Exploring the Peak District by campervan

Exploring the Peak District

Ever since its designation in April 1951 as the UK’s first national park, the Peak District has been attracting visitors from far and wide.

With its rugged landscape covering nearly 1,500km and featuring heather-flecked moors, gritstone rock formations and picturesque towns and villages, the Peak District has to be one of the UK’s most beautiful areas.

Wherever you find yourself parked up in this stunning countryside, you’re guaranteed to find a walking trail with delightful pubs along the way.

For the past 70 years, people have been leaving the cities behind and exploring the idyllic Peak District National Park – why not join them?

To help you explore this incredible landscape, the team at Motorhome Protect have put together this campervan-friendly touring route for you to follow on your next Great British getaway.

But whether it’s for just a couple of nights or a summer-long adventure, be sure to check your insurance for campervans is up to date before setting off.

Policies arranged by Motorhome Protect can cover all manner of mishaps, so give us a call today.

Matlock Bath

We start off in the quirky but stunning village of Matlock Bath in the south east of the Peak District area.

It’s a very popular place with plenty of cafes and takeaways and the village itself looks almost like a seaside town. Complete with promenade, gift shops, ice cream parlours, fish and chip shops and even a cable car!

Two of the main draws are the fantastic attractions of Gulliver’s Kingdom Theme Park (opens in a new window) and the Heights of Abraham (opens in a new window). While Gulliver’s Kingdom is very much aimed at children and not the largest of theme parks there’s plenty to recommend it to visitors.

Particularly if you’ve already been hitting the walking trails and are looking for some adrenaline-fuelled thrills.

Like something from a Swiss postcard, the Heights of Abraham cable car takes you to the very top of the nearby Masson Hill and the beautiful 60-acre Heights of Abraham estate.

The views over the Peaks are stunning but there’s also plenty to explore up here, including the Tinker’s Shaft mine viewing platform, guided cavern tours, and exhibitions.

If you have a four-legged friend travelling with you then they also welcome dogs too.

A short two-mile drive north will bring you to the country town of Matlock which is the beginning of the 26-mile long but easy-going walking route The Limestone Way (opens in a new window).

Bakewell

Heading north further along the A6 brings you to the famous market town of Bakewell.

Now, if you mention the name of Bakewell to anyone, they’ll immediately think of those delicious Bakewell Tarts. And rightly so, but that’s certainly not the only reason to visit this lovely town idyllically situated on the banks of the River Wye.

The whole town is certainly worth exploring while you scoff down one of their tasty tarts (although they’re called Bakewell Puddings here).

Visit Bakewell Old House, an intriguing little museum where you can hear stories of the town’s history and see lots of interesting artefacts.

If you head up the hill at the west end of the town centre, you’ll walk past a line of comely stone cottages to reach the historical gem that is All Saints Church – well worth a visit.

There’s also plenty to see outside of town. Two miles south of Bakewell is Haddon Hall (opens in a new window), one of the finest medieval manor houses you’ll ever come across, which boasts a veritable rabbit warren of immaculately maintained ancient rooms.

Evidence of the ancient Bronze Age inhabitants of the area can be found at Nine Ladies Stone Circle (opens in a new window) located on the nearby Stanton Moor.

If you like your prehistoric sites then there are two relatively nearby sites: Arbor Low, a Neolithic henge, is six miles to the west, and Hob Hurst's House, a burial chamber, is three miles to the north east.

Also, not far from here is the spectacular tor of gritstone rocks Robin Hood’s Stride.

People can climb the rocks to get to the top, but unless you’re an experienced boulderer it’s not wise to try.

Buxton

Surrounded on three sides by the national park and set among the surrounding hills – at a height of over 1000ft – can be found the historic market and spa town of Buxton.

Offering great facilities for any visitor the centrepiece of the town’s hilly, compact centre is the broad sweep of Georgian stonework known as The Crescent.

Built in the 1780s by the 5^th Duke of Devonshire as an attempt to rival that famous southern spa town Bath.

Also don’t miss the grandly refurbished Buxton Opera House, the immaculate Victorian splendour of the Pavilion Gardens, and the first-rate Buxton Museum and Art Gallery (opens in a new window).

After exploring the town, why not take a journey beneath the earth and explore the vast limestone caverns at Poole’s Cavern (opens in a new window)?

Mam Tor

Heading north-east back into the national park, a worthy stopping off point is the 517-metre hill of Mam Tor.

There is plenty of parking near the bottom of the hill and the easy climb to the top can take anywhere between 30 minutes to an hour and a half.

There is a signposted circular walk with further details on the National Trust’s website (opens in a new window).

Exploring the Peak District with campervan insurance

• Cover for up to 365 days a year which can include foreign use
• Up to £3,500 of cover for your camping personal effects
• Unlimited EU cover
• Quotes available for customers with claims and convictions

Get a quick quote for campervan insurance today.