Last updated on April 13th, 2024 at 05:36 pm
Are you looking for a review of the Heights of Abraham in Derbyshire?
We visited Heights of Abraham in April 2024 and had a great day out. The guide below will tell you all you need to know about the history of the Heights, what to expect when you visit and what there is to do there. If you’re wondering what else there is to do nearby, check out my guide on things to do in Derbyshire for families.
Why are they called the Heights of Abraham? The name is courtesy of a battle fought in 1759 in Quebec, Canada. The battle took place on the Plains of Abraham. Following the battle, the British took power for a brief period. The land (the Plains of Abraham) looked very similar to the land in Derbyshire that the Heights of Abrahams sits on today.
The Heights of Abraham was opened in 1787 and was a popular tourist spot for the Georgian visitors of that time. It was known as a ‘pleasure garden’ with the caverns later becoming ‘show caves’ for tourists to visit and enjoy.
Where is the Heights of Abraham?
The Heights of Abraham are located in the Peak District. Specifically, you’ll find the Height of Abraham (also referred to by some as Abraham Heights Derby) in the small town of Matlock Bath, Derbyshire. If you’re looking for things to do in Matlock and Matlock Bath, this should probably be number one on your list.
How to Get There and Heights of Abraham Parking
The best way to reach the Heights of Abraham is by train or car. The Heights of Abraham are next to Matlock Bath train station (with regular trains to Derby and Matlock). There are also buses to and from nearby towns such as Ashbourne, Matlock, Bakewell and Buxton.
If you’re driving, the best place to park for the Heights of Abraham is Matlock Bath train station car park. The car park is operated by Derbyshire Dales District Council and is only £6 for the entire day. The car park is large, but it’s still best to arrive early in peak season to secure your parking space.
Heights of Abraham Opening Times
The Heights of Abraham are open every day from 10am until 4.30pm (with slightly later closing times in the summer) from February to November. The park will close on 3rd November 2024, opening for “The Lights of Abraham” winter trail from 22nd November.
Heights of Abraham Ticket Prices and Where to Buy
The best place to purchase your tickets for the Heights of Abraham is online, prior to your visit. This will save you money and also means you don’t need to queue on your arrival.
Purchase your tickets HERE.
If you’re not sure of your plans and decide to purchase your tickets on the day, this is straight-forward enough. From the station car park, the Heights of Abraham are well signposted. Head up the path to the ticket kiosk. You may be better off purchasing your tickets on site if you are eligible for a discount (see below).
Currently, Heights of Abraham ticket prices are as follows:
Adult (16+) £25 online/ £28.50 on the gate
Child (5-15 yrs) £17.50 online/ £21 on the gate
Family ticket (2 adults, 2 children) £77 online/ £80 on the gate
Additional child (with family ticket) £10 online and on the gate
Child under 5 Free
Annual Passes are also available.
Heights of Abraham Discount: There are quite a few things which might make you eligible for a Heights of Abraham discount on your tickets. You will receive 20% off your ticket price on the gate for the following:
- If you have travelled by bus or train to Matlock Bath (show your tickets at the kiosk)
- If you work in the Education sector (book online and be ready to show your staff or Union ID when you arrive
- If you are an NHS worker (book online)
- If you have a Blue Light Card (book online)
- If you are a CAMHC (Caravan and Motorhome Club) member
- If you are in the military and have a MOD90 or DDS discount card
If you are a Blue Peter badge holder, you can claim free entry (one free child per paying adult).
If you are a carer, you can gain free entry with the person you are caring for. Letter or ID card needed.
Things to do at the Heights of Abraham
Your ticket includes a return ride on the cable car, and access to all of the attractions at the top of the hill, which include:
- Guided tours of two caverns
- The museum/ exhibition centre
- Woodland Trail
- Play areas
The Cable Car
The Abraham Heights Cable Car was opened in 1984 and is the first Alpine style cable car in England and the only cable car in the Peak District. The cars were updated to the ones you’ll experience today, in 2004 – they offered better visibility and were easier to step on to. There are 12 cars – you’re likely to have to wait in the queue for a little while to get on.
It’s a short journey up to the Heights: you’ll travel one third of a mile from base camp to the top. You’ll be given instructions on how to get into the car when you near the end of the queue. You’ll have to step on to the cars while they’re moving, so make sure you pick up small children if you think it’ll be quicker. However, they will stop the cars completely to let people with pushchairs or wheelchairs on.
Once in the cable car, you’ll be treated to views of the Derwent Valley and the town of Matlock Bath below.
The Caverns
I’d say, aside from the cable car, the two caves are the highlight of the Heights of Abraham.
Great Masson Cavern
The larger cavern, the Masson Cavern, is close to where the cable car will deposit you. Tours go every 15 to 20 minutes and last for 35 minutes. The guide will share information with you about the caves, how and when they were discovered, and some history of that time.
Our tour guide was fantastic and made the tour a lot of fun – with lots of jokes and fun facts. Kids will love the light show in one section of the cave – with a story about the formation of the caves to go with it.
Rutland Cavern
Rutland Cavern is a 5 to 10 minute walk downhill. You’ll find the path down to it next to the restaurant. Tours go every half an hour (at 15 and 45 minutes past the hour) and last around 25 to 30 minutes. Again, our guide (dressed in Victorian clothing) was fantastic and made it really fun for all the kids on the tour.
