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The Peak District is somewhat overshadowed by its flashier northern neighbours (the Lake District, Yorkshire Dales, etc.) which is a shame, as it has much to offer.
The cable car ride up to the Heights of Abraham is fun, and the views from the top are splendid.
Shame I can't remember much about the blue john caverns. There are better.
Check the Heights of Abraham website for opening times etc.
Hit the colour supplements in a big way back in the seventies when its last owner died, and the house and its contents were found to have been virtually untouched for the previous hundred years or so.
Since then the National Trust have put a lot of effort into removing the all items, dusting and carefully preserving them, then putting them back and covering them with artificial dust, and it is now presented as a "Vivid example of a great house in decline".
It doesn't really work, but they get dreadfully sniffy if you point this out.
Check the National Trust's website for opening times etc.
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Carsington Water is a relative newcomer to the landscape having only been completed in 1991.
Admittedly planning started back in the 60s and work commenced in 1979. However, in June 1984 the original dam collapsed, and in 1989 they had to start again, having redesigned the dam.
The reservoir and Visitor Centre were officially opened by the Queen on 22 May 1992.
The reservoir is used to store water pumped up from the River Derwent at Ambergate 10.5km (6.5 miles) away during the winter, for use during the summer.
The frightening thing is that, despite covering 300 hectares (741 acres) and being up to 31m (100 feet) deep, the 35,412 megalitres (7,800 million gallons) it holds is only enough to supply the populations of Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire for a third of a day.
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Middleton Top is the last surviving winding engine on the extraordinary Cromford and High Peak Railway. The line used a mixture of inclines operated by stationery engines and conventional locomotives, and arrangement that was very common in the early nineteenth century.
What made the Cromford and High Peak different was that it operated right through to 1963, still using the original inclines.
The engine is operated throughout the season, but using compressed air rather than steam.
Check the Middleton Top Engine and Leawood Pump Group's website for opening times etc.
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