Churnet Valley railway

Just a short drive away from Alton, the railway is located in Cheddleton Village. From Cheddleton Station, the route passes through some of the most glorious spots and boasts breathtaking panoramic views including nature reserves and limekilns. The trip finishes at Kingsley and FrogHall station.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Dominic Sayers

Blackbook Zoological Park

Located in Winkhill, the zoo is a fantastic opportunity to observe and get up close with some of the world’s rarest species. This is a great day out and very popular with children of all ages. The staffs at the zoo are very accommodating and friendly and can cater for large groups as well as families.

Photo by admin

Carsington Water

If you still fancy a little bit more exhilaration after the theme park, then why not get down to Carsington Water. Here you can indulge in the various aqua pursuits such as wind surfing, sailing, kayaking, canoeing and power boats. There is also a newly installed outdoor climbing tower for the equally adventurous.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Loz Pycock

Historic Buildings

For those keen on history, you will find many great examples to feast upon. Located in Bakewell, Haddon hall is a fortified medieval house which dates back to the 12th century. It was the setting for the film Pride and Prejudice starring Keira Knightly and has been owned by Lord and Lady Edward Manners since 1567. Also there is Croxden Abbey which houses some beautiful unspoilt remains which used to be home to the Cistercian White Monks in the 13th century.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Rob Glover

Dimmings Dale

A perfect way to round off the day would be to embark upon the wonderful setting that is Dimmings Dale. Very close to Alton and the Alton Towers theme park, the land is owned by the Forestry Commission and boasts scenery that is second to none in the area. Take a leisurely stroll around the grounds and you will feel like you are in another world. The water features are unique and will provide plenty of opportunities to take those all important photographs. Mountain biking is another to enjoy the area and the Dale has many bridle ways which the keen cyclist can utilise to further enhance their enjoyment. Once you are a little worn out, then take a break and relax at the Rambler’s Retreat where you can rest your feet and enjoy a cup of tea and cake.

All in all, Alton is a fun filled and extremely interesting place to visit and there is as we have seen something for everyone!

This collection of places to check out in and around Alton was written by Alton Towers Breaks, offering hotel stays in and around alton towers!

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Throughout the Pollino National Park flow more than 10 rivers. The highest mountain of the park is the mountain Serra Dolcedorme, which reaches an altitude of 2267m. Other peaks are Monte Pollino (2248 m), Serra del Prete (2181 m), Serra delle Ciavole (2127 m) or Serra di Crispo (2053 m).

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The park include also four nature reserves and rocky complexes, such as Pietra Campauara and Tavola dei Briganti.

Pollino National Park as a whole is one of the most beautiful sceneries in southern Italy. There is a rich plant and animal diversity.

For hiking and cycling you can use lots of marked trails.

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Protected Landscape Area of the Eastern Carpathians was established on July 9, 1977 with the original area of 96 810 ha. Part of the area was included in the National Park of Poloniny in 1997 and the rest stayed as Protected Landscape Area of the Eastern Carpathians with only 25 307 ha. Best preserved parts of the Eastern Carpathians are protected as national nature reserves.

The area is characterized by rich forests, which are a major component of eco-stabilizing the country and a suitable environment for flora and fauna bound on the forest environment. In the small protected areas are still preserved natural fir beech forests located on flysch slopes of Laborecká highlands.

Natural forest stands are also suitable environment for protected and endangered animals, which live here, like wolf, bear, otter, Ural owl, black stork, black woodpecker, lesser spotted eagle and other species.

Protected Landscape Area of the Eastern Carpathians follows the border with Poland. It stretches from southeast to northwest, in the Low Beskydy.

There is Europe’s largest complex of beech forests and native forests in the Eastern Carpathians. You can enjoy there beautiful and wildlife forests, but various national cultural monuments as well. The greatest tourist attractions are wooden churches.

Protected Landscape Area of the Eastern Carpathians is suitable for activities like hiking, biking, fishing, horseback riding and skiing in winter.

THE MOST INTERESTING PLACES
Snina Stone (1005m above sea level) providing spectacular views of the surrounding of Snina.

Marine Eye – the largest volcanic lake in the Slovak Republic, is under Snina stone. It is one of the most beautiful natural lakes in the Slovak Republic.

Astronomical Observatory – located in Kolonica village – is equipped with the largest astronomical telescope in the Slovak Republic.

CULTURE
You can visit the main and essential festival of the region Snina, which is the presentation of local folklore (at the turn of August and September). The name of festival is “Podvihorlatský folklórní festival pod Sninským kamenem”.

Or visit Snina fair which held annually on the anniversary of the first written mention of the town Snina (in September).

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Most of the landscape of the park and the Veluwe was created during the last Ice Age. The alternating sand dune areas and heathlands may have been caused by human utilization of the surrounding lands. The park forms one of the largest continuous nature reserves in the Netherlands.

The Hoge Veluwe National Park enjoys a wide variety of plants and animals and provides habitats to extremely rare Red List species. Together with the Kröller-Müller Museum, the Sculpture Garden and Country-residence/Museum Jachthuis Sint Hubertus, the Park forms a unique and (inter)nationally renowned combination of nature, art and architecture.

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