Why visit Hope Valley?
Hiking trails
With dales, gritstone moors and limestone formations making up the scenery, a visit to Hope Valley wouldn’t be complete without having a go at at least one of its sublime hiking trails. There’s something for all abilities, whether it’s the six-mile Winnats Pass through a limestone gorge or the 517-metre-high Mam Tor and the Great Ridge trail between Mam Tor and Losehill.
Explore caverns
The attractions aren’t just above ground in Hope Valley; they’re below the surface too. There are four show caverns in Hope Valley. Check out the stalactites and stalagmites at Treak Cliff Cavern, take an underground boat tour of Speedwell Cavern or learn about ropemakers in Peak Cavern. Blue John Cavern has eight out of the 14 types of the Blue John stone found in Hope’s caverns.
Visit the Derwent reservoirs
At the Derwent reservoirs, visitors can get stuck into everything from hill walking and cycling to sailing, windsurfing and open-water swimming with the Derwent Sailing Club. The reservoirs were once used as a practice ground for the Dambusters before the Ruhr Valley dam raids in 1942, and there’s a museum at Derwent Dam.
Essential things to do in Hope Valley
-
Take the six and a half-mile Ridge walk from Mam Tor to Losehill for views over Hope Valley, Kinder Scout and Edale
-
Go rock climbing or hiking at Stanage Edge, a four-mile gritstone edge overlooking the Dark Peak moorlands
-
Take a rope-making history lesson in Peak Cavern
-
Visit Peveril Castle, a hilltop site built by William the Conqueror’s son in 1086
-
Hike a section of the Pennine Way, a 268-mile national trail, which has connections to Kinder Scout and the Edale Walk
Unexplored Hope Valley
Dark skies
Its location in the Peak District National Park means that Hope Valley has low light pollution, so stargazing is a dream when the conditions are right. Head to the nearest designated dark sky location, Surprise View, which has views of the Hope Valley by day and – if you’re lucky – the Milky Way after dark.
Try an extreme sport
While hiking and cycling gets the most traffic in the Hope Valley, the area is not lacking to extreme sports - and that doesn’t just mean rock climbing on Stanage Edge. You might want to brave hang gliding from the top of Mam Tor, the so-called Shivering Mountain, or go caving or potholing in Winnats Pass.
Spend a day in Hathersage
The village of Hathersage is a mighty fine place to spend a day. Its church, St Michael, is home to the grave of Little John, Robin Hood’s accomplice, and there are other Robin Hood connections around the village, including the Robin Hood’s Cave, Well and Stoop. The village is a great cultural stop, with lots of independent shops, an open-air pool and access to the Derwent Valley Heritage Trail nearby.
Here’s how
With so many opportunities to soak up the fresh air in the Hope Valley, it makes sense that you might be looking for an outdoorsy break. Tent campsites are all set up to help you make the most of that scenery from morning to nighttime. If you’re particularly keen to have your canine companion accompany you on the many Hope Valley trails, search for dog-friendly campsites in particular.
Pitchup has a splendid selection of campsites in Hope Valley with features such as firepits, barbecues and toilet blocks. There are also options which have a little extra luxury, such as campsites with an indoor swimming pool. Those keen to bring their fishing rod can stay in campsites with fishing too.
If you’d like to continue browsing all your options, some of Pitchup has other options for a break too:
Hope Valley not for you? Have a look at other Peak District locations, such as lively Buxton and Bakewell or Tissington on the southern side of the national park.
