Central Peak · Town
Bakewell
A riverside market town and practical base for Chatsworth, Monsal Head and nearby dales.
Explore Bakewell →Edges, dales and villages made for getting outside
Explore limestone valleys, gritstone ridges, market towns and villages surrounded by some of England's best-known walking country. From Bakewell and Castleton to Edale, Chatsworth and Dovedale, the Peak District rewards slow days and good boots.
Choose a valley, village or ridge
The Peak District works best when the day has one clear focus
Short drives can connect very different landscapes, but the best days leave enough time to walk, stop and look around.
Explore the Peak District
Choose somewhere to begin
Use the map to explore villages, viewpoints, valleys and heritage across the Peak District. Pick one place as your anchor, then see what fits naturally nearby.
Featured places
Where to go in the Peak District
Start with the kind of day you want — village, valley, ridge or historic estate — then build around the places closest to it.
Hope Valley · Village
Castleton
A dramatic village beneath limestone hills and Mam Tor, with caves and walking routes in every direction.
Explore Castleton →
Dark Peak · Village
Edale
A classic walking base below Kinder Scout and at the start of the Pennine Way.
Explore Edale →
Derbyshire · Heritage
Chatsworth
House, gardens and parkland set against some of the Peak District's most recognisable countryside.
Explore Chatsworth →
White Peak · Landscape
Monsal Head
High views over Monsal Dale with easy access to trails, viaduct scenery and nearby villages.
Explore Monsal Head →
White Peak · Landscape
Dovedale
A limestone valley of river paths, steep-sided scenery and one of the Peak District's best-known walks.
Explore Dovedale →
Derwent Valley · Town
Matlock Bath
A compact riverside town in a steep valley, close to heritage attractions and central Derbyshire.
Explore Matlock Bath →
Hope Valley · Landscape
Mam Tor
A popular ridge walk with broad views across the Hope Valley and surrounding hills.
Explore Mam Tor →
Dark Peak · Landscape
Ladybower & Derwent Valley
Reservoirs, wooded valleys and high moorland routes with strong historic associations.
Explore Ladybower & Derwent Valley →
Choose your kind of day
What is the Peak District best for?
Ridges, valleys & footpathsWalking
Stone streets & village basesVillages & Towns
Houses, estates & old industriesHeritage
Reservoirs, rivers & quiet valleysWater & Views
Easy combinations
Places that work well together
The Peak District is easiest to enjoy when you stay within one valley or part of the park rather than crossing it repeatedly.
Bakewell, Chatsworth & Monsal Head
A strong central-Peak combination of town, estate and landscape.
- Bakewell for the town and river
- Chatsworth for house and parkland
- Monsal Head for views and walking
Castleton, Mam Tor & Edale
One of the best combinations for a walking-focused day in the Hope Valley.
- Castleton for village character and caves
- Mam Tor for ridge views
- Edale for a quieter walking base
Dovedale, Ilam & Ashbourne
A gentler White Peak route combining riverside walking, parkland and a historic town.
- Dovedale for the valley walk
- Ilam for village and parkland
- Ashbourne for shops and a final stop
One valley usually beats three rushed viewpoints
Distances are short on the map but the Peak District's roads, parking and walking routes can slow the day down. Pick one area and give yourself time to explore it properly.
For a dayChoose one village or valley and add one nearby viewpoint or walk.
For a weekendUse Bakewell, Castleton, Edale or another base to explore outward.
For walkingCheck route length, weather and daylight before heading onto higher ground.
At busy timesArrive early for popular car parks and villages.
When you know where you are going
Stay · Do · Explore
Once you have chosen a part of the Peak District, the local guide will help you turn it into a complete trip.
Keep exploring
Go beyond the Peak District
Derbyshire, Sheffield, Manchester and the wider East Midlands are all natural additions to a longer journey.