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Why we love the Peak District

Britain’s oldest national park has never felt fresher. For hikers, cyclists, horse riders and thrill seekers, the Peak District offers adventures galore – plus a thriving food scene and festivals of all shapes and sizes.

Established as a national park 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.

Things to do in the Peak District

One of Britain’s grandest stately homes, the beautiful Chatsworth House sits in a 1000-acre park in the Peak District.

Visit Chatsworth House

VisitBritain

Group of people walking down stairs under a painted ceiling
Chatsworth House

Visit one Britain’s most beautiful towns - Buxton in the Peak District, famous for its thermal spa and water.

Visit Buxton

VisitBritain/Mel Rogerson

Aerial views of Georgian mansion and grounds
Buxton

Take a cable car to the popular Peak District attraction, Heights of Abraham, a 60-acre hilltop park and caverns above pretty Matlock Bath.

Book tickets to the Heights of Abraham
Awaiting image
Heights of Abraham

Enjoy a peaceful meander through the Peak District National Park on the Monsal Trail, a flat route along a disused railway.

Discover the Monsal Trail

VisitBritain/Jon Attenborough

Two women and a man walking on a country lane in autumn
Monsal Trail

Explore the moorlands, woodlands and dramatic views of Derwent Valley at the National Trust’s Longshaw Estate.

Explore Longshaw Estate

sarkadventures

A man posing on top of Higger Tor with a wide view of the Peak District behind
Longshaw Estate

Sink your spoon into a traditional Bakewell Pudding at this famous bakery and tea room.

Visit The Old Original Bakewell Pudding Shop

VisitBritain/Jon Attenborough

Hand holding Bakewell tart in front of bakery
The Old Original Bakewell Pudding Shop

Follow the woodland trails from Poole's Cavern Visitor Centre to this mysterious Victorian tower.

Discover Solomon’s Temple

VisitBritain/Peak District

A young couple with the dog walking in Buxton Country Park with Solomon's Temple behind
Solomon’s Temple

One of Britain’s grandest stately homes, the beautiful Chatsworth House sits in a 1000-acre park in the Peak District.

Visit Chatsworth House

VisitBritain

Group of people walking down stairs under a painted ceiling
Chatsworth House

Visit one Britain’s most beautiful towns - Buxton in the Peak District, famous for its thermal spa and water.

Visit Buxton

VisitBritain/Mel Rogerson

Aerial views of Georgian mansion and grounds
Buxton

Take a cable car to the popular Peak District attraction, Heights of Abraham, a 60-acre hilltop park and caverns above pretty Matlock Bath.

Book tickets to the Heights of Abraham
Awaiting image
Heights of Abraham

Enjoy a peaceful meander through the Peak District National Park on the Monsal Trail, a flat route along a disused railway.

Discover the Monsal Trail

VisitBritain/Jon Attenborough

Two women and a man walking on a country lane in autumn
Monsal Trail

Explore the moorlands, woodlands and dramatic views of Derwent Valley at the National Trust’s Longshaw Estate.

Explore Longshaw Estate

sarkadventures

A man posing on top of Higger Tor with a wide view of the Peak District behind
Longshaw Estate

Sink your spoon into a traditional Bakewell Pudding at this famous bakery and tea room.

Visit The Old Original Bakewell Pudding Shop

VisitBritain/Jon Attenborough

Hand holding Bakewell tart in front of bakery
The Old Original Bakewell Pudding Shop

Follow the woodland trails from Poole's Cavern Visitor Centre to this mysterious Victorian tower.

Discover Solomon’s Temple

VisitBritain/Peak District

A young couple with the dog walking in Buxton Country Park with Solomon's Temple behind
Solomon’s Temple

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 B&Bs.

Woodland cabins

Want something wilder? You’ll find forest lodges and glamping sites all over the Peak District – and even treehouses too.

Explore nearby

World-class football and a music scene that brought Oasis to centre stage – there’s lots to love about Manchester.

VisitBritain/Manchester Craft Beer Festival

DJ playing to groups of people at Manchester Craft Beer Festival, in Depot Mayfield, Manchester

From The Beatles to Frankie Goes to Hollywood, Liverpool is a UNESCO City of Music with seriously cool credentials.

Oh Me Oh My

Liverpool

Rooftop of Oh me oh my restaurant in Liverpool

Proof that perfection can’t be rushed, the Yorkshire Dales was millions of years in-the-making.

VisitBritain/MattCant

Cyclist riding on road through green dales. Panoramic views

Steeped in legends that surround Robin Hood to literary greats, discover what this city has to offer.

projecthoop

A performer in front of Nottingham Castle

Getting to the Peak District

Sitting between Manchester and Sheffield, with Derby to the south, the Peak District is simple to reach by bus, train or coach, and has great motorway links. Trains from London St Pancras to Derby take around 90 minutes. The closest airports are Manchester (33 miles/53km from Bakewell) and East Midlands (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. Some brilliant walks can be reached directly from its rail stations, and bikes can be rented throughout the national park. Electric car-charging points are available throughout the region.

By bus

The local bus network is excellent. On summer weekends, the Hope Valley Explorer serves the likes of Derwent Valley, Castleton and Edale – and can carry bikes too.

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 region.

Want to know more?

For more epic Peak District adventures and great places to stay, check out its official website.