Castleton, Peak District, Derbyshire
Castleton, in the Derbyshire Peak District, is a popular spot for visitors.
Attractions
The ruins of Peveril Castle loom over the small village, which is most famous for its limestone caves and caverns. These are the Blue John Cavern, Peak Cavern, Speedwell Cavern, and Treak Cliff Cavern. A small amount of Blue John is still mined today.
Signs to Peveril Castle and Peak Cavern
Garland Day
The annual festival in Castleton, held annually on May 29 is the “Garland Day” or “Oak Apple Day” when a Garland King wearing a huge garland of flowers parades through the village.
Houses in the area are made from local limestone
Hiking
Castleton is a good place to begin a hike in the Peak District to such local beauty spots as Cavedale, Winnats Pass, and Mam Tor.
Peak
Nearby
Other places to see in and around the Castleton area in Derbyshire include the Pavilion Gardens in Buxton, Eyam Hall and Eyam Stocks in the pretty village of Eyam, and also the picturesque Hope Valley.
Built between 1935 and 1943, the Ladybower Reservoir played its part in World War II folklore
Ladybower Reservoir
Ladybower Reservoir in the Derwent Valley is another local attraction. It is part of the Derwent Valley Reservoirs, a chain of three reservoirs that also includes Howden Reservoir and Derwent Reservoir. Ladybower Reservoir was built between 1935 and 1943, with the primary purpose of supplying water to the cities of Sheffield and Derby. Ladybower Reservoir gained fame and recognition for its association with the Dambusters, the famous World War II bombing raid carried out by the Royal Air Force’s 617 Squadron. The squadron used the reservoir and surrounding valleys for training purposes, practicing low-level flights and targeting dams similar to those in Germany. There is a memorial plaque located at the Derwent Dam, commemorating the Dambusters’ training operations.
Derbyshire Peak District
Images of the Peak District by Stephen Kenworthy
Access – Getting There
There are buses to the town from Sheffield, Chesterfield, Bakewell, and Hathersage.
The town is approximately 25 kilometers (16 miles) west of Sheffield and 35 kilometers (22 miles) east of Manchester. By car from Manchester take the A624 or the A6 via Stockport. Journey time is about an hour. Trains from Manchester Piccadilly Station to Sheffield stop at Bamford. From here it is a short 271 bus ride. By car from Sheffield take the A625 and A6187 (40 minutes).
Visitors can find locally made crafts, antiques, souvenirs, and the famous Blue John jewelry. The village also boasts a variety of cozy tearooms, several traditional pubs, and restaurants.
Accommodation
There are a variety of places to stay including the three-star The Castle by Innkeeper’s Collection, a former coaching inn. Ye Olde Nags Head is another option and offers a bar and free WiFi as well as free private parking for patrons.
In addition, the Peak Hotel Castleton is a comfortable three-star property popular with couples.
Book a place to stay in Castleton with Booking.com
Mam Tor by Ian Kelsall
Map of Castleton
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