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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Liv Clarke & Miriam Burrell

The UK village known as ‘Little Switzerland’ that has cable cars and incredible views

Brits wanting a slice of the Swiss mountains might not have to travel too far.

The Peak District village of Matlock Bath has a hilltop park that can be reached by cable car, providing stunning views of the British countryside from 554ft high at the summit of Masson Hill.

Visitors could be fooled for a second that they’re in an alpine resort when taking in the incredible views of Heights of Abraham park in the quaint village, nicknamed ‘Little Switzerland’, Manchester Evening News reports.

Matlock Bath might only have a population of around 700 residents, but it was developed as one of the country’s first tourist destinations.

The estate opened to the public in 1787 and visitors can still walk along the original paths through the park, taking in the lush surroundings of 60 acres of land.

There is entertainment for the whole family (Graham Dunn)

Hidden among the trees at the park is a quaint thatched cottage, built in 1801 initially as a resting place for tourists walking up the hill.

The walls of the building are made out of tufa rock, formed from the calcified organic material including twigs, leaves and snail shells.

At one of the highest points of the park is Tinker’s Mine Shaft, which reflects the estate’s industrial past and also makes for an excellent view point.

After exercising visitors can enjoy food and drinks at the Vista Restaurant which looks out across Derwent Valley.

For history buffs, there are daily guided tours on offer through the estates’ two underground caverns, where you can learn about their 350 million year history.

There’s entertainment for everyone in the family - children can follow a butterfly trail or play on an adventure playground, while older visitors can check out exhibitions held in the Masson Pavilion.

Trinket lovers can buy jewellery made from Blue John stone, which is a mineral unique to the area and mined at the village of Castleton.

Tickets cost £23 for adults when booked online, children aged 5-15 cost £15 online while a family ticket for two adults and two children costs £69 online. Tickets can be purchased at the gate but can be more expensive.

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