Before traveling to the Peak District National Park, I had done a lot of research on what we wanted to see and do. It is such a big space, about 555 square feet to be exact, that you almost need to have a plan if you are visiting for a weekend.
With so many cute places to visit and beautiful hikes to do, we found the 2 days we spent there quite busy but there was definitely time for relaxation.
I would suggest staying somewhere central so it’s easy for you to get around to the places you want to go. During our trip we stayed in Derbyshire which seemed to be perfect. We never had to drive too far for the sights we wanted to see or places we wanted to eat.
Here are the top things to see and do in the Peak District National Park for your next trip:
Stay in a tiny home
One of my favourite things to do when visiting somewhere in nature is to search out tiny homes. I mean, there were some seriously cool places we stayed at in Iceland so I’m always on the hunt for other unique places to stay at. I do find Airbnb really good for that.
The place we stayed at in Derbyshire was a super cute wagon-like tiny home. It is definitely one of the top places we’ve stayed in Europe. I think it also helped that the weather was pretty miserable during our stay because I love the sound of rain on a rooftop. Plus, we got to wake up looking at cows which was pretty cool.
Stepping Stones Dovedale
One of the most famous spots to see in the Peak District are the Stepping Stones Dovedale. Located near Ilam Park, the stepping stones are exactly as the name suggests, a group of stones that you can walk on to cross a rushing river.
You have to park a little distance away and walk to the stones but the walk is a short one. Plus the surrounding area is very pretty so it’s worth the walk. However, given that it’s England and you’re likely to run into quite a bit of mud so rainboots would be strongly suggested here.
Thor’s Cave
Another one of the beautiful things we saw during our time in the Peak District National Park was Thor’s Cave. Located just outside of the small town of Wetton, Thor’s Cave is a bit of a walk to get to it but it’s through beautiful farmland among rolling hills.
Take some time to hike up above Thor’s Cave for some beautiful views above and then follow the path to the cave itself. The walk is pretty difficult so I wouldn’t suggest those with mobility issues take part in this particular activity.
Mam Tor
If you’re looking for an easy walk along a paved path with absolutely stunning views of valleys, green hills and winding roads than Mam Tor is what you’re looking for. This hill is an easy walk for most people. You can choose to do as little or as much of it as you want. Being 6 months pregnant and on a schedule we went to the top, walked along it for a little and then came back down.
There is parking at the base of the hill and it’s marked. Be sure to pay the small fee to park in the parking lot, if memory serves it was only about 2 pounds.
Winnats Pass
One of the coolest places we drove through during our time in the Peak District National Park was Winnats Pass. This small valley looks like something you’d find in New Zealand or the Irish coast.
You can choose to walk through Winnats Pass by parking your car in the parking lot at the bottom (you will have to pay). You could also just drive through it but in my opinion, it’s definitely not the same experience!
Wander through a small town
Similar to the Cotswolds, there are so many beautiful towns in the Peak District. I may be biased but small English towns are some of my favourite things to see while traveling. The Peak District has no shortage of these spotted about.
We spent some time wandering through Castleton, located just below Winnats Pass. I can never get over how quaint and cute the little cottages are in these towns! Bakewell is also another popular small town to wander through in the Peak District.
Eat at a local pub
I mean this goes for any destination you visit in England, if you haven’t dined or had a pint at a local pub then you haven’t truly experienced the country. There are so many pubs it will be hard to choose just one and quite honestly, you can’t go wrong.
We were lucky enough to be walking distance to a super cute pub near our Airbnb in Derbyshire. The owners even had their dogs inside who wandered playfully throughout begging for scraps. That’s definitely not something you’d find in North America!
Go hiking
Of course, most visitors to the Peak District National Park are actually going for the hiking. There are so many trails that cater to all sorts of skill levels. I would suggest you do your homework before going to see what hikes you want to do.
Visit Peak District is a really great resource for some of the walking routes in the area. We did a portion of the Castleton – Mam Tor route and it was pretty easy and offered stunning views.
