After starting the day with plates of smashed avocado and eggs cooked to perfection in The Cow’s attractive bar we set off to Treak Cliff Cavern just outside Castleton. Our approach took us through the dramatic limestone gorge of Winnats Pass with its stunning views as we drove along.
The Castleton area is a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) famous for its large deposits of Blue John stone. This semi-precious mineral is a rare form of fluorite characterised by bands of purple, blue or yellow and is unique to this part of the Peak District.
Treak Cliff has off road parking and from there a footpath leads uphill to the visitor centre and cave entrance. Tours are currently self guided by means of a cleverly designed app which we downloaded onto our phones. There’s no need to worry if you don’t have a smartphone though as several are available for visitors use when booking tickets. Tours average 50 minutes but the beauty of the self-guided tour is that you can go at your own pace and take as long as you wish using the audio guide along the route. The pathways are well lit and signage is clear so there is no danger of getting lost in the subterranean caverns.
Listening to our narrated audio guide we learnt how miners in the 1750’s built a tunnel using only hand tools to reach the Blue John deposits and of how it has now been mined here for over 300 years. We gazed in wonderment at the results of hundreds of thousands of years of multi-coloured flowstone deposits leaving stunning stalactite and stalagmite formations and of fossils embedded in the limestone rock.
The underground temperature in the caves is a constant 10 c all year round and as the cavern floor is damp due to the natural underground environment I recommend wearing warm clothes and suitable footwear.
We emerged from the cavern slightly further up the hillside from where we enjoyed spectacular valley views across the valley. The path alongside Treak Cliff is also one of the starting points for Mam Tor, standing at 517m. It’s one of the Peak District’s most famous walking trails sitting on the edge of the gritstone Dark Peak and the limestone White Peak. We didn’t have time to embark on this circular walking route on this occasion but it is something that we would like to do on a future visit to the area.
Our visit to the cavern didn’t end there as we had opted to try our hand at stone polishing in the cavern workshop adjacent to the visitor centre. We started off by each selecting a piece of Blue John stone to work on and then following expert guidance we sanded these down before polishing the edges using a buffing machine. It was such a fun activity suitable for the whole family and the perfect souvenir to take home with us to remind us of our visit.
Before leaving, we explored the interesting small museum which displays a collection of Blue John, geological samples and a history of the cavern as both a working mine and tourist attraction.
It was then back down the steps to the car for the short hop to the village of Castleton which is one of the most beautiful villages of the White Peak. Not far from where we left the car was the main visitor centre for the Peak District National Park so that seemed a good place to start. The newly refurbished centre covers the geology of the area and includes a gift shop and cafe.
From there, we explored the narrow streets of this pretty village located in the Hope Valley surrounded by hillsides. It’s a popular centre for walkers with numerous outdoor shops alongside tea rooms and gift shops, with their windows filled with jewellery crafted from Blue John.
Our walk continued along winding lanes to the pretty village green with its old stone cottages overlooking the war memorial cross and Norman church. From there we had good views of Peveril Castle perched high on a hillside and constructed in 1086 by William Peveril who was a knight of William the Conqueror. It’s now operated by English Heritage with standard admission £7.60.
Back in the car it was then just a 10 minute drive along to Hathersage, our next stopping off point. The village is another of the Peak District’s outdoor hubs and is charming with a good selections of shops, pubs and restaurants. The village is overlooked by Stanage Edge which is a gritstone ridge stretching for four miles and extremely popular with rock climbers who visit from all over the country.
Another of Hathersage’s attractions located just outside the village is the David Mellor Design Museum, cutlery factory, shop and cafe which is free to visit. David Mellor was one of the best known 20th century British designers and the museum showcases his collection of work from handmade silver to his world famous cutlery.
It was a surprise to us that one of his aims was to improve the quality of the urban environment with his design of everyday features such as bus shelters, post boxes, litter bins, bollards and traffic lights. These set the new standard for street furniture and by the end of the 1960’s all of Britain’s traffic light sets were being replaced by Mellor’s new design.
If you are visiting at weekends, free Cutlery factory tours take place in the Round House at 3.00 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday. We hadn’t timed our visit to coincide with one of these tours but couldn’t resist popping into the gorgeous cafe complete with working traffic lights and pedestrian crossing! We really enjoyed our visit which would appeal to anyone but especially those interested in design.
Leaving there, we continued on to Hassop Station near Bakewell for a spot of exercise. This old station building has been transformed into a cafe, book and gift shop. There’s a large car park divided between free parking to the right of the cafe and pay and display on the other side.
The station is also a popular starting point for the Monsal Trail, a traffic free cycling and walking route running along the former Midland Railway line. We’d arranged to hire e-bikes from Monsal Trail cycle hire with the intention of cycling the 8.5 mile scenic route which goes through four illuminated railway tunnels each about 400m long and two additional shorter tunnels.
Unfortunately it wasn’t to be as on the day of our visit the Monsal Trail was closed from the entrance to the first tunnel leading onto the Monsal Viaduct for essential maintenance works. Rob at the cycle hike centre discussed options with us and we followed his suggestion by starting off cycling along the trail as far as the closure at the Headstone Tunnel entrance and then turning round and continuing onto Bakewell.
