Postcards from the Peak District

During the October half-term, we spent a few glorious days in the stunning Peak District National Park. Our trip aimed at enjoying beautiful nature walks with our pup and cozy evenings, and we succeeded on both fronts!

We stayed in a stylishly converted barn in the quaint village of Youlgreave, which offered truly stunning views of the rolling hills of Bradford Dale. Every morning and late afternoon, I would sit on the sofa with a cup of tea and admire the view. We arrived on the last day of October, and the village did not disappoint with its Halloween festivities, which delighted our little man. We loved Youlgreave; it was the perfect base for exploring the Peak District.

In the mornings, we would head to Bakewell to stock up on delicious pasties for lunch, as well as the famous Bakewell tarts! Our stay was brief—only three nights—so we could only manage a few walks during our visit. Our favourites were definitely Bamford Edge and Monsal Head.

Bamford Edge is one of the most iconic spots in the Peak District, offering incredible views of the Ladybower Reservoir. Since we were there at the beginning of November, the colour palette of the scenery was breathtaking, with shades of autumn greenery alongside rust and burnt orange. I couldn’t get enough of it.

Monsal Head is a beautiful spot characterised by the impressive Headstone Viaduct towering over Monsal Dale. Even though it was mid-autumn, the area remained lush and green, with a river meandering through and even a little waterfall.

For all of our walks, we used a fantastic website: peakdistrictkids.co.uk. It details over 60 walks in the Peak District and is filled with useful tips—perfect for visiting with kids, and without!

We truly loved our little trip so much that we wouldn’t hesitate to return.

Patti x