Peak District Itinerary – How to Spend 3 Days Exploring The Peaks

Planning a trip to the Peak District National Park can feel overwhelming—there’s so much to see, and not always enough time.

That’s where I come in. I’m from the UK and have visited the Peak District several times, spending countless hours planning, researching, and testing out itineraries to make the most of each visit.

Before running my travel website, I worked as a travel agent, so planning efficient and enjoyable trips has become second nature.

In this guide, I’ll share a tried-and-tested itinerary for 3 days in the Peak District that combines iconic walks with great food and scenic viewpoints. You’ll also find practical tips on where to stay, how to get there, and what to pack—based on real experience.

I visited the Peak District with dogs on both visits, so I have shared some insights that might be helpful for dog owners.

I’ve personally done everything I recommend here, and as a foodie, I’ve made sure every meal suggestion is somewhere I’ve either eaten at myself or would happily go back to.

Whether you want to fit the highlights into a weekend or are deciding between hikes and heritage sites, this Peak District itinerary will help you make the most of your time and avoid the usual planning stress.

Getting to the Peak District

The Peak District is well connected by road and makes an easy weekend escape from many parts of England. We drove from Hertfordshire, and the journey took around 3 to 4 hours depending on traffic.

If you’re coming from the London area, a car is by far the most flexible way to explore the region—especially if you want to reach hiking trails and viewpoints without relying on public transport.

If you don’t have a car, I recommend renting one. For those visiting from London, check rental prices from major London airports.

Luton Airport is often the most convenient choice—it’s closer to the Peak District than Heathrow or Gatwick, and you can get there directly from central London via train or coach.

Coming from the North or Midlands? The Peak District is an especially popular weekend getaway for people based in Manchester, Sheffield, and Birmingham. Each city is within a 1 to 1.5-hour drive and has quick rail links to nearby towns like Buxton, Matlock, Chesterfield and Edale—but you’ll still want a car to reach the more scenic and remote spots.

If you prefer to travel by train and rent a car on arrival, Sheffield is your best option. It’s well connected by rail from across the UK and has several car hire companies near the station. From there, it’s a straightforward drive into the heart of the Peak District.

However, consider that rail prices are quite expensive in the UK, so it might be cheaper to rent a car closer to your home if you are travelling far from Sheffield.

Where to Stay in the Peak District?

Two of the most popular bases for exploring the Peak District are Buxton and Bakewell—I’ve stayed in both and would happily recommend either, depending on your priorities.

Bakewell is the more scenic and charming of the two, with its stone cottages, riverside walks, and of course, its famous tart. It’s a lovely place to wake up and wander around, especially if you’re after that quintessential Peak District village feel.

Buxton, on the other hand, tends to have more availability and a wider range of accommodation. It’s a spa town with a grand crescent of Georgian buildings and plenty of places to eat and drink. It also offers easy access to walks like The Roaches and the Pavilion Gardens.

Both towns have local restaurants and pubs within walking distance, so you won’t need to drive to dinner each night. I’ve previously stayed in guest houses and holiday rentals that accept dogs, but you’ll also find plenty of boutique hotels and countryside inns throughout the region.

If you’re looking for something a bit more special, consider The Peacock at Rowsley. It’s listed in the Michelin Guide for hotels, which means it’s been thoroughly vetted for quality and comfort. It’s also well located between Bakewell and Chatsworth House.

But realistically you cannot go wrong with any other quaint village in the Peak District, such as Castleton or Hathersage.

3-Day Peak District Itinerary

Here is my recommended itinerary for spending 3 days in the Peak District. You can also shuffle some things around for a shorter weekend in the Peak District.

Day 1: Chatsworth House, Bakewell & Monsal Head

Morning: Chatsworth House

Start your day with a visit to Chatsworth House, one of the most famous stately homes in England. I recommend booking the earliest time slot available (usually 10:30 AM) so you’ll have time to fit in everything else on today’s itinerary. It’s worth booking online in advance, especially during weekends or holidays when it gets busy.

