Derbyshire & the Peak District

It’s a curious thing: it’s said that the Peak District is the second most visited national park in the world after Mount Fuji, yet ask most people which part of Derbyshire is their favourite and you’ll often hear ‘I’ve never been’. This has the effect of making those who live there smile rather smugly; Derbyshire is, in effect, one of the country’s best-kept secrets.

From the magnificent Howden, Ladybower and Derwent dams in the north to breathtaking Lathkilldale, Dovedale and Milldale in the south, an incredibly varied and often dramatic landscape unfolds; towering hills, unique limestone crags and wild moorland, sheltered woodland rich in animal and plant life and deep, velvety valleys – all there for the taking. You can ride, cycle and walk pretty much all of it, and if history’s your bag there’s no shortage of grand houses and stately homes either: Chatsworth House, Hardwick and Haddon Halls have all starred in major movies and are full-day visits in themselves; and if you’re a foodie you’re never going to go hungry either – Derbyshire is chock-full of great pubs and restaurants, cafes and delis. For culture vultures, The Opera House in Buxton showcases comedy, music and theatre, and the great thing about the Peaks is that there are large and buzzing metropolises like Sheffield and Manchester just a Derbyshire oatcake’s throw away. Indeed, with a entire county shot through with picture-perfect villages surrounded by spectacular scenery, and Derbyshire folk friendly and warm and happy to share their hidden gems, what’s keeping you?

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