Peak District National Park
Just outside Manchester is one of the most popular destinations for people who love the outdoors. Hikers, cyclers and discoverers abound in this neck of the woods.
We first visited the historic town of Castleton, Derbyshire in the Peak District National Park in February 2017, staying in one of the oldest pubs in town, The Olde Cheshire Cheese Inn, which dates back to the 17th century. The wood fire was particularly welcoming on this cold winters eve.
Castleton is a centuries old mill and market town which was used from the time of the Norman invasion to supply food and goods to Peveril Castle.
High above the town is a popular attraction, The Speedwell Cavern. You have to walk a flight of steps to a boat where the tour guide takes you through to the workings of a 250 year old lead mine, recounting how it was built using the most primitive of tools and the story of the mine which leades to a natural open space, the bottomless pit cavern.
The 2nd time I visited the Peak District, I cycled there from Stockport...in the middle of winter via a very treacherous bit of road called Snake Pass. The weather was indeed miserable...freezing cold conditions, icey roads, and an exhausting, steep mountain climb. Still, the views from the top of hill were quite stunning and my accommodation, the YHA in Hathersage in the Hope Valley offered a delightful hot shower upon my arrival.
Snake Pass is a hill pass in the Derbyshire section of the Peak District, crossing the Pennines between Glossop and the Ladybower Reservoir at Ashopton. The road was engineered by Thomas Telford and opened in 1821. Elevation 1680ft above sea level.
