Derbyshire

The Peak District is brimming with natural beauty, playing host to charming villages nestled in its lush, rolling hills. One such village boasts distinctive features like multiple caves and even a castle.

Situated at the foot of the towering Mam Tor, Castleton is rich in quaint stone cottages and significant caves, in the Hope Valley in the heart of the Peak District. The village made the perfect backdrop for HBO's House of the Dragon, which led to celebrity sightings in the area.

Famed for his role as The Doctor, Matt Smith was spotted in Castleton and nearby Cave Dale in 2021 on set of the highly-anticipated Game of Thrones prequel. Residents recall a certain "buzz" about the town during the production.

Beyond its moments of fame and Hollywood intrigue, Castleton offers ample opportunities for memorable days out in the Peaks. For those who revel in scaling hills for breath-taking views, Castleton offers a dream-like experience.

Whether you prefer to clamber up neighbouring dales or brave the steep, gruelling sides of Winnats Pass, there are plenty of reasons why Castleton has earned its reputation as a walker's paradise. One of the top spots near the village for sweeping views of the Peak District is the trek to the commanding ruins of Peveril Castle.

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For those who enjoy delving into historical ruins or hillside hikes, consider exploring beneath the Peak District in one of Castleton's numerous show caverns. Peak Cavern, with its impressive exterior featuring Britain's largest cave entrance at 60 ft high, is often the venue for special events and concerts.

A charming path from the village, following the river, leads up to the cave. Until 1915, Peak Cavern was home to the last remaining cave dwellers in Britain.

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Treak Cliff Caverns is renowned not only for its large and unique veins of the semi-precious mineral Blue John Stone but also for some of the UK's most stunning cave formations. Visitors can get a close look at the remarkable veins of Blue John Stone, which continues to be mined and sold in Castleton today.

In addition to the striking minerals, a quick upward glance reveals perfectly preserved Polo-mint-shaped fossils. Speedwell Cavern, a former lead mine that has since been flooded, offers visitors a slightly different experience.

Within the cave, an underground boat ride along a canal leads to a vast cathedral-like space housing the Bottomless Pit, a spectacular subterranean lake.