Nottinghamshire &amp; Derbyshire


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cool-off-on-a-shady-walk">Cool off on a shady walk</h2>



<p>It’s getting hot in here…but rather than take off all your clothes and stand in front of the fan (think of the neighbours) go in search of cool caves, shady strolls, and wild swims.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/06/PAdley-Gorge-NT-by-David-Goacher.jpg" alt="Padley Gorge in Derbyshire" class="wp-image-4781" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/06/PAdley-Gorge-NT-by-David-Goacher.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/06/PAdley-Gorge-NT-by-David-Goacher-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/06/PAdley-Gorge-NT-by-David-Goacher-768x511.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/06/PAdley-Gorge-NT-by-David-Goacher-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/peak-district-derbyshire/longshaw-burbage-and-the-eastern-moors/padley-gorge-and-burbage-brook">Padley Gorge</a> /NT Images</figcaption></figure>



<p>Despite being land-locked, we&#8217;re blessed with plenty of waterfall walks locally and pretty Padley Gorge is a firm favourite on a hot day. The shaded gorge walk meanders through photogenic ancient woodland past tumbling waterfalls and gently flowing streams. Start and finish at Grindleford station, and you&#8217;ll enjoy a stroll through shady woodland (plus Muddy Award-winning <a href="https://the-maynard.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Maynard</a> and its fabulous big beer garden is moments away for a post-walk drink).</p>



<p><a href="https://www.chatsworth.org/visit-chatsworth/chatsworth-estate/park/stand-wood/?gclid=CjwKCAjwpMTCBhA-EiwA_-MsmcaYpCRsbRojdVwi5mTGil-f3WJX4bvZ3K_oS9ii-mTPkHrBAU2pRhoC0OEQAvD_BwE&amp;gbraid=0AAAAADuVrg0QZC6sHF67IrhQT1TDyO-zB" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Stand Wood</a> is another Peak District gem on a sweltering day. This magical, medieval woodland on the Chatsworth Estate is home to Chatsworth Hunting Tower, a waterfall and the Chatsworth Aqueduct. Brilliant for kids to explore or follow one of the waymarked walks.</p>



<p>In Nottinghamshire, <a href="https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/visiting-woods/woods/gedling-house-wood/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Gedling House Wood</a> is lovely and shaded if you&#8217;re yearning for a woodland walk not far from the city. The entrance at the top of Yew Tree Lane takes you straight into the woods. <a href="https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/visiting-woods/woods/colwick-woods/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Colwick Woods </a>is another lovely shady spot for a stroll just a mile from the city centre.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-go-underground">Go underground</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2025/06/Pooles-cavern-visit-pd-and-derbyshire-1024x683.jpg" alt="pooles cavern" class="wp-image-13612" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2025/06/Pooles-cavern-visit-pd-and-derbyshire-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2025/06/Pooles-cavern-visit-pd-and-derbyshire-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2025/06/Pooles-cavern-visit-pd-and-derbyshire-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2025/06/Pooles-cavern-visit-pd-and-derbyshire.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Poole&#8217;s Cavern / Visit Peak District &amp; Derbyshire</figcaption></figure>



<p>There are a few places to cool off underground in the Peak District and all of them are family-friendly and genuinely fun. Paradoxically, for one of the best, you have to first head high on the cable car up to <a href="https://nottsderbyshire.muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/day-trips/review-heights-of-abraham-matlock-bath-derbyshire/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Heights of Abraham</a>. Once there, head underground to hear the stories of the mines and experience the cool and very entertaining light shows in the <a href="https://www.heightsofabraham.com/see-and-do/show-caverns/famous-show-caverns" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Masson Cavern</a> and the <a href="https://www.heightsofabraham.com/see-and-do/show-caverns/famous-show-caverns" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Rutland Cavern</a>.</p>



<p>Over in Buxton, you can visit the vast limestone caves at <a href="https://poolescavern.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Poole’s Cavern</a> (pictured) and see how crystal stalactites have lined the chambers over millions of years. Tours are with a guide and are packed with legend and history.</p>



