This is the charming village with breathtaking views and cosy historic pubs
- UK Hidden Gems
- 4 hours ago
- 2 min read
Located right on the edge of the Peak District National Park, this pretty countryside village is an ideal stopping point for walkers exploring Derbyshire, with plenty of welcoming pubs just a short stroll away.
Sitting beside the famous Mam Tor, a 517 metre summit in the national park, this place is one of the most beautifully positioned villages in the region.
It is completely surrounded by stunning views of limestone and gritstone cliffs, attracting visitors from places like Sheffield and Manchester who come to admire the dramatic scenery.
Many people stop in the village either before or after climbing the hill, where a stone footpath leads walkers on a three mile circular route.
The walk is moderately challenging and usually takes up to two hours to finish, definitely earning you a well deserved drink afterwards.
One recent hiker wrote on TripAdvisor: “I finally decided to pay Mam Tor a visit to walk up to rather than just driving past it. It’s so dominating on the horizon as you drive through Castleton.
Now, you can walk up to it from a variety of paths. The tourist path from the official Mam Tor car park is a popular one; however, you pay for parking there, and it usually gets busy.”
At its heart, Castleton is a classic English village full of pubs, tearooms, bakeries and small shops, perfect for a gentle wander. Highly rated pubs include The George, Ye Olde Nags Head, 1530 The Restaurant and the Bulls Head.
All close together, these pubs offer a cosy place to relax after a long walk and have a great atmosphere all year round.
Ye Olde Nags Head, thought to be the oldest pub in the area, has been welcoming customers since the 17th century.
One happy visitor said: “The pub is lovely, warm and welcoming. The staff were very friendly. The building is old and tired in places, but it’s part of the character of the place.”
Alongside its pubs, the village has a surprisingly high number of cafés for its size, giving visitors the chance to enjoy a coffee and a sweet treat.
No matter the weather, both locals and tourists fill the cosy rooms for a hot drink and slices of homemade cakes, biscuits and other bakes, all delicious and very Instagram worthy.
Remember - LeaveNoTrace!
As with anywhere outdoors, kindly keep these areas pristine and wild by taking all trash with you. The amount of complaints we have seen since the pandemic is crazy. It's really not that hard to take your rubbish with you!
Litter tends to spread, so if you see any and are able to pick it up and dispose of it outside the hidden gem, it will help keep the area tidy.
Download the official APP!
Gain access to over 1,600 hidden gems and their co-ordinates all over the UK when you download our app. Add gems to your bucket-list and tick them off as you go along, as well as earn rewards/badges when you visit a certain amount.
Users will also have acess to over 9,000 parking spots across the UK as well as over 1,600 staycations in the UK.
