11. Feed the ducks in Ashford on the Water
Ashford on the Water is a really pretty little village. My favourite part of the village is down by the river, where you can see lots of ducks. The bridge here is lovely as well and makes a great background for photos of ducks!
12. Hop over stepping stones in Dovedale
One of the most famous sights in the Peak District is the stepping stones in Dovedale. The stepping stones are about a 15-20 minute walk from the Dovedale car park, and it’s a lovely walk along the edge of the river. But be warned – in winter, the river and stepping stones can get flooded if there’s been some heavy rain. Wear waterproof boots so you can still walk along the path next to the river even if it is a bit flooded.
13. Admire Winnats Pass from the car
Winnats Pass is another part of the Peak District that features heavily on postcards and promotional images. It’s a steep sided gorge, with a road that passes through the middle. It only takes a few minutes to drive through the pass, but the views are great. I loved looking up at the steep sides of the cliffs either side of the road. If you’re driving, you can ask a passenger to take photos, or pull over and stop the car to get some great photos.
14. Enjoy the views from Curbar Edge
Another of my favourite viewpoints in the Peak District, Curbar Edge is a must-visit spot for some views and a walk. It’s quite an easy climb up from the car park, and the views are instantly worth it. On a sunny winter’s day, it’s just the perfect walk. It can get cold up here if it’s windy, so make sure you’re wrapped up warm to fully enjoy the views. You can walk along the top of the rocky outcrop all the way to Froggat Edge, with amazing views for the whole of your walk.
15. See the winter light trail at Chatsworth Gardens
Christmas at Chatsworth House doesn’t stop when it gets dark. In fact, it gets even better when it gets dark. The winter light trail leads you through the gardens, with amazing illuminations and light displays. Some parts of it are set to music. It’s a really atmospheric experience, and really gets you in the Christmas spirit.
16. Climb up Mam Tor for great photos of the scenery
Mam Tor is another great walk in the Peak District if you want to enjoy beautiful views. There’s a well marked path from the car park. It’s a fairly steep uphill walk, but you can take plenty of breaks on the side of the path to take photos of the view that opens out as you climb. It’s a popular walk in the Peak District so can get busy, even in the winter and at Christmas, but it’s definitely worth doing.
17. See purple rocks in Blue John Cavern
Blue John Cavern is a really impressive cave system in the Peak District. It originated as a mine, where the Blue John Stone was mined. You can go on a guided tour of the cave and learn more about the history of mining here. You can also see some of the purple stone in the walks of the rocks. It’s a really lovely colour. This cave does have quite a lot of steps down, and then back up again, but I enjoyed seeing the coloured stone and learning more about the history of mining in this region.
18. Warm up in tearooms in Castleton
Exploring the Peak District at Christmas can be cold, and often rainy as well. So it’s the perfect time of year to visit some tea rooms to warm up in the afternoon. Castleton is a really pretty village and has a great selection of tea rooms. You can warm up with a hot cup of tea and a slice of cake, as you plan your next adventure.
19. Stand on the top of Owler Tor
Owler Tor is a less well-known viewpoint in the Peak District, but it’s still just as lovely as some of the more famous ones. You can park in the Surprise View car park, and just cross the road from the car park to head towards Owler Tor. There’s an impressive rock formation that you can climb, which gives you even better views out across the countryside.
20. Watch dippers in the river in Dovedale
Another of my top things to do in the Peak District, UK at Christmas is watch the dippers in the river at Dovedale. You can see dippers here most of the year. These small brown birds hop across the rocks in the water and along the edge of the water, so keep an eye out when you walk down the river and you might be lucky enough to spot one.
21. Look down over Monsal Head
Monsal Head viewpoint gives a great view down into the valley. You can also see the viaduct bridge below. Visiting this viewpoint near sunset can give some lovely colours in the sky, which just makes the view even more special.
22. Have a drink at a traditional local pub
The last of my top things to do in the Peak District, UK at Christmas is to have a drink at a traditional local pub. There’s a pub in almost every village in the Peak District, so there will be plenty to choose from. Find one with an open fire, so you can sit by the fire and enjoy a drink as you remember the great Peak District adventures you’ve had that day.
Enjoy the top things to do in the Peak District UK at Christmas! Make sure you also check out my detailed itinerary for visiting the Peak District in the winter. You can also enjoy the nearby Lake District at Christmas, and the Yorkshire Dales and beautiful Scotland.
