What makes the Peak District a great weekend break

Conveniently located near Manchester and Sheffield, the UK’s first national park is visited by millions of people every year.

Its wide open spaces and location make it a great option for a weekend break with breath-taking scenery that have inspired numerous writers and can be enjoyed by walking uninterrupted trails or bike rides for those feeling more adventurous.

What seems to be very unique in this park is its “Miles without Stiles” initiative to classify routes according to its accessibility with pushchairs, assisted / unassisted wheelchairs, all-terrain equipment, off-road mobility vehicles and trail suitability for the visually impaired.

As with most national parks in Great Britain, a variety of landscapes can be enjoyed on site, allowing the visitor to have different experiences depending on the very specific location, from relaxing in its picturesque villages to hiking, biking, rock climbing and even caving.

Chrome Hill

This open access land is not only majestic to stare at or enjoy the 360 view when climbed. Weather permitted, a double sunset can be seen against Chrome Hill from the southern side of Parkhouse Hill and are described with details in Jeff Kent’s book ‘The Mysterious Double Sunset’.

Mam Tor

Declared by one of the Seven Wonders of the Peak by Thomas Hobbes in his 1636 book ‘De Mirabilibus Pecci’, this site is probably a mandatory stop for first time visitors to the Peak District. The name means ‘mother hill’ or ‘Shivering Mountain’ because of the frequent landslips that have resulted in numerous mini-hills beneath it. At the base of the hill and nearby are four caves: Blue John Cavern, Speedwell Cavern, Peak Cavern and Treak Cliff Cavern where minerals were once extracted.

Ladybower Reservoir

Built in the early 1900s near Hordron Edge stone circle, this Y-shaped body of water is now a tourist attraction and by looking at some pictures it is not difficult to understand why: the combination of blue dark waters with surrounding grass moors provide an awe-inspiring feeling of immersion in a landscape painting or award winning photograph.

Thor’s Cave

This natural cavern has a symmetrical arch shaped main entrance (7.5 metres wide and 10 metres high) which is visible from the valley bottom, around 80 metres (260 feet) below. Excavations in the 1800s suggest it was inhabited by humans during Palaeolithic, Iron Age and Roman period and currently attracts brave rock climbers who put their skills to the test.

Its stunning look is featured in the film ‘The Lair of the White Worm’ in 1998 and The Verve’s 1993 music video ‘Blue’, as well as a front over of the band’s first album ‘A Storm in Heaven’.

As hard as it is to compete with other northern national parks like Lake District or Yorkshire Dales in terms of landscape, Peak District’s convenient location, only a few hours away from most of parts of England, combined with the variety of sights and activities it can offer make it a great escape for an unforgettable weekend all year round.

To find out more contact us via [email protected] . Extra Mile Tours® focuses on UK bespoke group travel experiences with nature and outdoor activities in mind.