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Heights of Abraham

Ride a cable car to a historic hilltop estate in the Peak District, explore show caverns, panoramic views, and family-friendly attractions above Matlock Bath.

4.5

Perched on Masson Hill above Matlock Bath in the Peak District, the Heights of Abraham is a historic hilltop estate reached by a dramatic cable car ride across the Derwent Valley. Once at the summit, explore 60 acres of landscaped gardens, woodland walks, and two illuminated show caverns with guided tours that delve into the area’s rich lead-mining history. Climb the Victoria Prospect Tower for panoramic views, discover heritage exhibitions, and enjoy adventure playgrounds, a restaurant, and seasonal events like the spectacular Lights of Abraham winter trail. It’s a full-day family-friendly destination combining nature, history, and fun.

A brief summary to Heights of Abraham

  • Monday 10 am-4 pm
  • Tuesday 10 am-4 pm
  • Wednesday 10 am-4 pm
  • Thursday 10 am-4 pm
  • Friday 10 am-4 pm
  • Saturday 10 am-4:30 pm
  • Sunday 10 am-4:30 pm

Local tips

  • Buy tickets online in advance to save money and guarantee entry, especially during school holidays and weekends.
  • Wear sturdy, comfortable shoes as the site is on a hill with steps, uneven paths, and steep sections, particularly around the caverns and tower.
  • Visit early in the day to avoid the biggest crowds and to secure a good spot on the cable car and for the popular cavern tours.
  • If visiting with a baby or toddler, consider a carrier instead of a buggy, as buggies cannot be taken into the Masson Cavern tour.
  • Check the opening schedule before visiting, as the Heights are only open seasonally and have reduced hours in winter, with special evening events like Lights of Abraham on selected dates.
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Getting There

  • Car

    Drive to Matlock Bath and follow signs to the Heights of Abraham car park on Dale Road. The journey from Matlock town centre takes about 5–10 minutes. Parking is paid and can be busy during peak times and school holidays; arriving early helps secure a space.

  • Train

    Take a train to Matlock Bath station, which is about a 10–15 minute walk from the cable car base station. The walk is mostly flat along the road but includes some inclines; comfortable shoes are recommended, especially if carrying children or luggage.

  • Bus

    Local bus services serve Matlock Bath, with stops near the town centre. From there, it’s a 10–15 minute walk uphill to the Heights of Abraham cable car station. Check local timetables as services can be less frequent outside peak hours and in winter.

  • Walking

    From Matlock Bath town centre, follow the road uphill towards the Heights of Abraham cable car station. The walk takes about 10–15 minutes and involves a steady incline; it’s manageable for most but can be tiring for very young children or those with limited mobility.

Heights of Abraham location weather suitability

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Discover more about Heights of Abraham

A Hilltop Estate with a 230-Year Story

Perched on Masson Hill above Matlock Bath, the Heights of Abraham is a historic hilltop estate that first opened in 1787 as a Georgian pleasure garden. Visitors arrive via a thrilling cable car ride that soars over the Derwent Valley, passing river, road, and railway before landing at the summit. From the moment you step off the car, you’re immersed in a 60-acre landscape of landscaped gardens, woodland paths, and heritage buildings that have welcomed generations of visitors. The estate’s long history is woven into everything from the Victorian-era Victoria Prospect Tower to the modern exhibitions that explore tourism, mining, and the engineering of the cable cars themselves.

Underground Wonders and Guided Cavern Tours

The Heights are famous for two illuminated show caverns: the Great Masson Cavern and the Great Rutland Cavern. Guided tours take you deep underground through tunnels carved by centuries of lead mining, now dramatically lit with rainbow colours and enhanced by audio-visual effects. As you weave through narrow passages and duck under low arches, guides recount the 350-million-year geological story of the area and the lives of the miners who once worked here. The Masson Cavern tour, in particular, involves climbing over 150 steps and includes geological surprises and fossils, including a large Ichthyosaur skeleton that visitors are encouraged to touch. These tours are a highlight for both children and adults, blending education with a sense of adventure.

Views, Exhibitions and Family Attractions

Above ground, the estate offers stunning panoramic views across the Derwent Valley and the surrounding Peak District hills. The Victoria Prospect Tower and Tinker’s Shaft provide elevated vantage points, while the Vista Restaurant and Bar serves food and drinks with a view. Three main exhibitions tell the estate’s story: The Long View explores tourism in Matlock Bath and the Heights’ origins; a film theatre upstairs shows how the cable cars were built in 1984; and A Mirror on the Past displays exquisite reproductions of period costumes worn by visitors from 1787 to 1910. For families, there are adventure playgrounds, a rock shop, and willow sculptures that depict key moments in the hill’s history, making it easy to spend a full day exploring.

Seasonal Events and Practicalities

The Heights of Abraham is open seasonally, typically from February to November, with the main estate closed in winter except for special evening events. The most famous of these is the Lights of Abraham, a winter light and sound trail that transforms the hilltop into an illuminated wonderland on selected evenings from late November to December. During the main season, visitors can expect to spend 3–5 hours or more at the site, with time for the cable car, cavern tours, exhibitions, walks, and play areas. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended, as the terrain is hilly with steps and uneven paths, and buggies are not suitable for the cavern tours. Dogs are welcome on the cable cars and in the outdoor areas but are not allowed in the caverns.

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