One of the Peak District's most beautiful attractions, the Heights of Abraham, is so picturesque, it's nicknamed 'Little Switzerland' locally.
That's partly thanks to its rolling green hills, but also down to its famous cable cars that travel high above the Derwent Valley.
Visitors to the hilltop park can travel 554 ft uphill to the summit and imagine they've transported themselves to the Swiss Alps.
Image: Supplied / Heights of Abraham
From the top, there are views of the lush countryside of Derbyshire and of the pretty village of Matlock Bath.
The Heights of Abraham is on the eastern side of the Peak District, reachable by car in around an hour from parts of Sheffield.
As well as the cable cars and the sweeping views, you can also explore two incredible, illuminated caverns.
Guided tours will take you deep into the hillside where professional guides will tell tales of mining, geology and tourism.
Image: Supplied / Heights of Abraham
Both the Vista restaurant and the Terrace Cafe stand at around 1000ft above sea level, with views served up alongside local ales and gins, as well as tea and cake.
The Heights of Abraham closes for a short time every winter but is finally back open for business from 11 February and throughout the summer.
New this season will be a trail of willow sculptures by Caroline Gregson, and 12 new butterflies suspended in the treetops.
The estate has actually been welcoming visitors since 1787, when a local hotel owner decided to create a 'pleasure ground' for the wealthy Georgian tourists who flocked to the area.
People in those days believed that swimming in the waters around Matlock Bath would improve their health.
After seven years of planting exotic trees and shrubs, tourists began to climb the paths to take in the 360-degree views from the summit.
In 1810, the Great Rutland Cavern opened to the public, followed by the Great Masson Cavern in 1844, with ex-miners acting as tour guides.
The current owners of the Heights of Abraham bought the estate in 1974 and added the cable car 10 years later.
Tickets to visit cost £24.50 per adult, £17.00 per child and £73.00 for a family of two adults and two children (under fives go free), which includes a cable car flight, two guided cavern tours, access to two adventure playgrounds, a heritage trail, exhibitions, the willow sculptures, the treetop butterfly trail, the restaurant and cafe, and self-guided audio tours.
The Heights offers 20% off to those who work for the NHS, have a Blue Light Card, MOD90/DDS card or MAX card. Take the train or bus to Matlock Bath and save 20% on your tickets too.
Featured image: Supplied
The Sheff
The Hillsborough restaurant redefining bold South African flavours in Sheffield
There's an award-winning little South African restaurant in Hillsborough that may be small in size, but the flavours coming out of the kitchen are anything but.
Tucked away in one of Sheffield’s favourite neighbourhoods, The Orange Bird has become one of the city’s biggest word-of-mouth food spots, with locals flocking there for its bold, modern South African-inspired cooking and seriously impressive braai dishes.
And if you’ve ever tried getting a reservation, you’ll already know just how in-demand this place has become.
Run by Anne Horner and Matthew Duggan-Jones, The Orange Bird has built a loyal following thanks to its vibrant menu packed with smoky, fire-cooked flavours, quality local ingredients, and dishes made for sharing around the table.
It’s warm, intimate, and exactly the sort of independent Sheffield restaurant people love discovering.
The menu is filled with dishes you’ll still be thinking about days later, from rich, tender lamb served over silky smooth hummus to wild garlic roti and caramelised aubergine that somehow steal the show just as much as the mains.
Then comes the big hitter dishes.
The peri-peri chicken, paired with curry butter chips and lime pickle mayo, is packed with bold flavour in every bite, while the braai sea bream perfectly shows off the smoky magic of cooking over fire.
The Orange Bird in Sheffield has previously been named one of the UK's top local restaurantsThey cook dishes over a typical South African braaiBraai sea bream, and peri peri chickenA spread of small plates at The Orange Bird in SheffieldSlow-cooked lamb on hummusThe Orange Bird, Sheffield menu
It’s easy to see why people keep returning to this Hillsborough favourite time and time again.
And naturally, no meal here feels complete without ordering something sweet to round off the evening.
The Orange Bird’s growing reputation has even seen it featured in The Good Food Guide’s prestigious 100 Best Local Restaurants guide in both 2023 and 2024, cementing its place as one of Sheffield’s must-visit food spots.
Honestly, spotting an orange bird might be rare, but finding this place without a waiting list could be even rarer.
If The Orange Bird isn’t already on your Sheffield food bucket list, this is definitely your sign to finally book a table.
Sheffield Food Festival to return this month celebrating 15th year in the city
Clementine Hall
One of the city's best foodie events is gearing up for its best celebration yet.
Foodies, you're going to want to keep reading.
Sheffield Food Festival will return this late May Bank Holiday Weekend, from Saturday 23 to Monday 25 May 2026.
The festival marks its 15th anniversary, so you can expect a celebration of all things food even bigger and better than ever before.
Image: Sheffield Food Festival
From local favourites to tastes from around the world, local vendors will be coming together to raise a knife and fork to Sheffield's incredible independent food scene.
The best part? It's completely free to attend and will feature over 60 different traders that are all based locally.
Sheffield Food Festival will take place in the city centre across the Peace Gardens, Millennium Square, Town Hall Square and Winter Garden.
The festival will include four key areas to visit, including the traditional street food area, an artisan market, a community hub and the main stage and bar.
Image: Sheffield Food Festival
Managing director at Swan Events, Noemi Antonelli, said: “From foodies to families, there’s something for everyone – and we’re proud to showcase the best of Sheffield’s vibrant food culture.
"This year feels especially exciting as the festival grows beyond its footprint, with other city centre locations joining the celebrations with their own activities – creating a real buzz across the city and making it a truly shared Sheffield experience.”
So grab your mates together, build up an appetite and have a taste of the incredible food that Sheffield has to offer.
Clementine Hall -
5th August 2025 
.jpg/:/cr=t:0%25,l:0%25,w:100%25,h:100%25/rs=w:1280 "Image: Supplied / Heights of Abraham")