If you want to start your day earlier than 10:30 AM, I would suggest going to the Monsal Dale Viaduct Viewpoint before because that can get busy in the middle of the day. However, if you plan to walk or bike a section of the trail later, then you can skip this for now.

I visited with my family and our two dogs, so we had to take turns exploring the inside of the house. Dogs aren’t allowed indoors, but they are allowed on leads throughout the gardens and surrounding grounds.

That worked out perfectly for us—honestly, I enjoyed walking through the gardens more than the house itself. But that might be because I’m more outdoorsy than into antiques and royal portraits! If you’re more into history and interiors, the house tour will be a highlight.

For lunch, we ate at the onsite Carriage House Café, which serves hot meals from 11:30 AM to 3:00 PM. There’s a dog-friendly indoor seating area, which is handy if you have pets with you and the weather isn’t great.

That said, the café is a little pricey, so if you’re on a budget or fancy a more scenic setting, I’d suggest bringing a picnic and enjoying it in the gardens.

Midday: Explore Bakewell

Next, drive over to Bakewell, a postcard-perfect market town known for its quaint streets and the famous Bakewell tart.

I’m not a big fan of Bakewell tarts, but some of my family members loved it. You should stop at the Old Original Bakewell Pudding Shop just for the novelty of it—it’s where the original Bakewell tart was first created.

You can grab lunch here as well if you skipped eating at Chatsworth.

Bakewell is great for a gentle stroll and has a nice mix of tea rooms, small shops, and riverside views.

There are numerous car parks around Bakewell, such as Bakewell Bridge Car Park or Smith’s Island Car Park, but be careful as the latter shuts at 5 or 6:00 PM.

Afternoon: Monsal Head & Monsal Trail

From Bakewell, make your way to Monsal Head, a well-known viewpoint that overlooks the Monsal Viaduct. If you’re short on time or energy, you can simply park up and admire the view from the car park—it’s one of the best in the Peak District.

But if you’re up for it, I recommend walking a portion of the Monsal Trail. You’ll pass through old railway tunnels and enjoy sweeping views of the valley.

If you’re aiming for the viewpoint and a short walk, park at Monsal Head Car Park. It can get busy during peak times, so you may need to come back another time if there is no space.

Alternatively, if you’d prefer to bike or do a longer walk, park at the Bakewell Station (Monsal Trail) Car Park and pick up the trail from there.

Just note that to get the iconic view of the viaduct, you’ll need to detour off the trail and head up to higher ground—so Monsal Head is still the best spot for that classic photo.

My parents biked along the Monsal Trail, but my siblings and I decided to walk it. We didn’t cover as much ground, but we were happy to go at a slower pace with the dogs, check out the viewpoint, and grab an ice cream.

For another destination that has great walks, you should consider a trip to the Cotswolds.

Evening: Dinner

For dinner, head to The Prince of Wales in Baslow, a stylish country pub with an AA Rosette for culinary excellence and a spot in the Good Food Guide.

You can book online, and if you’re bringing your dog, make sure to request a table in the bar area, which is pet-friendly.

Day 2: Mam Tor, Winnats Pass & Castleton

Morning: Hiking Mam Tor

Start your day with a hike up Mam Tor, one of the most iconic walks in the Peak District. If you’re visiting in spring or autumn, sunrise here is worth it, but in summer, it’s often a bit too early to be practical.

Instead, aim to arrive by 9:00 AM to secure a parking spot. The car park we used is here: Mam Tor Car Park.

When we visited, there was a mini coffee truck in the car park—great for a quick caffeine fix before your hike. However, there are no public toilets at the start, so plan accordingly.

The first toilets we found were about three-quarters of the way through the walk, near the Blue John Cavern shop. You can also grab a cold drink there if you’ve run out of water.

The Mam Tor circular hike is about 3 miles (4.8 km). We found parts of the route a little tricky to follow and did go off track briefly a couple of times, but it was all part of the fun. Make sure someone has the AllTrails route saved on their phone to follow it carefully.

Even on a foggy day like ours, the landscape was beautiful. The trail itself isn’t too challenging, although the steep stone steps at the beginning will get your heart rate up.

