Get Away From It All: Explore The Scenic Peak District Of England

The Peak District National Park became the first of England’s national parks in 1951 and to this day is a scenic and beautiful place to explore. For any traveler wishing to truly get away from it all in nature, the Peak District ticks all the right boxes. While the park is mostly in Derbyshire, it also spreads into Cheshire, Greater Manchester, South Yorkshire, West Yorkshire and Staffordshire.

Meanwhile, within the park is the White Peak, a craggy limestone area of valleys and gorges, and the Dark Peak, with its rich moorland. Read on to find out what the Peak District National Park has to offer.

What does the Peak District National Park offer?

The Peak District has a rich history and has been home to various people from the Mesolithic era, the Bronze and Iron Ages. Later, the area was settled by the Romans and the Anglo-Saxons. However, it only became a tourist location once railways came to the area, bringing visitors to enjoy the landscapes and visit the quaint spa towns.

– Hiking and trekking

Due to its gorgeous landscapes, the Peak District is popular for hiking and trekking vacations. Among the available trails, visitors can visit the Dark Peak, with its rolling limestone hills, up to the highest point of Kinder Scout. Alternatively, they can hike to the wonderfully floral White Peak with its more colorful scenery. One great trail to try out is the famous Pennine Way, which starts in the national park or explore the wilderness of Kinder Scout.

– Visit the quaint villages of the Peak District

While the national park has truly spectacular landscapes, it is also known for its rich historical and cultural heritage. Here, quaint villages are perfect destinations for a walking or hiking expedition. In fact, this beautiful area of the world is famed for inspiring famous authors like Jane Austen and Charlotte Brontë in their books, including Pride & Prejudice and Jane Eyre.

– Head to Chatsworth House

The impressive Chatsworth House is the grand country estate of the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire. This magnificent estate was the inspiration for Jane Austin’s Pemberly in Pride & Prejudice and is among the must-see destinations on any tour of the Peak District.

The stately home is in the town of Bakewell in Derbyshire and features more than 25 rooms to explore. Among them are the grand Painted Hall and Sculpture Gallery and the State Rooms. Moreover, the stately home hosts works of art spanning over 4,000 years with everything from an ancient Roman sculpture to the works of modern artists.

While the interior is stunning, the gardens surrounding Chatsworth House cover around 105 acres, with beautiful flower beds, a greenhouse, a rock garden, a number of sculptures and a fascinating maze. Meanwhile, after all that exploring, there are two cafés and a restaurant to rest and revive.

– Relaxing spa experience in the Peak District

The Peak District features a number of spa towns, including the Devonshire Arms Hotel & Spa in the town of Buxton. Here, visitors can take advantage of the Hammam wet room, a hydrotherapy pool, an ice fountain, a monsoon shower, a sauna, reflexology foot baths, as well as a relaxation lounge. Moreover, the Devonshire Spa is famed as having the largest unsupported dome in the United Kingdom.

For a less usual spa experience, head to the Three Horseshoes Country Inn & Spa, set in a typical Peak District converted stone barn. Here, the options include a Steam Bath Experience, the Farmer’s Sauna, a Cedar Plunge Pool, Mill Wheel Shower, an Outdoor Vitality Pool and a Spa Garden.

Take time out to explore the scenic Peak District National Park, follow the trails and chill out in the spa along the way.