Top Things to do in Peak District
Things to do in Peak District, England: The Best Nature & Parks
Discover the best top things to do in Peak District, United Kingdom including Kinder Scout, Stanage Edge, The Roaches Peak District, Ridge Walk Mam Tor to Losehill, Chee Dale, Heights of Abraham, Lea Gardens, Treak Cliff Cavern, Tissington Trail and High Peak Trail, Poole's Cavern & Buxton Country Park.
Restaurants in Peak District
1. Kinder Scout
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 290 reviews
Reviewed By amdgriggs - Sheffield, United Kingdom
I’ve been walking on and around Kinder for nearly 60 years now and it’s probably my favourite place in England for grand walking, certainly if all the places you can reach easily from Sheffield. It boasts a couple of true classic routes (eg up Grindsbrook from Edale, round the southern edge of the plateau westward to Edale Rocks and then down Jacobs Ladder and via Upper Booth, with options to go up Ringing Roger to start to avoid the Grindsbrook crowds, and to extend by heading north across the plateau to Kinder Gates and Kinder Downfall before heading south along the western edge to Jacobs Ladder) - great walks and spectacular in good weather but also never to be underestimated. Kinder is very different in cold, wet or misty weather - I well remember wintry walks on Kinder with my dad as a child, but also more recent occasions when I’ve marvelled at inexperienced and under-equipped walkers up there in descending mist with no map or compass and only a sketchy idea where they want to be. There’s a reason the Edale Mountain Rescue Team is so busy.... Things have changed in the past few years and much of the popular stretch of the plateau edge from Grindsbrook to Jacobs Ladder is now well-engineered with millstone slabs (to control erosion; the centre of the plateau also has far more vegetation than 60 years ago, thanks to extensive replanting of heather and the construction of hundreds of leaky dams which have prevented the further erosion of many of the peat hags. My favourite sections to walk are now some of the quieter and more remote areas at the eastern or northern ends of the plateau, where there are a surprising number of clear but little-used paths and some wonderful rock outcrops. A great walk is to walk up to Hope Cross (eg from Bagshaw Bridge on the Edale side), up to the plateau and then do as long an anti-clockwise circuit as you have the energy for, cutting across to the south side at one of the narrower points and using your navigation skills. There are also paths across the plateau, most not shown on OS maps but clearly shown on (eg) Open CycleMap, which comes free with the ViewRanger app. There’s another fine walk too from the Snake Inn west up Ashop Clough to Ashop Head, then east along the plateau’s northern edge before descending again off Fairbrook Naze. Kinder gets really popular at weekends and in good weather - good to see, of course, and not surprising too as it’s also the start of the Pennine Way - and it’s always good to know there are quieter parts which are just as dramatic and just as wild: check out the iconic Kinder Gates, or the Madwoman’s Stone. Very highly recommended.
2. Stanage Edge
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 492 reviews
Reviewed By aashildg
We followed a guide book from Hathersage and it was an amazing walk with a lovely view over the Peak District.
3. The Roaches Peak District
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 462 reviews
Reviewed By kenhI2641SB - Ipswich, United Kingdom
Visited when staying at the Camping and Caravanning site at Blackshaw Moor near Leek. It was a superb 10 mile round trip hike from the campsite, across country via Lower Blackshaw Farm and Whitty Lane up to Hen Cloud. From there its an excellent north west trek following the Roaches ridge past Doxy Pool to the Trig point before turning back. Superb views of Tittesworth Reservoir. Plenty of places to stop for a picnic with a view. There is limited roadside parking that runs below the Roaches albeit it gets full very quickly. It is worth noting that it is not a bad walk from the reservoir Visitor Centre where there is ample parking, toilets etc.
4. Ridge Walk Mam Tor to Losehill
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 756 reviews
Reviewed By 677KarenL
Highly recommend this walk in the Peak District - it's a firm favourite. I love the great outdoors and this really is an area of unspoilt natural beauty. Walks for all abilities - simply from the NT car park up to the top of Mam Tor peak to take in the views or to carry on and follow the ridge all along and descend into Castletown for a walk around. It's a stunning walk that I will happily do time and time again!
5. Chee Dale
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 10 reviews
Reviewed By Charlotte_Lottie23 - Derby, United Kingdom
Another beautiful part of the Peak District. Parking was easy to find. Toilets and a cafe, following all COVID-19 rules. Easy to follow path with lots of signs along the way. Lots of opportunities to take some lovely pictures.
