A large chunk of the Peak District National Park can be found in Derbyshire, along with the southern extremity of the Pennines and part of the National Forest. Derbyshire can lay claim to some of its own landmarks, however – the 2003 Ordnance Survey designated Church Flatts Farm as the furthest point from the sea in Great Britain. Derbyshire is almost greedy in its inclusion of beautiful natural spots, gobbling up the nationally renowned centres of natural beauty that begin in its many neighbouring counties.
The Peak District’s unique landscape offers a multitude of underground locales to explore – such as Speedwell Cavern, Treak Cliff Cavern and Poole’s Cavern – many of which offer guided tours. Transport fans will be overjoyed that both Crich Tramway Museum and the working Peak Rail steam railway can be found in such close proximity. Peak Rail offer ‘a nostalgic steam journey back in time through the countryside’ via a preserved four-mile stretch of railway operating between Rowsley South and Matlock Platform 2.
The National Trust is hard at work in the Peak District and historic buildings such as Calke Abbey, Hardwick Hall, High Peak Estate, Ilam Park, Kedleston Hall and Longshaw Estate are open to the public. Movie fans will particularly enjoy Haddon Hall as well as the White Peak and Dark Peak, following their appearance in 1987’s cult movie The Princess Bride.
Cottages to rent in the Peak District are best when they're near towns such as Deepcar or Matlock, and close to areas of interest like Bolsover Castle, Castleton, Chatsworth House, Dovedale, Haddon Hall, the Heights of Abraham and Matlock Bath.