Peak District and local area

Whether you’re seeking hills and valleys with wonderful views, traditional market towns, stunning villages, action-packed adventure, historic houses, or a relaxing day out for all the family – the Peak District has it all.

The Peak District was the first National Park in the UK and incorporates parts of Derbyshire, Cheshire, South Yorkshire, and Staffordshire – which is where Lane Head Barns is.

The network of footpaths, bridle paths and trails provides options for all regardless of experience and ability. There are famous hills to climb such as Mam Tor and Kinder Scout while miles of former railway lines and valley bottoms provide wonderful opportunities for those looking for a more relaxing walk and for those with limited mobility including wheelchair users.

Eating Out

Our village local, the Jervis Arms, is a one mile walk or drive from Lane Head Barns and has an excellent restaurant – booking recommended (the Jervis is temporarily closed). There are several other excellent pubs with high quality restaurants within a few miles. Favourites of ours (and our guests) include the Lazy Trout at Meerbrook, the Reform at Thorncliffe, the Greyhound at Warslow, the Black Lion at Butterton, and the Three Horse Shoes at Blackshaw Moor which is accessible with disabled toilet.

The market town of Leek is only 10 minutes drive away and has a good and varied selection of places to eat including cosy pubs, Thai food, Indian and a Turkish Bar and Grill. Further excellent options are available in Ashbourne and Buxton.

Outside the towns, there are more excellent pubs and cafes nearby. Just three miles away can be found Cottage Kitchen Country Café at Winkhill and on the beautiful Manifold trail there is the Tea Junction at Hulme End and Wetton Mill Tea rooms further down the valley.

Visitor Attractions

Close by is Peak Wildlife Park where you can come face to face with exotic and endangered animals from across three continents. The Park has an indoor jungle-themed soft play area so is ideal for the little ones whatever the weather.

Churnet Valley Railway offers a nostalgic steam train ride through Staffordshire’s hidden valley alongside the river Churnet and the Caldon Canal.

Alton Towers Resort offers fun for all the family with over 50 rides and attractions and beautiful gardens to explore.

Ilam Park is ideal for families with gentle riverside walks towards Dovedale and a popular tea-room garden with far reaching views across Italian Gardens.

If members of the party are looking for exhilarating outdoor adventure in the hill tops of the Peak District National Park, then try Go-Ape near Buxton.

Outdoor Activities

Many people visit the Peak District to explore on foot and there is a huge range of walks from gentle strolls to adventurous hikes. Close by there are famous spots like Dovedale, the Manifold Valley including Thor’s cave, Three Shires Head, Chrome Hill and the Roaches and further afield there are many more Peak District routes to explore. To the south, and just outside the Peak District, is the beautiful Churnet Valley with walks alongside the Caldon Canal.

Peak District Walks provides a fabulous range of walks searchable by distance, mileage or location. Alternatively go to the Visit Peak District official tourism site for more suggestions.
If you prefer to explore by cycle there are leisurely rides along former railway lines as well as more challenging routes with famous climbs, such as Winnats Pass, Cat & Fiddle and Gun Hill.

Towns & Villages

Leek

Leek ‘Queen of the Moorlands’ is a traditional market town just 5 miles from Lane Head. Leek’s wealth was built in the 19th century through the silk industry and there are still former silk mills in the town.

There are plenty of supermarkets but it’s the wealth of independent shops, cafes, pubs and regular weekly and speciality markets that make Leek really special. Find out more about what’s happening in Leek here.

Hartington

Hartington is a pretty village with independent shops, pubs and cafes set around a beautiful duck pond. The village has footpaths radiating on all sides so it’s a great village to explore before or after a walk to Beresford Dale to the south or the Upper Dove valley to the north.

Alstonefield

Alstonefield is a small, picturesque village with limestone cottages set around a pretty village green. The village provides an ideal starting point for fairly steep walks down into Mill Dale and on to Dove Dale.

National Trust & Historical Houses

Chatsworth

Chatsworth House is one of the most famous historical country houses in England and contains works of art that span 4,000 years, from ancient Roman and Egyptian sculpture, and masterpieces by Rembrandt, Reynolds and Veronese, to work by outstanding modern artists, including Lucian Freud, Edmund de Waal and David Nash.

You can also explore the 105 acre Chatsworth Garden and youngsters in the group may enjoy discovering Chatsworth’s working farmyard and woodland playground with a rope park and trampoline, slides, water and sand play.

Lyme Park

The National Trust’s Lyme Park nestles on the edge of the Peak District in Cheshire. The 1,400 acre estate with its medieval herd of red deer offers fantastic walks and stunning views. For a more tranquil walk explore the elegant Rose Garden, Ravine Garden or the luxurious herbaceous borders next to the reflecting lake where a certain Mr Darcy met Miss Bennet in the BBC production of ‘Pride and Prejudice’. A visit to the house offers a step back in time to the Regency era and the Timber Yard Cafe offers delicious hot and cold snacks, and a range of cakes.