Peak District
Why we love the Peak District
Britain’s oldest National Park has never felt fresher. Established in 1951, the Peak District is made up of two distinct terrains: ‘Dark Peak’, with untamed moors and windswept hills; and ‘White Peak’, a patchwork of sheep-grazed fields and quaint villages. Despite its name, the park has no mountains – but it does have hidden depths, in the form of spectacular caves. The likes of Blue John Cavern and Treak Cliff Cavern offer a glimpse of this eerie underworld, crafted by nature over millions of years.
For all its wilderness, the Peak District is also one of Britain’s most accessible national parks – an easy trip from Manchester, Leeds and Nottingham, while Sheffield is the perfect gateway for ease of access to climbing, mountain biking and hiking adventures. Whether stopping by for a quick break or a longer jaunt, here’s how to plan your trip.
Find your perfect path
Dark or White – or both? The two areas of the Peak District offer contrasting walks: to the north lie invigorating trails through open moorland and craggy gritstone, and up to the park’s highest point, Kinder Scout. To the south, the White Peak’s pastoral valleys and villages make for gentler hikes.
Explore the underworld
Millions of years in the making, the many caves of the Peak District are filled with sculpturesque stalagmites, vast grottoes and even a unique semi-precious mineral called Blue John. The Castleton area has four impressive show caverns, or you could venture deeper on a specialist caving trip.
Ride the old rails
Get in the saddle with the Peak District’s cycle tracks. For cyclists and horse riders, the park is criss-crossed with glorious traffic-free trails – including the old railway routes of Monsal (8.5 miles/13.6km), High Peak (17 miles/27km), Thornhill (two miles/three km) and Tissington (13 miles/21km). Several bike hire centres and riding schools operate in the area.
Bathe in Buxton’s beauty
The town of Buxton is the Peak District’s ‘capital’, famed for its thermal spa baths, elegant Pavilion Gardens, Poole’s Cavern showcaves and abundance of art galleries and theatre venues. It sits just outside the National Park boundary, and hosts jazz, opera and folklore festivals year-round.
Get a fresh perspective
With pristine gardens and opulent interiors, the Peak District’s historic houses are always impressive – but you can delve even further. Look out for Haddon Hall’s live concerts and Christmas markets; outdoor cinema and theatre at Chatsworth House; and Lyme Park’s behind-the-scenes tours.
Peak District
Home to some of Britain’s most dramatic scenery, the Peak District, east of Manchester, is a place of rolling hills and rugged moors, with picturesque market towns and adventures galore.
Dig deep into local heritage at the Peak District Mining Museum, go back in time at the Crich Tramway Museum, or travel underground to explore the rock formations of Castleton’s caverns and caves.
Discover the stately home of Chatsworth House, where Pride and Prejudice was filmed, and explore its gardens which date back to 1555.
Relax in the spa town of Buxton and enjoy performances at Buxton Opera House & Pavilion Art Centre.
Fun fact
Fun fact
The Peak District was Britain’s first National Park and covers 555 square miles (1,483 square km) over five counties: Derbyshire, Cheshire, Staffordshire, Yorkshire and Greater Manchester.
Did you know?
Did you know?
Treak Cliff Cavern is home to impressive stalactites and stalagmites – Derbyshire’s semi-precious mineral, Blue John Stone, can only be found here and at Blue John Cavern.
The Monsal Trail stretches for 8.5 miles (13.7km) along a disused railway line – a traffic-free route for cycling, walking, and horse riding.
Located on the edge of the Derbyshire Peak District, the Heights of Abraham cable cars climb 554ft (169 metres) to the summit of Masson Hill, passing over the picturesque Derwent Valley below.
The Crich Tramway Village features a reconstructed historical street with vintage trams and many of the buildings, including a pub and shops, were rescued from towns and cities across Britain and rebuilt for the living museum.
Things to do in the Peak District
Featured things to do
Cute capers
Chatsworth House is famed for its lavish decor and rich history, but it’s also a working farm – and during the spring lambing, visitors can bottle-feed the adorable newborns by hand.
Learn more about farmyard fun at Chatsworth House (opens in a new tab)
Party time
’Tis the season for festivals – including live music and camping at Y Not Festival and farm-themed fun at the Ashover Show.
Learn more about the Peak District’s festivals (opens in a new tab)
Natural highs
Got a head for heights? Ride a cable car to the Heights of Abraham, a hilltop estate with wild woodlands and caves to explore. In autumn, you’ll get a bird's-eye view of the red treetops.
Learn more about the Heights of Abraham (opens in a new tab)
Bakes and brews
Taste the Peak District’s epicurean joys: from Bakewell pudding and Ashbourne gingerbread, to artisan cheeses from Hartington Creamery. They make a delicious Christmas present for loved ones, too.
Learn more about food and drink in the Peak District (opens in a new tab)Places to stay in the Peak District
City breaks
With Sheffield, Manchester and Derby just a train ride away, why not combine your Peak District adventure with a city trip?
Boutique retreats
The National Park has hotels to suit every style: from romantic boltholes and grand rural mansions, to homely family-run bed and breakfasts.
Woodland cabins
Want something wilder? You’ll find forest lodges and glamping sites all over the Peak District – and even treehouses too.
Explore nearby
Getting to the Peak District
The park sits between Manchester and Sheffield, with Derby to the south. It’s simple to get to the Peak District by bus, train or coach, and it has great motorway links. Trains from London St Pancras to Derby take around 90 minutes, while several other Peak District towns have good rail connections. The closest airports are Manchester Airport (33 miles/53km from Bakewell) and East Midlands Airport (40 miles/64km); they’re served by direct flights from all over the world.
Getting around
The Peak District’s trains are far-reaching, with the likes of the Derwent Valley Line and Hope Valley Line making car-free travel easy. Northern has information about train travel around the Peak District.
Some brilliant car-free Peak District walks can be reached directly from its rail stations. Peak District bike hire is available throughout the National Park. Electric car-charging points are available throughout the region.
By bus
The Peak District bus network is excellent. Daily Peak Sightseer services operate in the summer, taking in Chatsworth House, Castleton and Bakewell.
By heritage train
The Ecclesbourne Valley Railway offers picturesque trips between Wirksworth and Duffield, powered by gleaming vintage locomotives. Peak Rail serves afternoon tea on its steam trains.
By motorhome
Ideal for active holidays with a dash of adventure, hiring a motorhome or campervan gives you the ultimate freedom – and there are campsites throughout the Peak District.
Want to know more
Want to know more?
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Planning a business event in the Peak District?
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