Best Things To Do In Edale In The Peak District

The Peak District National Park in the East Midlands is the ultimate place for outdoor pursuits such as hiking and biking, and luckily for me, it was the perfect spot to break up a long drive to Northumberland.

I was only going to have one late afternoon / one early morning to explore a tiny corner of the Derbyshire section of the Peak District, but I had already planned what the best things to do in Edale and the surrounds were, so I could hit the road running.

The industrial/outdoor design specifications in the rooms and public spaces were ingenious. I loved the lamps made of car parts and bicycle spokes. My vibrant and funky bedroom was well-equipped and comfortable. The free afternoon cake and coffee at 4 pm was an unexpected treat, and the restaurant, Bareca, served delicious food. It's definitely a hotel I would recommend for visitors to the area.

Walk the Pennine Way from Edale

What puts the sleepy village of Edale on the map is that the start of the Pennine Way is here, opposite The Nags Head Pub, by a small cottage through a wooden gate. The only indication of Edale's importance is the ground-level plaque identifying Britain's first and most iconic national walking trail.

As a walker, I love discovering new places, and for me, the Pennine Way was just that.

The entire 268-mile trail begins in Edale and ends in Kirk Yetholm, Scotland. I only walked for an hour; however, even on my short trek, the scenery was stunning. Now that I have gained a sense of what to expect, I have set a goal to complete the Pennine Way one day.

What you need to know is that parking is limited in Edale, so we were very fortunate to secure a spot by the church for our brief visit.

The Edale car park is located by the village hall and is a pay-and-display facility. The rates are £1.90 for 1-2 hours and £4.50 for 2-4 hours. Over 4 hours is £6.80 (maximum 10 hours).

There are 138 long-stay parking spaces, but they fill up quickly. Arrive early in the morning or later in the evening to increase your chances of securing a spot. From here it's a 10-minute walk to the start of the Pennine Way and The Nags Head Pub.

Edale has a railway station, located on the Manchester to Sheffield Line, which is close to the main car park. If you plan to start your hike in Edale, consider leaving your car at home or at your hotel and travelling by train to Edale station.

See the view from the Kinder Scout Plateau

After my walk, I drove to the highest point in the Peak District, Kinder Scout. From the top, the views of the Edale Valley are sensational. I arrived as the sun was setting, so I also got to see a beautiful autumnal sunset into the bargain.

I would recommend visiting Kinder Scout, as it is one of the top attractions in Edale, offering the best views. If you are hiking, a circular trail leads from Edale to the Kinder Scout plateau and back down via Jacobs Ladder. However, it is only recommended for experienced hikers, as the terrain is steep and rocky in places.

Drive through Winnats Pass

After experiencing the dreamy views from Kinder Scout, I continued to Winnats Pass.

This pass takes you on a short but dramatic route through a valley. As the hills rise above you from both sides and the road winds its way down from the top, you are in for a treat. I have driven through Norway, and for a brief moment, this Peak District landscape brought back memories of that experience.

It is at the base of Winnats Pass that you will find Speedwell Caverns. If you like the idea of taking an underground boat through small 18th-century mining tunnels to end up at a lake 450m underground, then this one is for you. If, like me, you would find it too claustrophobic, give it a miss!

Explore Lady Bower Reservoir

The next morning, after checking out of the Boot and Bike Inn, we headed to Lady Bower Reservoir. This reservoir is one of three serving the Derwent Valley. I hoped to see its plugholes in action, but due to a lack of rainwater, they were as dry as a bone. And if you are wondering what a 'plughole' is, well, the clue's in the name.

Much like a plughole in a bath at home, these gigantic ones act as an overflow. They release water from this reservoir into the river. They are spectacular to see when they are in full flow, but sadly, that was not the case this time.

Despite the plugholes not being in action, the walk along some of the reservoir path was lovely. I didn't expect to see much sunshine at the end of September, but today it shone brightly. The light allowed me to take some beautiful photographs of the reservoir and the surrounding countryside.

Saying goodbye to Edale and the Peak District

My brief experience of the Peak District, the United Kingdom's first national park, was wonderful. It's an area I intend to return to for a longer stay.

Edale is worth visiting if you love the great outdoors and spectacular scenery, as its surroundings are magnificent, and my short stay only scratched the surface. Next time, I want to really get beneath its skin and explore all its nooks and crannies. I will have my walking boots at the ready and take on some, if not all, of the Pennine Way.

Have you completed the Pennine Way? Please let me know by leaving a comment below.

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