Guide to Picturesque Peak District Towns and Villages

The Peak District is an amazing place to visit, and one of the most cherished national parks in the UK. Known for its stunning and diverse landscapes, it is also famous for its picturesque towns and villages. There are plenty of reasons to plan a holiday in the Peak District, whether you are heading there to take in the breathtaking scenery or explore the regions rich heritage. With rugged moorlands, limestone dales, and gentle rolling hills, this region is beloved by hikers, cyclists, and nature lovers, full of trails and picturesque spots. Over a third of the park is protected for nature conservation, and contains three dedicated “Dark Sky Places”, where visitors can come to enjoy the beautifully clear night skies, free from the glare of light pollution. The villages are some of the best places to visit in the Peak District, featuring charming stone cottages, bustling market squares, and welcoming pubs. Here, we offer a Peak District travel guide, to help you decide which of these lovely spots you will include in your Peak District itinerary. 

The Most Picturesque Villages in the Peak District

• Bakewell
  Often called the heart of the Peak District, Bakewell is a thriving country town on the River Wye. Famous for Bakewell Pudding, a pastry with a layer of sieved jam and a filling of egg and almond paste, it is the only place you will find this local delicacy. The town has a wide variety of independent shops, hotels, restaurants and cafés, historical sites, and art galleries. Its weekly market is well known, and the town is home to the fascinating Old House Museum and the gorgeous All Saints Church. Another stunning local site is Haddon Hall, a medieval manor known for being featured in films. Jane Austen brought the town some renown by immortalizing it as Lambton in Pride and Prejudice, after a stay at the Rutland Arms Hotel. The largest town in the Peak District, Bakewell is a wonderful place to visit and stroll through town, enjoying beautiful buildings, enchanting courtyards, and lovely streets, or stroll by the river and feed the ducks. 

• Castleton
  This picturesque rural community features narrow streets with old stone houses and traditional pubs, located in the centre of High Peak. Surrounded by breathtaking scenery, with hills, dales, and valleys, it is very popular among walkers, climbers, cyclists, and nature lovers. It is a great place to begin your exploration of the Hope Valley, with a tourist information centre that makes an excellent starting point for visiting places like Mam Tor and Winnat’s Pass. While you are visiting Castleton, do not miss nearby Peveril Castle, ancient ruins in surprisingly good condition, considering that they  date back to 1176. These ruins are also a great place to take in a gorgeous view across Castleton. In the village, there are lovely places to amble, cosy cafés, and jewellery shops where you will find the local speciality, Blue John jewellery. This jewellery, locally handcrafted, is made of one of the UK’s rarest natural gemstones. 

• Eyam
  If you are looking for a village with an interesting history, you will certainly find this in Eyam. Known as “the plague village”, Eyam recently marked the 350th anniversary of the bubonic plague reaching the village in a consignment of cloth from London. Determined not to spread the disease, villagers decided to practice social distancing before it was a global phenomenon. Their bravery in isolating themselves to avoid the plaque has made Eyam a destination spot, and now it is a vibrant community, with thriving businesses, cafés, pubs, and museums. Don’t miss the museum in the old school house, the medieval parish church, and Eyam Hall, dating back to 1676.

• Tissington

This picture perfect little estate village surrounds Tissington Hall, home of the FitzHerbert family. Located off the route from Ashbourne to Buxton, Tissington is home to several interesting businesses, including Herbert’s Tearooms, On A Wick and A Prayer candle shop, various bed and breakfasts, a nursery, and a trekking centre. The village is idyllic and unspoilt, and the highlight of its year is Well Dressing Week. During this week, the week around Ascension Day, all the village water sources are decorated with flowers, as they have been here since 1350. The Tissington Trail is very popular for cycling and walking, and Tissington Hall is a Grade II-listed manor estate, open to the public for several days each month between April and August. Built in 1609 by Francis FitzHerbert, the estate is still home to descendants of the original builder.

• Hartington
  In the centre of the Dove Valley, near the Neolithic henge monument of Arbor Low and set in some of the very best walking country in the UK, sits this charming little limestone village. Harrington has been an important village since the Middle Ages, and its past wealth is evident in the stone cottages and houses around the village square. Hartington Hall is one of the village’s most impressive buildings, dating back to 1611, and it now operates as a popular youth hostel. It also features a restaurant, open to the public, that serves locally sourced produce. This is a wonderful village if you are looking for picturesque scenery, and the duck pond in the village square is one of its most photographed spots, a favourite of visitors for centuries, including famous enthusiasts like the well-known anglers Izaak Walton and Charles Cotton. There are fine old buildings in this village, including Market Hall, St. Giles Church, and the Charles Cotton Hotel, as well as an array of gift shops, cafes, and pubs. The star attraction in Hartington, however, is its world-renowned cheese shop, known for its award-winning, recently revived Stilton. 

• Buxton
  If you are interested in history and architecture, you will not want to miss a visit to Buxton, on the edge of the Peak District. One of England’s finest spa towns, Buxton has been drawing visitors with its thermal spas since Roman Days, when it was known as ‘Aquae Arnemetiae”, the Spa of the Goddess of the Grove. People have travelled to bathe in these famous ‘healing’ mineral waters for thousands of years, and can still enjoy them today. The architecture in Buxton is quite noteworthy, with exquisite Georgian and Victorian buildings that include the Buxton Opera House, a beautiful Grade II listed Edwardian Opera House, the striking Devonshire Dome, and the historic Old Hall Hotel, one of the oldest hotels in England, where Mary Queen of Scots was once held captive. There is a good selection of independent shops, cafés, and restaurants in Buxton, as well as a weekend arts and crafts market. The town park is a lovely place to walk and enjoy lakeside views, and nearby, you will find Buxton County Park and Poole’s Cavern, with its magnificent underground galleries. 

Enjoy the Peak District in Style with Together Travel

The Peak District is the perfect place to experience everything from charming villages to ancient stone circles to grand estates to wild natural wonders. It is well worth a visit, at any time of year, as the seasons change dramatically, and the beauty of the area shifts and transforms to match them. Take the time to linger in some of the areas idyllic little villages, soaking in the local character as you enjoy all they have to offer, from outdoor exertions to charming little shops and cafés. No matter where you want to travel in the UK, Together Travel Co. is here to bring your holiday dreams to life. When you are ready to plan your Peak District itinerary, consider visiting our stunning property in Buxton, the gorgeous Roman Spa town sitting right at the district’s edge. Our apartments, located in an amazing Grade II listed Georgian building, are well-appointed, beautifully furnished, and located within walking distance of the Devonshire Dome and the Opera House, as well as boutique shops, local eateries, and much more. We can even make your stay particularly special by helping you make arrangements for a special occasion or preordering a welcome hamper or breakfast hamper. To learn more about all we have to offer, contact our expert concierge team by emailing us for more information.