30 Amazing Places to Visit in the Peak District

The Peak District was one of my first weekend trips when I moved to the UK nearly a decade ago. This beautiful area has called me back many, many times over the years. With spectacular natural scenery, charming villages, historic sites, and great hikes, there is so much to do here. It’s hard to narrow it down – but this is my guide to the top 30 places to visit in the Peak District!

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What is the Peak District? Where is the Peak District?

The Peak District National Park is the first national park in the UK – it was designated a national park in 1951. The Peak District (or the Peaks, for short) is located in the middle of England, with parts in Derbyshire, Staffordshire, Cheshire, West and South Yorkshire, and Greater Manchester. It covers 555 square miles, encompassing picturesque moorland, peaks, reservoirs, and small villages. Considering travel insurance for your trip? World Nomads offers coverage for more than 150 adventure activities as well as emergency medical, lost luggage, trip cancellation and more.

How to Get Around the Peak District

Car is the easiest and most convenient way to get around the Peak District. But this area is very well-connected by public transport, too. The Hope Valley train line runs between Sheffield and Manchester, stopping at a number of spots like Bamford and Edale. Local bus services connect many of the villages like Bakewell, Eyam, or Castleton. If you’re visiting the UK and want to get out in nature but won’t have a car, the Peak District is one of the destinations I always recommend. If you’d rather take a tour of the Peak District, check out options below!

Where to Stay in the Peak District

The Peak District is full of different and unique accommodation to suit every budget. I’ve stayed in many different places here over the years. Here are a few suggested spots!

Budget: YHA Castleton Losehill Hall – budget accommodation with clean and comfy dorms and private rooms plus a self-catering kitchen

Mid-range: Thorndene B&B – cozy, comfortable rooms with a delicious breakfast and friendly owners at this B&B located in Hope

Boutique: The Peacock at Rowsley – a gorgeous historic hotel close to Chatsworth House, with snug fires and exceptional meals at the on-site restaurant

Luxury: Losehill House Hotel and Spa – a luxurious property in Hope with countryside views, spacious rooms, and an on-site spa

The Best Places to See in the Peak District: Charming Villages, History & Culture

Eyam

Eyam is known as the Plague Village – and this was actually the first place I ever visited in the Peak District! Pronounced “eem” (not “ee-yam”), the village bravely quarantined itself during the plague of 1665-1666, in order to contain the infection and not spread the disease. Sadly, entire families were wiped out – but this action wasn’t in vain, as surrounding villages had higher survival rates because of this. See the Plague Cottages, the Plague Window in Eyam Parish Church, the Boundary Stone, and the Riley Graves. I spent the weekend here and loved it.

Bakewell

A beautiful market town located on the River Wye, Bakewell is best-known for producing Bakewell Tart and Bakewell Pudding. These sweet treats are certainly worth the short queue at the Bakewell Pudding Shop to stock up. There’s a museum and church here, plus pretty walks by the river. Thornbridge Brewery, a modern brewery with a taproom, is just outside of town.

Chatsworth House

Chatsworth House may be the crown jewel of the Peak District’s stately homes and historic attractions. Home to the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire, this impressive, palatial estate has hosted numerous film crews over the years – it’s been the home of Mr. Darcy in Pride and Prejudice, and featured in Death Comes to Pemberley and The Crown. The house has 126 rooms, with some of the most breathtaking being the State Apartments and the Painted Hall The gardens are expansive and the surrounding countryside is perfect for gentle walks.

Edensor

Not far from Chatsworth House, you’ll find the stunning little village of Edensor (pronounced “en-zuh”). The pretty, honeycomb cottages and imposing church spire are perfect for photographing on a stroll. There is a memorial to Kathleen Kennedy, sister of US President John F. Kennedy, in the graveyard here.

Castleton

Castleton is one of the most idyllic villages to visit in the Peak District. This spot in the Hope Valley has beautiful stone cottages, and is brimming with cafes, pubs, and shops. Walk up to the ruins of Peveril Castle for a spectacular view over the area, before heading underground to one of the four show caves here. Peak Cavern – known as the Devil’s Arse – Blue John Cavern, Treak Cliff Cavern, and Speedwell Cavern (where you go on an underground boat ride) are all worth visiting.

