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.

Yeah Hartington is lovely! There is a lovely circular from Hartington, goes up round of the cafe/farm shop, along the river (there’s a couple of caves along the route which kids love) which is nice for a picnic or if you take a right instead of left when you come back out into Biggin then there is the Waterloo pub about five minutes up the road which is nice for food! Obviously you the the Tissington and High Peak trails close by which are nice for a walk or obviously bikes if you’re taking them! Are you taking a car? If so, I would highly recommend Eyam for half a day! Another fabulous walk takes you past all the Plague cottages/graves that tell you the story of Eyam in 1665 and there is a fab little plague museum too!

Second this, also you can park at Padley Gorge and do a loop to surprise view and through Lawrencefield. There are very cool bitch trees.

I would also recommend Strange Edge as it looks impressive and you'll likely see some rock climbers. There's also Higgar Tor and you can park at Fox House. That is a very accessible path up to Burbage car park.

Oh and if you like cheese Hartington has the best cheese shop!

The High Peak Book Store and Cafe is lovely. Great food and drink and a fantastic, cheap bookshop with a good children's selection.

Hathersage pool is worth a look if you like a swim. It's outdoors. You will need to book though as it gets busy in summer.

oh brilliant thanks! Yes we're driving up. I've already spotted the cheese shop....

Are the Hartington walks easily signposted?

I'd recommend Peak Wildlife Park if you have children. I love it as an adult!

I would park at Longshaw (NT), loads of walks round there for all ages, cafe, toilets, woods, etc.

Yeah they are! The one that goes up past the back of the farm shop is literally crossing a field and then following the river! You really can’t get lost but I can post a picture of the route if you’d like?! Absolutely loads of lovely circulars from Hartington and around that area! When do you go? If it’s this weekend then be aware the Ynot festival is on about 3 miles from Hartington so traffic might be a bit bit mad! Another lovely walk is Chee Dale stepping stones - miles better than Dovedale and far less packed! My caravans in the Peak District about a mile from Hartington. Beautiful part of the peaks!

Thank you, we go last week of August. A pic would be great thanks!

If you google the name of the walk there will be loads of similar routes, longer or shorter!

Chatsworth is quite expensive, but even if you only do tge gardens it's well worth a visit. It's stunning.

If you’re doing the caverns at Castleton I’d recommend staying the full day and doing the Mam Tor ridge walk - really beautiful views!

Thanks so much. Can you revommend a campsite (tent) with good facilities at all?

This also sounds like a good call thank you.

Also, we enjoyed the Monsal Trail bike ride!

Second Mam Tor, I have only been to this place in Peak District - my children aged 6, 12 and 14 loved it. Views are amazing

Our caravans on Newhaven. We’re taking it off that site because it’s been taken over by Park Holidays and i don’t like the bigger companies (it’s a beautiful site with good facilities, a children’s play area but not commercial like Callow Top). It really is gorgeous location and site.

Lickpenny campsite is gorgeous but a bit further away!

Callowtop is a large more commercial site about halfway between Hartington & Ashbourne - it has a swimming pool etc.

There is a small campsite at the top of Biggin (next village to Hartington) that is nice but quiet so might not be what you’re looking for.

We visited

Castleton
Dovedale

Just over in Staffordshire:

Lud's Church https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lud%27s_Church. and near there The Roaches, not far out of Buxton going towards Leek
Trentham Monkey Forest
Alton Towers
Churnet Valley Railway
Thor's Cave in the Manifold Valley

Criche Tram museum is on my to do list. A few places now doing paddle boarding and water sports, Bakewell is nice and has the pudding shop

Revisiting as we're off and im still undecided on which NT property to go to! Any suggestions?

Mr straws house is super weird if you want something unusual. I think it's national trust? It's Lincolnshire but nearish the peaks. I think Haddon hall and chatsworth, the two main ones are both independent?

Just wondering how the trip went and where you ended up?

It was brilliant!! Weatger MUCH better than forecast! We did Matlock Bath (disappointing) and the aquarium there (expensive) Lumsdale Falls, Mam Tor, Castleton, Blue John cavern (DC not impressed!) Winnats pass, a walk around the village we stayed in. Another walk - Hartington/beresford/wolfscote. Then the childrens house (national trist) on the last day. We really packed it in!

We do plan to go back, and will do the heights of Abraham, either Treak cavern or Poole cavern, Bakewell, and Cheedale.