A Taste of the Peak District

Accommodation, activities and attractions of the Peak District of the UK

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A Taste of the Peak District is a comprehensive online guide to the Peak District of Derbyshire. We endeavour to provide you with an insight into the region to enhance your visit (or to convince you to spend some time here!)

The Hope Valley in the Peak District marks the dividing line between the White Peak and the Dark Peak areas.

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How to get here - Transpennine Express, Virgin and Midland Mainline trains, National Express coaches.

The Hope Valley marks the northern junction between the limestone of the White Peak and the younger shales and grit of the Dark Peak.

If you park by the Blue John mine at the top of the old road, you can take in the size of the Hope Valley in one grand vista. The valley is a broad ‘U’ shape and extensively farmed. The main towns are Castleton and Hope.

On the left, as you look down the valley, stands the only real ridge of the Peak District, running from Mam Tor to Lose Hill. This is a very popular walk, easily accessible and so has worn badly. In response to this, the Peak District National Park authority have paved a lot of it, nevertheless, it is still a worthwhile outing if you are interested in walking. Even if you go no further than the summit of Mam Tor, with its hill fort, you experience extensive views in all directions. To the north, the brooding mass of Kinder Scout, to the west, the moorlands of the High Peak, to the east the Hope valley and to the south the limestone plateau of the White Peak.

On the right lies the northern edge of the Limestone plateau and the town of Castleton. The area if well known for the mining of Blue John, a mineral that is unique to the Peak District. The mines are now show caves.

At the head of the valley, the original main road has been repeatedly destroyed by landslips. The side of Mam Tor on which it was built is shale, a very weak rock. The ground is slowly moving downhill and so the road has been contorted and cracked. The minor road through Winnatts Pass is now used instead. This is built on the limestone and is stable.

Geologically the area is very interesting and important and is one of those rare places where you can find the rocks and reefs of an ancient sea bed preserved more or less as it was when it was under the sea. Please see the geology section of this site for more information.

At the bottom end of the road, just before you come to the part that is no longer passable, you can see the Odin mine. It is not closed off to visitors but I do not recommend going in, it is uneven, muddy and very very dark!

Click here for accommodation in the north west of the Peak District and here for the north east. Both are very convenient for visiting the hope valley.