Peak District. Any good?

[Panter]

Trying to think of a holiday location somewhere a bit hilly but not in Wales.

I've always imagined the Peak District to be over crowded with tourists, is that accurate or is that more the Lake District?

 

[rich p]

It's a great place IMO. More small roads than the LD, not as high and fewer people.

I have spent a lot of time there at a friends cottage which he rents out incidentally. (I'll pass you the details if it's of any use to you).

 

[marinyork]

The Peak District is great. It's not generally insanely bad for being overcrowded with tourists, with a few obvious exceptions...

Plenty of very quiet places if that's your thing.

 

[yashicamat]

I luckily live about 10 minutes from the Peak District (in Macclesfield) so I go out in it usually at least twice a week. It's very hilly in parts, but it's a LOT quieter than the Lakes and if you avoid Edale and Dovedale, it is very pleasant (the latter two tend to be pretty busy). Some good pubs too, although I think the Lakes are home to better ales.

 

[purplepolly]

if you avoid Edale and Dovedale, it is very pleasant (the latter two tend to be pretty busy)..

and Bakewell and Castleton in summer

a few years ago Castleton got gridlocked on a bank holiday and they had to get the coppers in to sort it out

But the crowds can easily be avoided, it just depends on when and where you go. Some of the better known places nearer the cities can get very busy at weekends but there's lots of nice places off the beaten track for both walkers and cyclists.

 

[willhub]

Peak district is awesome for cycling, if you like hills that is!

I don't like Manchester much but I sure miss cycling in the peaks!

 

[PaulB]

I luckily live about 10 minutes from the Peak District (in Macclesfield) so I go out in it usually at least twice a week. It's very hilly in parts, but it's a LOT quieter than the Lakes and if you avoid Edale and Dovedale, it is very pleasant (the latter two tend to be pretty busy). Some good pubs too, although I think the Lakes are home to better ales.

Edale and Dovedale are busy for one very good reason though; they are fabulously beautiful.

 

[marinyork]

I obviously live very close to the Peaks too. A few years cycling in it and many more walking. There are plenty of bits and bobs to do even just my side of the park other than cycling, walking or peace and quiet - National Tramway Museum nearby, Stanage Edge and other rocks, Iron Age/Roman Forts, Caves, Chatsworth Stately home and grounds etc etc.

 

[yashicamat]

and Bakewell and Castleton in summer

a few years ago Castleton got gridlocked on a bank holiday and they had to get the coppers in to sort it out

But the crowds can easily be avoided, it just depends on when and where you go. Some of the better known places nearer the cities can get very busy at weekends but there's lots of nice places off the beaten track for both walkers and cyclists.

Yes I had forgotten about those - don't tend to think of them as the Peak District.

Edale and Dovedale are busy for one very good reason though; they are fabulously beautiful.

This is true . . . but there equally fantastic places which don't have the same crowd issues (with the exception of Dovedale, mainly because Thor's Cave etc. are pretty unique). The Goyt Valley is fantastic, the Longdendale valley is very nice too, then there's Shuttlingsloe etc. - all very nice, although for cycling purposes, the White Peak is a better bet I think - loads of minor roads criss-crossing the landscape.

 

[marinyork]

I concur with purplepolly, Bakewell is apocalyptically bad and Castleton is worse than Edale. Around Chatsworth gets very bad rush hour jams. These are the exceptions though.

 

[dan_bo]

It's just the right time of year to ride up rivelin and sit on stannage edge with a big bifter.

 

[purplepolly]

I concur with purplepolly, Bakewell is apocalyptically bad and Castleton is worse than Edale. .

Castleton's good in winter though, not many people go there then except for the Christmas stuff. Pubs, tea rooms, toilets, secondhand bookshop, caves and a good walk over mam tor.

 

[nigelnorris]

I'm meeting up with some friends in the north in the summer and was thinking of going via the peak district, maybe camping at either end [heading from the south]. What are the hills like - is it going to be an enjoyable journey for a first timer loaded with [as lightweight as poss] panniers full of camping gear?

 

[marinyork]

Castleton's good in winter though, not many people go there then except for the Christmas stuff. Pubs, tea rooms, toilets, secondhand bookshop, caves and a good walk over mam tor.

Yes. I confess to being more of a Castleton person - I'm not that fond of Edale.

I'm meeting up with some friends in the north in the summer and was thinking of going via the peak district, maybe camping at either end [heading from the south]. What are the hills like - is it going to be an enjoyable journey for a first timer loaded with [as lightweight as poss] panniers full of camping gear?

Enjoyable. The hills are big but not that big. Many hills are only about 600 or 700 feet. Not a problem if you're not in a hurry. You can reroute to avoid the superclimbs.

 

[nigelnorris]

Enjoyable. The hills are big but not that big. Many hills are only about 600 or 700 feet. Not a problem if you're not in a hurry. You can reroute to avoid the superclimbs.

Thanky