David Mellor

The cutlery works and design studio bearing David Mellor's name sits in the heart of the Hope Valley - a proper working factory where you can actually watch craftspeople making high-end knives, forks and spoons. It's not a museum pretending to be something it isn't; it's a functioning production space where Mellor's design philosophy still drives every piece made.

You'll see the machines, the metalwork, the finishing - there's something deeply satisfying about watching skilled hands shape metal into something you'd actually use at dinner. The showroom stocks both current production pieces and vintage designs, and prices reflect the quality. This isn't a quick tourist tick-box.

Historians and design enthusiasts will find it worthwhile; families with young kids might struggle unless they're genuinely interested in how things are made. Allow a couple of hours minimum. The setting itself is rather beautiful - you're surrounded by the Derbyshire hills, so it rewards combining with a walk. From nearby campgrounds like North Lees just 1.4 miles away, or Derbyshire Hills at 3.8 miles, you could easily spend a morning here then tackle some proper Peak District trails in the afternoon.

Best to ring ahead - opening hours and what's accessible on any given day can vary depending on production schedules. Worth the detour if you care about craft and British design; less compelling if you're just after a casual attraction.