From Castleton’s dramatic ridgelines and Melbourne’s historic parkland to Matlock’s sweeping valley views, these nine destinations combine exceptional walking with outstanding food, stylish places to stay and some of the county’s most memorable scenery
There’s something satisfying about a walk that starts and finishes somewhere worth lingering. Across our county, myriad places provide the perfect excuse to do just that.
Picture the day. A morning spent enjoying expertly brewed coffee and browsing independent stores; an afternoon exploring some of England’s most beautiful countryside and an evening settled in a celebrated restaurant, boutique hotel or characterful pub.
From dramatic ridgelines and limestone dales to tranquil parkland and river valleys, these nine destinations offer more than simply a place to park the car.
They are places to savour in their own right, with outstanding food, welcoming hospitality and easy access to some of the county’s finest walking routes.
Belper
Belper has quietly become one of Derbyshire’s most vibrant market towns. Sitting at the heart of the Derwent Valley Mills UNESCO World Heritage Site, it combines industrial heritage with an increasingly impressive independent food and drink scene.
Enjoy breakfast at award-winning Nourish at No.44 before exploring the surrounding countryside. Afterwards, celebrate your efforts with lunch or dinner at The Devonshire on Bridge Street, a ‘period travel inn steeped in history, brought up to date with quirkiness and peculiarity.’
The historic Lion Hotel provides a comfortable and characterful place to stay in the heart of the town.
A delightful circular walk leaves the town via Belper Parks before climbing gently through farmland and woodland towards Blackbrook.
Along the way, walkers are rewarded with panoramic views across the Derwent Valley towards the surrounding hills. The route offers a surprising sense of escape while remaining just moments from the town centre.
Walk snapshot: 5 miles (8km) |
Easy to Moderate
Castleton
Few villages rival Castleton’s dramatic setting. Hemmed in by towering hills and overlooked by the ruins of Peveril Castle, which gave this remarkable place its name, it serves as the gateway to some of the Peak District’s most spectacular scenery.
Start the day with coffee and homemade cake at Dolly’s Tearooms or a hearty breakfast at Rose Cottage Café. Afterwards, there are few better post-walk rewards than a leisurely meal at The Bulls Head, while nearby Losehill House Hotel & Spa offers a luxurious overnight option complete with spa facilities and exceptional Hope Valley views.
Although Mam Tor needs little introduction, the classic Great Ridge circuit remains one of Derbyshire’s most unforgettable walks.
Climbing steadily to the summit of Mam Tor, the route follows the spine of the ridge towards Lose Hill, with sweeping panoramas stretching from the Edale Valley to Kinder Scout and the Dark Peak beyond.
Descending through farmland and quiet lanes, the walk returns to Castleton beneath the watchful silhouette of Peveril Castle.
Walk snapshot: 7 miles (11km) |
Moderate to Challenging
Bakewell
If one place epitomises a Derbyshire walking escape, it’s arguably Bakewell. Nestled on the banks of the River Wye, the market town combines rich heritage with a thriving independent food scene, making it an irresistible base for a day outdoors.
Before setting off, enjoy breakfast or coffee at the famous Old Original Bakewell Pudding Shop, where sampling the town’s signature delicacy is practically a rite of passage.
Afterwards, reward yourself with lunch or dinner at Restaurant Lovage by Lee Smith, one of Derbyshire’s most acclaimed dining destinations. There’s also the brand-new The Charleston, which is well worth visiting.Those extending their stay can choose the historic Rutland Arms Hotel or venture a few miles to the elegant Cavendish Hotel at Baslow for a luxurious countryside retreat.
One of the White Peak’s most rewarding circuits begins beside Bakewell’s medieval bridge and follows the River Wye through meadows and pastureland to the idyllic village of Ashford-in-the-Water.
Here, the Sheepwash Bridge provides an iconic photo stop before the route climbs onto the surrounding limestone uplands.
Views stretch across a landscape of dry stone walls, rolling fields and wooded dales before the walk returns to Bakewell. At around six miles, it perfectly captures the timeless charm of the Peak District.
Walk snapshot: 6 miles (9.5km) |
Easy to Moderate
Hartington
With its duck pond, handsome stone cottages and welcoming village square, Hartington remains one of the White Peak’s most beloved villages. Its relaxed pace and rural character make it an ideal destination for walkers seeking tranquillity.
Before heading out, visit the Hartington Cheese Shop or settle into the Hartington Farm Shop Café for coffee and breakfast.
Afterwards, enjoy a leisurely lunch at The Devonshire Arms, whose terrace is particularly inviting on sunny afternoons. For those staying overnight, the Charles Cotton Hotel remains a charming option right in the heart of the village.
One of Derbyshire’s most beautiful riverside walks begins just beyond the village. The route through Beresford Dale and Wolfscote Dale follows the River Dove beneath towering limestone cliffs and dramatic rock formations before crossing meadows and rolling pastures.
