Autumn in the Peak District

Autumn in the Peak District

Located in the heart of the nation, in the southern end of the Pennines and being easily accessed from Manchester Staffordshire, Cheshire, West Yorkshire and South Yorkshire. This beautiful National Park is the scenic equal to the Lake District. Split into the Dark Peak - famed for its desolate and exposed tracts of moorland and the White Peak - known for its gently rolling plateau, dissected by limestone dales.

Attracting millions of visitors each year, there is something for everyone, from taking a walk up Mam Tor with breath taking views to enjoying a thrill seekers family day out at the Gulliver’s Kingdom theme park.

One of the most famed and popular attractions within the Peak District is Chatsworth House, situated 3.5 miles outside of Bakewell. This renowned attraction provides a varied calendar of events throughout the year as well as the opportunity to peruse the historical house, gardens and farmyard.

The Peak District caters for many different outdoor pursuits such as cycling, rock climbing, walking and caving. Open to explore are the scenic walks of Kinder Scout, Stanage Edge (popular with climbers), Mam Tor, Dovedale and Derwent Edge. The park is also home to many reservoirs, which provide easy walks including Ladybower, Derwent, Howden and Damflask. The Ladybower Reservoir is also of historical importance, where the Dam Busters trained for their famous mission during the Second World War.

Perhaps best known for its delicious pudding, Bakewell is the Park’s largest town, a small market town with quaint streets and courtyards with boutique shopping and coffee shops. This popular town boasts mellow stone buildings, a medieval five-arched stone bridge and is home to the Bakewell show.

At the western end of the Hope Valley is the village of Castleton where there are four show caves you can tour and discover semi precious minerals, rock formations and fossils. Peveril Castle is also well worth a visit. The castle is one of England’s earliest Norman fortresses and stands high above Castleton with panoramic views.

Matlock, a county town of Derbyshire, also proves to be popular with tourists. You can take a cable car up to the Heights of Abraham where there are cavern tours, walking trails, fossil exhibitions and a café to relax and reflect on all of the day’s activities.

Autumn in The Peak District National Park is one of the most picturesque times of the year to visit. Padley Gorge, near to Grindleford, attracts walkers and photographers from around the country to experience and capture the autumnal colours and moss covered tree roots.

Whether you’re looking for family fun, market towns, villages, walking, climbing, cycling or to discover historical attractions, there are few better places to be outdoors, enjoying an area of outstanding natural beauty.