This independent guide features enchanting villages, historic towns, stunning walks, special places to visit and glorious, ever-changing landscapes that beg to be explored.
LET’S PLAN A DAY OUT
Whether you are visiting Derbyshire and the Peak National Park for the day or on holiday in the area, this guide makes it easy to plan a day out. All you have to do is follow the instructions below.
Select a town or village to start your day, and you can explore it before and after enjoying a walk in the surrounding countryside. The walks have been specially chosen for their scenic beauty and suitability to most walkers of different abilities. The refreshment suggestions should be checked to see that they meet your requirements, particularly with the time and type of food that is served in mind. There are often plenty of alternatives to choose from within a short distance if you wish.
For those who do not want to go on a walk or those with plenty of energy left after completing their walk, a list of places of nearby special interest has been included, with the town or village selected for the day out.
Historic Towns to Visit
The charming market town of Bakewell offers riverside walks, historic architecture, and a vibrant weekly market. It is the only town in the Peak District National Park. Outside the park boundary are several ancient towns of considerable character, including the city of Derby. Look for independent shops selling a wide range of specialist goods and for tempting places to eat and drink.
Charming Villages to Enjoy
Derbyshire and the Peak District National Park are home to some of England’s most picturesque villages. These include quaint stone-built cottages, impressive churches, cafes, and pubs of great character, all surrounded by stunning countryside, from Castleton, with its four show caverns, castle, shops, and places to eat and drink, to the idyllic estate village of Tissington, with its pretty cottages.
Stunning Walks to Follow
Derbyshire and the Peak District National Park are perfect for walkers of all abilities. They offer some of the finest walks in the country with breathtaking views, from the forbidding mass of Kinder Scout to gentle strolls through glorious dales by slowly meandering streams. But if you want something very challenging the Pennine Way starts at Edale. For those less able, surfaced trails along former railway lines are ideal.
Attractions to Visit
Derbyshire and the Peak National Park not only have an abundance of fine scenery but also scores of places to visit and activities to try, from grand stately homes like Chatsworth and Haddon to ruined castles like Peveril Castle and the show cattle at Bolsover. Rock climbing and potholing are two of the more strenuous activities. A more gentle pursuit is giving well-dressers a hand.
