Take the Family holiday rating 
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| Local Currency | British Pound |
The stunning and diverse scenery of the Peak District and Derbyshire makes it a paradise for walkers, cyclists, mountain bikers and adventure sports enthusiasts of all ages with lots of trails geared for younger walkers and riders. For a less active alternative, choose from the natural wonder of caves, wildlife parks and nature reserves or take a trip back in time with nostalgia-filled rides on trams, carriages or steam trains, and drink in the scenery on a cable car trip. Visit one of the historic houses, such as Chatsworth with its adventure playground and farm, and look out for events aimed at children held at the National Trust and English Heritage properties in the area. Read about Take the Family's trip to the Peak District.
It’s a place that has a changing appeal throughout the seasons from warm summer evenings outside and autumnal walks through ancient woods to cosy winter evenings with a roaring log fire to the beauty of striking out across the moors or the stepping stones of Dovedale a fresh spring day. Although the Peak District is an outdoor playground of staggering beauty, there’s plenty to do indoors too making it a year round location. Christmas can be particularly special with beautiful period houses such as Chatsworth decked out for Christmas and traditional markets in bustling market towns.
Derbyshire and the Peak District have one of the best rural transport networks of bus and train services in Britain providing access to all the towns, many of the rural villages and most of the county’s top visitor attractions.
Take the Train
The cities neighbouring the Peak District such as Manchester, Sheffield and Derby all have regular intercity rail services from destinations across the country. From these cities, it’s easy to make onward journeys into the Peak District by train.
National Express service 440 runs from London to Manchester, stopping in Matlock, Bakewell and Buxton. It also offers services to towns and cities around the edge of the Peak District, from where easy local connections are available, as do Megabus. From Derby, Nottingham and Manchester you could catch the TransPeak bus service, which runs right through the heart of the Peak District.
Take the Plane
The 199 Skyline bus runs daily between Manchester Airport and Buxton, from 3am until 11pm (usually twice or three times an hour but exact times vary so please consult the timetable for details). The service also calls at a number of towns and villages in the Peak District. A half hourly bus service, the AirLine Shuttle, runs day and night from Nottingham East Midlands airport into Derby city. There are regular train and bus services from the city into the Peak District.
Just a small selection of ideas:
Activity packages
Lots of specialist providers can set up a day’s adventure for all the family or just the kids. Making use of the fantastic natural landscape of the Peak District, you could try abseiling or gorge walking, caving or rafting. See www.focusactivities.co.uk for ideas of what you could try.
Go Ape at Buxton
High wire forest adventure course of rope bridges, tarzan swings and zip slides up to 40 feet up in the trees. You are fitted with a climbing harness, given instructions, and then trek from tree to tree high above the forest floor. Minimum age of 10, under 18s must go with an adult.
Carsington Water
Award winning Carsington Water in Derbyshire is a haven for water sports enthusiasts. Choose from kayaking, canoeing, windsurfing and sailing at this beautiful reservoir, stroll around the lakeside (pushchair friendly in part) and enjoy the extensive play areas around the visitor centre. Carsington Water makes for a perfect day out and can be combined with walking or cycling activities.
Chatsworth Farmyard and Adventure Playground
A working farmyard with cows, pigs, goats, sheep, horses, chickens and fish. There are usually young animals to see as well. There is a milking demonstration at 3.30 pm every afternoon and there are daily animal handling sessions. The woodland adventure playground is fun for all the family. Older children enjoy the trampoline, rope slide and secret passage, and explore the towers, spiral slides and ropewalks. Younger children love the creative sand and water play areas. The farmyard has a wide variety of family entertainment, a craft cottage where families can make decorations, cards and hats, and young people can get involved in a Nativity with real animals.
Poole’s Cavern
Derbyshire's most spectacular natural showcave, described as "The First Wonder of the Peak' . Expert guided tours through spacious illuminated chambers - unique crystal formations, including Derbyshire's largest stalactite. New woodland trails with panoramic Peak District views. New for Summer 2007 - restaurant, shop and new visitor centre. Open 1 March - Christmas 10am - 5pm daily.
Heights of Abraham
A unique hilltop Park set on top of a dramatic limestone gorge, amid great natural beauty. Ride high above the Derwent Valley in the Cable Cars. Go down two famous Show Caverns, play and picnic areas, 'Who+Why=What' exhibition. Spectacular views, cafe and gift shops.
Choose from wonderful country pubs, restaurants and tea rooms serving local specialities such as Bakewell Pudding, Wakes Cakes or Stilton Cheese and lots of locally grown and carefully tended farm produce, available from the many farmers markets and shops dotting the area.
by Laura Burgess
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