ATTRACTIONS AND ACTIVITIES

The Peak District National Park boasts an impressive range of outdoor activity opportunities and popular tourist attractions. A wide network of public footpaths and extensive long-distance trails, as well as large open-access areas, mean the area is a Mecca for hillwalkers, hikers and the more sedate walkers alike.

OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES AND SPORTS

The many bridleways are popular with cyclers and horse riders.. A number of the  long-distance trails, like the Tissington and High Peak Trails, make use of former railway lines; they are much used by walkers, horse riders and cyclists. The Park Authorities run cycle hire centres at Ashbourne, Parsley Hay and Ladybower reservoir.

The extensive gritstone outcrops including Stanage edge and the The Roaches, are recognised as some of the finest rock climbing sites in the world. The Peak limestone also provides many testing climbs for even the most experienced climbers. Some of the area's large reservoirs’ are now centres for watersports, including sailing, kayaking, fishing, canoeing. Other activities enjoyed in the Peak include hang-gliding, paragliding, birdwatching, caving, fell running, greenlaning, orienteering, not to mention Golf, bowls and Dominoes.

VISITOR ATTRACTIONS

Matlock Bath, popularised in the Victorian era and still extremely popular with visitors today. Bakewell is a town packed with history, shops of all natures, cafes and bars; its five-arched bridge over the River Wye dates from the 13th century. The spa town of Buxton, developed by the Dukes’ of Devonshire as a genteel health resort in the 18^th C. is now the largest town in the Peak District and is a recognised centre for the Arts, with Opera house and Theatre; museum and art gallery. Many further small towns and villages provide visitor interest.

Historic buildings include Chatsworth House, home of the Dukes of Devonshire and among Britain's finest Stately homes; Medieval Haddon Hall, seat of the Dukes of Rutland; Hardwick Hall, built by Elizabethan; Bess of Hardwick and Lyme Park. Many of the Peak's villages and towns have fine parish churches, a fabulous example is the 14th C. Church at Tideswell, sometimes called the 'Cathedral of the Peak'.

The picturesque village of Castleton, overshadowed by the Norman Peveril Castle, has four show caves (the Peak, Blue John, Treak Cliff and Speedwell Caverns) and is the centre of production of the unique semi-precious Blue-John stone. Other show caves and mines include the Heights of Abraham caves (reached by cable car) at Matlock Bath, and Poole's Cavern at Buxton. The little village of Eyam is known for its self-imposed quarantine during the Plague of 1666 and is very popular with visitors. Little John's Grave" can be seen in Hathersage churchyard.

HISTORY & HERITAGE

The preserved steam railway between Matlock and Rowsley, the National Tramway Museum at Crich and the Cromford Canal, chart the area's transport history. The Mining Museum at Matlock Bath includes tours of the Temple lead mine, and the Derwent Valley Mills (World Heritage Site) and Brindley Water Mill at Leek, give inclings of the Peak's industrial heritage.

The Life in a ‘Lens Museum of Photography & Old Times’ in Matlock Bath presents the history of photography from 1839. There is also a ‘Viennese nights’ experience here where the whole river walks’ area is lit by fairy lights and twinkling boats meander along the river, at any time there are lovely river walks, shops and Inns; Heights of Abraham cable cars across the gorge and Gullivers Kingdom Theme Park.

Well dressing ceremonies are held in most of the villages during the Spring and Summer months, in a tradition believed to date from Pagan times. Other local customs include Castleton's annual Garland Festival and Ashbourne's Royal Shrovetide Football match, played annually since the 12th century. Buxton hosts two Opera festivals, the Buxton Festival and the International Gilbert and Sullivan Festival, as well as the Buxton Festival Fringe, and the Peak Literary Festival.

PEAK FOOD & WELCOME

Peak District food specialities include the famous Bakewell pudding which is made by a number of Bakers in the town – in the traditional way. Also the famous cheese Stilton – produced locally for example in the picturesque Derbyshire village of Hartington. 

The Peak District National Park is a veritable treasure trove of tourist attractions and wherever you go in the Peak you are assured a warm welcome – perhaps this is why it is the second most visited National Park in the World……

What to do next

Here we have options to find more information or call / email us, its your choice of course and as a more discerning customer thinking of a professionally run and well-looked after luxury holiday cottage, then look no further, book your cottage either by phone - 01629 735859 or email to info@chatsworthcottage.co.uk and we will be pleased to discuss arrangements with you.

Alternatively for more information from the web please visit our linked sites where you will find more of our cottages and information about Chatsworth Cottage:

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