When planning days out or mini staycations, it is easy to go for popular tourist hotspots such as the Cotswolds.
However our great county of Derbyshire is filled with great spaces that are just begging to be explored - many of which offer an even more enjoyable day out.
Plus there is none of that pesky travel that would usually see you make the three hour trek from Derby to the southern part of the country.
Derbyshire quietly boasts quiet market towns and sleepy villages that are incredible to visit this winter and beyond. We can imagine leisurely strolls over the cobblestone streets of Ashbourne, either this December, or during early 2026 as you start a fresh year with fresh possibilities.
Perhaps you could be charmed by the tiny town of Alfreton and spend an afternoon exploring the town’s folklore links to the Great King Alfred?
Here’s our gallery of top Derbyshire places to visit this winter.
9. Ilkeston
Ilkeston is bubbling with history and culture with nearby lakes, canals and trails to explore, making a trip to the town centre a great afternoon out. | Jason Chadwick
10. Swadlincote
Swadlincote is so much more than a historic mining town. From the entertaining and highly informative Sharpe's Pottery Museum to Swadlincote Woodlands & Park Area which brings The National Forest right to the edge of Swadlincote town centre, this is one of the most underrated towns in Derbyshire. | Google