Peak Forest: Limestone Landscape and Trails in the Peak District

Peak Forest lies in the limestone area of the Peak District landscape. Open farmland, gentle hills and low, unmortared limestone walls shape the landscape around the village. The open settlement structure provides views from the village across the surrounding countryside and makes Peak Forest a destination for anyone wishing to combine nature and local history during their trip.

Experience the landscape and explore it on foot

An extensive network of footpaths connects Peak Forest in all directions with other settlements. Less than a mile from the village, the Limestone Way, a national trail, runs to the east. Numerous footpaths lead from Peak Forest to this trail and also form routes to Castleton and Miller’s Dale. This allows you to plan your days in different ways: the focus can be on a longer walk, but you can equally explore individual sections of the trail and the open agricultural landscape.

The way you wish to travel is therefore particularly important when choosing a holiday apartment or holiday cottage. If you want to do plenty of walking, you can consider Peak Forest’s location as a starting point for paths in different directions. If, on the other hand, you would like to combine landscapes and historical traces, it is worth planning a trip that focuses on several short discoveries rather than just one route.

Traces of the church, mining and Old Dam

The tower of Peak Forest parish church is a prominent landmark and creates a visual connection between Peak Forest and Old Dam. Charles, King & Martyr church became known in the first half of the 18th century as the “Gretna Green of the Peak” because it was a free chapel. Its history gives the village a cultural dimension that combines well with a stay in the surrounding landscape.

The area around Old Dam also tells of earlier uses. The lake at the dam south of the recreational area has now been drained and is a field whose shape remains recognisable. The mill house at the site of Old Dam and mill still exists and is inhabited. The site has also retained elements of its character as a lake and dam location. The heritage of lead mining and the remains of the limestone industry continue to shape the character of the surrounding landscape.

Another historical detail is Chamberknoll, a farmhouse from the late 18th century that may stand on the site of the medieval Forest Chamber. Such clues turn a walk through the surrounding area into a journey through different layers of local history, without requiring you to commit to a single destination.

Practical information for your stay

In Peak Forest, the A623 is a wide road with an urban character, white road markings, paved pavements on both sides and street lighting. There is no formal car park in the village; however, safe roadside parking is possible along Church Lane. You should take this information into account when planning your days and choosing your accommodation, especially if you want to combine different walks and historical discoveries.

For further travel planning, you can also discover Whaley Bridge, Melbourne, Birch Vale, South Normanton, Hope Valley, Stoney Middleton, Newton and Duffield. Peak Forest is particularly suited to a trip combining limestone landscapes, footpaths and tangible traces of the past.

For the overarching travel overview: Derbyshire.