This is my 4-day itinerary based in the stunning village of Castleton in the Peak District National Park. A great place to base yourself for a few days to explore this incredible part of the UK. The Peak District is in central England, close to the larger cities of Manchester and Sheffield. Known for endless scenic walks, caves and beautiful views.
Table of Contents
DAY 1: Chatsworth House
The first stop on the road trip (after a very long drive!) was spending the afternoon exploring the stately home and gardens of Chatsworth.
Chatsworth House is honestly breathtaking! You can walk through the house visiting some of the rooms that are open to the public, all filled with furniture, tapestries, sculptures, and paintings. Not to forget the 105 acres of immaculate gardens to explore. Make sure you take a picnic with you because there are plenty of areas to sit on the grass and admire the house.
Admission – For an adult that includes entry to all areas is £26. They offer a range of different tickets to suit everyone. It is definitely worth the money as you can spend most of the day here. All tickets need to be booked online.
Postcode for Chatsworth House: DE45 1PP, Bakewell.
DAY 2: Speedwell Cavern, Winnats Pass & Mam Tor
Speedwell Cavern
The Speedwell cavern used to be a working lead mine and today you can go on a guided boat trip through the flooded tunnels. There are 109 steps to walk down before getting onto a boat that takes you through the tunnel and then onto a cave at the end known as the ‘bottomless pit’.
Admission is a little expensive at £16 per adult, but worth it if you want to learn some history of the Peak District and what it would have been like to work down in the caves. Tickets must be booked online.
Postcode for Speedwell Cavern: S33 8WA – There is a Car Park opposite the entrance.
Mam Tor & Winnats Pass
The Speedwell Cavern is at the base of Winnats Pass, and as we had walked from the village and were close to Mam Tor we decided to do the walk for sunset. First, we headed up through Winnatts Pass and then followed a path to the top to get some epic views of the road from above. We then headed in the direction of Mam Tor joining onto this National Trust walk. The sun was setting as we reached the summit of Mam Tor and continued along the great ridge. We followed the National Trust route most of the way, but we did more or less make up our own route back to the village. There are plenty of paths and walks to follow, but make sure to take care.
PARKING: There is a large National Trust car park at the bottom of Mam Tor which is £3.50 for up to 4hrs. Or free for National Trust members. Postcode is SW33 8WA. There are a few areas where you can park on the road but these spots and car parks fill up quickly so I would recommend getting there early. Walking from the village of Castleton is also doable.
DAY 3: Peak Cavern & Cave Dale walk
Peak Cavern
The Peak Cavern or Devil’s arse as some people call it is a massive show cave in the village of Castleton. The entrance of the cave is the largest in Britain. There are guided tours through the cave system, showcasing the rock formations, and giving insight into the history of the cave, and ropemakers that once lived there. The nickname ‘Devil’s Arse’ comes from the noises the cave makes when the caverns are flooded.
Admission is £16 per person which includes the tour and is definitely worth it. Tickets have to be purchased online. If you visit any cave in Castleton, I would recommend this one.
Cave Dale walk
The Cave Dale walk starts close to the small village square. If you carry on up to the left, you should see a brown signpost for the Cave Dale walk. The footpath between Bargate and Pindale Road leads you up past some cottages. You will then come across an information post for the walk. When you walk through the gate you will see the limestone valley straight away. With green hills and limestone walls on either side. Follow the rocky path to the top for some great views. Once we got to the top we turned around and came back the same way as we walked up but there are plenty of circular walks to do if you fancy something longer.
DAY 4: Bamford Edge & Wander around Castleton
Bamford Edge
This is a short walk in the Peak District but it doesn’t matter because the views are still stunning! There are great photo spots with overhanging ledges and great views of the Ladybower reservoir. This walk is about a 15-minute drive from Castleton, so perfect if you don’t fancy driving far!
The best place to park for the Bamford Edge walk is on New Street, Bamford. There is no car park but small layby areas where you can park, which is just next to where the path begins. This is the closest spot to park but is limited. Please make sure not to block the road or any important entrances.
Once you have parked you will see plenty of paths to follow which will lead you to the Bamford ledge, a rock that overhangs the side of the moor, a great spot for views over the Reservoir. You can extend your walk if you want but we only walked to the viewpoint, enjoyed a picnic, and headed back to the car.
Postcode for Bamford legde: S33 0AD – New Road, Bamford
Enjoy a stroll around Castleton
We enjoyed a lazy afternoon wandering around the shops and tearooms in the village. Castleton is very picturesque and lovely to walk around. Make sure to admire the cottages that are in the village especially the ones by the small stream.
Places to grab a bite to eat or drink
There are plenty of places to eat and drink in Castleton, with a mixture of places from cosy country pubs to delicious tea rooms. Here is a list of some of the places we stopped at in Castleton.
Tilly’s Of Castleton – A lovely tearoom in the Centre of Castleton perfect for a bite to eat or a quick stop for some tea, scones, or cake!
The Castle – A cosy country pub and restaurant with great food!
Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese Inn – An old traditional pub that offers pub meals after a day of walking. Great for a cosy evening after walking.
Ye Olde Nags Head – A country restaurant that offers lovely food and a large selection of drinks.
FACT: The Peak District National Park is in fact the oldest National Park in the UK.
Thanks for reading, Megan x
