Heights of Abraham: Difference between revisions
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The Victoria Prospect Tower was built in 1844 to celebrate the reign of [[Queen Victoria]]. From the top there are panoramic views of the valley of the [[River Derwent]], the [[spa town]] of [[Matlock Bath]] and the nearby [[Riber Castle]] and [[Willersley Castle]]. A more modern viewing platform is Tinkers Shaft, which provides valley views as well as a vertical view into the Great Masson Cavern. A view from a different perspective can be obtained from the cable car, as it ascends and descends across the valley to a terminal on the far bank of the river.<ref name=hehoa/><ref name=hoacc/><ref>{{cite web |title=Victoria Prospect Tower |url=http://www.heightsofabraham.com/see-and-do/victoria-prospect-tower/ |publisher=The Heights of Abraham |accessdate=9 August 2017 |archivedate=10 August 2017 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170810101839/http://www.heightsofabraham.com/see-and-do/victoria-prospect-tower/}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Tinkers Shaft |url=http://www.heightsofabraham.com/see-and-do/tinkers-shaft/ |publisher=The Heights of Abraham |accessdate=9 August 2017 |archivedate=10 August 2017 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170810102058/http://www.heightsofabraham.com/see-and-do/tinkers-shaft/}}</ref> |
The Victoria Prospect Tower was built in 1844 to celebrate the reign of [[Queen Victoria]]. From the top there are panoramic views of the valley of the [[River Derwent]], the [[spa town]] of [[Matlock Bath]] and the nearby [[Riber Castle]] and [[Willersley Castle]]. A more modern viewing platform is Tinkers Shaft, which provides valley views as well as a vertical view into the Great Masson Cavern. A view from a different perspective can be obtained from the cable car, as it ascends and descends across the valley to a terminal on the far bank of the river.<ref name=hehoa/><ref name=hoacc/><ref>{{cite web |title=Victoria Prospect Tower |url=http://www.heightsofabraham.com/see-and-do/victoria-prospect-tower/ |publisher=The Heights of Abraham |accessdate=9 August 2017 |archivedate=10 August 2017 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170810101839/http://www.heightsofabraham.com/see-and-do/victoria-prospect-tower/}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Tinkers Shaft |url=http://www.heightsofabraham.com/see-and-do/tinkers-shaft/ |publisher=The Heights of Abraham |accessdate=9 August 2017 |archivedate=10 August 2017 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170810102058/http://www.heightsofabraham.com/see-and-do/tinkers-shaft/}}</ref> |
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There are several restaurants, cafes and bars within the park, as well as a gift shop and shop specialising in the sale of rock and mineral themed |
There are several restaurants, cafes and bars within the park, as well as a gift shop and a shop specialising in the sale of rock and mineral themed items.<ref>{{cite web |title=Eat & Shop |url=http://www.heightsofabraham.com/eat-shop/ |publisher=The Heights of Abraham |accessdate=10 August 2017 |archivedate=10 August 2017 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170810150021/http://www.heightsofabraham.com/eat-shop/}}</ref> |
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== Access == |
== Access == |
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Revision as of 15:01, 10 August 2017
The Heights of Abraham is a tourist attraction in Matlock Bath, Derbyshire, England. It consists of a hilltop park on top of Masson Hill, accessed from the village by either the Heights of Abraham cable car or a steep zig-zag path. The heights are named after a supposed resemblance to the Plains of Abraham, also known as the Heights of Abraham, in Quebec, Canada, where James Wolfe died in battle.[1][2]
Amongst the attractions in the park, which has been open since Victorian times, are cavern and mine tours. There are also views of the dramatic scenery of the valley of the River Derwent. The cable car was opened in 1984 to provide easier access.[1][3]
The Heights of Abraham are listed as grade II* in the register of historic parks and gardens of special historic interest in England.[1]
Attractions
There are two caves at the Heights of Abraham, the Great Masson Cavern and the Great Rutland Cavern, both previously mined for lead minerals. It is believed that the lead mining in this area began in Roman times, and it reached its heyday in the 17th century. The miners are now long gone but in the process of excavating the rich mineral deposits they left behind a large network of caverns and passageways dating back millions of years. Now, regular guided tours allow visitors to retrace the miners' footsteps.[2][4]
The Victoria Prospect Tower was built in 1844 to celebrate the reign of Queen Victoria. From the top there are panoramic views of the valley of the River Derwent, the spa town of Matlock Bath and the nearby Riber Castle and Willersley Castle. A more modern viewing platform is Tinkers Shaft, which provides valley views as well as a vertical view into the Great Masson Cavern. A view from a different perspective can be obtained from the cable car, as it ascends and descends across the valley to a terminal on the far bank of the river.[1][3][5][6]
There are several restaurants, cafes and bars within the park, as well as a gift shop and a shop specialising in the sale of rock and mineral themed items.[7]
Access
Access to the Heights of Abraham is either on foot, via a steep footpath from Matlock Bath, or by the cable car. The lower station of the cable car is located on the opposite bank of the River Derwent to the Heights of Abraham and the town of Matlock Bath, with the cabins crossing the river at the lower end of their journey. A footbridge provides access from the town to the lower station, which is also situated a short walk away from Matlock Bath railway station.[1][2]
The site is privately run, and an admission charge is levied on foot visitors and included in the cable car fare. The admission charge covers admission to all the attractions and cave tours. The site is open every day from late March to early November, and on various other days. Opening times are 10:00 to 16.30, and later during holidays.[2][8]
References
- ^ a b c d e "Heights of Abraham, Matlock Bath". Historic England. Archived from the original on 10 August 2017. Retrieved 9 August 2017.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ a b c d "Matlock Bath". Derbyshire Guide. HCI Data Ltd. Archived from the original on 10 August 2017. Retrieved 10 August 2017.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ a b "Cable Car". The Heights of Abraham. Archived from the original on 10 August 2017. Retrieved 9 August 2017.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ "Show Caverns". The Heights of Abraham. Archived from the original on 10 August 2017. Retrieved 9 August 2017.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ "Victoria Prospect Tower". The Heights of Abraham. Archived from the original on 10 August 2017. Retrieved 9 August 2017.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ "Tinkers Shaft". The Heights of Abraham. Archived from the original on 10 August 2017. Retrieved 9 August 2017.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ "Eat & Shop". The Heights of Abraham. Archived from the original on 10 August 2017. Retrieved 10 August 2017.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ "Times & Tickets". The Heights of Abraham. Archived from the original on 10 August 2017. Retrieved 10 August 2017.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help)
External links
- Official site
- Heights of Abraham photographs
- Map sources for Heights of Abraham
53°07′26″N 1°33′54″W / 53.12378°N 1.56511°W