Lyme Park

Another beautiful and sprawling country estate in the Peak District, Lyme Park has a historic mansion house, landscaped gardens, and a deer park. It’s run by the National Trust today, and makes for a great day out. Head out on a walk around the grounds – be sure to admire the view from the Cage, an old hunting tower.

Ashford in the Water

Ashford in the Water is a pretty village just outside Bakewell, with a beautiful medieval Sheepwash Bridge creating the perfect idyllic photo. There are a couple of pubs here, plus a village shop and a tea room – but it’s really just a nice place to wander around, taking photos of the cute buildings.

Bolsover Castle

Bolsover Castle, located high on a hill with fabulous views over the surrounding area, is a great place to visit for history lovers. Most of the present castle dates back to the 1600s, although the first castle on the site was founded in the 11th century. The property is run by English Heritage today – be sure to look up at the amazing painted ceilings while you’re here.

Matlock and Matlock Bath

These two towns are right next to each other, although they are technically separate places. Visit the Peak District Mining Museum and soar above the sky on the Heights of Abraham cable car in Matlock Bath. Then head to one of the many pubs, restaurants, cafes, and shops in the former spa town of Matlock. Both Matlock and Matlock Bath have train stations, so this is a solid choice if you’re visiting the Peak District using public transportation.

Haddon Hall

An elegant stately home with an effortlessly romantic atmosphere, Haddon Hall dates back nearly 900 years. It’s unique in that it’s one of the only houses in England to have stayed under the ownership of just one family for its whole existence. The Long Gallery and Medieval Banqueting Hall are must-sees on a visit here. The gorgeous house also hosted numerous film crews through the years – including The Princess Bride, Elizabeth, Pride and Prejudice, and Jane Eyre.

The Best Hikes in the Peak District: Easy

Curbar Edge (Variable)

Curbar Edge has some of the best views in the whole country. It’s easiest to set off from the Curbar Edge car park and walk along the tops of the rocks, soaking up the spectacular scenery. Carry onto Froggatt Edge or go back the same way you came.

Bamford Edge (Variable)

Another of the Peak District’s iconic edges is Bamford Edge, particularly the view looking down on Ladybower Reservoir. The distance on this walk will vary depending on where you park. There is a car park (chargeable) at Heatherdene, or you might get lucky enough to bag one of the free parking spots in the laybys along the A6013 road. There are loads of boulders to explore and it’s a top spot for photography.

Stanage Edge (Variable)

There are a number of hikes around Stanage Edge, which will vary in distance depending on where you park and how far you want to go. For a short option, park near North Lees and head up along the edge – turn around when you’re ready to go back. This is a really popular spot for rock climbers.

Three Shires Head (2 miles)

Three Shires Head is one of my favorite places in the Peak District. This is a unique spot – it’s the point where the counties of Derbyshire, Cheshire, and Staffordshire meet. There are waterfalls and quaint packhorse bridges here. It’s pretty popular now, especially for swimming. There are a few different ways to get here. But for a simple out-and-back walk, start from one of the layby parking areas on the A54 – it’s about 1 mile to get to Three Shires Head. If you start here, be extremely careful when crossing the road from the laybys to get to the trail, as the traffic is very fast! On a nice day, this is an amazing spot to relax and swim.

Monsal Head (Variable)

There are a number of walks you can do around Monsal Head. The easiest is a short 1.6-mile loop along the valley and back along the river, crossing the viaduct at the end. But there are plenty of other options to extend it, seeing as the Monsal Trail is an 8.5-mile multi-use trail along an old railway line. Whichever walk you do, be sure to see the iconic view from Monsal Head over the viaduct.

Mam Tor and Winnats Pass (3 miles)

There are a number of ways to visit Mam Tor and admire the fascinating rocky walls of Winnats Pass. For a straightforward, fairly moderate hike, start at the Mam Tor car park and head up the hill. Admire the superb views as you head along the ridge to Hollins Cross, before descending down to Blue John Cavern and returning to the start. Detour towards the edge to see the view down to Winnats Pass. There are SO many other options for walks here, including a 6-mile loop from Castleton that’s also quite popular.

