11 Picturesque Towns and Villages in the Peak District

Ashford-in-the-Water consists of a small selection of pretty houses and village inns around a 13^th-century church by the River Wye. The lovely stone Sheepwash Bridge over the river is the star attraction of the village itself, with the name coming from the fact that it used to be where sheep were dipped and washed before being sheared.

Just outside of the village, the attractions include Thornbridge Hall, less than a mile north of the river. The beautiful Grade II-listed country house has some unique and beautiful gardens.

Castleton is a great hub for exploring the beautiful Hope Valley, with Mam Tor and Winnat’s Pass both accessible from here. The village itself is the picture-perfect rural community, its narrow streets lined with old stone houses and traditional pubs.

When visiting this Derbyshire village, be sure to head up to Peveril Castle. The ruins of the hilltop date back to 1176, but are in surprisingly good condition and offer a great view across Castleton. While you’re up on the hill, take a tour of Peak Cavern, too.

Edale is the start point for a walk up Kinder Scout and then further north for a total of 268 miles along the popular Pennine Way. That being the case, the tiny village is often bustling with visiting hikers, especially in the summer. Conveniently, it has a train station, so you don’t need to find somewhere to leave your car.

In the village itself, there are plenty of great cafés and a 16^th-century pub among beautiful old stone houses. Enjoy a pint by the roaring fire in The Old Nags Head before you head out on your hike.

Edensor was redeveloped into its current form for the workers at the Chatsworth estate 1839. As you might expect, the estate and the village take full advantage of the beautiful Derbyshire scenery, with the country house and its gardens being the star attractions.

The village of Edensor has undoubted charm, as well as a golf club and lovely central church. Other nearby villages, also developed to support the estate, are also worth exploring. Baslow is the biggest and is home to a good choice of pubs and shops.

The historical village of Eyam has some rather unusual claims to fame, including acing social distancing back before it was trendy – in 1665, during the bubonic plague. Ironically, its reputation as “the plague village” has been attracting visitors for a long time since.

Fortunately, Eyam’s morbid past doesn’t stop it from being a beautiful and charming destination. Be sure to check out the museum and the manor house from 1671. Alternatively, head towards the eastern end of the village for a drink at the cafés and pubs there.

Hartington is set right in the centre of the Dove Valley, surrounded by great walking trails. Nearby natural attractions include the Neolithic henge monument of Arbor Low, Wolfscote Dale and Parsley Hay, where the Tissington and High Peak Trails meet.

In the village itself, star attractions include a famous cheese shop, which sells an award-winning Stilton. There’s quite a cute little duck pond in the middle of the village, which is surrounded by picturesque stone houses and a rather confusing network of narrow streets.

One of Hathersage’s claims to fame is being the final resting place of Little John (from the story of Robin Hood). It also has some literary associations after having been visited and enjoyed by Charlotte Brontë.

If you like hiking, Hathersage is a great starting point. Located in the Hope Valley on the railway line between Manchester and Sheffield, it’s easy to get to and there are some really striking sights to see within easy reach. Carl Wark, Stanage Edge and Higger Tor are all found to the east of the large village.

Tideswell’s main attraction is its 14^th-century church, known as The Cathedral of the Peak. It contains some fascinating monuments and wood carvings. Around the charming churchyard, you’ll find a great selection of shops, cafés and pubs. If you visit around the summer solstice, you can enjoy a week-long local festival called the Wakes, which features a torchlight procession on 'Big Saturday'.

Tideswell is surrounded by limestone mountains, giving it both a cosy, closed-in feel as well as offering escapes into the great outdoors.

Tissington was originally built to support Tissington Hall, an unspoilt country estate. The Grade II-listed manor dates from the early 17^th-century and is certainly worth a visit, though the estate as a whole is hundreds of years older.

The highlight of the year in Tissington is Well Dressing Week. No, it’s not 7 days of putting on your best clothes – it’s the week around Ascension Day when the village water sources are decorated with flowers. If you happen to be visiting on any other week, you can still enjoy some walking and cycling on the Tissington Trail.

Alstonefield is a small but sweet village in the White Peak region of the Peak District. At its heart is The George, a charming central green overlooked by the pub that gives the tree-lined grassy area its name. The beautiful Grade I-listed parish church is just a short walk south from here, with Viator Bridge (Grade II-listed) a little further down the road. In fact, this one Staffordshire parish contains no fewer than 56 listed structures.

The rolling countryside surrounding Alstonefield makes it a delightful destination. The rocky outcrops of Dovedale and Wolfscote Dale are close by, while Thor’s Cave is clearly visible in the steep cliffs to the west.

Buxton is a town in Derbyshire that’s famous for its thermal spas. It’s right on the edge of the Peak District National Park, with a relaxed rural vibe running through the town. Stroll around the town park with lakeside views, then head down the high street to enjoy the ornate Victorian architecture.

Plenty of independent shops, cafés and restaurants are found throughout Buxton – look out for the weekend arts and crafts market. Come evening, don’t miss the opportunity to watch a live show at Buxton Theatre, which stages musicals, comedy and dance throughout the year.