What’s in this guide
By Sian Lewis
Welcome to Britain’s first-ever national park. The Peak District’s beauty has been protected for all to enjoy since 1951, and today these 555 square miles spanning Derbyshire, Staffordshire, Cheshire, and South Yorkshire are perfect for adventurous families. Whether you fancy a hike through rolling hills and dramatic limestone dales, thrilling cave exploration, cycling over a viaduct, trying your hand at rock climbing, or exploring fascinating historical sites such as Peveril Castle and Eyam village, there’s an adventure here to suit every inquisitive little one. Just make sure you stop for a hot chocolate in one of the National Park’s cosy tea rooms, and leave room to visit Bakewell for one of their world-famous puddings.
Epic Outdoor Adventures
Hike rolling hills, explore dramatic limestone dales, and cycle across viaducts. With iconic walks like Mam Tor and Kinder Scout, plus underground cave adventures, the Peak District is an outdoor playground for families.
Charming Villages & Local Treats
Wander through pretty towns like Bakewell, famous for its tarts and puddings, or Edale, the gateway to the Pennine Way. Cosy pubs, farmers’ markets, and historic sites like Peveril Castle add to the region’s irresistible charm.
Family-Friendly Fun
Whether it’s meeting animals at Chatsworth Farmyard, riding a cable car at the Heights of Abraham, or taking a boat through Speedwell Cavern, there are plenty of hands-on experiences to keep little explorers entertained.
Kinder Scout & Mam Tor: Two of the most iconic hikes in the Peaks. Kinder Scout offers breathtaking moorland views and a taste of history with the 1932 mass trespass route, while Mam Tor delivers a rewarding, family-friendly climb with sweeping panoramas.
Monsal Trail: An 8.5-mile traffic-free route perfect for cycling or walking, following an old railway line through tunnels, across viaducts, and past stunning countryside. A great way to explore the area at a relaxed pace.
Chatsworth House & Farmyard: A grand stately home with beautiful gardens, an adventure playground, and a working farmyard where kids can meet friendly animals. A mix of history, culture, and hands-on fun in a picture-perfect setting.
Getting there (and around)
By Car:
The Peak District is easily accessible from major cities like Manchester, Sheffield, and Derby. The A6, A619, and A623 are key routes into the park, with plenty of scenic driving opportunities. Parking is available in most villages and trailheads, but some popular spots can fill up quickly on weekends.
By Train:
Direct trains run to the Peak District from Manchester, Sheffield, and Derby. Key stations include Edale, Hope, and Hathersage on the Manchester-Sheffield line, making it easy to access great hiking routes without a car.
By Bus:
Local buses connect towns and villages, including the 65 (Sheffield to Buxton), 257 (Bakewell to Sheffield), and 442 (Ashbourne to Buxton). Services can be infrequent, so check timetables in advance.
On Foot:
The best way to explore is on foot, by bike, or via the many well-marked trails, and National Park shuttle buses run seasonally to popular spots.
The Peak District is perfect for anything from a day trip to a week-long adventure. A single day offers a taste of its charm – hike Mam Tor, explore Bakewell, and enjoy a cosy pub stop. A weekend allows time for a longer hike like Kinder Scout, a bike ride along the Monsal Trail, and a visit to Chatsworth House. Stay for four to seven days, and you can truly immerse yourself – venture into Castleton’s caves, ride the Heights of Abraham cable car, discover hidden gems like Eyam village, and take on multiple scenic hikes across moorland, valleys, and dramatic limestone edges.
When to go
The Peak District is a year-round destination, each season offering something special. Spring (March-May) brings blooming wildflowers, perfect for scenic hikes and cycling the Monsal Trail. Summer (June-August) is ideal for long days outdoors, picnicking by rivers, and exploring caves, though popular spots can be busy. Autumn (September-November) offers stunning golden landscapes, crisp air, and quieter trails, making it a great time for hiking and cosy pub stops. Winter (December-February) transforms the Peaks into a dramatic wonderland, with frost-dusted hills, festive markets, and the chance for a snowy adventure – just be prepared for unpredictable weather and shorter daylight hours.
If you’re bringing the kids for just one jam-packed day in the Peak District, pack a tent and head to Upper Booth Farm Campsite. This photogenic and chilled-out National Trust campsite is surrounded by countryside and sits below the heather-clad moors of the Kinder plateau. Choose a tent pitch, bring your campervan or get cosy in the no-frills camping barn, which sleeps eight. This is a great base for exploring the National Park, especially if you love a family walk – the Pennine Way passes right through the farm and it’s easy to set off from the campsite to explore the valley. It’s also two-mile walk through the fields to the delightful village of Edale, which has a village shop plus cafés and pubs. If you’re visiting in cooler weather there are plenty of cosy cottages to choose from in the village, as well as the affordable YHA Edale, a manor house-turned youth hostel which offers family rooms as well as accommodation for groups.
