The Great Masson Cavern

You'll emerge from the lift 1000 feet underground into cathedral-like darkness, and that's when the Masson Cavern proper hits you. This isn't a gentle stroll through lit passages - it's a proper descent into the Peak District's limestone guts, with vast chambers and formations that have been attracting visitors since the 1800s. The geology is genuinely impressive: stalactites and stalagmites in pale cream and ochre, underground streams, and enough space to make you feel small. Most visitors allow around an hour, though you can linger longer if you're interested in the mechanics of how water shapes rock over millennia.

Walkers and geology types will get far more from this than families with very young kids, though school-age children who aren't spooked by enclosed spaces usually find the spectacle worth it. The cavern sits just outside Matlock, making it an obvious add-on to a Peak District holiday - you're within easy striking distance of Packhorse Farm if you're based for a few days in the area, or any of the more distant glamping spots like Hoe Grange or Slate House Farm if you're doing a wider swing through Derbyshire.

It gets cold down there, proper chilly even in summer, so bring a jacket even if it's sweltering topside. Check ahead for current opening hours and admission charges before you make the trip - cave attractions can be seasonal, and it's worth ringing ahead from Matlock.