Miller’s Dale Monsal Trail Peak District National Park

The Monsal Trail is a proper walk, not a stroll. This converted railway line runs for eight miles through Miller's Dale, and the stretch between Buxton and Bakewell is where the Peak District really shows off - steep limestone cliffs, the River Wye threading below, and that particular shade of green you only get in Derbyshire after rain.

You can walk any section of it. Most people do the three miles from Miller's Dale car park to Cressbrook Mill and back, which takes a couple of hours at an easy pace. The viaduct at Monsal Dale itself is the Instagram spot, fair warning - it's genuinely striking, all weathered stone arches reflected in the water. On a clear day from up there, the views stretch for miles.

Walkers will have a field day. It's virtually flat, well-maintained, and you're never far from the river if you want to pause. Families with younger kids can manage the easier sections without complaint. History types get a kick out of spotting the old railway infrastructure - notice how the gradient barely shifts in places.

It's free, open year-round, though winter can turn it muddy and slippery. Allow at least two hours if you're doing the main stretch, longer if you're the lingering type. The trail links perfectly with the caravan sites around Buxton - Beech Croft Farm is only 1.2 miles away - making it an obvious day out from base camp. Bring proper walking shoes and water. The Peak District weather changes fast.