Peak District Attractions and Places to Visit

Alton Towers is probably the leading British Theme Park, with a range of spectacular rides and other attractions, including some beautiful gardens.

Bagshaw Cavern, a cave system in Bradwell, Hope Valley, Derbyshire. A largely natural cave system discovered by lead miners in 1806. Open to the public on summer weekends as a show cave and for Adventure Caving.

Blue John Mine, Mam Tor, Castleton, Hope Valley, Derbyshire is a popular cavern which was once mined for lead and Blue John.

Pavilion Gardens lie behind the Opera House in Buxton, Derbyshire. Built by Edward Milner in 1871, with the River Wye, the Octagon building, a bandstand and a railway.

The Churnet Valley Railway runs from Leekbrook to Oakamoor alongside the picturesque River Churnet in Staffordshire. Operated by volunteers, it runs steam trains most weekends from March to October.

Ecclesbourne Valley Railway is a project to reopen the railway between Wirksworth and Duffield. This is staffed and run by volunteers, based at Wirksworth Station.

Gulliver's Kingdom is a theme park for young families, in a situation overlooking Matlock Bath, Derbyshire.

Heights of Abraham are a tourist centre with two show caves - Rutland Cavern and Great Masson Mine - plus a cable car and other attractions, above Matlock Bath, Derbyshire.

Peak Cavern (the Devil's Arse) Castleton, Hope Valley, Derbyshire, is the largest and most famous cavern at Castleton and the only totally natural one.

Peak Rail have re-opened a section of the former Midland railway which ran between Matlock and Buxton. They are based at Rowsley South station and run services from there to Matlock.

Poole's Cavern and Grin Low Country Park, Buxton, Derbyshire, on the edge of the Peak District. An interesting cavern, occupied from Roman times and before, with a country park which leads up to Solomon's Temple.

Speedwell Cavern at Castleton, Hope Valley, Derbyshire is the most popular cavern in the Castleton area and boasts several large chambers and an underwater canal.

Steeple Grange Light Railway lies just off the High Peak Trail, just below Middleton by Wirksworth. It runs narrow gauge trains on lines used to serve the former quarries.

Treak Cliff Cavern, Mam Tor, Castleton, Hope Valley, Derbyshire is a popular cavern famous for its Blue John.