Nestled in the heart of the Peak District, Haddon Hall is a time capsule of cascading gardens and medieval courtyards, creating an atmosphere unlike anywhere else. During Mercatum, the Hall takes on a whole new kind of magic. This celebrated artisan Christmas market transforms the estate into a festive haven filled with creativity, craftsmanship, and seasonal charm.

We were delighted to be invited to the press photo-call day at Chatsworth House to enjoy a privileged behind-the-scenes preview of this year’s Christmas transformation.

The theme for this year is The Enchanted Garden, with decorations drawing on nature, foliage, subtle light, shadows, woodland magic and the idea of the garden coming alive with festive wonder. Inside the house, more than 20 rooms have been transformed with towering trees, mistletoe clusters, copper toadstools and glimmers of the forest displayed alongside the grandeur of the stately home.

As the last of the golden leaves fall, November in Derbyshire feels like a deep breath before the whirlwind of Christmas truly begins. It’s that magical in-between month - the one where we swap pumpkins for fairy lights, fireworks for festive markets, and long walks for cosy nights by the fire.

Discover family-friendly activities in Derbyshire this October half term, from the Little School of Sorcery at Haddon Hall to pumpkin picking, autumn walks and Halloween trails.

This week, we were invited as VIP guests to celebrate a very special milestone at The Spa at Breedon Priory - four wonderful years of relaxation, rejuvenation, and pure Derbyshire luxury.

Fine dining in rural Derbyshire. Discover The Lighthouse in Boylestone - an intimate restaurant known for its seasonal menus and quiet culinary mastery.

Join Peak Forager and Cherry Pickle Catering for a Forage & Feast adventure in Darley Abbey, celebrating wild food, community and Derbyshire’s countryside flavours.

October’s magic is unrivalled. The mornings are crisper, the leaves are forming a golden carpet, and there’s the scent of chimney smoke in the air as evening falls. The jumpers are being pulled out of hibernation, and our wellies are once again taking pride of place by the door, ready for those long autumn walks.

Autumn is the season of the witch, and there’s no finer place to embrace it than Haddon Hall. Nestled in the folds of the Derbyshire landscape, this medieval house is enchanting at any time of year, but never more so than in the mellow light of autumn. It provides the perfect setting for their latest exhibition: MAGIC – Charms, Rituals and Superstition in Elizabethan England.

Step inside the world of Fabulous Places owner Deb Kendall, and you’re instantly transported to a place where beauty lives in the details and everyday moments feel just a little bit more magical. For over a decade, this lovingly crafted business has become synonymous with beautifully curated markets, championing independents, and the very best seasonal inspiration, all with Deb at its heart: one quietly determined woman with a deep love for the small things done beautifully.

If you’d have told me a few years ago that I’d be willing to strip off and and swim in the local river, I probably would have laughed at you. But on a rainy August morning a couple of years ago, on a mission to step out of my comfort zone, I tentatively dipped my toe into the world of wild swimming.

This year marks an extraordinary milestone for the Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust (QEST) as it celebrates 35 years of championing excellence in British craftsmanship. We were privileged to join QEST’s anniversary celebrations at the historic Haddon Hall yesterday, where Lord and Lady Edward Manners graciously hosted an enchanting evening honouring artistry, heritage, and skill.

Introducing: The Autumn Issue of Your Derbyshire magazine - available to purchase online now or at our curated collection of retailers.

We can hardly believe it’s September already. The beginning of the ‘ber months. After a long, hot summer, September eases us into a quiet hibernation. Gentle light and early morning mists, hedgerows littered with berries and leaves slowly turning - this month is summer’s exhale.

As I write this from my desk, with all windows thrown open and 2 battery-operated fans by my side, I think it’s safe to say that Summer is certainly here. We’ve been blessed with great weather, and although I’m not a huge fan of a heatwave, it’s always so great to see the county come alive - the scent of barbecue in the air, the laughter of children on the park, the jingle of the ice cream van. Hedgerows are humming with bees, and village greens prepare for fêtes, cricket matches and picnics with strawberries aplenty.

Introducing: the very first issue of Your Derbyshire magazine.

We are delighted to embark on this journey with you, celebrating the beauty, history, and community spirit that make our county so special. As we step into this new chapter, our goal is simple: to capture the heart and soul of Derbyshire. From those picturesque rolling dales to the bustling market towns, we want to bring you closer to the people and places that make this county truly unique. Whether you’ve lived here all your life or are discovering Derbyshire for the first time, we hope you’ll find inspiration, warmth, and a sense of belonging within the pages of the magazine.

May has arrived, and with it, the soft green blush of spring transforms into full bloom. The countryside is alive with the chatter of birds and the scent of wild garlic, and there’s a special energy in the air – one that calls us outdoors and reminds us how lucky we are to call this place home.

There’s a lovely unpredictability to April. One moment the clouds gather like a threat; the next, sunlight pours through and the world feels suddenly golden. It’s a month of in-betweens - it still feels like winter in the mornings, but we’ve been blessed with some great bouts of sunshine —a rarity for so early in the season.

March always feels like Derbyshire’s slowly waking up. The mornings are still slow to rouse, the air still holding onto winter’s chill, but there’s a quiet stirring now—of bulbs nudging through soil, of birds testing out their spring songs, and of us, perhaps, daring to believe in lighter days ahead. Of course, at the end of this month, we’ll see the clocks spring forward - a slight injustice that we’ll lose an hour of precious sleep, on Mother’s Day of all days - but that extra hour of daylight more than makes up for it.

As winter slowly makes way for Spring, the Derbyshire countryside offers a serene escape into nature's early blooms: the snowdrop. Last weekend, I took a trip to Hopton Hall's renowned Snowdrop Walk. Followed by a hearty Sunday roast at The Old Gate Inn in Brassington, it makes for a quintessentially British day out.