Nestled In Peak District National Park Is A Quaint Village With Unique Caves, Nature Walks, And A Scenic Castle

From Laurie Lee to Thomas Hardy to the Brontë sisters to Beatrix Potter and far beyond, the English countryside has been the subject of countless writers' fascination for centuries. It's for good reason: England is home to lush natural landscapes bursting with history and culture. On your next trip across the pond, make your way north to the Peak District, where you'll find the charming village of Castleton. Situated in the heart of Derbyshire's Peak District National Park, Castleton has a storied past: originally settled by the Celts, and later the Romans, it's mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086. Today, it's an adorable village that offers visitors easy access to scenic nature walks, historic Peveril Castle, and even caves to explore.

To get here, you've got multiple options. By car (the smart move when exploring England outside of the big cities, according to Rick Steves), Castleton is about 45 minutes from Sheffield and less than 75 minutes from Manchester, making it a prime destination for a day trip or weekend add-on if you're planning to visit either metropolis. If you're planning to travel by National Rail, know before you go that there is no train station in Castleton itself, but you can take a train to Hope (Derbyshire) Station, around 2.5 miles away, and make your way from there. There are also numerous bus services in and out of Castleton, including, during the summer tourist season, a bus to and from the train station.

As the Nottingham Post explains, Castleton's iconic Peveril Castle (which overlooks the village) was initially built "for William Peverel, a favoured knight of William the Conqueror." Its construction dates back to the latter half of the 11th century. Peverel held the title of Keeper of the Royal Forest, and so the castle served as a site from which to control and maintain the surrounding vicinity. In the centuries that followed, the castle (and surrounding lands) changed hands numerous times before falling into a state of neglect starting in the 1500s. In these intervening years, the castle — by this time in ruins — attracted little attention, but today, it's under the auspices of English Heritage as a Grade I listed building, and is a popular tourist destination for visitors eager to enjoy a country walk, striking scenic castle ruins, and historical immersion.

Start off your visit at the castle's visitor center, which boasts a permanent exhibition showcasing artifacts and outlining the castle's rich history. Unlike the castle ruins themselves, the visitor center is accessible via an elevator, and from there, you'll need to walk or hike uphill to reach the castle itself. There are benches along the ascent if you need to take a break or want to enjoy the view along the way. If mobility is an issue, the castle is unfortunately not an accessible site to visit, so plan accordingly. For visitors who do make the climb to the top, you'll find yourself amidst atmospheric ruins, with stellar views of the surrounding rolling hills and quaint village below. Pro tip: book your castle ticket in advance (up until midnight the day before to your visit) to get a discounted rate on admission.

Much like the lively riverside town of Knaresborough in Yorkshire, Castleton is home to a popular cave — in fact, more than one. Castleton has four caves or caverns that you can visit: Treak Cliff Cavern, Blue John Cavern, Peak Cavern, and Speedwell Cavern, and the best way to visit any or all of these sites is through a guided tour, with each individual cave tour normally lasting around 40 minutes. At Blue John and Treak Cliff caverns, you'll have the opportunity to see magnificent stalactites, as well as to see instances of Derbyshire Blue John, a rare semi-precious mineral used in fine jewelry (some of which you have the opportunity to purchase in the cavern's on-site shop). Meanwhile, you can buy a combined ticket for Speedwell and Peak caverns, the former of which is actually an old mine, where you'll travel by boat through a flooded-out tunnel.

More into above-ground walks than subterranean spelunking? Castleton is well-known as a walking holiday destination, and its crowning glory is Mam Tor. Also referred to as the "Mother Hill," this majestic peak possesses nearly 1,700 feet in elevation, and a fascinating past: There's evidence that it was a fort back in the Iron Age. For a moderate-level nature walk, embark on the Mam Tor Circular route, which is 2.7 miles and usually takes two hours or less, with panoramic views to reward you at the summit. AllTrails reviewers note that this trail can get muddy, so wear appropriate footwear, such as boots from these popular shoe brands in the U.S. for hikers. For a longer excursion, there are multiple connected trails you can add to your trek up Mam Tor, such as the Great Ridge Walk, which extends the journey into a scenic 8-mile hike.