Deep Dale

A narrow limestone gorge that cuts through moorland just outside Buxton, Deep Dale is one of those proper Peak District walks that rewards you for leaving the car behind. The ravine walls close in as you descend, with a beck running alongside and rocky outcrops creating natural alcoves - it's the sort of place that feels genuinely remote despite being minutes from civilization.

The walk itself is straightforward. You drop into the dale from the top, follow the watercourse down, and emerge at the other end - takes about an hour depending on how much you dawdle photographing the stone. The floor is uneven with roots and stones, so proper walking boots matter. Kids will either love scrambling over boulders or find it dull after twenty minutes; depends on the child.

Walkers and geology types get the most from it. The limestone formations are textbook Peak District, and the erosion patterns tell their own story. It's free to access and there's nowhere to buy refreshments, so bring water.

For a caravan holiday based at Beech Croft Farm or Lime Tree - both within two miles - Deep Dale makes a decent half-day circuit combined with walks across the moors above. Pair it with higher-altitude routes nearby and you've got a solid day out. Best visited outside school holidays when it's quieter, though even then it won't be rammed. The dale can hold water after heavy rain, so check conditions first.