This alternative route was very pleasant and although our planned cycle trip along the full length of the Monsal Trail didn’t quite go to plan it might hopefully be possible for us to return later in the year to complete it then.
A pot of tea followed in the attractive cafe before making a short stop in the beautiful village of Tissington just north of Ashbourne. It was falling dark by the time we approached the village along an elegant avenue of lime trees but there was just enough left of the day to view its Jacobean Manor House and pretty stone cottages.
It was then just a short drive back to our cosy accommodation at The Cow in Dalbury Lees where we relaxed in our room awhile before having dinner at The Bluebell at Kirk Langley, a sister pub of The Cow just a five minute drive along Derbyshire’s leafy lanes.
The Bluebell has been recently modernised and is extremely tasteful with its contemporary interior. Over drinks we studied the menu featuring pub classics including beer battered fish and chips and homemade steak pie which we decided to opt for. Generous portions arrived, both cooked to perfection and we savoured every forkful. Service was friendly and unrushed even on a busy Friday evening with a mix of families and groups of friends all enjoying an evening out.
Back at our cosy inn, we made ourselves coffee from the in-room Nespresso maker and settled down in our comfortable room to watch television awhile before getting ready for bed. It was a perfect end to another fun filled day touring the beautiful Peak District.
If you have enjoyed reading this post you may also like:
A weekend in the Ribble Valley
If you use Pinterest please consider sharing and pinning the image below:
Love Travelling Blog 
Fascinating read on the mining history here. Your pictures of the caverns are so clear- far better than cave pictures I ever manage.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s not easy to take photos in caves is it, sometimes mine don’t work too well either! Thanks so much for your interest Meg.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Very nice collection , wish I can get the chance to visit this place , hope it’s not too cold there though 😅
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for taking an interest in these caverns. It wasn’t very cold inside and the rock formations were spectacular.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love the cave
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Kelly, it was fascinating.touring Treak Cliff Cavern.
LikeLike
The Peak District is one of our favourite places to visit, it really is so beautiful!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m so pleased that you are also a fan of the Peak District. It’s a lovely part of the country. Thanks so much for taking the time to comment.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s Awesome 👏🏽
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, I’m glad you enjoyed it.
LikeLiked by 2 people
what an interesting cave!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks Tanja, the cavern was spectacular.
LikeLiked by 2 people
The cavern looks super interesting. Must have been quite something to go and explore them! The Peak District sure seems like it has a lot of fantastic areas to visit.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thanks Linda. The Peak District is very scenic both above and below ground and it’s small towns and villages lovely too!
LikeLiked by 2 people
So much beauty here, especially Winnats Pass which feels quintessentially Peak District. This was an action-packed piece Marion that gives Sladja and I much to think about ahead of our potential visit in a month or two. When I saw the name David Mellor I thought “surely not ‘that’ David Mellor” ha ha. Indeed I now know there are two.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I thought of the other David Mellor first too when I heard about the museum. It was a great day and we enjoyed it all.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Aw this brings back such happy memories for me – we did 20km hike around Monsal Trail and Monsal Dale in the baking sunshine and then went to a cave to cool off! It was such a beautiful day, and at the end of it my (now) husband proposed 🙂 Thanks for sharing.
LikeLiked by 1 person
How wonderful Hannah, what a lovely way to propose. Hopefully we’ll get back again when the full trail is open.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Amazing pictures! Thank you for sharing😁
LikeLiked by 3 people
It’s my pleasure Josh, I’m so pleased you enjoyed this post featuring the Peak District.
LikeLiked by 2 people
The Treak Cliff Cavern looks like a wonder: I’ve visited caves before on my travels, but this one is something that I haven’t quite seen before. Definitely looks like a treat to visit…and the fish and chips afterwards was just as good of a treat, if not even better (the fish is MASSIVE)! Glad you had a lovely time. 🙂
LikeLiked by 4 people
Visiting the caves was so interesting to view all the rock formations and it was also fun to select and polish our own small stone to take home with us. The fish and chips supper was massive and very tasty!
LikeLiked by 2 people
The drive to Treak Cliff Cavern looks beautiful with all that greenery through Winnats Pass. I’m such a fan of cave tours and seeing all the interesting cave formations. Who knew it could be so beautiful underground!?
LikeLiked by 4 people
Exactly, it’s hard to believe and I’m also a firm fan of visiting caves too. Having an opportunity to select and polish a stone was fun too and a great souvenir to return home with.
LikeLiked by 2 people
What a dramatic landscape and beautiful buildings. It looks like the setting for a period drama, especially Castleton with the ruin up on the hill.
LikeLiked by 4 people
The entire Peak District is stunning Helen even in January!
LikeLiked by 1 person
The cave is so interesting and just does not seem like it fits in with the idyllic green surroundings. Earth sure is neat! Also, your fish and chips look absolutely massive!
LikeLiked by 4 people
The cave tour was amazing Lyssy and you’re right those fish and chips at The Bluebell were both massive and delicious!
