Region · England
Where to stay in The Peak District
Gritstone edges, green dales and grand houses, between the northern cities.
The Peak District was Britain's first national park, a accessible sweep of gritstone edges, limestone dales and stately homes within reach of Manchester, Sheffield and the Midlands. It splits neatly into the wild Dark Peak and the gentler White Peak.
Stay for the walking, the great houses like Chatsworth, and a handful of excellent dining inns and country hotels.
The shortlist
Best places to stay in The Peak District
Fischer's Baslow Hall
An Edwardian manor near Chatsworth with a Michelin kitchen and just eleven quiet, comfortable rooms.
The Peacock at Rowsley
A 17th-century manor turned dining inn between Chatsworth and Haddon Hall, with stylish rooms and good fishing.
The Cavendish Hotel
A traditional country house hotel on the Chatsworth estate, right on the edge of the moors and dog-friendly.
Best areas to stay in The Peak District
Bakewell & the Chatsworth estate. The classic base, near the great house and the best country hotels.
The White Peak dales. Limestone villages and gentle river walks.
The Dark Peak. Wilder moorland and gritstone edges for serious walkers.
Getting there & around
Train. Stations at Matlock, Chesterfield and Buxton on the fringes, with buses into the park.
Car & transport. A car helps; Bakewell has good bus links and the edges have stations nearby.
Car-free. Use the edge stations and the well-run Peak buses; many trailheads are bus-served.
Frequently asked questions
Where should you stay in the Peak District?
Around Bakewell and the Chatsworth estate for the best mix of country hotels, dining inns and access to the great houses.
Can you visit the Peak District by train?
Yes, via edge stations like Matlock, Chesterfield and Buxton, then the Peak bus network into the park.
When is the best time to go?
Late spring and autumn for the best colour, light and walking conditions.