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.
5. Sheer natural beauty at Winnat's Pass
Winnats Pass is the sole route to Castleton from the west since the major landslip of Mam Tor in 1977 destroyed the A625 route. As well as a bracing drive through breathtaking natural beauty, this spectacular limestone gorge is the base of a popular walking route up Mam Tor. It is thought one of the gorges was formed underwater and later enlarged by glacial melt waters during the Ice Age, and is also the anchor of much myth and folklore. Photo: Submitted
6. Cave Dale, Castleton
Keen hikers and fans of gorgeous views can put Cave Dale on their bucket list. Enter Cave Dale by walking between two cottages in Bar Gate above the Market Place. Look out for a signpost which marks the beginning of the Limestone Way to Matlock and be rewarded with striking views as you traverse terrain across Derbyshire. Photo: Wiktoria Wrzyszcz
7. Peveril Castle
Built by William Peveril, son of William the Conqueror in 1086, Peveril Castle is said to be one of England’s oldest Norman castles. The castle’s ancient ruins continue to be one of Derbyshire’s historical treasures. Climb to the top of Castle Hill and be rewarded with breathtaking views spanning Hope Valley and Kinder Scout. Pictured is an aerial view of Peveril Castle ruins in Castleton. | Alexey Fedorenko - stock.adobe.com Photo: Alexey Fedorenko - stock.adobe.com
8. 'Shivering Mountain' Mam Tor
Explore the remains of an Iron Age fort at the top of Mam Tor where ditches and defensive wall embankments dating back 1,500 years can be seen. One side of the hill that appears to have fallen away is now poetically called the ‘Shivering Mountain’ due to its propensity for landslips caused by unstable shale levels. Pictured is the view from Rushup Edge. | Jason Chadwick Photo: Jason Chadwick