Today, we took a trip to The Heights Of Abraham in Matlock, Derbyshire.

We’ve drove by and seen the signs and cable cars a few times now and always wanted to go (so it’s on the bucket list), today we took the plunge, booked our tickets online and we were off! Shit scared of heights but that’s ok 😳… she said!

Did you know that the cable cars travel 554ft! Dear lord, I was shaking in my boots! …. I obviously couldn’t let this show as I had the kids with me! Jeeeeeez talk about poker face! I think I pulled it off quite well 😁

It was a quick ride to the top (thankfully!) but I’m so glad I did it and I didn’t chicken out, the views were incredible and it was so worth it! There was a little twitchy bum moment I’ll admit, when the car stopped almost at the top, hanging over some trees for a minute, just to let you take in the views, take some pictures etc, the wind blew it slightly and oh god I did get the fear as I squeezed onto my nine year olds hand! But all was good the car started moving again and we whooshed to the top. Phew! Oh and plus, it’s an hour and half walk from the bottom to the top, steep hills and a rocky footpath.

At the top, we jumped out of the cable cars, there was a lovely cafe with a veranda overlooking Matlock where we stopped for cream tea, as you do. Also a little gift shop downstairs, a restaurant, fossil factory where the girls panned for gold! An ice cream parlour, two big adventure parks for the kids to run around and play and the show caves.

The Cave tours are in with the ticket price so we jumped in the queue to do a little exploring with the very funny guide who did make us giggle. The caves are safe, the tour guide explains all the standard health and safety rules etc. There are quite a few steps and it’s gets a little narrow and chilly inside as they wind their way deep underground. I wouldn’t say it gets claustrophobic, they are very spacious and pretty huge inside! They’re amazing really! The Masson Cavern is over 350 million years old and the guide was brilliant with his story. Unlike a school trip, our guide wasn’t boring at all and made a few jokes along the way, our favourite was the ‘snot rock’ that we just had to touch – in fact it was a stalagmite.

Coming out of the cavern we were at the top of the hillside where we relaxed for a while taking in the scenery at Tinkers Shaft. The views were breath taking!

We had a few minutes to spare before the hilarious Punch and Judy show was about to start, so we headed over to the Victoria Prospect Tower. Although the children were shouting up “Rapunzel Rapunzel let down your golden hair!”. Built in 1844, a local landmark, we climbed to the top (more stairs!) and enjoyed the panoramic views over the Derwent Valley.

Trying to get a nice family photo 🙄

The Punch and Judy show was brilliant. The guy behind it, Richard Coombs, was super funny, the kids were screaming and howling “that’s the way to do it!” and it was nice for me and dad to just relax for a little while and have a natter about our day so far.

The queue for the cable car back down was very long (it closes at 5pm and it was around 4:30), but it moved quickly. I stayed inline whilst daddy took the girls to the adventure park to burn off their last little bit of steam.

Another scenic trip to the bottom.

Matlock town is a beaut. We had a little stroll down the high street, full of motorbikes, daddy was in his element checking them all out. The children spent a few 2ps in the arcades and we stopped for fish and chips in one of the many chippies. Yummy!

We’ve had an epic day! I’m so happy we made the trip. Having a fear of something is the worst and I know how debilitating it can be in some situations, but to overcome it just for those brief few minutes made our day worth while. If I’d of chickened out, I wouldn’t of got to the top and I definitely wouldn’t of had such an amazing day with my family. It just goes to show … you can do it! Mind over matter!

Take the trip! You won’t be disappointed.

Happy adventures

nay nay x