open parkland, woodland and more formal historical gardens.
Grassmoor Country Park
Grassmoor Country Park sits at the northern end of the Five Pits Trail. It is a lovely spot for strolling or picnicking among large open meadows all year round.
High Peak Junction Visitor Centre
Nestled in the Derwent Valley, High Peak Junction was the hub of transport activity and is now a true haven of heritage and wildlife.
Middleton Top Countryside Centre
The Middleton Top Countryside Centre is situated on the High Peak Trail, Middleton by Wirksworth.
Pleasley Pit Country Park and Local Nature Reserve (LNR)
Pleasley Pit Country Park is a reclaimed colliery site and local nature reserve. It’s a great place to see many different birds, wildflowers, butterflies, dragonflies and damselflies.
Poulter Country Park
Visitors to Poulter Country Park can enjoy walking on well surfaced limestone paths that meander through maturing plantations and wildflower meadows.
Shipley Country Park and visitor centre
Shipley Country Park is located near Derby and Nottingham and offers 700 acres of attractive and varied landscape.
Tapton Lock
Come and visit us at the only visitor centre on the Chesterfield Canal, a countryside oasis close to the centre of Chesterfield.