| Peak District Vacation Guide |
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The Peak District, a large area of open country in north Derbyshire, is a landscape dominated by wild moorlands interspersed with dramatic rocky crags and mountainous outcrops, known locally as "edges," and rising to heights of more than 2,000 feet (680 m) above sea level. The region is peppered with ancient stone circles, barrows and other relics from prehistoric times. Many of its tiny stone villages have remained virtually unaltered for hundreds of years.
Large tracts of the district are designated as a National Park and are thus protected from modern development. Thus the remoter parts of the area are best explored on foot, since road-building has been kept to a minimum.
From Sheffield, the A57 leads west, passing the Ladybower Reservoir, Derwent Water and the Vale of Derwent, thence to wind its way up a small river valley, through Hope Forest to Snake Pass (1,680 ft/510 m). Even higher are Kinder Scout to the left (south) and Bleaklow Hill to the right (north), both good challenges for hill walkers and climbers.
After a pause at the top of Snake Pass, the A57 goes downhill into the small industrial town of Glossop. Turn south here onto the A624, which leads past Hayfield to Chapel-en-le-Frith; here, turn right onto the main A6 and continue west until you reach the left-hand turnoff of the smaller A5004, signposted to Whaley Bridge. Passing through that small town, this road proceeds on its tortuous way beside the very pretty river Goyt up the Dale of Goyt, well-wooded and rich in wildflowers; it continues on up the valley side and into Buxton.
More intrepid motorists can turn to the right after Whaley Bridge and follow a minor road to Goyt's Bridge, just upstream of the Fernilee Reservoir; turning left there, they can continue to follow the road beside the river up to The Cat and Fiddle. This is not only, as its name implies, an inn, but a bleak pass at an elevation of 1,795 feet (547 m) above sea level.
To the southeast is Axe Edge, a popular spot for rock climbers, while the superb moorland below it attracts walkers. At this point the minor road joins the A537 and, after turning left, it in turn merges with the A54 which leads directly into Buxton. Here the route rejoins the A5004 from Whaley Bridge.
From a visitor's point of view, the old spa town of Buxton is the only major town in the whole Peak District. At an altitude of 1,007 feet (310 m), it is one of the highest towns in England, but because it is surrounded by even higher wooded hills, it is well sheltered.
The Romans were the first to appreciate its exceptional waters, and it has been a popular resort town ever since. Architecturally, its greatest benefactor was the 5th Duke of Devonshire, who, by financing the building of the magnificent Crescent in the 18th century, helped the town to become a serious and elegant rival to Bath. A huge dome, dating from 1859 and measuring 156 feet (47.5 m) in diameter, crowns the Devonshire Royal Hospital. Music-lovers will enjoy Buxton's small opera house, beautifully restored in 1979, which even hosts a popular annual opera festival.
One rewarding excursion from Buxton leads southeast down the A6 to Bakewell, a small spa town located on the banks of the river Wye with some fine 17th-century buildings. The town is famous for Bakewell tarts, traditional pastries which you can buy in many local shops; the delicious Bakewell pudding is equally worth investigating. Don't miss a visit to the Old House Museum. Bakewell is also patronized by climbers coming to ascend White Peak.
From here, the A6 continues eastwards toward Haddon Hall on the left. Originally a Norman castle, this building boasts an imposing banquet hall with wooden vaulting. Precious Flemish tapestries with hunting and allegorical motifs decorate the walls of the 14th-century Great Hall.
At Rowsley, a left turn onto the B6012 and over a bridge across the river Derwent takes you past the Peacock Hotel (a converted 17th-century stone manor house). Now cross a very narrow bridge into Chatsworth Park.
At its center is Chatsworth House, one of the country's finest and most impressive stately homes, which has been the seat of the Dukes of Devonshire since its construction in 1707. Fabulous collections of paintings, furniture, sculpture and old manuscripts, as well as magnificent gardens with an orangery, hothouse and rose garden, have made this great house world-famous.
From the northern edge of Chatsworth Park, close to the village of Pilsley, you can take the A619 to the left back to Bakewell.
However, if you continue on the A623 - which passes further to the north and rejoins the A6 just north of Buxton you'll come, before the A6 junction and just outside the village of Sparrowpit, to a right turn onto the narrow B6061, which leads to Winnats Pass (1,312 feet/ 400 m), and then on into the large village of Castleton.
Situated at the head of Hope Valley, the town is dominated by the partly-restored ruins of the massive Norman Peveril Castle. Beneath the castle is a network of underground caverns and chambers, which can be explored.
Most spectacular of these caves is the Peak Cavern, just over half a mile long (1 km). The Speedwell Mine, rich in stalagmites and stalactites, can be visited by boat on an underground canal. Half an hour of foot will bring you to the Blue John Mine, distinctive for its blue feldspar.
Another excursion from Buxton follows the A53 toward Leek. This passes alongside Axe Edge and the slopes of Axe Edge Moor, where there are numerous fine walks and the sources of Derbyshire's four main rivers, the Wye, the Goyt, the Manifold, and the Dove. Traveller's Rest, on the main road nearby, is reputed to be the highest inn in England at 1535 feet (468 m) above sea level.
Another excursion leads you along the A515, heading southeast from Buxton to Ashbourne and then, after joining the A52, to Derby and the southerly parts of the county. On the way from Buxton, a small lane to the left, just after the B5055 turning, passes close to the mysterious Arbor Low Stone Circle and Gibb Hill Barrow, near Monyash village. In the east along a small road, near Alport village, is the Nine Ladies Stone Circle, near which Bronze Age relics have been unearthed. From here the B5056 drops into the Wye Valley, rejoining the A6 close to Haddon Hall. A left turn leads to Bakewell and back to Buxton. |
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