We learnt that, once the caves could no longer be used to mine lead, the miners became creative about how they made a living and conducted tours down to the caves – this included arranging concerts and even facilitating marriage proposals (complete with a piano, to serenade, brought down in parts).
Be aware that the caverns ceilings are fairly low in certain sections and you’ll need to bend down (quite a bit, if you’re tall like me). The Masson Cavern also has quite a lot of steps (159 of them to be precise) and some steeply sloping, wet paths. You’ll need to be comfortable with this, and make sure you wear suitable footwear.
Museum/ Exhibition Centre
The exhibition centre offers an opportunity watch a video about the history of the Heights of Abraham and the caves – this is great for people who can’t or don’t want to venture into the caves.
Downstairs, there’s a small museum showing and discussing the Heights through the eras. It’s best for adults and I wouldn’t linger here if I was visiting with younger children personally. The High Falls Rock Shop (upstairs, next to the video room) is lovely – lots of nice crystals – including the Blue John stone, which is only found in Derbyshire.
When we visited, there was another really interesting exhibition on in the Masson Pavilion (next to the Masson Cave) called ‘A Mirror on the Past’. It shows how differently the Heights of Abraham’s guests would have been dressed, from it’s opening in the 1700’s through to the 1900’s. You’ll get to see some beautiful outfits – although they might seem somewhat inappropriate for walking around the Heights and exploring the caves!
Woodland Trail and Play Areas
On the day we visited (a rainy early April day), the weather wasn’t good enough to make the most of the woodland trail and the play areas.
There are two adventure play areas for families visiting with younger kids. You’ll find The Explorer’s Challenge at the summit (near the Masson Cavern and Restaurant, and The Woodland Adventure is just off the pathway which heads down to the Rutland Cavern. There are also some giant slides which are good fun.
The woodland trail will take you to some amazing viewpoints – and look out for the willow sculptures along the way. You might also come across the Woodland Corner and some picnic spots too.
If you head to the very top of the hill, you’ll find Tinker’s Shaft. This is where miners used to enter the Masson Cavern. On your exit from the Masson Cavern tour, look up and you’ll see it.
You can also climb the spiral staircase of the Victoria Prospect Tower. It offers panoramic views of the amazing Derbyshire countryside.
Where to Eat at the Heights of Abraham
There are two places to eat at the Heights of Abraham: The Vista Restaurant and the Terrace Cafe. The Vista Restaurant is on the top floor and this is where you’ll find hot food.
The Terrace Cafe is beneath it and you’ll be able to get sandwiches, pastries and cakes here. Dogs are welcome at the Terrace Cafe only. There is a small shop next to the cafe, and toilets on this floor.
FAQ
Here are the answers to some questions you might have about visiting the Heights of Abraham.
Can you take Dogs to the Heights of Abraham?
Dogs are allowed at the Heights of Abraham! They can go in the cable car with you and walk around the grounds, and can also visit the exhibitions and shop. They can’t go into the caverns (we took turns).
How long does it take to do the Heights of Abraham?
We spent half a day there, but this was mainly because the weather wasn’t great. If it’s a sunny day, you could easily spend the whole day at the Heights of Abraham.
Can you walk up Heights of Abraham?
You can walk up to the Heights of Abraham instead of getting the cable car. It will take a while and can be quite tiring, however, as it’s uphill. We walked down to the town rather than getting the cable car back as it’s quite an uphill walk to get back to the summit from Rutland Cave, which we did last.
How tall is Heights of Abraham?
At the summit, you’ll be 100 feet above sea level.
What do you wear to the Heights of Abraham?
Make sure you wear walking shoes or good trainers – you’ll need these if you do the cave tours in particular as it can be slippery, with uneven surfaces inside.
Are there toilets at Heights of Abraham?
Yes, toilets are next to the Terrace Cafe, in the shop area.
The Verdict: Is a Visit to the Heights of Abraham Worth it?
Heights of Abraham makes for a fantastic family day out – particularly if the weather is good! Even if it’s not (as was the case for us), there are plenty of indoor activities – including the two caves, the exhibition centre, shop, cafe and restaurant – and of course, the cable car. There’s lots to do here and you can easily stay all day. If you’re eligible for one of the discounts above, then that makes it a reasonably priced day out. If you stay for a just a couple of hours, it’s potentially pretty pricey.
Our tips would be to wear good walking shoes – even at the summit, it’s hilly in parts, and there are uneven surfaces in the caves. The walk down from Masson Cavern, after the tour, was quite steep and muddy, and the walk up from the Rutland cavern is also steep and a little hard-going.
We’d advise visiting the Rutland Cavern last and continuing to walk down the path, if you want to avoid going back uphill. There’s a gate at the bottom and a downhill walk towards the town of Matlock Bath. Perfect if you want to stop and grab some fish and chips (you won’t be at a loss for them in Matlock Bath – the town is full of great fish and chip shops, and several other fun attractions too – such as the Matlock Aquarium and Gullivers Kingdom.
If you are keen to visit another amazing cave in Derbyshire, make sure you add Treak Cliff Cavern to your list!