In spring and early summer, the dales are alive with wildflowers and birdsong.
Walk snapshot: 8.5 miles (13.5km) | Moderate
Cromford
History and landscape combine effortlessly in Cromford. Best known as the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution, this World Heritage Site village also provides access to some of Derbyshire’s most distinctive walking country.
Begin with coffee at Wheatcroft’s Wharf Café or enjoy tea and a browse among the shelves of Scarthin Books, one of the county’s most cherished independent bookshops.
Afterwards, enjoy a meal at Le Mistral in nearby Wirksworth, while the Grade II-listed Oakhill Cromford is a charming, picturesque and conveniently located place to stay.
Those seeking a more indulgent countryside escape may also consider Callow Hall near Ashbourne, one of Derbyshire’s finest country house hotels.
A rewarding circular walk links Cromford Canal, Black Rocks and the High Peak Trail. Beginning beside the canal, the route gradually climbs to Black Rocks, where gritstone outcrops command far-reaching views across the Derwent Valley. Sections of former railway line and canal towpath add layers of industrial heritage to an invigorating walk that perfectly reflects the area’s history.
Walk snapshot: 5.5 miles (9km) |
Moderate
Bolsover
Dominated by its magnificent castle, Bolsover offers a very different walking experience and one that remains surprisingly overlooked by many visitors, who may be unaware of the breathtaking landscapes to be found just a short walk from the town centre.
Take time to explore Bolsover, a proud and heritage-rich town, before enjoying coffee in one of its independent cafés.
Afterwards, nearby country inns provide a relaxing place to dine, while just a little further out, The Shoulder at Hardstoft continues to offer one of the area’s most appealing places to stay, combining comfortable accommodation with an excellent restaurant.
A rewarding route follows sections of the Archaeology Way through peaceful countryside, open farmland and pockets of woodland before returning with striking views of Bolsover Castle rising above the landscape. Along the way, walkers encounter a lesser-known side of Derbyshire, one shaped as much by history and heritage as by natural beauty.
Walk snapshot: 6 miles (9.5km) |
Easy to Moderate
Tideswell
Framed by the Church of St John the Baptist, affectionately known as the Cathedral of the Peak, Tideswell offers a quieter alternative to some of Derbyshire’s busier villages, while nevertheless retaining easy access to exceptional walking country.
Begin with coffee at Tideswell Lounge before setting off into the surrounding dales. Afterwards, The Merchant’s Yard provides a stylish setting for food and drinks, while its contemporary guest accommodation makes it an excellent option for an overnight stay.
A superb circular route combines Tideswell Dale and Miller’s Dale, following clear streams through narrow limestone gorges before emerging onto open pastureland.
Highlights include dramatic cliff faces, wildflower-rich grasslands and beautiful views down into the Wye Valley, making this one of the Peak District’s most rewarding moderate walks.
Walk snapshot: 7 miles (11km) | Moderate
Matlock
For centuries, Matlock and neighbouring Matlock Bath have combined to offer one of Derbyshire’s most popular places for a countryside escape. Today, it boasts some of the county’s finest dining and
accommodation too.
Start the day with coffee in one of the independent cafés clustered around Crown Square and Dale Road before heading out into the surrounding hills and tors, which can be overlooked by visitors.
Afterwards, celebrate your efforts with a meal at Stones Restaurant, renowned for its refined seasonal menus and elegant riverside setting. For an overnight stay, East Lodge Country House Hotel offers luxurious accommodation in beautiful grounds just outside the town.
One of the area’s finest walks climbs from Matlock through Hall Leys Park before ascending to Starkholmes and the limestone uplands above High Tor.
Along the way, views open across the Derwent Valley, while woodland paths and peaceful pastureland provide a striking contrast to the cliffs that tower above the town. The route offers a perfect blend of landscape, heritage and far-reaching Peak District scenery.
Walk snapshot: 6 miles (9.5km) |
Moderate to Challenging
Melbourne
South Derbyshire often slips beneath the radar when walking destinations are discussed due to the pull of the Peak District, yet Melbourne and its many neighbouring villages provide an elegant and rewarding alternative to the county’s better-known walking locations.
The market place is home to excellent independent cafés, while Melbourne Deli is ideal for coffee before setting out. Afterwards, Amalfi White offers a stylish setting for relaxed dining and drinks. Nearby, The Boot provides boutique accommodation full of character.
An obvious highlight of the area is the nearby Calke Abbey estate. This varied circular walk passes through ancient parkland, tranquil lakes, veteran oak trees and species-rich meadows, with frequent opportunities to spot deer grazing
beneath the trees. Visitors can also explore Melbourne Hall’s gardens, adding another layer of interest to a day spent in this attractive corner of the county.
Walk snapshot: 5 miles (8km) |
Easy
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