70 Best Days Out in the Peak District
The Peak District National Park was founded on 17 April 1951, the first national park ever to be created in the UK. It covers 555 square miles of the most beautiful parts of Derbyshire, Staffordshire, Cheshire, Yorkshire and even parts of Greater Manchester.
To celebrate the 70th birthday of our very favourite place, we’ve collected together what we consider to be the 70 Best Days Out in the Peak District to inspire you to visit more of this wonderful area. Have a browse through our collection below to get suggestions for entirely new spots to discover, or to remind yourself to revisit old favourites.
You’ll find all the region’s best attractions in here, as well as the most popular beauty spots and a few hidden gems as well, not to mention some wonderful little villages and many of the vibrant towns on the borders.
Join us in celebrating the very best that the Peak District has to offer, not just in this special birthday year but in every year to come!
The picture-perfect town of Bakewell in Derbyshire is often referred to as the ancient capital of the Peak District, and it’s the only town that lies wholly within the boundary of the National Park. Bakewell is a relatively small market town with a population of less than 5,000, but its peaceful setting on the River Wye and its wealth of historic buildings, shops and restaurants make it a very popular destination for visitors. We think it’s a wonderful place to explore, with pretty riverside walks, narrow lanes and hidden courtyards.
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The pretty Peak District village of Hope in Derbyshire is often overshadowed by its near neighbour Castleton, but it has loads to offer the visitor, with a range of lovely shops, cafés and pubs. As the name suggests it’s located in the heart of the Hope Valley and it's surrounded by stunning scenery, overlooked by the slopes of Win Hill and Lose Hill.
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The deep, dark chasm of Lud’s Church is a truly mysterious place, full of myth and legend, hidden within the depths of Back Forest in the Staffordshire Peak District. Inside is green as far as the eye can see. The walls are covered with mosses, ferns and grasses, and arching above the chasm, forming a natural roof, are trees that have grown from both sides to meet in the middle.
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Located in the beautiful Hope Valley and surrounded on all sides by spectacular scenery, the pretty village of Hathersage is a great place to spend a day! The village boasts a collection of vibrant shops, cafés, pubs and restaurants, and there are great countryside walks in literally all directions.
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A trip to the magnificent natural cavern of Thor’s Cave is an unforgettable experience for those visiting the beautiful Manifold Valley in the Staffordshire Peak District. The huge arched entrance is set in a steep limestone crag and is easily visible (and quite accessible) from the path below.
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The lovely village of Cromford lies on the edge of the Peak District in the Derwent Valley between Matlock and Wirksworth in Derbyshire. It is perhaps best known for its connection with the renowned industrialist Richard Arkwright, who built Cromford Mills in 1771.
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This beautiful 5.5 mile walk between Eyam and Stoney Middleton is a great way to see this area. The route is a Figure of 8, with historic Eyam providing the start, middle and end point. You could do both circles with a break in the middle, or choose to complete either one on its own. The first half of the Figure of 8 takes you out of Eyam, past the Riley Graves and down into Stoney Middleton. The second half takes you through Eyam and out in the other direction, offering splendid views over the village from Eyam Edge before returning to your start point.
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