Derbyshire and the Peak District is home to some of the most beautiful scenery in the UK. Even in the world! Pretty villages, rambling rivers and majestic mountains all make up this stunning landscape.
For those who enjoy being out and about in the great outdoors, you will struggle to beat the beauty of the Peak District. Spend a relaxing holiday there and you can get away from it all and return home rejuvenated by nature.
The best way to experience the Peak District is by walking – so what are you waiting for? Pack your walking boots and walking maps and head for Derbyshire. Here are some of the best walks in the area…
Bakewell – yes, the home of the famous Bakewell tart – is your starting point as you walk the route through some pretty woods and the little village of Edensor before arriving at the famous Chatsworth House, the jewel in Derbyshire’s crown.
Kinder Scout – If you are up for a challenge, the walk to Kinder Scout takes in some of the most beautiful views and a waterfall as you head for the summit – the highest point in the whole Peak District – where you will be able to take in all the beautiful landscape beneath you.
Castleton – Start in Castleton and make your way along the ridge where you will see beautiful views and wildlife aplenty as you head towards Mam Tor – also known as the shivering mountain. On your way back the route takes you past some traditional local pubs where you can stop for a hearty dinner and some local beer!
Eyam, the plague village
Between walks, the Peak District has plenty of history to explore, and few places are as moving as Eyam. At first glance it looks like any pretty Derbyshire village, but its story is one of loss and sacrifice.
In August 1665, a tailor in the village ordered cloth from London, where bubonic plague was rife. Within a week of its arrival he had caught the disease, and other villagers soon began to fall ill. Seeing how quickly it was spreading, the local vicar persuaded the village to go into quarantine, with nobody coming in and nobody going out, to protect neighbouring towns and villages.
The quarantine lasted fourteen months, and the villagers endured a terrible ordeal. It is estimated that around three quarters of them died, and one woman lost her husband and six of her seven children. Their sacrifice meant the surrounding area stayed free of plague, which is why Eyam is still remembered today.
Chatsworth House as a stop on your walk
The Peak District is a walker’s dream, from the views across Kinder Scout to the moving story of the plague village of Eyam and the town that gave its name to the Bakewell tart. But no visit to Derbyshire is complete without Chatsworth House, which makes a rewarding stop on or after a day’s walking.
The Cavendish family has lived at Chatsworth since the 16th century, and it has been the seat of the Dukes of Devonshire for 16 generations. Inside, the Painted Hall was built by the first Duke to impress his visitors, and it still does. The sculpture gallery holds works by some of the most talented artists of the 19th century.
The gardens alone cover more than 100 acres and have evolved over several centuries. There is an arboretum, sculpture and historic landscaping to explore, along with the famous willow tree fountain, a lake and a maze, so it is easy to spend hours wandering the grounds.