A Perfect Family Getaway In The Peak District
Rolling across the Pennines’ southernmost hills is the glorious Peak District National Park, where ancient stone villages are folded into the landscape’s creases, and hillsides are littered with stately homes and rocky outcrops. Sound pretty idyllic? It is. The Peak District is around a three hour drive from London and is full of family-friendly gems. Here’s Belle About Town’s guide for planning a family trip to the region.
Mam Tor Circular Walk: Just Google ‘Peak District’ and you’ll be greeted with a plethora of images of Mam Tor. Explore the natural beauty of the area by walking the stone surfaced footpath from the car park to the top of Mam Tor. A steep climb takes you to the summit, which is 517m above sea level (so not suitable for very young children!). Here you’ll find a hill fort dating back to the late bronze age. Having completed the walk, you will be rewarded with one of the most dramatic viewpoints in the Peak District. The viewpoint at Mam Tor stretches north over the Edale Valley to Kinder Scout and the Derwent Moors. This circular route is around three miles and takes about two hours to complete. Keep your eyes peeled as you’re likely to spot owls, voles, mice and badgers. Top Tip: Refreshments are available at tea-rooms and pubs in Castleton, so it is worth planning your walk around that. Alternatively, make sure you have enough food and drink with you before you embark on the walk.
Heights of Abraham: No trip to the Peak District would be complete without taking a cable car ride up to the Heights of Abraham. As one of the Peak District’s oldest attraction, Heights of Abraham is a guaranteed good day out. Hop into cable cars to reach a hilltop park that boasts stunning views of the Derwent Valley and surrounding Peak District. Once at the top, follow walking trails and explore the fossil exhibitions. More incredible views of the Derwent Valley can be found by climbing up the Victoria Prospect Tower or heading to viewing platform Tinker’s Shaft. Guided cavern tours run at regular intervals throughout the day which offer an opportunity to learn about how lead mining started in the area during Roman times, and reached its heyday in the 17th Century. With the help of a state of the art lighting installation, you can also see the light of a miner’s candle to the whole chamber being flooded with colour. The attraction has been designed with kids at heart and there are two play areas perfect for burning off surplus energy. Top Tip: It can get very chilly inside the caves, so make take a jacket even if there is a heat wave outside!
Tickets cost £17 for adults, £13.60 for over 60s, £11.50 for children, but under 5s are free.
Bakewell: Picture-perfect Bakewell may be best known for its delicious pudding, but this pretty town has many more tempting treats to offer including boutique shops and specialist markets. Situated on the banks of the River Wye, and boasting a medieval five-arched stone bridge and quaint courtyards, this destination is a magnet for painters, photographers and sightseers alike. No trip would be complete without treating yourself to a Bakewell tart or pudding so head to The Old Original Bakewell Pudding Shop or one of its rivals for a tasty treat. Top Tip: If you are visiting with a partner, then why not buy a lock and add it to the famous Bakewell Bridge, which is teeming with locks from countless lovers.
Crich Tramway Village: Step back in time at the Crich Trameway Village. This living museum lets you enjoy tram rides in a recreated village street as well as enjoying breathtaking views of the countryside. Families can enjoy unlimited tram journeys calling at various stops along a mile long track. Pay the conductor your tram fare with an old penny supplied on entry, and receive a ticket to use all day. Trams depart regularly and travel along a set route, which boasts a village scene including an old pub and vintage shops. Many of the buildings have been rescued from towns and cities across the UK including the Derby Assembly Rooms façade, which came to Crich after a fire, as well as The Red Lion Pub and Restaurant, which was transported from Stoke-on-Trent and re-built brick by brick. There’s also a Woodland Walk & Sculpture Trail, guiding visitors through picturesque woodlands. Sculptures lurk around every corner – look out for the Giant Wood Ant, and the Green Man – and there is also an outdoor play area for kids. Top tip: Download the Crich Tramway Village app to help you get the most out of your visit. It includes an interactive map of the site, as well as details of the various attractions, walking trails and tram stops. As you wander around the site the app will detect where you are and automatically display relevant content at different location hot spots.
Chatsworth House: Often described as the ‘Palace of the Peak’, Chatsworth house sits proudly cupped by Peak District hills and moors. It overlooks the River Derwent and boasts stunning formal gardens including an arboretum, maze, flowerbeds and kitchen garden. Featured in several period drama films including ‘Pride and Prejudice’, this impressive estate is also home to a working farmyard that kids will love. Daily animal handling and milking demonstrations are held, and there is a woodland playground with a rope park and trampoline, slides, water and sand play. Top Tip: Take a more detailed look at a map of the farmyard before your visit. It tell you exactly where each animal is based, so you don’t miss out on your meeting your favourite furry friends.
