Top Things to do in Peak District National Park
Top Hotels in Peak District National Park
What to do and see in Peak District National Park, England: The Best Budget-friendly Things to do
When it comes to outdoor activities, the Peak District National Park is the whole package. Located in the north of England, the park offers everything from horse riding to rock climbing, windsurfing to paragliding, plus walking trails galore. One trail, Derwent Valley Heritage Way, allows you to take in the area’s open landscape while also showcasing its industrial roots. Discovering hidden underground formations at such spots as Titan Cave (the highest natural cavern in the U.K.) is another popular pastime. Best of all, there are camp- and RV sites throughout so guests can settle into these surroundings.
Restaurants in Peak District National Park
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. 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!
4. Mam Tor
5. Arbor Low Stone Circle & Gib Hill Barrow
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 141 reviews
A prehistoric monument that was started in the Neolithic period, probably between 3,000 and 2,500 BC, consisting of 42 stones in a 40-meter diameter circle.
Reviewed By jacquelinee930
If you expect to see standing stones then this is not for you. However, it was obviously a very important place at some point in the dim and distant past. Although it’s managed by English Heritage it’s located on private land so there is a token £1 charge to enter. Payment is made via an honesty box just before you enter the farmyard. It’s a relatively short walk from the parking area through the farmyard before you turn left and head over 2 fields to the monument. There are a couple of information boards in the area which are worth looking at to get some idea of the importance of the site. The stoned themselves are impressive but so are the views you get from the top of the site. Brown signs make it easy to find from the A515.
6. Eyam Plague Village Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 677 reviews
Find out about Bubonic Plague in the Peak District village where it killed over a third of the population in 1665- 1666. Learn about the black rats, the fleas that carried the disease, and see the stories of the families it affected. Understand how the village recovered afterwards.
Reviewed By Mag666000 - Ormskirk, United Kingdom
Museum dedicated to the Eyam Plague of 1666, and to the Black Death generally. Amazing amount of information about this morbid chapter in human history, really bizarre how much dedication is attributed to the memory of the great plague, well worth a visit.
7. Thornbridge Hall Gardens
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 180 reviews
We are Open. Eccentric, eclectic gardens and so much more. Something for all the family - messy play for children and catching bath ducks for everyone. Yummy food from our own bakehouse - with THornbridge beer on tap!
8. Hathersage Swimming Pool
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 282 reviews
Hathersage outdoor heated swimming pool is set in a lawned enclosure with a covered veranda to one side. During the summer months, It offers the opportunity to swim in the open air, amidst the glorious Peak District scenery, in water which is heated to 28°C
Reviewed By CathYorkshire
It was always going to be fantastic to get back in the water after over 5 months of no swimming and I travelled an hour and a half to get here - it was fabulous. The pool is spotless and the water is warm, pre booking is essential and lane swimming must be booked by speed ( think I kept up in the middle lane!) The setting for the pool is spectacular, there were 4 circling buzzards overhead when I was waiting to get in - where else can you say that will happen? Just wish the pool was a lot closer to home or I would be here every week.....
9. 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.
10. 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 ;)
