Peak District day trips: 21 beautiful towns and villages to visit this summer across Derbyshire and the Peak District – including Bakewell, Matlock, Castleton, Hathersage and Buxton

By Tom Hardwick

Published 16th Jul 2024, 14:11 BST

If you’re planning a Peak District trip this summer and are looking for some inspiration, these scenic towns and villages are among some of the region’s best places to visit.

The likes of Castleton and Hathersage will be at the top of most people’s lists when they visit Derbyshire and the Peak District – but there are many more wonderful spots waiting off the beaten track.

READ THIS: 25 fascinating pictures taken in the Peak District during the 1970s and 80s by our photographers

With the summer holidays fast approaching, why not head out to one of these lovely destinations?

These are some of the places you should visit this summer across Derbyshire and the Peaks.

1. Derbyshire summer day trip destinations

These are some of the places you should visit this summer across Derbyshire and the Peaks. Photo: Brian Eyre/Jason Chadwick

Tideswell is one of the Peak District's bigger villages. It is home to the church of St John the Baptist, known as the 'Cathedral of the Peak.’

2. Tideswell

Tideswell is one of the Peak District's bigger villages. It is home to the church of St John the Baptist, known as the 'Cathedral of the Peak.’ Photo: jason chadwick

Boasting lovely limestone cottages, this village in the heart of the Derbyshire Dales is said to have origins dating back to Medieval times. The 18th century saw a period of relative prosperity for Great Longstone due to its lead mining and shoe-making industries.Today, the signs of Great Longstone’s history can be seen all around the village.

3. Great Longstone

Boasting lovely limestone cottages, this village in the heart of the Derbyshire Dales is said to have origins dating back to Medieval times. The 18th century saw a period of relative prosperity for Great Longstone due to its lead mining and shoe-making industries.Today, the signs of Great Longstone’s history can be seen all around the village. Photo: Jason Chadwick

For those interested in history, Eyam is a perfect place to visit. It is known as the plague village, after residents quarantined themselves to stop the spread of a plague outbreak in the 17th century.

4. Eyam

For those interested in history, Eyam is a perfect place to visit. It is known as the plague village, after residents quarantined themselves to stop the spread of a plague outbreak in the 17th century. Photo: Jason Chadwick

Peak District Derbyshire Buxton Matlock Bakewell