Peak District Weekend Escape
- Irene
- Aug 31
- 5 min read
This weekend escape blends natural beauty with rich history. The Peak District offers a perfect mix of adventure and relaxation.
Peak District weekend itinerary:
Day 1: Walk & Thermal Waters
Castleton
Mam Tor hike options
Buxton Spa experience
Day 2: Villages, Stately Homes & Local Flavors
Hartington
Chatsworth House
Ashford-in-the-Water
Bakewell
Eyam
Tideswell
Where to Stay: I recommend staying in Buxton, a charming spa town nestled in the heart of the Peak District, Buxton is the perfect base for a weekend of scenic walks, historic villages, and charming pubs. In Buxton , I would recommend to stay at the beautiful “Ensana Buxton Crescent”. If you're looking for something more budget-friendly, there are numerous apartments to stay at and “Contemporary 1 Bed Apartment, In Central Buxton” is a great option at a great location.
When to go: April to October is the best time to visit the Peak District, especially if you want to go hiking or enjoy scenic walks as you will get a combination of pleasant weather and beautiful natural landscapes.
General advice: while you can stay in the Peak District for at least a week doing different walks and visiting cute villages it’s also a place you can visit just for the weekend. If you are coming from London, the fastest way to get there is by taking the train to Manchester or Nottingham and renting a car from there.
Obviously you are going to need to pack hiking boots and waterproofs for the walks as in the end, this is England!
Day 1: Walk & Thermal Waters
Start your day driving to Castleton (~30 min drive). Castleton is known for its stunning scenery, Peveril Castle, and underground caves, including the Peak Cavern and Treak Cliff Cavern.
From Castleton you can do the popular Mam Tor Walk which has incredible views of the Hope Valley and Edale. There are few options to do this walk:
The most challenging option is the “Castleton, Mam Tor, and Great Ridge Circular walk” which is around ~8-miles and takes 5 hours and includes Back Tor and Lose Hill.
The "Castleton Circular Walk” is around ~6.5-mile and takes around 4 hours to complete and goes via Cave Dale. This is the option that we chose and I have to say that I found it quite challenging. We were visiting in April after a week of heavy rain and the terrain was really muddy and complicated.
Another alternative and the quickest way to the summit is a short, paved walk from the National Trust Mam Nick car park. From there, the path to the summit begins at the back of the car park, leading up a series of steps. The walk to the summit is a short, steep climb, only about 550 meters, and is considered relatively easy taking only 10-15 minutes. For a longer walk, you can continue along the Great Ridge, which is a 3-mile route and takes approximately 1.5 hours to complete.
After the walk we really needed a rest and refuel with a pub stop back in Castleton. We went to “The George” and were lucky enough to have a sunny day and be able to have a drink outside. Other good options aside from “The George” are:
The Castle – great for hearty pub grub
The Nag’s Head – a traditional inn with a warm welcome
The Bull’s Head – perfect for a pint by the fire
Afterward, we headed back to Buxton and spent a few hours at the Buxton Spa. Buxton is known for its natural thermal waters that have attracted visitors for thousands of years, dating back to Roman times when the town was called Aquae Arnemetiae. The town was developed as a fashionable Georgian and Victorian spa by the 5th Duke of Devonshire, who wanted to rival Bath. The modern Buxton Baths were built in the 1850s, providing facilities for spa treatments. I would recommend to get the Thermal Afternoon Spa Experience so you can chill and enjoy this lovely place.
For dinner you can go to “Santiago“, a very nice Spanish restaurant in a cozy setting. After dinner, “Buxton Brewery Tap House” is a great place to have a drink.
Day 2: Villages, Stately Homes & Local Flavors
The second day focuses more on visiting cute villages.
Begin your day driving to Hartington (~25 min drive) , a quaint village famous for its cheese. Stop by the “Hartington Cheese Shop” to sample locally made Stilton and other artisan varieties.
From here, drive to Chatsworth House (~30 min drive), one of England’s grandest stately homes. The ancestral seat of the Dukes of Devonshire, Chatsworth boasts lavish interiors, sprawling gardens, and a rich history dating back to the 16th century. Unfortunately, we didn’t have enough time to explore the gardens and house. If you are planning on doing so, I would dedicate one full day exclusively for it. I have to say that this is one of the most impressive estates and most beautiful that I have seen in England and I am so sad that we didn’t have time to visit so this is definitely on my wish list to come back. One more tip I would give is to avoid to park at the estate, as the queues can be ridiculous, you can instead head to “St Peter's Church, Edensor” and park around here which is also lovely.
From Chatsworth we drove (~10 min drive) to Ashford-in-the-Water. A postcard-perfect village with stone cottages and a medieval bridge over the River Wye. Ideal for a peaceful stroll and a few photos.
From Ashford we headed to Bakewell (~5 min drive). Home of the famous Bakewell tart which, to be honest, I didn’t like! Here you can visit the Bakewell Museum and Antiques Centre for a dose of local heritage and treasure hunting.
After Bakewell we went to Eyam (~15 min drive). Eyam is known as the “Plague Village” for its heroic self-quarantine during the 1665 outbreak. Visit the Eyam Museum, Eyam Hall & Courtyard which is a lovely spot to have a drink and take a break, and the Sculpture Garden to learn about its remarkable story.
The last stop of the day was Tideswell (~10 min drive), home to the “Cathedral of the Peak”—St. John the Baptist Church. Browse the local bookshop and enjoy the village’s peaceful charm.
While it can seem like a lot to fit in one day, take into account that these villages are small and many of them will not even take you an hour to explore. After Tideswell we drove back to Buxton (~20 min drive).
For dinner, we went to Simply Thai, which was excellent! For a drink after dinner you can check out “Beer & Bean | Café Bar” or “The Frog on the Bine”
The Peak District promises a weekend full of charm, history, and unforgettable landscapes—a place you'll want to return to again and again.
Hartington 
St Peter's Church, Edensor 
Chatsworth House 
Chatsworth House 
Chatsworth House
Comments