Darley Dale Station Picnic Area

Train spotters and families with young children will find this former railway station platform makes for a proper peaceful lunch stop. The old Darley Dale Station, now converted into a picnic area, sits along the disused railway line between Matlock and Bakewell, offering a slice of railway history without the crowds.

What you get is essentially a platform with benches and some grassy areas - nothing fancy, but it does the job. The kids can safely run about while you unpack the sandwiches, and there's something quite atmospheric about eating where Victorian travellers once waited for their trains. You might spot the occasional dog walker or cyclist using the old railway path, but it's generally quiet.

It's best suited to families looking for a quick stop rather than a full day out. Half an hour to an hour is plenty unless you're planning to explore the old railway line on foot. The location works well if you're staying at one of the nearby holiday parks like Barn Farm or Darwin Forest - both are less than three miles away and this makes a decent halfway point for longer walks.

Bring your own everything though - there are no facilities here, just the space and the peace. It's free, always open, and while it won't win any beauty contests, it's a handy spot that children seem to enjoy more than adults expect.