Morning
Wake up in your tent with views of the Kinder Plateau and grab your hiking boots. The Peak District is heaven for hikers, and there are marked trails and mapped routes starting right from the campsite – you could try a circular walk around Kinder Reservoir, seek out the rushing waterfall at Kinder Downfall or head for Kinder Scout, the highest point in the Peak District. You’re also not far from iconic Mam Tor, a much-loved Peaks walk offering an easy yet rewarding climb to the site of a bronze age hilltop fortress.
Late Morning
Once you’ve stretched your legs and worked up an appetite, head to the town of Bakewell, a 30-minute drive from the campsite. A world-famous Bakewell tart (shortcrust pastry with layers of jam and a topping of flaked almonds) is a must but there are also farmer’s markets, cosy pubs and indie shops to check out. Bakewell is also at the eastern end of the Monsal Trail, which follows an old railway line and offers car-free pedalling or rambling over 8.5 miles, with striking views as you travel over the Headstone Viaduct.
Afternoon
Head to Chatsworth House, ten minutes by car from Bakewell. You’ll probably recognise this stately pile – it was the backdrop for some of the BBC’s Pride and Prejudice and Peaky Blinders and is believed to have inspired Jane Austen herself. These days it’s a wonderful spot to explore on a sunny afternoon – wander around the grand stately home, stroll in the gardens and let children run riot in the adventure playground. Smaller children will love the working farmyard, home to friendly animals ranging from pigs and horses to goats and guinea pigs.
EveningHead home to Edale and refuel with proper pub grub at The Old Nags Head, a traditional inn at the start of the Pennine Way, or at cosy The Rambler Inn, which specialises in local ingredients. Or fire up a barbeque back at the campsite for sausages by sunset – don’t forget the hot chocolate with plenty of marshmallows.
Day 1: Bakewell’s beauty
Make a base in Bakewell for a laid-back first day in the Peaks. Stroll on the banks of the River Wye, feed the ducks and visit the Monday market or the farmer’s market (last Saturday of the month) for home-grown treats. A stop by The Old Original Bakewell Pudding Shop for a taste of the almond and cherry Bakewell tarts that made the town famous is a must.
Day 2: Chatsworth House and farmyard friends
The darling of the silver screen, Chatsworth House is movie-famous but great for family fun too, and makes for a full-on day out for active kids. Explore the gardens and parkland, spotting the resident deer, buy local goodies in the farm shop for tea and then head to the Farmyard and Adventure Playground. Pop your wellies on to meet favourite farmyard animals as well as rare breeds including Shire horses, Albion cattle, Gloucestershire Old Spot pigs and Golden Guernsey goats. You can feed and even cuddle some of the residents – a treat for budding farmers.
Day 3: Bike the Monsal Trail
Hire a bike, pop a helmet on and cycle the car-free 8.5-mile Monsal Trail, exploring tunnels and pedalling along high viaducts as you go. Cycle hire centres can be found at Hassop Station, (at the Bakewell end of the trail) and at Blackwell Mill, (at the northern end of the trail).
Day 4: Head up to the Heights of Abraham
Up, up and away – take a trip on the cable car that soars above the Derwent Valley to the Heights of Abraham. Up on the hilltop, explore caverns on an underground tour, walk in the woodlands, check out the adventure playgrounds or just enjoy the sweeping views with a cuppa in the café.
Day 5: Kinder Scout Mass Trespass hike
In 1932 around 500 walkers trespassed en masse and walked from Hayfield to Kinder Scout to secure access rights to open country for all to enjoy forever. Today you can walk in their footsteps and enjoy the moorland landscapes of the Dark Peak they fought to make available to everyone. The entire walk is eight miles long, but it can easily be shortened to suit littler legs.
Day 6: Castleton and caverns
A boat trip inside a spooky cave? Budding geologists will absolutely love Speedwell Cavern, Set at the foot of the spectacular Winnats Pass, high above the village of Castleton. Step aboard a boat for a unique way to explore this historical lead mine and a limestone cave. Castleton is a great lunch pitstop before driving through Winnats Pass, a twisty-turny road with incredible views of the lush green limestone gorge it cleaves through.
Day 7: Stride up Stanage Edge
Hike to Stanage Edge for spectacular views of the Hope Valley plus rock formations to practise your climbing moves on. If you wind up back in the village of Hathersage for lunch (try the Plough Inn or Coleman’s Deli), take water babies to the Hathersage Outdoor Pool, a heated open-air swimming spot with grassy banks that’s perfect for a splash about.
Check out our favorite spots on the Canvas and Cub map
Burrs Manor Wild Camping:
Off-grid camping with stunning Peak District views, perfect for adventurers seeking a back-to-nature escape
Upper Booth Farm:
A relaxed farm campsite with scenic walks on the doorstep, offering a true countryside retreat
Moss Rose Campsite:
A family-friendly meadow campsite, blending open space with a peaceful rural setting
Boulder Field Cabin:
A stylish cabin with breathtaking views and a hot tub, perfect for a remote escape
Dalehead Bunkhouse:
A cosy and spacious retreat, ideal for bigger groups exploring the Peak District
Shepherds Huts at Chatsworth:
A charming stay on an epic estate, offering a cosy countryside experience
