Dog Posted 8 May, 2012 Share Posted 8 May, 2012 Looking at going up to the Peak District for the weekend with the woman for a bit of walking, visiting small towns & villages, old pubs & great scenery. But I have never been before so can anyone recommend anywhere to stay and places to visit? Haven't booked anywhere yet so if anyone knows any good Inns or hotels. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Boy Saint Posted 8 May, 2012 Share Posted 8 May, 2012 A Few folks I know have stayed at The Castle in Castleton, part of the Innkeepers Lodge chain but an Olde Inn. If you like walking there is absolutely loads to do around the Village, The Devils Ar$e cavern, Peverill Castle ruins, Climb Mam Tor (then walk the ridge for a 8 mile round trip). We have stayed there a few times but had the Caravan so stay on the edge of the Village. Castleton is quite central for both the White and Dark Peak, and the next Valley over the hill sees the start of the Pennine way. We hadn't really paid much attention to the Peak District until my Sister moved to Glossop, then discovered it en route to her house the scenic route. Once you get into the Peak after a while you forget this big bit of relative Wilderness is more or less surrounded by some of the densest populated Towns and City's in the country, which is where the down side is: because it is so close to so many people it does get busy on the main routes and in towns like Matlock, Buxton, and Bakewell on the weekend if the weather is good, thankfully most of those folks will give the nice little places just off the main routes a miss. Hope it helps Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dog Posted 8 May, 2012 Author Share Posted 8 May, 2012 That was brilliant John, thank you. So are you saying I should stay in Castleton, is that a pretty village? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dangerous Albert Posted 8 May, 2012 Share Posted 8 May, 2012 Castleton is an ideal place to stay! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dune Posted 8 May, 2012 Share Posted 8 May, 2012 Matlock might be a good place to stay, lots of pubs, shops and cafes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dog Posted 8 May, 2012 Author Share Posted 8 May, 2012 A Few folks I know have stayed at The Castle in Castleton, part of the Innkeepers Lodge chain but an Olde Inn. If you like walking there is absolutely loads to do around the Village, The Devils Ar$e cavern, Peverill Castle ruins, Climb Mam Tor (then walk the ridge for a 8 mile round trip). We have stayed there a few times but had the Caravan so stay on the edge of the Village. Castleton is quite central for both the White and Dark Peak, and the next Valley over the hill sees the start of the Pennine way. We hadn't really paid much attention to the Peak District until my Sister moved to Glossop, then discovered it en route to her house the scenic route. Once you get into the Peak after a while you forget this big bit of relative Wilderness is more or less surrounded by some of the densest populated Towns and City's in the country, which is where the down side is: because it is so close to so many people it does get busy on the main routes and in towns like Matlock, Buxton, and Bakewell on the weekend if the weather is good, thankfully most of those folks will give the nice little places just off the main routes a miss. Hope it helps Booked! Thanks John Boy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheaf Saint Posted 8 May, 2012 Share Posted 8 May, 2012 Can only really echo what John has already said but just a warning - Castleton is a full-on tourist trap at the weekends and there are people (walkers mostly) everywhere. If you're looking at doing some walking then I would also avoid Mam Tor because it's just a tourist attraction now with a stone path up to the old hill fort and, again, it's just so busy. If you are looking for a little more wilderness wlaking then I recommend heading to Edale (From Castleton follow the road to Chapel-in-le-Frith and then follow the sign to Edale) and going up Kinder Scout and Jacobs Ladder on the Pennine bridleway. Another great place to visit is Ladybower in the upper Derwent valley (about 15 mins drive from Castleton). It's a beautiful setting and the reservoir and Derwent Dam itself is where the Dambusters did all their training runs so there's a lot of history up there and some really good walks / cycle rides. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
northernboy Posted 8 May, 2012 Share Posted 8 May, 2012 I used to live up in the area (hence the name) It does get very busy at weekends, but as said earlier, if you get off the main routes it can be very quiet. Castleton is an ideal base, very central, and you have the option of rugged moorland to one side up on Kinder (the lower reaches get very busy, but a mile further and it can be deserted. the other way, there are gentle river valleys for very easy walking. a lot of people will go out in the car, park up in a village and walk around the village, never going more than 100m from the car, visiting gift shops.....and that is their day out Pubs in villages will get very busy at lunchtimes (especially on sunday) but could be almost deserted in the evening as people go back home. Main villages with accomodation like Castleton will be busy all weekend. However, if in the evening you go to a pub 'on it's own' then it will be quiet. Prices will also be cheap compared to the 'rich' south, and portions are usually large the weather can be variable, it may look sunny, but within an hour, it can be cold, and the rain torrrential. Be careful if you are going up on the tops, as it is easy to become straded and losdt inpoor weather, and good kit is essential. However, down in the valleys, this is less critical. Use the Tourist offices, thety are very good, and will guide you to what you want, if my memmory serves me, there is one in Castleton. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dog Posted 8 May, 2012 Author Share Posted 8 May, 2012 (edited) Thanks for all your replies folks, they are going to be very helpful. Really looking forward to exploring the Peaks and trying out my northern accent. Edited 8 May, 2012 by Dog Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheaf Saint Posted 8 May, 2012 Share Posted 8 May, 2012 Oh and just one thing Dog... Try not to be offended when you get called 'Duck' by the locals. I've kind of got used to it now but in the 8 years or so I have lived up this way I have still yet to meet anybody who has even the slightest clue where it comes from. You may even encounter the odd bloke calling you 'Love' as well. Again, don't be offended and start cracking skulls - it's just a term of endearment that takes a while to get accustomed to. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Boy Saint Posted 8 May, 2012 Share Posted 8 May, 2012 Thanks for all your replies folks, they are going to be very helpful. Really looking forward to exploring the Peaks and trying out my northern accent. Just hope the weather is kind to you and you get to see the place in all it's glory. I would recommend getting an Ordinance survey map of the area, the one we found useful was standard O/S on one side and places of interest on the back, so if is mouldy you can have a look at something else to keep occupied. I am sure they all it a Sightseeing Map pretty certain you can pick one up in a decent bookshop or outdoor pursuits shop. If you like it up there and fancy a return trip and you like bike riding I would take a look at the Tissington Trail , it runs for 14ish miles from Parsley Hay just south of Buxton down to Ashbourne, it follows the old railway line so a picnic sat on the old platform at Tissington is a bit strange in a pleasant way. Have a good time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TopGun Posted 9 May, 2012 Share Posted 9 May, 2012 The George pub is just off the High Street in Castleton and does excellent ales like Black Sheep on tap. It also does a mean rabbit pie which is prepared and cooked on the premises. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dog Posted 10 May, 2012 Author Share Posted 10 May, 2012 The George pub is just off the High Street in Castleton and does excellent ales like Black Sheep on tap. It also does a mean rabbit pie which is prepared and cooked on the premises. Ooh I love rabbit pie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dog Posted 14 May, 2012 Author Share Posted 14 May, 2012 The George pub is just off the High Street in Castleton and does excellent ales like Black Sheep on tap. It also does a mean rabbit pie which is prepared and cooked on the premises. The George pub is owned by Charles Wells, and only did Bombadier, Scrumpy Jack & Carlsberg. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dog Posted 14 May, 2012 Author Share Posted 14 May, 2012 Brilliant weekend, weather was sunny and did a cavern, climbed up to the castle & Mam Tor, got hammered on Old Rosie, The Castle was a good place to stay, brilliant location and lovely room. Thanks for all your recommendations folks, and thanks to John for the pretty short cut we took on the way up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dog Posted 14 May, 2012 Author Share Posted 14 May, 2012 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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