The tiny village named one of the prettiest in the Peak District
Castleton in the Peak District is a beautiful village that doubles as a hub for walkers.
A tiny and beautiful village is often named one of the prettiest in the Peak District. Castleton in Derbyshire is at the western end of Hope Valley on the Peakshole Water river. It is home to less than 700 people.
It attracts many tourists and there are multiple pubs, restaurants, tea rooms and shops to enjoy as well as a post office and general shop.
The village is also a walking hub, being where routes up Cave Dale, Winnats Pass, Mam Tor and Hollins Cross meet. These are circular walks with lots of foot traffic and signposting.
There are also easier walks on footpaths along the river to Hope, Brough, Bamford and Hathersage. Many will walk for multiple days, stopping to camp overnight.
In the nearby area are four “show caves” that visitors can explore - Blue John Cavern, Peak Cavern, Treak Cliff Cavern and Speedwell Cavern. Speedwell Cavern includes an underground boat ride and Peak Cavern has the largest cave entrance in Britain.
Shops in the village sell some items, such as browns and jewellery, made from the ornamental mineral Blue John which is extracted from the caves, the only place in the world where it is found.
Visitors can also walk up the steep steps to the ruins of Peveril Castle, a Norman fortress completed in 1086 for a favoured knight of William the Conqueror.
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The village is a conservation area with the oldest park by the river near Cavern Walk. Each year in May, it celebrates Oak Apple Day. This was originally celebrated to commemorate Charles II regaining the throne.
Now, it is called Garland Day. A King wears a large headdress covered in wild flowers and greenery as well as Stuart costume. His consort joins him in a procession on horseback through the village with dancing and music followed by girls in white dresses.
Castleton has a number of places to stay including guest houses, holiday lets, bed and breakfasts and a youth hostel. There is a small bus station in the village with services to Bakewell, Buxton, Chesterfield and Sheffield, among other places. The closest train station is two miles away in the village of Hope with services to Sheffield and Manchester.