Best Days Out in the Peak District — 10 Ideas Beyond the Walks

Everyone knows the Peak District for walking. But when you've got kids in tow, mixed weather, or grandparents who've had enough of stiles, you need the other stuff. Here are ten days out that deliver.

1. Heights of Abraham, Matlock Bath

The cable car over the Derwent gorge is the best five minutes of transport in the Midlands, and the ticket includes two show caverns and hilltop playgrounds. Arrive before 11 on sunny weekends.

Check Heights of Abraham tickets →

2. Chatsworth House and Farmyard

The house is a grown-up treat; the farmyard and adventure playground are the kids' payoff. The garden's water features split the difference. Budget a full day and book the farmyard separately.

3. Treak Cliff Cavern, Castleton

The most atmospheric of Castleton's four show caves, and the only place on earth still mining Blue John stone. Tours run all year — a perfect rainy-day fallback.

4. Crich Tramway Village

Ride vintage trams all day on one ticket through a rebuilt period village. Criminally underrated, rarely crowded.

5. Monsal Trail bike hire

Rent bikes at Hassop Station and ride the old railway line through tunnels and over the Headstone Viaduct. Flat, traffic-free, and doable with a tagalong.

The rest of the ten

6. Gulliver's Kingdom — a gentler, cheaper theme park pitched perfectly at 2–9 year olds.
7. Poole's Cavern, Buxton — combine with the Pavilion Gardens' miniature train.
8. Matlock Farm Park — hands-on animal feeding without the big-park prices.
9. Carsington Water — watersports, bike hire, and a good café loop.
10. The Devil's Arse (Peak Cavern) — best cave name in Britain, best natural entrance too.

Most of these sit within 25 minutes of Bakewell, so basing yourself centrally keeps driving short. Book caverns and Chatsworth ahead in school holidays; everything else copes on the day.