The Derwent Valley Line offers fantastic opportunities for school and college groups to travel at discounted group rates to visit great attractions, offering educational visits for schools.
Your School Adventure by Train
School and college groups can travel at discounted group rates on the scenic Derwent Valley Line and visit Fascinating Museums, Historic Mills, Vast Caverns or discover the Natural World.
This information explains how to book group travel and highlights attractions between Derby and Matlock that offer educational visits for schools and colleges.
The Derwent Valley Line train service operates hourly between Derby and Matlock.
Train TimetableA Fantastic Journey
Travelling by train is a great experience for children as part of their school trip, making it a real day to remember. Children will enjoy a scenic train ride on the Derwent Valley Line, passing through the picturesque and historic landscape of the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site before arriving into the spa towns of Matlock Bath and Matlock.
The illustrated guide ‘Views from the Train Window’ shows what to look out for on your journey from Derby to Matlock.
Taking a school trip by train counts towards a Modeshift STARS award
Views from the Train WindowSchool and College Groups Save 26%
School and College groups of 10 or more, travelling on the train service between Derby and Matlock can benefit from a 26% discount on standard rail fares. For group fares, child rate is 5 to 17 years old on local journeys.
These sample group fares are based on off peak travel (after 0859). Slightly higher fares apply on trains before 0900. Sample fares are valid from March 2023. Contact East Midlands Railway for a quote for your school travel.
Group Travel FaresGroup Bookings
Group bookings can be made by calling East Midlands Railway Group Travel Team on 03457 125 678. Select option 2, then option 2 again. or email group.travel@eastmidlandsrailway.co.uk.
The Group Travel desk is open 0830-1700 Monday to Friday. One of the dedicated group travel team will take your details and help organise your travel needs. Enquiries must be made at least a week in advance.
EMR Group TravelSchool Trip Destinations along the Derwent Valley Line
The Derwent Valley Line offers fantastic opportunities for school trips to great attractions providing educational visits for schools.
School and college groups can travel at discounted group rates and visit Fascinating Museums, Historic Mills, Vast Caverns or discover the Natural World. All just a train ride away on the scenic Derwent Valley Line.
There are variety of organisations offering educational visits for schools in Nottingham, Derby and along the line to Matlock. Organisations offering school education visits include Nottingham Castle, Galleries of Justice, Derby Museums, Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site, Derbyshire Wildlife Trust, Heights of Abraham and Peak District Mining Museum.
Most of these destinations are less than a 10 minute walk from the nearest station. The locations in Derby are about a 20 minute walk or there are frequent bus services from Derby station into the city centre. Getting there details are included for each location.
The illustrated guide ‘Views from the Train Window’ shows what to look out for on your journey from Derby to Matlock.
