We want to tempt you to take part in some outdoor activities to get you out and about in the amazing Peak District landscape.
The Peak District was the first National Park to be designated in the UK and celebrated its 70th year in 2021. The National Park movement born when disgruntled city workers from Manchester trespassed on the privately owned land of the Kinder Plateau way back in 1932. It still took until the year 2000 to enshrine the right to roam into law however!
The White Peak, the area in the south of Peak District is typified by limestone caves and dry valleys. The scenery is more gently rolling in comparison to the “Dark Peak” where impervious gritstone creates a much harsher landscape.
Walking
There are literally thousands of miles of footpaths that spread across the Peak District. There are also thousands of square miles of open access land in the northern part of the national park – open access giving you the right to roam.
You’ve probably heard of the Munros in Scotland. Well in the Peak District we have our very own ‘Ethels’, named after Ethel Haythornthwaite. recently we hosted a journalist from Country Walking who was bagging a few ‘Ethels’. for herself. Here is what she made of the South Western corner of the Peak District, The Roaches
We have devised three different walks from the door, long, medium and short. There are laminated copies of the routes in each of the cottages. There are also copies of the Ordnance Survey maps for both the Dark Peak and the White Peak that you are welcome to borrow.
Find out a bit more about Dovedale, one of the most popular places to walk
Please follow the Countryside Code.
Cycling
The Peak District is a great place to bring or hire a bike. From really easy, off-road routes that will suit families to some fairly hardcore mountain climbs, we can offer it all. We have secure bike sheds at the cottages and some basic tools.
More about cycling in the Peak District
Family-friendly (and flattish) cycling in the Peak District
Parkrun
If you want your weekly parkrun fix we are equidistant between either the Monsal Trail parkrun (Bakewell) or the Pavilion Gardens parkrun (Buxton). There’s also Lyme Park and Ashbourne which are not too far either
Rock climbing and abseiling
There are several companies that will give you a rock climbing or abseiling experience in the Peak District. The most popular abseiling location is at Millers Dale Bridge, an 80ft abseil, 70ft of which is free hanging. With all of our natural stone escarpments and outcrops, however, other options are available!
Dark skies and star gazing
If you are out and about at night time and the skies are clear, don’t forget to look up. With minimal light pollution, the Peak District is a great place to see the night sky at its best. See our dark skies page for more information
Sailing
Sailing is available on Carsington water.
Other activities
Cave and mine exploring, high ropes, canoeing and kayaking, gorge scrambling, orienteering, weaselling, raft building and rafting. We’ve probably missed something here!