6. Heights of Abraham
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,641 reviews
Now open daily. Take a spectacular cable car ride to the Heights of Abraham, an award-winning hilltop park. Your cable car ticket gives you free admission to all the facilities at the top, including 60 acres of landscaped grounds, exhibition areas, Masson Pavilion Film Theatre, adventure playgrounds, woodland walks, and two famous show caverns with guided tours, audio visual effects and remarkable stories to tell. Cavern tours take place throughout the day. NEW self guided audio heritage tour available via your mobile phone. Enjoy stunning views across the Derwent Valley from the Vista Restaurant and Bar. Dogs are welcome and travel free on the cable cars, but are not allowed down into the Caverns.
Reviewed By RichardG2938
We came for a day out to celebrate my partner's 30-something birthday and what a day! From my 39 to our youngest girl's 4 years, there was something to interest, even fascinate, all of us. The kids loved the cable car, Punch and Judy show and playgrounds, while us grown ups were fascinated by the history of the park and the cave tour; your guide Graham is a real asset to the place, knowledgeable and informative, but really laid back and funny. We can't wait to come back with the remaining younger manners of your little clan. The only bitter taste was left by the council car park whose ticket machines are cash-only and there's no option to pay by phone as is the norm elsewhere these days. Other than that one single gripe, The Heights of Abraham is a fabulous day out. Thank you!
7. Lea Gardens
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 208 reviews
Reviewed By O357EZians
We visited Lea Gardens for our wedding anniversary. As this was a strange time with lockdown we wanted to go out somewhere different. And we were more than pleasantly surprised, the gardens were glorious and the one-way system really well thought out, so you see the whole garden and miss absolutely nothing, which you could do without it. Toilets are really clean as was the cafe, even though it wasn't open except to sell the tickets for the garden. So, if you are visiting Matlock leave some time for here, but don't forget the blooming season for Rhododendron, Azaleas and Camellia bushes.
8. Treak Cliff Cavern
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 738 reviews
Started as a Blue John mine over 300 years ago, Treak Cliff Cavern continues to mine, process and manufacture ornamental items and jewellery from Blue John Stone today. On the 40 minute guided tour visitors can see the most abundant veins of Blue John Stone in the world and some of the 'finest stalactites' in the Peak District. We also have a shop with a vast array of rocks and minerals from around the world. Visit our free to enter museum and read about the history of the mine and see some beautiful antique Blue John ornaments, after which you can enjoy a slice of Blue John cake and refreshments from our on site cafe while admiring the view down the valley.
Reviewed By Sozlovesholisays - Ipswich, United Kingdom
We managed to nip into the cavern just before a bus of school children arrived. We had a private tour with Lorna, she was such a knowledgeable guide as well as being amusing too. We really enjoyed the whole experience including a lovely cup of tea from the on site cafe. All the staff were so friendly it made it so much more enjoyable.
9. Tissington Trail and High Peak Trail
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 436 reviews
Reviewed By My-Nayvee
Pleasant stroll in the sun , walking from Parsley Hay to Hartington and back ... nice and level made for a nice amble... Great for walking and cycling alike ... Off down the other way tomorrow ;)
10. Poole's Cavern & Buxton Country Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,678 reviews
Poole’s Cavern is the most spectacular natural cavern in the Peak District. The cavern is famous for the spectacular and unique crystal formations including the longest stalactite formation in the region. Your expert guide will accompany you on a 45 minute journey through chambers once used as shelter and worship by prehistoric to roman visitors. See the cathedral sized main chamber carved from Limestone by an ancient river and follow safe and accessible walkways through beautifully illuminated passages on a journey deep underground. Back above ground browse through our rock and gem shop and view the archaeological discoveries from the cavern in the exhibition. Due to Covid restrictions we have a reduced cafe with take away drinks and snacks for 2020, lots of picnic tables for visitors. Complete your day with a stroll on our country park woodland trails with animal sculptures to find which lead to Solomon's Temple viewpoint at 439m above sea level and views of the Peak District.
Reviewed By 550bridgete - Milton Keynes, United Kingdom
Great place to visit, we had a very knowledgeable guide,the caves are amazing and are lit really well and with the guides torch you can see a lot, a real gem and well worth a visit
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