cressbrook peak district information logo - accommodation walking cycling

Peak District Towns and Villages: Edale

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

Edale

Local Services:

B & B

Self Catering

Food and Drink

Local Geography:
Area Map

Nearby Villages

Local Attractions

Edale is the name given both to the valley between Mam Tor, Lose Hill and Kinder, and to its main settlement. As well as the main village there are several small farming hamlets strung out along the valley - Barber Booth, Ollerbrook Booth and Nether Booth.

Old Nags Head, Edale
Old Nags Head, Edale
There are three main reasons for the popularity of Edale as a centre for walkers and hikers. First, it lies in a beautiful setting below Kinder Scout. Second, it is the start of the Pennine Way, England's first and most famous long-distance footpath; and third, it is served by the railway - a factor which may be less important than it was but which played its part in making Edale accessible to the masses.

View of Edale Village
View of Edale Village
The main village is pretty but unremarkable and lies on a side road off the main road along the valley. There is a large car-park at the road junction - alas, usually not large enough at weekends - and the railway station is just nearby. Just above it is The Rambler, the first of two pubs. The road into the village proper continues past Fieldhead, the Peak National Park's information centre and camp site, past the church and on to end at a small square outside the school and a second pub the Old Nag's Head. This is usually accepted as the start of the Pennine Way. Just opposite lies the Post Office and general store and Cooper's camp site - an alternative to the National Park site.

At the head of the valley, in Barber Booth, it is often possible to obtain teas at weekends, and there are several campsites between here and Edale village. Further down the valley, horse rides are available at Lady Booth Farm in Nether Booth. There is a Youth Hostel high on the the side of Kinder above Nether Booth.

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.
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.
All material © Cressbrook Multimedia 1997-2008