Peak District with kids, must do/see?

[Illbefinejustbloodyfine]

Im taking DC to the peak district for a short break, only 3 nights staying around Buxton. Im overwhelmed with the options of what to see and do.

I have a national trust membership so hope to utilise that one day.

Would LOVE a walk with waterfalls, pools. We live on the edge of the fens so the scenery will be a big change for them.

Id be really grateful for any recommendations. Already thinking its not a long enough break but finances are very very limited.

Half an hour drive from Buxton is the walking trail (I think, it’s been many years) at Dovedale with the famous stepping stones. Lovely walk upriver. think the car park is National trust so you can use the membership to park there!

We visited some caves while around there they were pretty cool. Heights of Abraham but pricey and they get very busy.

Definitely do Castleton and the caverns! Speedwell has a boat

Thanks both. I just looked Speedwell up and got anxious just watching the promo 😳

If you go into the Devil's arse cave at Castleton that is a walk in one that starts off big so you get time to acclimatise. That might be better if caves freak you out. If you are staying at Buxton I would do more South peaks things like a day at Chatsworth. You can park a car there cheaply and walk in the grounds and swim in the river. Lots of people will be doing that so you can see where to go. If you have enough money to pay to go into the farm and playground it's a really good playground so I would recommend that. The stepping stones walk recommended by PP is nice too.

Blue John mine in Castleton and a drive through Winnats pass

Park at Longshaw estate (Nat trust -
Woodcroft car park) and walk there down Padley Gorge (rocks, river). Cafe and loos at the top (Longshaw) and bottom (Grindleford station). River, rocks, woods, beauty etc. Also good if weather a bit rainy as some of the walking options are amongst the trees.

How old are they? They might manage a hike up Mam Tor in Castleton.

Padley Gorge and Burbage Brook walk | National Trust

Chatsworth is expensive and not a NT property. Hardwick Hall is NT and well worth visiting.

Winnats Pass and Castleton, Mam Tor doable in a day. Please make sure you park only in designated car parks as there have been issues with parking.

Go and find the purported Little John’s grave in Hathersage. Visit Eyam, the plague village/medieval lockdown.
Stannage Edge - parking gets busy but a good walk and fun to watch the climbers

Yes to the poster above, try and park in the designated spaces - so many people trash the verges.

Yes, don't miss your opportunity to experience the devil's arse

8 and 10 and pretty active. Id love this!

There is a lovely swimming area in Youlgreave. Although truly stunning I never go near Castleton/Mam Tor/Dovedale stepping stones in spring/summer cos it’s like a busy shopping centre, I save them for autumn/winter. The areas around Hartington are where I do my summer Peak District things! Wolfscote Dale walks are nice as are Chrome and Parkhouse hills.

Definitely Chatsworth, even if you don't go in the house.
There is an open air swimming pool at Hathersage, if the weather is good.

You can walk in the Chatsworth grounds for free but have to pay to go into various parts of it. You can access the courtyard with shops and restaurants for free. You have to pay for parking but can park in the Baslow village car park which is cheaper and walk in. There is also a bus stop and the Open Top Peak tourer bus stops there. That would be an activity in itself.

https://visitpeakdistrict.com/business-directory/peak-sightseer-open-top-bus

oh 8 and 10 would definitely make it up Mam Tor from Castleton!

This is good to know, thanks. We're staying at Hartington!

We're just back from a week here, loved it, we stayed in Calwich so did a day trip to Buxton for the kids to do Go Ape (loved it) and Pooles Cavarn, really enjoyed that too. We did a morning going up to see Thors Cave and then Dovedale Stepping Stones in the afternoon. Make sure you get to see the Dove Holes at the end of the trail. We also did Haddon Hall and Alton Towers. So much to see and do going back next year and will hopefully do Mam Tor and some of the suggestions from this thread. Enjoy OP Buxton is beautiful 😍

In Buxton it’s self is Poole’s Cavern which isn’t underground and worth a trip round it is situated in Buxton Country Park. You can then walk up the hill to Solomon’s Temple a Victorian Folly, the views from the top of the folly are very impressive. Plenty of picnic spots so take a picnic with you. Pavilion Gardens has some water features and a playground which might interest the children.

Yes. People have had badly parked cars towed away.

The Heights of Abraham cable cars in Matlock Bath used to be good. I haven't been for a long time.

Chatsworth farm and play area are great and not very expensive. One of the best play areas Ive been to. You can also pay extra if you want to go in the house and gardens.. expensive but worth it.
Also Matlock bath for fish and chips, amusement arcade, aquarium.
Longshaw estate for a good, free day out. Has a nice cafe too.

The OP stated they have NT membership therefore it makes sense to make use of that. I agree Chatsworth is well worth visiting, but it will be at a minimum cost of £84 to see the house and gardens for a family of four.

@Needtosoundoffandbreathe yes thank you, we do want to do a NT property and hopefully utilise the car parks for walks. I won't be paying for Chatsworth on this occasion, I just can't afford it unfortunately.

Baslow Edge to see the lovely highland cows! They're so docile. Plus, depending when you visit, you might start to see the heather emerging too. That's always spectacular.

Enjoy your trip - from a Peak District local!