Castleton is the hidden gem of the Peak District offering breath-taking scenery and holiday spirit with just a short trip by train or car.
You may perhaps feel a little spoilt for choice as the region has plenty of serene villages and hidden hamlets to explore.
But as hidden gems go, Castleton is a real beauty spot, and doubly so in the festive season. Castleton is often hailed as one of the region’s prettiest villages at Christmastime.
It is one of the top Peak District spots in the run-up to Christmas where fairy lights draped in olde world shop windows create magical vibes.
Glowing Tripadvisor reviews attest to the village’s wonder as an ‘unbelievably scenic chocolate box village’ with ‘beautiful lanes’ and a place where ‘a photograph can be taken on every corner.’
Castleton really comes into its own thanks to its location in the heart of the Peak District National Park and steepd in nearby ancient history.
Visit the atmospheric Medieval ruins of Peveril Castle, built in 1086 for William Peverel, who was one of William the Conqueror’s most honoured knights.
Another big tourist draw is the village’s four feature caves of Blue John Mine, Treak Cliff Cavern, Speedwell Cavern and Peak Cavern.
Here you can spot rare mineral of Blue John, and see breath-taking stalactite and stalagmite formations during you visit to the caves.
See our gallery below for a view of Castleton in all four seasons and see if it can tempt you for a beautiful day out this winter.
1. Christmastime in Castleton
Anyone who has been to Castleton in the festive season will know it is a magical place at Christmastime. Residents make a great show of festooning their windows with fairy lights that makes Castleton one of the most beautifully illuminated villages in Derbyshire at this time of year. | Michael Hardy
2. Explore an exhilarating walk from Castleton to Mam Tor
Explore an exhilarating seven mile walk from Castleton and Mam Tor on The Great Ridge Walk, one of the most popular walking destinations in the UK that anyone who has taken the train through the Peaks to- or from Sheffield will recognise. Pictured is the view of the trig-point at Mam Tor in the snow in winter, looking down the snow-covered ridge and trail. | Visit Peak District & Derbyshire
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3. Take an evening stroll at Christmastime
It's a charming visit in the day, but have you seen Castleton at Christmastime at night? As the nights draw in, why not take an evening walk around the village, to really appreciate the beauty of Castleton's decorated windows and fairy lights in all their festive glory? | Visit Peak District & Derbyshire
4. 'Fourth most Instagrammable village'
Castleton has won the hearts of visitors over the years, it was also crowned UK’s fourth ‘most instagrammable village’ in 2020. | Simon Dell