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 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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The Blue John Cavern in Castleton is home to 8 of the 14 known varieties of Blue John Stone, where it’s been mined for centuries. During the winter months miners still descend deep into the tunnels here, armed with traditional picks and shovels, in search of the beautiful stone. This is then cleaned and polished to be made into jewellery and ornamental objects. Guided tours of the cavern are conducted at short regular intervals. Each tour lasts around an hour and gives a wonderful insight into these magnificent natural cave systems. The famous Blue John Stone can be seen in its natural state, along with stalactites, stalagmites and huge, beautifully...
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The Peak District is a brilliant place to get out for a walk in the countryside, whether you want a gentle riverside stroll or a full day hiking in the hills. By happy coincidence, the Peak District is also well known for its many rather marvellous pubs, from cosy, two-roomed country inns to luxury gastro pubs. And what better way to set yourself up for a Best Day Out than with a bracing walk followed by a hearty meal and a local tipple?!
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Just on the edge of the Peak District National Park you'll find the magnificent Hardwick Hall. Built by the formidable Bess of Hardwick in the 1590s, it's a wonderful example of an Elizabethan country house, set on a hilltop position overlooking the Derbyshire countryside. Outside there are also extensive formal gardens, parkland with family woodland trails, a lovely restaurant and a National Trust gift shop.
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Many people associate the Heights of Abraham with just the thrilling cable car ride to the top of Masson Hill ... but that's only the start of it! Once at the top, the 60 acre estate boasts two beautiful show caverns with regular guided tours throughout the day, as well as fascinating exhibitions, a fossil museum, a lookout tower with spectacular views, a large gift shop, three cafés and restaurants, great adventure playgrounds, plus miles and miles of wonderful woodland walks. It's a great day out for everyone - including your dog!
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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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