National Park Walks with Kids: The Peak District

Carmen ( @carmypeach ), Mum of 1 shares her favourite walks in the Peak District National Park with us as part of our National Park Walks with Kids series, for National Walking Month.

A PEEK INTO THE PEAKS:

Ey-up me duck! It’s Carmy!

I’m here to give you a ‘peek’ into my walking world and tell you a little about the stunning Peak District National Park.

In the heart of England, the Peak District National Park is primarily in the county of Derbyshire but it also covers parts of Staffordshire, South and West Yorkshire, Cheshire and Greater Manchester. It has been my stomping ground all my life, from a baby snug in a backpack on my dad's back until now sharing this beautiful part of the country with my 5 year old son (aka Lil man).

Did you know that Peak District was the UK's first national park and Sheffield born campaigner Ethel Haythornthwaite played an active part in its development. As a tribute to her, 95 hills, mostly over 400m, have been named 'Ethels'. A list of them can be found here (Peak District Ethel's List). Lil man and I are working our way through the list together with a spot of Ethel bagging included on most of our walks

There is an array of wildlife to discover in the Peaks and you could be lucky to see red deer, hen harrier, mountain hares and common lizards as well as many birds too. There is also evidence that mammoths, sabre-tooth tigers and woolly rhinoceros once roamed the lands. Tell that to the kids and it soon gets them walking and talking! The haunting call of the curlew can be heard on a warm day from Springtime, along with the call of an excitable tractor loving 5 year old as he chases a red Massey Ferguson (with muck spreader) down the country lanes!

The Peak District is divided between the White Peak and the Dark Peak, so called because of the colour of the lighter limestone and the darker grit stone. Both areas have stunning scenery and both areas offer their own local climate ranging from super sunny days to hailstones pinging you in the eye at the trig point and a good dose of diagonal rain. If you’re lucky you may get all that weather in one day! This is why it is vital to be kitted out in the correct walking gear (and why we love Little Trekkers!).

These are a few of my favourite and iconic Peak District locations, but there are so many more to see…

Chrome Hill and Parkhouse Hill (the hills resemble a dragons back)

Dovedale Stepping Stones (beneath the prominent slopes of lovely Thorpe Cloud)

Thors Cave (children love its name and that it was once home to a giant bear!)

Ladybower Reservoir and Plughole (a giant plug hole - that's worth a google)

Crikey! All these fantastic walks will have you on the edge of your seat! Oh, and that reminds me, did I tell you about the famous Millstones at Curbar Edge?. Then from there you can walk over to Baslow Edge to see the friendly highland cows. Then head to Birchen Edge, Gardoms Edge…and 15 mins up the road is the mighty Stanage Edge. Basically the Peak District is full of impressive rocky edges, also known as escarpments (hopefully I’m impressing you with the big words now!).

But a personal favourite walk is a 5 mile circular route to a motte and bailey castle (good for a picnic) starting from the picturesque village of *Hartington.

*Parents, please note that there is an award winning Hartington cheese shop in the village selling a wide range of wonderful cheeses, wines and beers (thank me later).

You can download our route card HERE.

Thanks for taking the time to read this blog and keep your eye out for us when you're next in the Peaks!