National Stone Centre, Middleton by Wirksworth, Derbyshire, Peak District

The National Stone Centre occupies an area of disused quarries overlooking Wirksworth and crossed by the High Peak Trail - the former Cromford and High Peak Railway. The centre offers the 'Story of Stone' exhibition - a display focused on the geology of the area and how rocks are created. It also has a range of daily activities on offer - such as fossil rubbing and gem panning. Courses are available on topics such as dry stone walling and rock sculpting.

The main feature of the centre is its permanent display of rocks and minerals and the story of their formation, which is housed in the 'Discovery Centre' at the site. Outside there is a trail around the quarries of the site, which includes one of the best fossil reefs in the country plus an old lime kiln and the shafts of several former lead mines.

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Ordnance Survey Grid Reference: SK285553 Click here for Google Maps See location on Streetmap.co.uk How to get there By Road: the B5035 from Cromford to Carsington and Ashbourne goes past the door. Cromford, lies on the A6 Derby-Matlock road. Car parking is available at the centre. By Bus: the R61 and 213 buses from Matlock to Derby and Wirksworth respectively stop at the centre. By Train: Cromford station (on the Matlock - Derby line) lies apprximately 3km distant. When is it open? The centre is open all year, seven days per week. Summer hours are 10.00am to 5.00pm and winter hours are 10.00am to 4.00pm. What does it cost? Discovery Centre Entry Costs - £5.00 Adult/ £2.00 Children/ £3.50 Concessions/ £15.00 Family (includes 2 Children's Activity Packs, which cost £3 each normally). The Discovert Centre is closed until March 2017 for renovation. Phone 01629 824833 for group bookings Access to the grounds is free. Prices and opening times are shown as a guideline only and may vary. See this link for more information on prices and opening Website: http://www.nationalstonecentre.org.uk

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National Stone Centre, Middleton by Wirksworth, Derbyshire, Peak District

The Peak District covers much of Derbyshire and parts of Staffordshire, Cheshire and Yorkshire. There are numerous interesting towns such as Ashbourne, Bakewell, Buxton, Leek, Matlock and Wirksworth, plus many enchanting villages

National Stone Centre, Middleton by Wirksworth