The Whistlestop Discovery Centre

Children playing, Helena Dolby for Sheffield & Rotherham Wildlife Trust

Children playing, Helena Dolby for Sheffield & Rotherham Wildlife Trust

The Whistlestop Discovery Centre

Perfect for exploring woodlands, rivers and a World Heritage Site

The Whistlestop Discovery Centre is a gorgeous place to explore and bring your little ones. Recently renovated, it now has its own classroom, discovery trail and wildlife pond.

Based in Matlock Bath, next to the railway station, It is in easy distance of the River Derwent, perfect for river dipping and High Tor Woods, perfect for woodland activities, and it lies in the heart of the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site.

Welcome to Derbyshire is a project to renovate this Grade II listing building to provide a gateway for visitors to Matlock Bath. It is part funded by the European Agriculture Fund for Rural Development.

 

Funding Partner Logos

Come on, let's have some fun...

Know before you go

We're really easy to find -  our address is: 

Matlock Bath Railway Station, Matlock Bath, Derbyshire, DE4 3PT.

Parking

There is a large pay and display car park next door. 

Access

The Whisltestop Discovery Centre is next door to The Whistlestop Cafe.

Access to the classroom and discovery garden is via the railway platform behind the shop.

 

Facilities

Toilets

The Whistlestop Cafe next door

Refreshments in our cafe next door

Picnic area outside our shop and cafe next door 

Outdoor play area

Opening times

The Education Room and Discovery Garden open for scheduled events.

Please see our What's On section to discover what is coming up.

Pond dipping, Sarah Watson

Pond dipping, Sarah Watson 

Teacher's corner

Learn more

We also work with schools and teachers across the county, offering school trips to nature reserves and activities such as pond dipping or building bug hotels, plus, we also visit schools - ensuring playgrounds are perfect for wildlife and teachers are clued up on all things wild!

All our lives are better when they're a bit wild
The Wildlife Trusts

Check out next door

Be sure to pop next door when you visit - we have a fabulous Whistlestop cafe - enjoy! 

Like what we do? Get more involved...

Check out all our events

Let's have some fun together