Peak District - could I occupy and fill 3-4 days in August here?

[ukgirlatheart]

Thinking of going to the Peak District for a few days - just me and DS age 11. Is there enough to do?

We've never done Chatsworth House - Is there enough there for DS to do/see?

Anywhere else we could visit/do without me having to drive for miles and miles???

God yes, the Peak District is Fabulous.

Chatsworth is brilliant, my favourite big house type place. The gardens are great, especially when the water features are on.

Loads of caves in Castleton.

Great walking. From Castleton you can walk Mam Tor to Lose hill which is a lovely but relatively easy walk. Kinder is worth a walk if you want something a bit more challenging.

I prefer higher up around Castleton to the lower Peak District but it's very personal. It's more rugged higher up.

I guess it depends on where you are staying as to how much driving your ave to do. Last time we went we stayed in Hope, next to a footpath to Lose Hill. We hardly used the car, walked from the front door a lot. Used the car for Chatsworth, Edale which was 3 miles and the Ladybower reservoir which is beautiful.

Altona towers
Twin Lakes

Also you could visit Buxton, Matlock (Heights of Abraham is wonderful) and Bakewell!

The caverns are great, just right for an 11 yo, I'd have thought.
Altona Towers must be that new Italian theme park!

ok so Im thinking these will be full days out:

Chatsworth House
Matlock/cable cars
Tram Museum

so where should we stay what area would you suggest???

Heck yes! You could fill up a week, IMO. The Bakewell Show takes place in early August; it's not on a par with a huge one like the Royal Highland but it's a nice day out if you and/or your son are at all interested in animals.

Staying: Matlock is quite a nice town. I'm not sure about transport etc but if you're driving you'll be fine.

Places like Buxton and Bakewell, right in the High Peak, are beautiful but may be expensive to stay in. I also think they're quite quiet and shut down fairly early at night and on Sundays, but I realise that not everyone might find that a problem.

I've just got back from a holiday there. If you have some lovely warm weather I'd suggest giving the tram museum a miss and instead taking a picnic to Dovedale. You can have a paddle in the river and then walk across the fields to Ilam Hall for some tea and cake in the tea room.

Outdoor swimming pool in hathersage if the weather is good.

You'll have a great time, loads to see and do. The animal farm and adventure playground at Chatsworth are fab.

The tram museum is honestly a really good day out - we weren't expecting much but had a great time.

We stayed in Buxton . Definitely visit Matlock Bath and the Heights of Abraham. I think there is a small theme park called American Adventure. Have a real Bakewell Tart !

Not in the Peak District itself but not far way, Bolsover Castle and Hardwick Hall are both must see EH properties. I really want to have a holiday in Derbyshire, very jealous that you are going.

Hire bikes at the Monsal trail (a disused railway line roughly between Buxton and Bakewell) - tunnels and viaducts and beautiful views. It can get busy though.

Tissington trail is similar but more in the high peak. When we have been it's been less busy. You can hire bikes at Parsley Hay - nice cafe there too.

YES to Dovedale, Bakewell and Buxton. Also Wetton Mill is worth a visit, lovely tea room on a stream. At the end of the Manifold trail I think.

I'm from the area. Buxton has a Go Ape high ropes course next to Pooles Cavern. You could do both of those and nip over to the Pavilion Gardens or walk up to Solomons Temple. There is also a Travel Lodge or Premier Inn in Buxton. Lots of people rave about the Darwin Forst caravan park or Callow Top camp site which i think are both Ashbourne way. Definitley agree with the Monsail Trail and Dovedale and Chatsworth. My DS loves the adventure playground there. Carsington Water is also in the Ashbourne area and has a campsite and holiday cottages. Great playgrounds, walk/cycle path and voating activities.

Are you camping or likely to want B&B?
If you base yourself in or near Bakewell then you are within reach of just about everything though two of the places you want to go to might make Matlock a more convenient place to stay.

If near Sheffield then you could visit Magna?? It's awesomely weird and fascinating

I can recommend The Old Smithy in Monyash for a fab breakfast!

If you go to Hathersage eat at the scotsmans pack, I love it there

Have a real Bakewell Tart!

It's a Bakewell PUDDING They are delicious.

Had forgotten about well dressings. It's a really beautiful tradition.

And yes, the Monsal Trail is gorgeous for walking/cycling.