East Midlands Tourism

Ambassadors For The East Midlands

 
The East Midlands is home to a whole host of interesting people, from Lords and Ladies and Dukes and Duchesses to producers of local delicacies and forest rangers, and with so many interesting and beautiful things to do around the East Midlands we thought you could use some advice from the experts!
 
 Below you will find some helpful insights into the region from representatives of some of our most loved attractions who can tell you about their role within the region and also highlight some of the great things to see and do when you're in The East Midlands.
 
 

     

     

Duke and Duchess of Devonshire

Chatsworth House

My wife and I are lucky enough to live at Chatsworth House which has been my family’s home for more than 450 years.  The house, garden and farmyard, and our numerous shops and restaurants, are open mid March till just before Christmas and it is a great pleasure for us to welcome people from all over the world.
All admission income from visitors goes directly to the Chatsworth House Trust, and is spent on the upkeep and improvement of this beautiful house.
We often visit Hardwick Hall and enjoy walking in the Peak District especially around the Stone Age site at Arbor Low. We also like to visit the University of Derby’s home under one of the world’s largest domes at Buxton, and enjoy a performance at the historic Opera House.
 
      
    

Claire and James Birch

Doddington Hall

Doddington Hall is over 400 years old, and has never been sold (or cleared out!) since it was built. It is still very much a lived in family home with fascinating stories, textiles, paintings, ceramics and furniture from every generation.
The house stands in 5 acres of gardens which were developed  by my parents and grandparents. James and I have been working hard to improve the facilities at Doddington, restoring our walled kitchen garden and opening an award-winning Farm Shop and cafe to showcase produce from Doddington and the region.
We all really care about each and every visitor and for us the greatest reward is when someone enjoys their visit so much that they tell us so, or even better, recommend us to a friend. 
 

       

      

Earl Spencer

Althorp House

The East Midlands contains some of the most beautiful countryside in Britain. At Althorp, we are surrounded by villages every bit as lovely as those in the Cotswolds. I can quite see why my ancestors decided to settle here, over 500 years ago. They had a very wide choice, yet they chose Northamptonshire - an integral part of the East Midlands. My forefathers and I have been very lucky that they built Althorp in this special part of the world.

Althorp is an 8,500 acre agricultural estate, with Althorp House (built in 1508 by and for the Spencer family, and their home ever since) at its heart. It hosts the highly-regarded Althorp Literary Festival each June. 'Diana: A Celebration' - the award-winning exhibition, dedicated to the memory of Diana , Princess of Wales (who was born a Spencer) - is based at Althorp each summer. The House and Exhibition are open each July and August.
 
     
     

Vanessa and Andrew Pugh

Heights of Abraham

As managing director of Derbyshire’s oldest tourist attraction, the Heights of Abraham, I have been responsible for leading the restoration and development of this estate over the last 30 years. 
Since first opening to visitors in 1780 the Heights of Abraham has remained one of the Peak District’s most appealing destinations. In recent times the Heights has become famous for its landmark Cable Car system - the first of its kind in the whole of the British Isles.  Visitors can enjoy spectacular underground caverns and exhibitions with stunning views in acres of beautiful woodland.
My wife and I enjoy the countryside through every season, visiting historic sites and properties, and dining out.
 

     

     

Sir Richard FitzHerbert

Tissington Hall

As national Tourism & Commercial Development Committee Chair for the East Midlands I am passionate about our heritage both nationally and in the region. The East Midlands is fortunate to have over two hundred heritage houses and estates open to visitors in both private and public hands. 
Tissington Hall and village near Ashbourne in Derbyshire, has been home to my family for over 500 years and in this time has seen eight generations living within it's walls.
I often enjoy visiting the historic houses in The East Midlands, exploring the wonderful footpaths and trails in the region and the wonderful pubs especially in Derbyshire!
 

     

      

Stephen Hallam

Dickinson & Morris, Ye Olde Pork Pie Shoppe 

Dickinson & Morris have been baking authentic Melton Mowbray pork pies since 1851 and is the last remaining baker of authentic Melton Mowbray pork pies based in the town centre, I have been managing the direction of Ye Olde Pork Pie Shoppe since 1992. 
The East Midlands region has always been a traditional foods heaven.  The heritage of our award winning foods has put the East Midlands on the food map and it is now famous for its premium regional products and we are proud to be a big part of that.
In my spare time I enjoy walking the Jubilee Way through the Vale of Belvoir, visiting Belvoir Castle, cycling and trout fishing at Rutland Water and drinking Melton Red beer at the Belvoir Brewery
 

     

     

Lady Ursula Cholmeley

Easton Walled Gardens

I like living in the East Midlands, I like the people, the landscape  and the buzz of being part of such an entrepreneurial area of the country. My husbands family have lived here for 450 years so they must like it too. 
In 2001 I began to revive the gardens of a great house: Easton Hall. The house was demolished in 1951 and the gardens abandoned. In 2008 the gardens were Lincolnshire Tourist Attraction of the Year and won a National Treasure Award from Alan Titchmarsh. 
In my spare time I enjoy shopping in Stamford, eating in the Cholmeley Arms (Burton le Coggles) visiting Grimsthorpe Castle or Lincoln Cathedral, walking in beautiful woods and taking my children sailing or kayaking on Rutland Water.
 

      

      

Margaret and David Lockwood

Chaplin House Bed and Breakfast

Advantageously situated in the centre of Lincolnshire, Chaplin House is a successful award winning Bed & Breakfast. Four comfortably spacious en suite rooms and a relaxing lounge welcome guests for a peaceful, indulgent visit.
We delight in serving superbly prepared local and organic food and constantly endeavour to improve the already high standard of our business.
We enjoy walking in the Wolds and bird watching at Gibraltar Point.  Other favourite excursions from Chaplin House are to aviation and historic house heritage sites.
 

      

     

Izi Banton

Sherwood Forest

I work as Site Manager for Sherwood Forest, probably the world’s most famous forest.  Once part of the vast 100,000 acre Royal hunting forest of Robin Hood’s time, it's now a 450 acre National Nature Reserve. 
With 996 veteran oak trees, each one over 500 years old, and almost 500,000 visitors a year there is always something to keep me busy! My role is one of organisation, whether it’s looking after the forest’s English Longhorn Cattle or planning the annual Robin Hood Festival, no two days are the same.  It is a privilege to work in such a magical place.
I’m a great walker and at either end of the working day I’m usually to be found in the forest with my dog.  On days off we like to venture further a field into the Peak District, there are some wonderful landscapes to explore and recharge the batteries!  

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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