The Peak District is an incredible place, full of activity and life and no matter the season, there is always something to enjoy whether visiting as a family, couple or even on your own!
Found at the heart of England, the Peak District is a huge space, stretching across 555 square miles and offering explorers the opportunity to enjoy the beautiful scenery of rolling hills and peaceful river valleys alongside a variety of activities and events.
Alongside the national park, visitors to the Peak District can visit a number of top-rated attractions, from the Heights of Abraham to the caves of Pooles Cavern and beyond. For culture lovers, nature explorers or those who just want a change of scenery, we’ve provided a detailed list of what wonders await you in the Peak District.
Poole’s Cavern & Buxton Country Park
Journey beneath the earth to a world untouched and marvel at the incredible crystal structures that have been forming over millions of years on a tour to Poole’s Cavern. On your visit to the caves, you will be led around by our expert guides who will provide insights and facts about how the cavern came to be and how it’s been used over the centuries.
An all-weather attraction, you can visit Poole’s Cavern come rain or shine and on a pleasant day, you can combine your visit with a peaceful walk through the gorgeous woodland trails of Buxton Country Park.
Heights of Abraham
The Heights of Abraham is a stunning hilltop estate that is reachable by the cable car system, first introduced in 1984 and was the first of its kind in the UK. On your gentle journey to the top, you’ll experience incredible views of the surrounding Derwent Valley and Mason Hill.
Once at the top, you’ll be welcomed to the sprawling estate, home to a number of attractions including explorable caverns and caves, an adventure playground and the interesting fossil centre. There is also a restaurant and cafe at the top for when you want to make your visit into a full day trip. All this and more is included in the cost of a return cable car ticket, but the best part is the unrivalled panoramic views you get from the top, unlike anywhere else in the Peak District and is sure to leave you awe-inspired.
Chatsworth House
History, culture, art and artefacts await you at Chatsworth House and Estate. Found on the banks of the River Derwent, it’s not difficult to see why Chatsworth House also goes by the ‘Palace of the Peak’ and is considered one of the most popular places to visit on a trip to the Peak District. With over 30 magnificent rooms to explore, each providing a glimpse into the history of Chatsworth and it’s 4,000 years of history and culture, you can easily spend an entire day wandering throughout the wondrous property.
Outside of Chatsworth is the Chatsworth Estate, 105 acres of meticulously maintained gardens and parkland that features the original canal pond, a Victorian rock garden, modern water features, an explorable maze and much more to discover!
There are plenty of guided walks and tours available around Chatsworth House and Estate or you can download one of the trail maps for Little Explorers and make your own adventure across the grounds!
Derwent Dam
In the Peak District National Park’s Upper Derwent Valley, you’ll find three Dams known as the Derwent Dams, individually they are known as Derwent Dam, Ladybower Dam and Howden Dam. It’s a beautiful area, renowned for its many walks, cycle routes and stunning scenery and was the area used for the Dam Busters practice run during World War II in preparation for the attack on the Ruhr dams in Germany. It was also the filming location for the world-famous Dam Busters film which told the story of the Lancaster bombers and their mission.
There are a number of picturesque villages in the area to enjoy where you can stop for a bite to eat, enjoy boutique shopping and even go for a swim, the perfect place to unwind after wandering the expansive reservoirs and exploring the serene forests.
Haddon Hall
Imagine the opportunity to step back in time to a world untouched, where 300-year-old relics of a life once lived still line the walls, fill the tables and wait for their time of usefulness to come again. Haddon Hall is considered one of Medieval Britain’s greatest survivors, having been under lock and key from the 1700’s until it’s reopening in the 1920s. Haddon Hall is an incredible representation of a time forgotten and is one of England’s most loved and timeless stately homes.
Guests who visit Haddon Hall and its elegant gardens are enchanted by its charm and history; it has been used a number of times as a location in films and TV shows. Between March and September and over the holiday season, Haddon Hall hosts a variety of events including guided tours, musical performances and exciting markets.
The Pavillion Gardens
The Pavillion Gardens in Buxton is a fantastic place to spend the day as a family. Set amongst 23-acres of beautifully maintained gardens, the Pavillion itself is a historic, grade II listed building, dating back to 1871. During your visit to the gardens, you can pop by the recently added Ice Cream Parlour, Coffee Van and Pavillion Kitchen for delicious food and refreshments. For kids, there are a number of play areas including a special area for toddlers and the whole family will enjoy the boating lake and miniature train.
There’s a retail arcade available in the gardens that offer a huge variety of locally sourced produce including baked goods, handmade chocolates and fairtrade coffee. Alongside handmade cards and toys and plenty of hand-crafted gifts in the Gift Boutique.
Kinder Scout
Kinder Scout is the highest point in the Peak District and one of the most famous peaks in the area as the location of the 1932 Mass Trespass which resulted in the creation of Britain’s National Parks. Kinder Scout offers the most challenging walks in all of the Peak District but the payoffs are some of the most rewarding, with unrivalled panoramic views from the top and the tallest waterfall in the Peak District on the way.
There are a number of interesting rock formations and legends around Kinder Scout, including two mermaids that are said to live in Black Mere Pool and Mermaid’s Pool. Kinder Scout is also the first point of the Pennine Way, a 267-mile journey that begins in the Peak District and ends in Scotland.
Whether you prefer to spend your time outdoors or undercover, the Peak District offers you a season of delights and events visit after visit and is the ideal place to spend a holiday. The Best Western Nottingham Derby Hotel is only a short distance away and whether you are on an overnight break in the countryside or a week-long adventure, we can provide a comfortable stay at an affordable rate. There’s plenty more to see and do in the area and our staff will be happy to help you find more places to visit in the Peak District.