Burbage Edge & Burbage Moor (3.9 miles)

This is a fantastic walk to see some of the Peak District’s gorgeous moorland. There is a relatively easy loop of just under 4 miles around Burbage valley, heading down from Upper Burbage Bridge to Higger Tor to see the funky rock formations. Carry onto the bridge, and then head up the other side, either below or above the rocky edge.

Ladybower Reservoir (5 miles)

For a fairly flat and easy walk, you can’t miss the loop around Ladybower Reservoir. There are a number of different parking areas to choose from for this hike, and it’s easy to join the loop. You’ll see Derwent Dam (visit in the winter after a rainy spell to hopefully see it gushing) and soak up pretty views as you walk along the water.

The Best Hikes in the Peak District: Moderate

Thor’s Cave (3.5 miles)

Thor’s Cave is one of the best spots to visit in the Peak District. This massive cave has a huge arched entrance, and great views over Manifold Valley. There’s a short 3.5-mile loop you can do, starting in Wetton, visiting the cave, and then following the Manifold Way along the River Manifold before returning to the village. But there are lots of options for trails in the area, so it’s definitely possible to extend this walk into a longer one. Note that the trails up to the cave are very steep, and the entrance is slippery even in dry weather – so be cautious here.

Chee Dale (5 miles)

Starting from Glebe Farm in Millers Dale, the first part of this trail follows an old railway line before reaching Chee Dale. One of the best spots on this walk is the Chee Dale Stepping Stones – although the ability to cross them will depend on the river levels (it may be closed after heavy rain). Take the Monsal Trail to Blackwell before cutting back across farmland.

Bleaklow Head and the B-29 Plane Wreck (5.2 miles)

This walk starts on Snake Pass, and follows the Pennine Way up to Bleaklow Head. Detour off this easy-to-follow trail to Lower Shelf Stones, where you’ll find the wreckage of the B-29 Superfortress US Air Force plane, which crashed here in November 1948. Tragically, all 13 crewmembers were killed, and the wreckage has laid here since – there’s an American flag in the middle as a memorial. It was extremely bleak when I did this walk back in 2020. Don’t attempt this in poor visibility unless you have strong navigation skills.

Shutlingsloe and Wildboarclough (6 miles)

This great Peak District walk starts at Trentabank Reservoir and heads up to the summit of Shutlingsloe, known as the Cheshire Matterhorn. The route descends down to Wildboarclough, with great views of the hillside, and back around in a big loop via Haddon Farm.

The Dragon’s Back: Parkhorse Hill and Chrome Hill (4.5 miles)

This may be a fairly short hike in terms of distance, but you’ll want good scrambling skills and a head for heights on this one! This walk, which starts in Earl Sterndale, takes in the Dragon’s Back, summiting the spiny ridge of Parkhorse Hill before descending and climbing up Chrome Hill. It returns to the village via Dowel Dale. It’s a magnificent walk to see this dramatic scenery – it was even featured as a film location at the end of Peaky Blinders! I loved this walk.

Lud’s Church & the Roaches (8 miles)

This fantastic 8-mile route in the Staffordshire part of the Peak District takes in some of the best sights in the Peaks. Starting just north of Upper Hulme, this route first ascends Hen Cloud (a favorite spot for climbers), before heading along the top of the Roaches, with fantastic views over the area. Descend into the woods to find Lud’s Church, a 60-foot-deep chasm that feels like something out of Jurassic Park, with moss-covered walls and greenery draping down the sides. Head back the same way. Don’t miss Rockhall Cottage (also known as Don Whillans Memorial Hut), built into the stone walls of the cliffs.

Shining Tor (Variable)

Shining Tor is the highest point in Cheshire, at 559 meters. There are a number of routes up to the top – you can combine a walk here with Errwood Reservoir and the Goyt Valley. If you just want to bag the summit, it’s 2 miles from Pym Chair, where there’s parking, for a 4-mile out-and-back hike. There are beautiful views over the countryside here.

