Chatsworth House
Chatsworth House - one of the finest houses in the UK is beautiful to visit at all times of year, whether you'd just like to walk the stunning parkland grounds, (particularly lovely in Autumn) or you'd like to see the house and gardens. The house is decorated from head to toe for Christmas and is a real Winter wonderland from November onwards. Spring is lovely in the Gardens, and in Summer a picnic down by the river is perfect. The Chatsworth Farm shop, just past the house, is great for high quality and unusual food and great for picnic food.
Haddon Hall
The most perfect house to survive from the Middle Ages, this really is a fairy tale castle, and if you're lucky enough to visit in June when the roses that climb up the castle walls are in bloom, it's utterly romantic. In Winter there's a fantastic roaring fire in the great hall complete with sofas for you to toast your toes. It also has a great programme of events from winter markets to summer music performances to enjoy, and there's a nice tea shop with particularly good cake.
Derbyshire Villages
The local area is packed with unmissable pretty villages, perfect for an afternoon saunter followed by treats at a local tea shop or a pint in the pub. Try Winster, Youlgreave, Birchover, Ashford in the Water, Castleton, Edale, Edensor, Eyam, Ashover, Hartington, Tideswell, or Tissington. All of them are set in stunning countryside for short or long walks, and each has its own unique character. Youlgreave is great for riverside walks and cosy pubs. Eyam, the plague village is steeped in history. Edale is the gateway up to the Kinder plateau. Ashford in the water offers the nearby Monsal Head and its stunning views. Edensor, near to Chatsworth is the quintessential estate village.
Breathtaking views
Our much loved National Park is a place like no other. Packed with some of the most breathtaking views in the country, we are totally spoilt for huge landscapes and invigorating scenery. From the sweeping moors and gritstone rock formations in the Dark Peak, to the rolling limestone gorges of the White Peak, there is a long long list of must see places. Try Mam Tor, Dovedale, Monsal Head, Curbar Gap, Stanage Edge, Grindleford Surprise View, Heights of Abraham, Kinder Scout Wool Packs and Alport Castles.
Walking, running and cycling country
There is no off season in the Peak District, with every month offering something special to walk, run or cycle amongst. I've lived in the Peak District for over a decade, and I'm still discovering endless new corners. Grab a guidebook and a map and enjoy exploring at your own pace. Highly recommended is an OS Explorers map for the White Peak area of Matlock, Buxton, Bakewell and Dove Dale showing all the footpaths and cycle paths.
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