What To Do In The Peak District And How To Have The Perfect Trip
The Peak District National Park is one of the most popular national parks in the UK. Found in the North of England, this national park is perfect for those who are more adventurous or those who want to discover a quainter side to Britain’s Northern countryside, from limestone dales to gritstone escarpments.
One of my biggest problems, when I’m figuring out where to take a trip, is figuring out where I want to go. Especially when it comes to national parks.
Should I head to Snowdonia? The Lake District? The Peak District? What sets them apart? And what do I even do when I get there. The problem is, there are all amazing choices.
Luckily, I have finally discovered the things that set the UK’s national parks apart, and I’m here to help you figure out if the Peak District is the one for you.
The problem is, there are all amazing choices. Luckily, I have finally discovered the things that set the UK’s national parks apart, and I’m here to help you figure out if the Peak District is the one for you.
What Is The Peak District?
The Peak District National Park is a National Park in the centre of England that covers an area of more than 1,000 square kilometres.
It includes beautiful valleys like the Derwent Valley and Monsal Valley, high moorlands in the Dark Peak, ancient woodland walks, rolling farmland and rugged limestone peaks like Mam Tor. There are also many hiking trails and viewpoints to explore.
The Peak District is popular with visitors from all over the world. It is a Designated Area of Outstanding National Beauty and for good reason. The views in this area of the world are renowned for being stunning. They have been referred to throughout literary history for their majesty.
The Peak District is very popular with visitors, and there are many hidden treasures to be discovered when you visit. You can experience a wide range of landscapes and habitats, including ancient forests, grasslands and marshes, which are home to many rare species.
You can also hike along paths that trace the history of the area through towns such as Bakewell or Buxton. There are also lots of activities to do in the Peak District, including cycling, horse riding and dog walking.Why should you visit the Peak District?
One of my biggest problems, when I’m figuring out where to take a trip, is figuring out where I want to go. Especially when it comes to national parks. Should I head to Snowdonia? The Lake District? The Peak District? What sets them apart? And what do I even do when I get there.
Why Should You Visit The Peak District
The Peaks are famous for their scenery and there are many attractions to visit including natural beauty spots, art galleries, museums and visitor attractions.
There are also plenty of National Trust properties and activities to enjoy as well as more unusual places to explore like mining sites, subterranean railways and caves.
The Peak District is also a great place for outdoor activities like hiking, cycling and horse riding. If you’re planning a trip to the UK then the Peak District is a must see!
Some of the top things to do in the Peak District include going for a hike. The Peak District is notorious for its hikes. If you want amazing views of its rolling hill and wide open spaces then definitely fit a hike into your trip.
Top routes include: Padley Gorge, Dovedale Walk, and Kinder Scout Walk along the Great Ridge in the Dark Peak.Discover the literary locations linked to the Peak District.
Caving is one of the most highly popular activities in the Peak District and something that sets it apart from Britain’s other National Parks. Head to Carlswark Cavern, Giant’s Hole and Bagshawe Cavern for the top caving experiences.
You could also take a bike ride. Due to the gentle hills that make up the Peak District’s landscape, it is more ideal for cycling than many of the other national parks.
Top trails include the Monsal Trail and the Tissington Trail, which have both won awards for their fantastic routes through the Derbyshire countryside.
Chatsworth House
Jane Austen famously set Mr Darcy’s home of Pemberly here, with it being filmed for the 2005 movie at Chatsworth House, the grand stately home on the Chatsworth Estate.
This alone is a great day out to explore the landscaped gardens, adventure playground, and woodland walks around Chatsworth Park. If you’re a Bronte fan, head to Hathersage village to discover the area that inspired Jane Eyre.
Check the Chatsworth parking update and Chatsworth House car park information before you go.
Take A Virtual Tour Around Chatsworth House
If you want a preview of the delights that await you at Chatsworth House, then definitely take a look at this virtual tour.
Even more reasons to visit the Peak District!
Enjoy the amazing waterfalls. The Peak District is also home to some beautiful waterfalls for you to admire and photograph. Padley Gorge, Panniers Pool and the Chatsworth House waterfall at the Swiss Lake remain some of the most popular spots to visit in the entire national park.
Head to Bakewell for a tasty treat. Bakewell is the home town of the infamous Bakewell Tart and you will be able to buy authentic and local tarts when you visit the village of Bakewell.
Check out the outdoor shops in Bakewell for any hiking gear you need. It is also an adorable old English village to spend some time exploring if you want to head back into civilisation for a while. The River Derwent runs through Bakewell, which makes for a nice riverside walk.
How to plan a trip to the Peak District
The first thing you need to do is plan what you want to do. Would you prefer to visit historical locations like Chatsworth House? Or go for hikes and wood walks? Which routes do you need to take?
You can end up with a lot of wasted time if you don’t have a plan. So, it’s a really good idea to make one before you go. Get a Chatsworth map and look up directions to Chatsworth House.
Make sure you have everything you need for your trip. If you’re going for lots of hikes, make sure you have a pair of safe and sturdy hiking boots. If you’re planning to camp out in the wilderness you’ll need to be prepared with a cosy and comfortable sleeping bag.
And of course, don’t forget to bring along your camera, so you can capture the amazing sights that the Peak District has to offer.
Choose your perfect place to stay.
Accommodation can be one of the most important parts of your entire holiday.
For adventurous holidays like this, you’ll need to make sure you’re well rested so you can get up and do it all over again the next day. Here are some of my top recommendations for places to stay in the Peak District:
Chestnut Farm Holiday Cottages
Tips for the best holiday in the Peak District
Plan a variety of things to do.
I know we all have our favourites but sometimes we can surprise ourselves when we push the boat out. Some of my favourite parts of my trips are the parts I wasn’t even looking forward to most!
So I recommend picking a couple of things you might not normally do and giving them a go, just to see what happens. Check out circular routes like the Baslow to Chatsworth walk, the Chatsworth 10k route, or the Bakewell to Chatsworth walk along the Derwent Valley Heritage Way.
Visit Calton Lees and Calton Hollow near Chatsworth Park. Explore the White Peak and Stand Wood near the Hunting Tower on the Chatsworth Estate.
See the Emperor Lake and Swiss Lake in Chatsworth Park.
Set some time aside to relax.
Sometimes these kinds of holidays can be jam-packed and busy, and they can become quite overwhelming. Take a nice book to read, or download a meditation app, and set some time aside each day to relax. You won’t regret it.
Save up a few extra pounds before you go.
These holidays always seem to have extra expenses, so it’s always best to save up a little bit before you actually head off. If you end up visiting places like Bakewell, you can certainly end up spending a little bit on delicious food to enjoy.
It’s better to be prepared and be able to enjoy a lovely slice of tart, rather than have to wander past the bakery pretending your mouth isn’t watering.
Top 25 Things To Do In The Peak District
If you need some more ideas for things to do in the Peak District then go and check out AlexTravels great video to find out the top 25 things to do.
Frequently Asked Questions
The last thing you need to know about the Peak District
The Peak District is one of the few places in the world that I really think has something for everyone. It manages to combine the relaxing picturesque, with the exciting adventure, with the historic stately home, with the sweet and quaint English village.
No matter what your tastes are, there is something for you here. If you’re coming from abroad I especially encourage you to head up to the lovely part of the North of England and discover a different side to this varied and surprising country.
If you want to find out about about another of the UK’s amazing national parks, go and check out my post on The Myths of Snowdonia – Wales’ largest national park and home to the second largest mountain in the UK.
Thank you so much for reading and I hope to see you back here again soon!
Ta-ta for now! x
