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Castle
Peveril Castle
Ruined 11th-century castle above Castleton, founded by William Peverel between the Norman Conquest and the Domesday Survey.
A mini guide to
Castleton, Hope Valley & Edale
Show caves, a Norman castle and the start of the Pennine Way below Kinder Scout
Photos
1 / 9Welcome to the area
Show caves, a Norman castle and the start of the Pennine Way below Kinder Scout
Castleton lies at the western end of the Hope Valley and has four show caves: Peak Cavern, Speedwell Cavern, Treak Cliff Cavern and Blue John Cavern. Peveril Castle, a ruined 11th-century castle, stands above the village, and Winnats Pass, a limestone gorge, runs up to the west. Hope is a village a short way east in the valley, and Bamford lies beside the Ladybower and Derwent reservoirs.
Edale sits at the foot of Kinder Scout, the highest point of the Peak District at 2087 feet (636 meters), and is where the Pennine Way begins. The Great Ridge from Mam Tor to Lose Hill separates Edale from Castleton, with Hollins Cross as the lowest crossing point. Northern's Hope Valley line stops at Edale, Hope and Bamford, so many walks here can be done without a car.
Highlights
Start here
If you only have a few hours, these are good places to begin.
Show cave
Peak Cavern
Show cave known as the Devil's Arse, with the largest natural cave entrance in Britain.
Show cave
Speedwell Cavern
Former lead-miners' passage below Winnats Pass, entered by a long staircase and visited by boat.
Show cave
Blue John Cavern
One of Castleton's four show caves, and one of two places where Blue John stone is still excavated.
Show cave
Treak Cliff Cavern
Show cave in a Site of Special Scientific Interest, the other source of Blue John stone.
Hill
Mam Tor
Hill of 1696 feet (517 meters) whose name means 'mother hill', shaped by frequent landslips on its eastern face.
Find your way
On the map
The map shows Castleton, Hope Valley & Edale and the streets around it. The Getting there page lists nearby stops and stations.
Insider tips
Before you go
1
Walk the Great Ridge
The ridge runs from Mam Tor over Hollins Cross to Lose Hill. Hollins Cross was the old route for coffins taken from Edale to Hope church.
2
Pick your cave
Castleton has four show caves. Speedwell Cavern is visited by boat and Peak Cavern has the largest natural cave entrance in Britain, so allow time for more than one.
3
Start the Pennine Way
The 268-mile trail begins at Edale. Plan a short out-and-back section first, and check the weather before climbing onto Kinder Scout.
4
Train to the hills
Northern's Hope Valley line stops at Edale, Hope and Bamford, so walks can start and end at a station.
Tips from the Britlens editors
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Open the mini guide →Photo credits
- Castleton, Hope Valley & Edale (area photo): Peter Barr, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Peveril Castle: Darren Copley from Sheffield, CC BY 2.0, source
- Peak Cavern: Photograph by Mike Peel (www.mikepeel.net)., CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Speedwell Cavern: Chris Page, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Blue John Cavern: The original uploader was Espresso Addict at English Wikipedia., CC BY-SA 2.5, source
- Treak Cliff Cavern: Dave.Dunford, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Mam Tor: Peter McDermott, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Winnats Pass: Jonathan Clitheroe, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Kinder Scout: Steven Brown, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Edale: Martin Richard Phelan, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Hollins Cross: Raymond Knapman, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Lose Hill: Brianej at English Wikipedia, Public domain, source
- Ladybower Reservoir: Anthony Parkes, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Derwent Reservoir: The original uploader was Year1989 at English Wikipedia., CC BY 2.5, source
- Cave Dale: Mick Knapton at English Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- St Edmund's Church: Elisa.rolle, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Bakewell, Haddon & Monsal: Kmtextor, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Matlock Bath, Matlock & the Derwent Valley: Janine Forbes., CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Dovedale, Ashbourne & the White Peak South: Paul Albertella from Manchester, UK, CC BY 2.0, source
- Hathersage, Longshaw & Eyam: Neil Theasby, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Buxton & the Northern Peak: Eugene Birchall, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
Photos from Wikimedia Commons, used under the licences shown. All photo credits
Keep exploring the Peak District