Standedge and Marsden Moor (11 miles)

I adore this walk in the Peak District near the town of Marsden. There are a number of places to start the loop. Marsden has a train station, so it’s easy to do this one with public transport. But I usually start at the small free car park off the A62 at Brun Clough Reservoir. Follow the Pennine Way along the edge, before eventually turning and heading east into Marsden. There are fantastic views across the moors here! Leave Marsden and walk up to Butterley Reservoir, maybe even to Wessenden Reservoir, before rejoining the Pennine Way. This is a fantastic walk to do at the end of the summer, when the heather is in bloom in the moors.

The Best Hikes in the Peak District: Hard

Dovestone Reservoir, the Trinnacle, and Saddleworth Moor (9.2 miles)

This fantastic and moderately challenging loop starts at the pretty Dovestone Reservoir. It passes Greenfield Reservoir before following Greenfield Brook up to the Trinnacle. The Trinnacle is a unique rock formation that you can climb up – but only in good weather. I wouldn’t risk it if the rocks are wet and slippery! Follow the paths along the edge of the moor to Chew Reservoir, before descending down to Dovestone. While Dovestone Reservoir can get busy due to its proximity to Manchester, you won’t find many crowds around Saddleworth Moor. The view from the Trinnacle is superb.

Edale Skyline (20 miles)

For a challenging hike in the Peak District, look no further than the Edale Skyline. This 20-mile trek through the Hope Valley that will take between 8 and 10 hours and covers about 1,200 meters of elevation gain. But the rewards are phenomenal – epic views across the valley on a good day. The route usually starts from Hope (where there’s a train station), or if you don’t mind adding on a few extra miles you could start in Edale.

Kinder Downfall (10 miles)

Starting from Edale, set off on the Pennine Way to see the tallest waterfall in the Peak District, Kinder Downfall. You’ll walk up Jacob’s Ladder, a set of stone steps up the hillside that start from a pretty packhorse bridge. After reaching the trig point for Kinder Low, carry on until you can see Kinder Downfall. In super windy weather, this waterfall will blow backwards! You can head off into the moorland to bag the summit of Kinder Scout, the highest point in the Peak District. A mass trespass took place here in 1932, in protest to gamekeepers limiting public access to the moors. This started the right to roam movement as we know it.

Alport Castles (9 miles)

For rugged terrain, great views, and some scrambling, head out from Fairholmes through Lockerbrook and up along the ridge to Alport Castles. This spot is best-known for the Tower, a funky rock formation that you can scramble up if you’re able. It was too muddy and wet when I went for me to reach the top (I tried but had to turn around). But I’m sure that the views are unbeatable! The route then heads down to Alport Castles Farm, following the river and crossing the A57 (Snake Road) before going up Rowlee Farm and back to the start point. Even though I couldn’t get to the top of the Tower, this was a superb walk to do in the Peaks.

BONUS: Outside the National Park

Buxton

The town of Buxton isn’t technically in the Peak District National Park itself – but it’s surrounded by the park on three sides. There is a lot to do in this spa town, including soaking up the thermal waters at the luxurious Buxton Crescent Hotel & Thermal Spa, seeing the pretty Buxton Opera House, wandering the Pavilion Gardens, or exploring underground at Poole’s Cavern.

The Peak District is one of my favorite places in England for visiting historic homes and cute villages, and exploring the great outdoors. I’ve been more times than I can count, and each visit brings new favorite destinations. There are so many fantastic spots to see here, and it’s relatively easy to get around using public transportation if you don’t have a car. I hope this post helps planning your trip to the Peak District!

Have you visited the Peak District? What were your favorite places?

You might also like my posts:

Plane Wrecks in the Peak District: Hiking to the B-29 Superfortress Wreckage

Hiking the Dragon’s Back: Parkhorse Hill and Chrome Hill in the Peak District

Dovestone Reservoir and Saddleworth Moor: Hiking in the North Peak District

Experiencing My Worst Camping Nightmare in the Peak District

An Evening Hike in the Peak District With Salomon

Exploring the Peak District on the Pure Outdoor Navigation Course

Eyam: The Peak District Plague Village

The Peak District: Hope Valley, Castleton, Mam Tor, and More

30 Incredible Places to Visit in the Lake District

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