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What to see & do

If you've never visited before, you may find this itinerary very useful. It takes in all our must-see attractions. We recommend you allow around four hours or more for your visit.

  1. Board the cable car at the base station.
    Each cable car can take up to 6 guests, and the journey lasts around 7 minutes. You must take the cable car first as it transports you to the hilltop park, where the rest of the attractions are located.
  2. Arrive at the summit and exit the cable cars.
    Our stewards will help you off the cable cars and direct you to our welcome host, who will give you any information you need for your day ahead.
  3. Head underground on a cavern tour.
    Most visitors choose to do a tour of the Masson or Rutland Cavern first. These tours depart every 30 minutes or so and are included in the ticket price. Each tour is approximately 30 minutes. You do not need to book these tours, just join one whenever it suits you.
  4. Take lunch at the Vista Restaurant or Terrace Café.
    Once you've worked up an appetite exploring the estate, you may wish to head to the main visitor centre for a bite to eat. The Vista Restaurant is located upstairs and serves a sit-down style meal, whereas the Terrace Café is counter service.
  5. Learn more through three exhibitions.
    Head to the Long View to learn about the 230-year history of the Heights, in the Film Theatre you'll find the incredible story of how the cable cars were built, and in the new exhibition, A Mirror on the Past, you can see how visitors to the Heights dressed for their day out.
  6. Playtime!
    There's also two large adventure playgrounds for the kids in your group to let off steam, but don't worry there's plenty of benches for the grown-ups to sit down and enjoy a warm drink with a beautiful view.
  7. Hike the Heritage Trails.
    Take a stroll around the 60-acre estate and listen to the self-guided audio tour, which you can access from your smartphone. The tour explains the heritage of the local area and what you can see from various viewpoints.
  8. Climb the Victoria Prospect Tower.
    Possibly the best viewpoint at the Heights, climb the spiral staircase of the Victoria Prospect Tower, built in 1844, for a 360 degree view, 1000ft above sea level.
  9. Enjoy the facilities, shops and grounds.
    With 60-acres to explore, there's plenty more to see and do at the Heights. Browse our shops, filled with gifts from local businesses including the rare Derbyshire Blue John. Take a tipple at the Tavern, or explore the heritage gardens.
  10. The day is yours!
    Once you've arrived at the top, you can stay all day. Most visitors spend 3-5 hours at the summit. This list is just a guide to show you what to expect from your day with us. You're free to explore at your own leisure. Once you're ready to return, simply head back to the cable car station for your journey back down.