A weekend in the Peak District, England
A while back, we visited the Peak District, and it was the perfect escape. With no strict itinerary, we focused on scenic walks, relaxing, and enjoying the stunning landscapes. In this guide, we’ll share our experiences, including where we stayed, the best places to eat, hidden coffee spots, and unforgettable hikes. Plus, don’t miss the incredible Sunday roast—it’s a must! Discover why the Peak District is a must-visit destination.
Peak District Background
The Peak District, England’s first national park, is a haven for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. With a rich history of ancient stone circles, mining villages, and a landscape shaped by centuries of human activity, it offers both natural beauty and cultural significance. Once remote and known for farming, it became more accessible in the 19th century with the rise of railways. Today, the Peak District boasts rugged moorlands, rolling hills, and picturesque villages. While it’s stunning year-round, there’s something special about visiting on a sunny day when the trails are dry, the views are clear, and the countryside feels endless. It’s a place that’s perfect for exploring no matter the season, but sunshine definitely makes it even more enchanting.
Where to Stay
We found the perfect getaway for our Peak District trip with Kip Hideaways at Holborn Cottage, nestled in the peaceful stone village of Litton. From the moment we arrived, it felt like a cozy retreat. The cottage perfectly blended rustic charm with modern comfort, featuring exposed beams, a wood burner, and thoughtful touches that made it feel like home. Litton itself is a tranquil village, with its stone cottages and quiet streets, plus a great local pub just a short walk away. Waking up there each morning felt like a reset, with nothing but birds and the occasional sheep to greet us. While it was an ideal base for exploring the Peaks, we often found ourselves tempted to stay in, relax by the fire, and enjoy the slower pace. Holborn Cottage truly made our trip unforgettable—a place we didn’t want to leave.
Two Recommended Walks (6/10 difficulty)
Three Shires Waterfall
One of our favorite walks during our stay was the hike to Three Shires Head, where we stumbled upon the stunning Three Shires Waterfall. We set off on a sunny morning, with no agenda other than to explore. The route led us along quiet country lanes, through sheep-dotted fields, and past old stone walls that had clearly seen many seasons. As we neared the falls, the landscape opened up to reveal a series of small, cascading waterfalls that fed into clear pools, all framed by rugged hills. Three Shires Head is also where the boundaries of Derbyshire, Cheshire, and Staffordshire meet, which makes it a pretty special spot. The nearby old packhorse bridge added to the feeling of stepping back in time, making it a memorable part of our journey.Mam Tor
Ending the day with a walk up Mam Tor at sunset was an absolute highlight. The hike wasn’t too challenging, but the wind at the top had a way of making us feel fully alive. By the time we reached the summit, the sky was softening into shades of gold and pink, and the views stretched out endlessly. We stood there quietly, taking in the hills rolling below us, with the sun slowly dipping behind the peaks. It wasn’t a grand moment, just the feeling of being exactly where we needed to be at that moment—peaceful, content, and completely in tune with the landscape.
Where to Eat
During our time in the Peak District, we decided to treat ourselves to a couple of special dinners. While there are plenty of great pubs and restaurants around, after an unforgettable Michelin-star experience in the Lake District, we wanted to see what the Peak District had to offer at that level. For our two evenings out, we picked a couple of spots that came highly recommended and promised something a bit more memorable. Night one, we dined at Lovage in Bakewell—an intimate, modern restaurant serving creative, seasonal dishes that highlight local ingredients. On night two, we headed to The Blind Bull, a beautifully restored 12th-century inn offering a refined yet relaxed dining experience, with a menu that combines traditional British fare with contemporary twists. Both were fantastic, but Lovage definitely stood out as the highlight of our trip.
In addition to those, we couldn’t resist a visit to The Prince of Wales in Baslow—where we enjoyed great food and an incredibly welcoming atmosphere. But the real star of the trip was the Sunday roast at The Cavendish Hotel. It was hands-down the best we’ve ever had, made even better by the magical country walk we took beforehand.
The food scene in the Peaks definitely didn’t let us down!
The Peak District is home to the famous Chatsworth House, which we were really excited to explore, but unfortunately, it was closed for maintenance during our visit. We’d highly recommend doing some research and planning your trip around it, as it’s one of the area’s top attractions. Known for its stunning architecture and expansive gardens, Chatsworth has been the home of the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire for over 16 generations. The house also boasts an incredible art collection, including works by masters like Rembrandt and Van Dyck. And if you’re a fan of film, you might recognize it as the setting for Mr. Darcy’s Pemberley in Pride and Prejudice (2005), making it an absolute must-see when you’re in the Peaks.
Our favourite coffee & Bakewell Tart
If you're a coffee lover, you can't miss a visit to Castleton Coffee Co., which quickly became our favorite spot for a great coffee. The cozy atmosphere, combined with their attention to the brewing process, made it the perfect stop after a morning of exploring. As for something sweet, we had to try the famous Bakewell tart, and after a bit of browsing, we ended up at The Old Original Bakewell Pudding Shop. It’s hard to overstate just how delicious that tart was - perfectly sweet, with a delicate almond filling and a flaky crust that made it worth every bite. It’s a classic for a reason, and we ended up going back for more before we left!
Our time in the Peak District turned out to be exactly what we needed-slow, simple, and full of little moments that made us stop and appreciate everything around us. It wasn’t about rushing from one spot to another; it was about being present, wandering through quiet villages, savoring the food, and soaking in the beauty of the landscape. There’s something about this place that makes you want to stay a little longer, forget the hustle, and just let time move at its own pace. If you’re after a break that feels authentic and truly restorative, we can’t recommend the Peaks enough. Just go, let it unfold, and embrace the slower rhythm of life. You won’t regret it.
