Hope Valley

Ancient limestone cliffs loom over this scattered valley community where sheep graze between dry stone walls and the River Noe winds through emerald pastures. Hope Valley sits at the crossroads of some of the Peak District's most dramatic terrain, with Lose Hill rising steeply to the north and the brooding bulk of Kinder Scout dominating the western horizon.

Underground, this is proper caving country. Peak Cavern, known locally by its wonderfully inappropriate nickname Devil's Arse, opens like a gaping mouth in the hillside at nearby Castleton. Speedwell Cavern offers boat trips through flooded tunnels, while the mysterious Eldon Hole drops into darkness so deep that locals once thought it bottomless.

Walking here ranges from gentle riverside strolls to serious hill climbs. Lose Hill rewards the effort with sweeping views across the valley, while Eldon Hill offers a gentler ascent for those who prefer not to tackle the steeper fells. The limestone landscape is riddled with smaller caves like Titan Shaft and Veer Shaft, testament to millennia of water carving through rock.

Castleton village, just a mile east, provides proper pubs and teashops, plus the dramatic ruins of Peveril Castle perched on its crag. Hope railway station connects the valley to Sheffield and Manchester, making this surprisingly accessible despite feeling wonderfully remote.

Staying at one of the local campsites puts you right in the heart of walking country. Castleton Caravan and Motorhome Club Campsite offers the convenience of being close to the village, while more remote spots like North Lees Campsite give you that proper back-to-nature feeling among the peaks.