The Peak District has a huge variety of attractions to suit all tastes and all weather conditions.
Outdoors
Many people go to the Peaks for walking. This can be high-level rugged walking, such as the trek over Kinder Scout to see the Kinder Downfall; over Mam Tor and the Great Ridge, or along the magnificent Derwent and Froggatt edges. Alternatively there is the gentle walking through the pretty Dales, such as Monsal Dale, Lathkill Dale, and Dovedale.
All kinds of cycling are available, either with your own bikes, or using one of the many cycle hire companies. The Ladybower and Derwent reservoirs offer almost traffic-free cycling, with cycle hire at Fairholmes. The High Peak Trail and the Tissington trail are disused railways, now converted into cycle paths, with cycle hire available. For the more adventurous there is almost unlimited scope for mountain biking.
Climbers come from afar to climb on the famous Stannage Edge, on Froggatt edge, and other rocky outcrops. There are numerous climbing equipment sellers in the Hope Valley.
The Great Ridge, nearby Rushup Edge, and other ridges offer much scope for hang-gliding, and for a taste of “proper” gliding there is the Gliding Club at Great Hucklow, a couple of miles from Castleon.
If caves are your passion, then the area has the full range, from the gentle attractions of The Blue John mines, Treak Cliff Cavern, Speedwell Cavern, and Peak Cavern (the Devil’s Arse), to potholing in the huge network of caves around Castleton, which includes the largest natural cavern in Britain, known as Titan, at 140m high taller than the London Eye, and recently publicized on the T.V.
Villages & Towns
The Peak District is full of quaint villages, looking much as they did centuries ago. Many have an annual festival which centres on their ancient well-dressing festival. Visit the “plague village” of Eyam, which was almost wiped out when the Black Death struck in the C17 and the villagers took the courageous step of quarantining themselves. There is atmospheric Bakewell, home of the famous tart, or more correctly, pudding. Buxton is an elegant spa town with an opera house.
Great Houses
Chatsworth House is worth a full day, for the stunningly beautiful house, the gardens and the wonderful parkland. Haddon Hall is smaller, and romantic.
Ancient Monuments
Peveril Castle, above Castleton, was built by the son of William the Conqueror around 1080. Just across the valley is the iron age fort on Mam Tor, containing a tumulus which dates from the Bronze Age. Further south are the Bronze Age stone circle on Stanton Moor, and the stones of Arbor Low, dating from 2500BC.
Outdoors
Many people go to the Peaks for walking. This can be high-level rugged walking, such as the trek over Kinder Scout to see the Kinder Downfall; over Mam Tor and the Great Ridge, or along the magnificent Derwent and Froggatt edges. Alternatively there is the gentle walking through the pretty Dales, such as Monsal Dale, Lathkill Dale, and Dovedale.
All kinds of cycling are available, either with your own bikes, or using one of the many cycle hire companies. The Ladybower and Derwent reservoirs offer almost traffic-free cycling, with cycle hire at Fairholmes. The High Peak Trail and the Tissington trail are disused railways, now converted into cycle paths, with cycle hire available. For the more adventurous there is almost unlimited scope for mountain biking.
Climbers come from afar to climb on the famous Stannage Edge, on Froggatt edge, and other rocky outcrops. There are numerous climbing equipment sellers in the Hope Valley.
The Great Ridge, nearby Rushup Edge, and other ridges offer much scope for hang-gliding, and for a taste of “proper” gliding there is the Gliding Club at Great Hucklow, a couple of miles from Castleon.
If caves are your passion, then the area has the full range, from the gentle attractions of The Blue John mines, Treak Cliff Cavern, Speedwell Cavern, and Peak Cavern (the Devil’s Arse), to potholing in the huge network of caves around Castleton, which includes the largest natural cavern in Britain, known as Titan, at 140m high taller than the London Eye, and recently publicized on the T.V.
Villages & Towns
The Peak District is full of quaint villages, looking much as they did centuries ago. Many have an annual festival which centres on their ancient well-dressing festival. Visit the “plague village” of Eyam, which was almost wiped out when the Black Death struck in the C17 and the villagers took the courageous step of quarantining themselves. There is atmospheric Bakewell, home of the famous tart, or more correctly, pudding. Buxton is an elegant spa town with an opera house.
Great Houses
Chatsworth House is worth a full day, for the stunningly beautiful house, the gardens and the wonderful parkland. Haddon Hall is smaller, and romantic.
Ancient Monuments
Peveril Castle, above Castleton, was built by the son of William the Conqueror around 1080. Just across the valley is the iron age fort on Mam Tor, containing a tumulus which dates from the Bronze Age. Further south are the Bronze Age stone circle on Stanton Moor, and the stones of Arbor Low, dating from 2500BC.
