Things to Do in the Peak District

The Peak District offers something for everyone - challenging hikes, fun activities, or visits to picturesque villages and towns. With the help of our guide, you'll have plenty of inspiration on things to do in the Peak District. Explore everything from walking trails and cycling routes to the must-see attractions in Bakewell & Buxton.

The Peak District is best known for its high peaks and spectacular landscapes, the highest of which being Kinder Scout at 636m, followed by Bleaklow at 633m.

Walks aside though, the area in general is a great place to escape for a weekend away with the family.

Being a national park, the Peak District conserves the natural beauty of the area, along with the wildlife and cultural heritage. This means you might spot some of the rarer wildlife in the UK (like otters, owls and butterflies), or learn the story behind some of the local attractions.

Kinder Scout is one of the more popular hikes to do in the Peak District, with it being the tallest peak in the area coming in at 636m high, everyone wants to take on the big one.

It's easy to get to, it's quite common to park up in the nearby village of Edale, but you could also go via Hayfield.

We braved a visit to Kinder Scout on one of our annual company walks (which you can discover more about over on our Kinder Scout walking guide), and difficulty wise we found it to be more of a medium difficulty hike, it's just the weather that can make things a bit more taxing. If it rains, it gets very muddy, so we'd recommend wearing some walking footwear instead of your favourite pair of trainers.

The B29 crash site is all over the likes of Tiktok & Instagram, it's a very popular spot to visit. So much so, that the site remains at risk from damage and degradation due to high numbers of visitors. However, seeing the site in person is sobering, as you take in the reality of what happened.

It's the old remains of a U.S air force Superfortress aircraft, which tragically crashed on a routine flight between airbases.

You'll find the B29 up on Bleaklow, and due to the remote location of the crash it can be tougher to access.

If you want to visit for yourself, The Walking Northerners have a useful guide.

Definitely not something to try in the winter unless you're both experienced and brave, but the Peak District is home to plenty of amazing places for a wild swim.

We partnered with avid wild swimmer @feather39 to show off some of the best wild swimming locations the Peak District has to offer, including...

• The River Ashop
• Slippery Stones
• Three Shires Head
• The River Dove
• Withens Brook

Places like Slippery Stones & Three Shires head will allow you to enjoy two things in one go, as they're both great walks as well as dipping spots. So if you're visiting in the summer, be sure to pack your swimming costume or swim shorts!

Best known for the delicious pudding it produced, the town of Bakewell is well known among Peak District regulars. Take a pit-stop in this quaint area, lined with markets and shops to break up the day’s activities. Visit the Peak District National Park visitor centre for a history lesson with a difference, explore the Bakewell Carnival Week in July, or one of the oldest agricultural events in the country in August, the Bakewell Show.

Alternatively, there's an open-top bus tour you can hop on, which offers views of the Peak District along a circular route through places like Chatsworth house, Hassop Station and Ashford. Just note that this bus is only active seasonally, so keep an eye on the Stagecoach website for details.

If you’re looking for Peak District history, Castleton is the place for you. Situated in the lee of Mam Tor, or “Shivering Mountain” as known to the locals, Castleton is one of the most beautiful places to visit in the Peak District. Approach from Winnats Pass or Hope Valley - whatever your direction, you will undoubtedly stop to admire the dramatic views. If you’re feeling active, climb up Peveril Castle to discover the Norman ruins and take in a bird’s-eye view from the top.

For something a little different, there's some great things to do around Edale. This quaint village is home to one of the UK’s most famous long distance walking trails, The Pennine Way.

If your legs need a rest from the Peak District walking routes, settle down for the afternoon in one of the village pubs. When you’re rejuvenated and refreshed, wander round the Moorlands visitor centre and soak up the beauty and life of this unique Peak District community.

We hope you found some inspiration on things to do in the Peak District. Being in England, make sure you're prepared for the unpredictable weather by wrapping up warm with some cosy new layers.

There's plenty to choose from in our new season range, why not check out some of our latest puffer jackets or fleeces?