Last Updated on October 27, 2023 by
Castleton, a little picturesque village located in the heart of Hope Valley in Derbyshire will surprise you for its stunning setting. Close to the iconic Mam Tor and crossed by the Peakshole Water, Castleton is the perfect location for a weekend break in in Derbyshire’s Peak District National Park. Here, you will discover the best things to do in Castleton that will help you to plan a fantastic stay.
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Castleton history
The village of Castleton developed around the early Middle Ages. Even if, the area was formerly used as a settlement also by Celts and Romans. An established settlement was mentioned in the Doomsday Book already in 1086. Nevertheless, only with the arrival of the Normans and the construction of the Peveril Castle the area acquired more importance.
Indeed, being the area so rich of minerals, Castleton became famous for its mysterious caves and lead mining. In this regard, the village hosts one of the oldest mines in the UK, the Odin Mine. Today, the village attracts mostly tourists who are visiting Peak District.
Getting to Castleton Peak District
By Car
Castleton is located in the heart of the Hope Valley in Derbyshire. It is particularly close to the the White Peak in the Peak District National Park. Usually, Castleton is considered a very convenient location for a day trip for the people who live in Sheffield or Derby.
In fact, is at 1h 20 minutes from Derby (via the M1 or the A515) and just at 36 minutes from Sheffield (via the A57).
If you are travelling by car from London it’s about 3h and a half drive through the M1 motorway. Moreover, if you are exploring widely the Peak District area, you can get to the village also from Bakewell and Buxton that are located at 36 minutes and 20 minutes respectively.
By Train
Unfortunately, Castleton doesn’t’ have a train station. The nearest one is the Hope station which is located at about 2 and a half miles from the village.
By Bus
As far as I know, the village is served by bus only if you travel from Sheffield. Indeed, you can take the line 271/272 that links Sheffield to the Hope Valley. With the Covid-19 restrictions, buses are not running frequently. In this regard, it is better to check the timetable here.
Castleton things to do
Whether you are using Castleton as a base for your hiking or as a part of a Peak District National Park tour, here you can find five best things to do in the village.
Visit the Peveril Castle
Peveril Castle dates back to the 11th century and recorded as one of the earliest Norman fortress in the UK. It is located on one of the hills surrounding the village, perfectly visible from Castleton main car park and visitor centre (photo above). The castle is currently managed by the English Heritage. Tickets cost £ 6.90 (unless you have a English Heritage Membership) and, at the moment, you should book in advance because of the pandemic restrictions. You can book your tickets here.
Find the most photogenic cottages
Castleton its’s quite a small village. However, it’s very photogenic, especially during spring or autumn. Indeed, one of the things I love most are the small cottages displaying a lovely selection of flowers and decorations in their frontal door. If you love photography and are passionate of countryside houses, Castleton has a very good selection of photogenic cottages.
The most important thing to remember is to not disturb residents.
Go hiking the Mam Tor
The suggestive hill of Mam Tor is located at less than 3 miles from Castleton. Indeed, the village is often used as a starting point from hikers who want to explore the area. If you are staying some days in Castleton, hiking the Mam Tor is for sure one of the most thrilling things to do. The hike is easy-moderate and can take from a couple of hours to half a day depending on the route and your physical attitude.
Want to hike the Mam Tor in Peak District? Read my Easy Mam Tor Walking Route Guide! Here you can find all the information for your itinerary (including maps, directions and photos)
Explore the best Peak District Caves
The area of Peak District is full of fascinating caves. Castleton, in particular, is lucky enough to be surrounded by at least four of the most famous caves in Derbyshire. The closest cave to Castleton that you can find is Peak Cavern. This is also famous with the name “Devil’s Arse”. The name was due to the flatulence-like sound coming from withing the cave and was officially changed in Peak Cavern to not offend Queen Victoria during her visit in 1880. The entrance fee for Peak Cavern is £15 (Adult) and tickets must be booked in advance here due to the pandemic.
Along with Peak Cavern, you can visit also the Speedwell Cavern. This is located 200 mt underground and it’s very peculiar because the tour is done by boat! The entrance fee is 15-17£ (depends on the group size) and you can book tickets here. The third most famous cave nearby Castleton is the Blue John Cavern. This got his name from the mineral Blue John which is still mined in the area. The cave is located near the Mam Tor. Tickets cost £15 and you can book them here. The last cave you can visit is the Treak Cliff Cavern. Here, you can admire fabulous example of stalagmites and stalactites rocks as well as the blue john mineral. Tickets cost £6 and you can book them here.
Dine in a seventeenth-century inn
If you like a traditional British atmosphere, Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese is one of the best places to eat in Castleton. This historical pub (and B&B) dates back to the 17th century (precisely to 1577). The current building is still the same built by the Hall family in 1660. At that time, the place was known as “The Wagon and Horses”. However, the name was changed in 1847 into the current one. This because the inn was used as a resting stop for horses and riders carrying salt from Cheshire to the rest of the UK. These riders used to pay their stay with Cheshire Cheese. Ergo, the name of the pub/inn.
Castleton attraction map
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