<p>Head to Castleton and you’ll find four show caverns to explore that are among the finest in the UK.  <a href="https://peakcavern.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Peak Cavern</a> is the only naturally-formed one, deep in the cliffs and it a spectacular entrance (the largest cave entrance in the UK actually). It’s dark, mysterious and exciting, full of weird and wonderful rock formations and the guided tour is choc full of fascinating facts. It’s also known as – cue the giggles and sniggers from the kids – The Devil’s Arse because of the fart-like noises from inside the cave when flood water drains away. Take a coat – it’s a chilly 9c inside.</p>



<p><a href="https://speedwellcavern.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Speedwell Cavern</a>, at the foot of the spectacular Winnats Pass, involves a boat on an underground canal that explores this historic lead mine (not one for claustrophobes). <a href="https://bluejohnstone.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Treak Cliff Cavern</a> is higher up the old Mam Tor road and is the place to catch stalactite and stalagmite formations. Originally a lead mine, it now mines the rare and beautiful Blue John stone. Just beyond, <a href="https://www.bluejohn-cavern.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Blue John Cavern</a> is a series of caverns where you can clearly see limestone strata and even the fossilized remains of marine animals and is also home to Blue John stone that you can see veins of in the walls.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cool-cathedrals">Cool cathedrals</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2022/10/Southwell-Minster.jpg" alt="Southwell Minster Southwell Nottinghamshire best places to live" class="wp-image-6251" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2022/10/Southwell-Minster.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2022/10/Southwell-Minster-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2022/10/Southwell-Minster-768x511.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2022/10/Southwell-Minster-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>You can&#8217;t beat the coolness of a cathedral when it&#8217;s sweltering outside. And <a href="https://www.southwellminster.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Southwell Minister</a> is one of the best to get to know locally. Known for its intricate stone carvings of plants, animals and green men (known as the <em>Leaves of Southwell</em>), the artistry and architecture is stunning. Time it right and you can catch a lunchtime recital too.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-take-the-plunge">Take the plunge</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/12/colwick-lake-swim.jpg" alt="wild swim colwick lake" class="wp-image-11626" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/12/colwick-lake-swim.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/12/colwick-lake-swim-300x300.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/12/colwick-lake-swim-150x150.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/12/colwick-lake-swim-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/12/colwick-lake-swim-500x500.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Image <a href="https://www.instagram.com/wholehealthteam/?hl=en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">@wholehealthteam</a></figcaption></figure>



<p>How about a quick wild swim (or paddle) to cool off? Colwick Lake is a lovely spot to dip your toe in the water. <a href="https://whollyhealthy.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">WholeHealth</a> runs safe, supported and inclusive open water swim sessions here. You may not fancy it in this hot spell, but there are three Nordic-style woodfired saunas to warm up in afterwards when the weather flips back. </p>



<p>Over in Long Eaton, head for<a href="https://springlakes.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> Spring Lakes</a> and its spring-fed open water swimming lakes. With a lifeguard on hand for peace of mind, it costs a fiver for membership, then £7 per swim.</p>



<p><strong>IN THE MOOD FOR MORE?</strong></p>



<p><a href="https://nottsderbyshire.muddystilettos.co.uk/eat-out/pubs-inns/best-beer-gardens-champagne-terraces-garden-rooms-notts-derbyshire/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Beautiful beer gardens for summer sundowners</a></p>



<p><a href="https://nottsderbyshire.muddystilettos.co.uk/eat-out/cafes/best-summer-afternoon-teas-notts-derbyshire/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">12 summer afternoon teas in Notts &amp; Derbyshire</a></p>



<p><a href="https://nottsderbyshire.muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/whats-on/whats-on-july-notts-derbyshire/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">July ahoy! Summer fun in Notts &amp; Derbyshire</a></p>


Escape the heat! Where to keep your cool in Notts & Derbyshire

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