Heights of Abraham

About

Take a sky ride to Derbyshire’s award-winning visitor attraction

Towering above the pretty village of Matlock Bath, in the Derwent Valley, is The Heights of Abraham, one of Britain’s top visitor attractions. The estate has been welcoming tourists for over two centuries, but it wasn’t until 1984 when an ambitious plan to install a cable car transport system was realized, that visitors could literally take off to The Heights.

Prior to the introduction of the cable cars, guests had to walk up the winding hillside paths from river level at Matlock Bath to the summit. In Victorian times, when the village was a fashionable spa, ponies and donkeys were used to carry wealthy visitors, who were curious to discover the underground world in the famous show caverns, which form part of the estate.

Today, whilst the views and caverns are just as inspiring, it’s the award-winning 60-acre estate and the facilities at the summit that makes a trip to the Heights a “must-see” for anyone touring Derbyshire. Awarded “Gold” for its visitor experience and customer care by Visit England earlier this year, the Heights offers a wonderful vantage point, inspirational scenery, underground tours through illuminated show caverns, galleries, exhibitions and, high above the valley in the Visitor Centre, a unique dining experience at the Vista Restaurant and Bar. 

A short distance away and nestled into the hillside is the Woodland Adventure play area. Further along the zig-zag path is the Victoria Prospect Tower and by following paths down the hill through the forest garden, is the entrance to the Great Rutland Cavern. Picnic spots are dotted around the grounds providing more scope to explore the estate or simply to relax in natural surroundings.

Dogs are welcome and travel free on the cable cars. Whilst they are not allowed in the caverns, they do have their very own activities on two Waggy Tail Trails lasting from 25 minutes to over an hour. Dogs are also welcome on the café’s outside terraces, and water bowls can be found throughout the site. 

This year the Heights is celebrating the cable car's 35th year with a series of live events, heritage dedications and mini-festivals. Events have so far included a Woodland fairytale weekend and a walking festival in May. July sees the return of one of the UK’s top Punch Professors with his ornate puppet booth for the summer school holidays. There are also regular creative craft sessions for young children in the Art Tent and storytelling in the Masson Pavilion.

Admission to all the attractions is free once you have purchased your cable car tickets from the riverside Cable Car station. The ticket office is located a short walk from Matlock Bath railway station, car and coach park at the northern end of the village.

Cable car tickets can also be purchased online in advance of your visit, or on the day at the ticket office. For savings, buy your tickets on line following the web link above.