Pennytown Ponds

Two modest ponds surrounded by woodland on the edge of Alfreton - that's Pennytown Ponds in a nutshell. Nothing grand or Instagram-worthy, but genuinely pleasant if you're staying at Riddings Wood or Golden Valley nearby and fancy a walk without driving anywhere.

The ponds themselves are the draw. You get a proper little circuit around them, maybe twenty minutes if you're not dawdling, longer if you stop to watch the waterfowl. It's the kind of place where you might spot ducks, coots and the occasional heron if you're lucky. The surrounding woodland keeps things green and relatively peaceful, which counts for something in this part of Derbyshire.

Really it's a local spot rather than a destination in its own right. Go if you're based at one of the nearby holiday parks and the weather's decent. Children will amuse themselves for a bit - there's water, trees, paths - but it won't occupy them all afternoon. Dog walkers get more from it than most. It's free and you can show up whenever suits, no gates or opening hours to worry about.

Pair it with the campsite at The Firs if you're planning a longer Derbyshire break, though Pennytown works best as a quick morning stroll or evening potter rather than the main event. The Amber Valley area has enough going on that you won't run short of things to do, but sometimes a straightforward woodland walk is all you need.