LikeLiked by 2 people
The Peaks District is so fabulous. Our Sheffield friends took us hiking on Stanage Edge and also Monsal Trail. We hiked to the viaduct and then up the hill to the Stable Bar in the Monsal Head Hotel. Both beautiful hikes. Thanks for showing what else the area has to offer, Marion. Allan
LikeLiked by 3 people
How lovely that you were able to explore this part of the Peak District with your friends from Sheffield. You must have returned home with such happy memories.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The limestone gorge of Winnats Pass are truly beautiful! And how amazing are the caves at Treak Cliff Cavern! I would definitely enjoy a walk through Castleton – it looks like a pretty place to explore. And who would not be pleased with a plate of that fish and chunky chips 😊. It was yet another great day of exploring the Peak District with you, thanks Marion!
LikeLiked by 4 people
It was yet another splendid day in the Peak District Corna and we enjoyed every minute of it. Thanks so much for taking the time to comment, it means such a lot.
LikeLiked by 3 people
A part of England I have not ever been introduced to before. The silver drsign museum sounds interesting to visit. We must have used that same traffic light design here in Australia.
LikeLiked by 3 people
The Peak District is a really beautiful part of England and it was such a treat to visit the David Mellor Cutlery Museum and discover he designed so much of our everyday street furniture too! Thanks for taking the time to comment Amanda, it’s much appreciated and I hope your week is progressing well.
LikeLiked by 2 people
😀
LikeLiked by 3 people
me and my husband explored Peak District for the first time last Summer, your pictures are bringing so many good memories. I hope you are having a great time!
LikeLiked by 3 people
We are indeed! Thank you so much for taking the time to comment, it’s much appreciated and I’m pleased to read you enjoyed your own visit to the Peak District last summer.
LikeLiked by 3 people
This brings back teenage memories. Our Nottingham school had a trip to the caverns back around 1969. When we stood on the stairs in the main chamber and just as the guide turned off the lights, to show us what ‘real darkness’ looked like, a large drop of water fell from the roof and down the back of my shirt.
“Ye gods and little fishes!” I exclaimed (I can’t remember why but it was a standard expletive of mine back then), very loudly and in the otherwise total silence. Never lived it down.
I think I still have my little bit of Blue John somewhere.
LikeLiked by 4 people
I’m so pleased that this post brings back fond memories for you. We had such a wonderful day and visiting the caverns was special for me as well as long ago we were given a lovely table lamp base made from Blue John stone as a wedding present. It still graces a corner table today! The gift was from a former colleague who liked nowhere better to spend her holidays than in a cottage in Castleton! Thanks so much for taking the time to comment, it means such a lot.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow, what a wonderful trip, Marion as there’s can be nothing more exciting than visiting an underground wonderland of stalactites and stalagmites, rocks, minerals and fossils. I am in awe of beautiful cave formations and the colour of Blue John Stone; I can’t believe I’ve never heard of it before. I am glad to see you had a great time! Thanks for sharing and have a good day 🙂 Aiva xx
LikeLiked by 4 people
The Treak Cliff Cavern was awe inspiring Aiva and I’m so pleased I got to see Blue John stone there as I have a table lamp base made from it that was a wedding present from a former colleague who loved spending her holidays in Castleton.
LikeLiked by 2 people
We just came back from a fortnight in the Peak District. We found it quite touristy and never saw shops with so many kitchy items before. We like the nature trails there and did a ot of hiking.
LikeLiked by 3 people
So pleased to read that you’ve just spent a couple of weeks in the Peak District, gorgeous walking country. My husband walked the Pennine Way long ago when at University starting in Edale. Whereabouts did you stay?
LikeLiked by 3 people
We srayed in the Oxford Bridge Inn, a nice Hotel near that big Water reservoire.
LikeLiked by 3 people
It sounds lovely, thanks for letting me know!
LikeLiked by 2 people
In Pride and Prejudice Jane Austen writes that there is ‘no finer county in England than Derbyshire’, and your post demonstrates why (I’m biased, of course, but I think she had a point!)
LikeLiked by 3 people
Definitely! Derbyshire is gorgeous, thanks so much for your kind words and interest.
LikeLiked by 2 people
So many village names from my childhood, having grown up in Mickleover with the Peak District on our doorstep. In fact it was the pub at Dalbury Lees (it was called the “Black Cow” then) where I used to sit in the car with drink and crisps while Mum and Dad had an evening in the pub! The walk through Monsal Dale is still one of my favourite walks anywhere, to this day.
LikeLiked by 5 people
What wonderful memories for you and the fact that you are even familiar with the pub in Dalbury Lees, what a small world. I remember the days as a child of also sitting in a pub car park, how times have changed! Thanks so much for getting in touch, it’s really appreciated.
LikeLiked by 3 people
beautiful collection , really very impressed thanks for sharing
LikeLiked by 4 people
I’m so pleased to read that you enjoyed this post on my visit to the Peak District. It’s such a beautiful part of the country.
LikeLiked by 1 person