Further south, the craggy gritstone edges and limestone valleys of the Derbyshire Dales offer endless opportunities for walking and cycling. Here, the many charming villages and larger market towns, like Bakewell and Ashbourne, have a traditional ambience steeped in history and with their own unique atmosphere.

 

River Wye, BakewellThese are places to wander - quaint side streets, arcades and courtyards are alive with specialist shops offering everything from hand-made chocolates and ceramics to antiques, designer clothing and equipment to tackle the great outdoors!

 

As well as the area's many farmers’ markets, which sell a huge range of high quality local produce, including award-winning ice-cream, cheeses, meat and fresh produce, the area has its fair share of world-renowned products such as Bakewell Pudding, Ashbourne Gingerbread and Buxton Mineral Water - enough to give you a real flavour of the Peak District! Food lovers with an eye for the finest local produce should look out for pubs, cafés, hotels and restaurants displaying the Peak Cuisine symbol, which signifies that their menu carries at least one dish whose main ingredient is sourced locally.

 

  

Climbers at the Roaches, with Tittesworth reservoir beyond

To the west of the Peak District, the expansive vistas of the Staffordshire Moorlands include The Roaches, towering gritstone edges beloved of climbers and walkers, overlooking tranquil lakes and reservoirs, while nearby Leek is well known for its antique shops and markets, as well as its connections with William Morris and the Arts & Crafts movement.

 

For fun, thrills and spills, climb aboard a ride at Alton Towers, the UK’s best-known visitor park set amongst the magnificent scenery of the Churnet Valley. For a more relaxed visit, there’s sailing or fishing, perhaps a nostalgic steam train, or simply pack a picnic and get away from it all among the dales and limestone gorges of the stunning Ilam country park in the Dovedale and the Manifold valleys.