Castleton
Understand
Get in
Castleton has an excellent bus service from Sheffield and the east (there are no services through Winnats Pass to Chapel-en-le-Frith and the west), and though not directly on the Hope Valley line, train tickets are accepted on the bus between Castleton and Hope Station (which is!).
See
-
phone: +44 1433 620613address: Market Place, S33 8WQThe only surviving Norman castle in Derbyshire (keep built 1176), spectacular location above the town and with views into Peak Cavern and Cave Dale. Maintained by English Heritage. Access via steep (but metalled) path,
Winnats PassImpressive limestone gorge above Speedwell Cavern, with high crags and caves; a narrow road leads up it. The road leads up to Blue John Cavern and the car park for Mam Tor. The land surrounding the gorge is "Open Access Land"; adventurous walkers/scramblers can divert from the Castleton–Speedwell Cavern footpath southwards up a steep, unmarked and slightly overgrown gully to Cow Low and then continue along the top of the southern crags for impressive views over the valley before descending to Winnats Head Farm (consult Ordnance Survey Explorer map OL1 Dark Peak area).
Mam TorImpressive hillfort with great views, owned by the National Trust. Below the summit on the Castleton side the old main road has been abandoned after repeated landslides; the ruined road is worth seeing, as are the remains of Odin Mine at its foot. From the Mam Nick car park above Winnats Pass it's less than half a mile's walk to the summit; from there a fine ridge walk leads east to Lose Hill (2ÂĽ miles one-way). From Mam Nick a mildly spectacular road leads over into the Edale valley. Rushup Edge/Lord's Seat (west of Mam Nick) is a popular site for paragliders.
Cave DaleLimestone dale close to village centre with spectacular crags and good views from below of Peveril Castle keep. Accessible only on foot; slightly steep and rocky at top. Circular walks are possible, returning via Winnats Pass or Mam Tor. Scenes from The Princess Bride and The Other Boleyn Girl were filmed here.
Do
Peak Cavern ('The Devil's Arse')The nearest cavern to the village centre; the huge entrance (the largest in the British Isles) is set in a spectacular gorge below Peveril Castle and can be approached along a public footpath even if you don't pay to enter the cave. The old houses around the stream issuing from the cave are pretty.
Speedwell CavernFeatures an underground boat ride.
Blue John CavernBlue John seams, craft shop showing Blue John ornaments.
Treak Cliff CavernMore Blue John mining exhibits, craft shop.
Eat
-
phone: +44 1433 620578address: Castle Street
-
Rose Cottage Cafe
address: Cross St Poacher's ArmsHas an excellent Sunday Carvery.
Drink
-
phone: +44 1433 620238address: Castle Street
-
phone: +44 1433 620248address: Cross Street
-
phone: +44 1433 620247address: Howe Lane, S33 8WJ
Sleep
-
phone: +44 1433 620235address: Losehill Hall, Castleton Road
-
phone: +44 1433 620330address: How Lane
-
phone: +44 1433 620578address: Castle Street
-
phone: +44 1433 620125address: Millbridge