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Peak District Towns and Villages: Castleton

An index to Peak District towns and villages including Castleton, Ashbourne, Bakewell, Buxton, Chapel-en-le-Frith, Leek, Matlock, Macclesfield and Wirksworth in Derbyshire, Staffordshire and Cheshire, England, UK.
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Castleton

Local Services:

B & B

Self Catering

Food and Drink

Local Geography:
Area Map

Nearby Villages

Local Attractions

Castleton with Mam Tor behind
Castleton with Mam Tor behind
Castleton is one of the most popular centres in the Peak District. Maybe this is because it has everything the visitor might want - picturesque scenery, a ruined Norman castle, showcaves, interesting geology, good walks and a pretty village. However, it also has a lot of tourists, even in winter, and on summer weekends you must be prepared to jostle with the crowds!

Peveril castle from Cavedale
Peveril castle from Cavedale
The village is centred around a square in which the church lies - this is just off the main road and directly beneath Peveril Castle on the hill behind. The castle was built in 1080 as a wooden building and rebuilt in stone around 1175 and the church was begun about the same time. It has a fine Norman arch across the Nave, which was constructed from 1190 to 1250. The tower was added in 1450-1500 and more additions were made in the 19th century. Other signs of the Norman era still remain - across the main road by the Bull's Head Inn you can see a section of the Town Ditch, a defensive earthwork built around the village. This was once a feature of many of the villages of the region.

The two main features of interest, apart from the castle, are Cave Dale and Peak Cavern. Both are reached from the top of the main square - Cave Dale to the left (east) and Peak Cavern to the right (west). Cave Dale is a collapsed cavern and the very bottom part was covered by a natural arch until 200 years ago. It is a spectacular walk up the dale, which is very deep and narrow, with mineral veins crossing it at intervals. As you climb up the dale you get a good view of Peveril Castle. It is also worth thinking about the fact that a lot of the way you are walking right above the chambers of Peak Cavern!

Peak Cavern entrance
Peak Cavern entrance
Peak Cavern is probably the most impressive natural cavern in Britain. It is open as a showcave from April to October, but it's worth walking up there even if it's shut. Take a narrow lane from the top corner of the village square (past the chip shop) to reach Peakshole Water, the stream which flows from the cavern. Take a path up the right hand bank of the stream into the deep chasm which is the entrance, and notice on the other side a small stream flowing into Peakshole Water. This is the water from Russett Well, and the water has come underground from caverns on the west side of Winnats pass - tracing the source of the water took the local geologists a long time! Now approach the impressive entrance to the cavern, which was once used by a family of ropemakers who built their cottages actually within the cave entrance.

Around the village square are some fine old houses and cottages, including a Youth Hostel and some pubs. On the main road there are several shops selling Blue John (a local variety of Fluorspar with a fine colouring), jewellery made from this or souvenirs. One shop here houses the Ollerenshaw Collection, which contains a range of fine specimens of Blue John. The main road has several more pubs. Towards Mam Tor there is a public car park with public toilets, and the Peak National Park Information Centre (telephone 01433 620679).

Castleton has a carnival at the end of May, the main event of which is called Garland Day on May 29th, when large garlands of flowers are made and the participants wear sprigs of oak. The Garland King and Queen are weighed down with immense garlands and a parade takes place through the village to the main square, when the King's garland is placed on top of the church tower. The ceremony is said to commemorate the Restoration of Charles II (hence the oak sprigs), but may well be a relic of some ancient fertility rite.

Useful Local Links

Let's Stay Peak District's guide to Castleton
The Let's Stay Peak District web site is one of the most comprehensive and most successful sites devoted to the Peak District.

Visit Castleton web site
Castleton Holiday Accommodation and Tourism Guide, organised by Castleton Chamber of Commerce

Nearby Places of Interest

Bagshaw CavernBagshaw Cavern, a cave system in Bradwell, Hope Valley, Derbyshire. A largely natural cave system discovered by lead miners in 1806. Open to the public on summer weekends as a show cave and for Adventure Caving.
Blue John MineBlue John Mine, Mam Tor, Castleton, Hope Valley, Derbyshire is a popular cavern which was once mined for lead and Blue John.
Derwent DamsThe Derwent Dams provide water for Sheffield, Derby, Nottingham and Leicester and are situated near the Hope Valley, in the Derbyshire Peak District.
Eldon HoleEldon Hole is one of the seven wonders of the Peak. It is the deepest local pothole; an alarming, evil-looking chasm in the side of Eldon Hill to the north of the village of Peak Forest, Derbyshire.
Mam TorMam Tor is an Iron Age fort overlooking Castleton and Hope Valley, Derbyshire. It has the remains of impressive Iron Age ramparts and a splendid view.
Peak CavernPeak Cavern (the Devil's Arse) Castleton, Hope Valley, Derbyshire, is the largest and most famous cavern at Castleton and the only totally natural one.
Peveril CastlePeveril Castle, Castleton, Hope Valley. A Norman and mediaeval castle founded in 1080 by William Peveril - an illegitimate son of William I - in what was then the Royal Forest of the Peak.
Speedwell CavernSpeedwell Cavern at Castleton, Hope Valley, Derbyshire is the most popular cavern in the Castleton area and boasts several large chambers and an underwater canal.
Treak Cliff CavernTreak Cliff Cavern, Mam Tor, Castleton, Hope Valley, Derbyshire is a popular cavern famous for its Blue John.
Winnats PassWinnats Pass, Castleton, Derbyshire, is a long collapsed limestone cave system which now forms a steep sided and craggy valley.
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