Buxton

Steam still rises from the natural thermal springs that made this Derbyshire spa town famous centuries ago. Buxton sits at 1,000 feet above sea level, making it England's highest market town, and on a crisp morning the limestone buildings seem to glow against the rolling Peak District backdrop.

The town centre revolves around the elegant Georgian and Victorian architecture that speaks to its heyday as a fashionable spa destination. St Anne's Church anchors the old quarter, while the restored railway station connects Buxton to Manchester and Sheffield - handy for day trippers but you'll want longer to properly explore. The surrounding landscape is classic White Peak territory: limestone dales, dry stone walls, and those distinctive rounded hills that locals call 'lows'.

Hiking opportunities are endless. Black Edge offers three distinct summits to bag, each with cracking views across the moorland, while gentler walks lead to Hind Low and Fox Low. Golfers rate Buxton and High Peak Golf Club for its elevated course and mountain air. The town itself has that slightly faded elegance of former spa resorts - not quite Bath, but atmospheric in its own right.

Getting here is straightforward enough. The A6 runs right through town, and rail connections from Manchester take about an hour. It's the sort of place where you park up and walk - the centre's compact and most attractions are within easy reach on foot.

Staying at one of the nearby holiday parks makes perfect sense for exploring both Buxton and the wider Peak District. You're central to some of Derbyshire's best walking country, with the dramatic landscapes of Kinder Scout and Bleaklow just a short drive north.