If you are into hiking, you should visit Isle of Skye and tackle some of the best hikes on the island.

Mid-Morning: Winnats Pass

After your hike, take the scenic drive through Winnats Pass—it’s one of the most spectacular roads in the Peak District. The route from Mam Tor to Speedwell Cavern, where you can park, naturally takes you through the pass, so make sure your camera is ready.

We parked at the Speedwell Cavern car park for a quick photo stop and climbed up the grassy sides for the best views. If you’re up for a bit more walking, there is the option to park in Castleton and walk up from there (about 30 minutes) or do the Winnats Pass 7 km circular walk.

Even on a cloudy, rainy day like we had, the drive was amazing. The road is steep, and we saw quite a few cyclists tackling the hill—it was very impressive.

Lunch: Castleton

There are plenty of cosy spots for lunch in Castleton. We ate at Rose Cottage Cafe and Bistro, which has a lovely garden area for outdoor dining.

I made our reservation via Facebook Messenger as they had just reopened with new owners, but it appears their Open Table website is open now for reservations.

The burgers and cakes were great, although I just checked the menu and I can’t see burgers on it anymore, but plenty of sandwiches at lunchtime.

Afternoon: Explore Castleton

After lunch, wander around Castleton. It’s a charming village with cute shops and plenty of places to browse for souvenirs or Blue John jewellery, which is unique to the area. My favourite shop to see was the sweet shop, called Gallery Ice, with the funky display in the window.

If you have the time and interest, you could also visit one of the famous caverns like Blue John Cavern or Treak Cliff Cavern, which offer guided tours.

Evening: Dinner

If you’re staying in the area for the night, here are a couple of great dinner spots:

• The Scotsman’s Pack Country Inn – A traditional pub with a hearty menu and cosy atmosphere.
• The Ashford Arms – A good option if you’re staying closer to Bakewell or Ashford-in-the-Water.

Day 3: The Roaches

Morning: Hiking The Roaches

If you’re up for one last walk, The Roaches is a fantastic way to end your Peak District weekend. We did a 2-hour out-and-back walk, which offered a mix of steep climbs, rocky steps, and some rewarding views.

There are no public toilets nearby, so think ahead. Dogs are welcome, but keep them on leads, as there’s often livestock grazing along the route. The first part of the trail winds through a dense forest, and as you climb, the views open up dramatically.

Once you hit the top, you’ll be able to see Tittesworth Reservoir—a great spot for photos. Just be warned – it was extremely windy at the top when we visited. My sister’s tiny chihuahua nearly blew away!

We recommend arriving by 9:00 AM to get a parking spot in the free lay-by here. We got the last two spaces, and it filled up quickly after that.

Lunch: The Lazy Trout

After your hike, The Lazy Trout is a perfect stop for lunch. It’s a classic countryside pub with a cosy feel. We booked a table online for an inside table with dogs.

The food was hearty and satisfying, and although the outdoor seating looked lovely, we were glad to be indoors after such a windy walk.

After lunch at The Lazy Trout, we had planned to walk around Tittesworth Reservoir, which is just a short walk away.

We were hoping for a scenic walk close to the water but found that much of the reservoir is geared more towards boating and water activities, and you can’t get quite as close to the shoreline as we expected.

That said, we still enjoyed a peaceful stroll through the surrounding forested paths and stopped for an ice cream in the visitor area.

If you’re interested in a longer walk around the reservoir, the Peak District website has a full guide: Tittesworth Reservoir Walk.

Extra Activities

If you’re not ready to head home just yet, here are a few other options to squeeze in before you leave:

• Derwent Reservoir – Great for a scenic walk or a peaceful picnic spot.
• Pavilion Gardens in Buxton – Rent a little boat on the lake or stroll through the gardens.
• Dovedale & the Stepping Stones – A popular spot for a gentle walk with iconic river crossings.

Practical Tips for the Peak District

• Pack walking boots or sturdy shoes – Many of the best walks include rocky or uneven paths, so good footwear is essential.
• Pack a raincoat or windbreaker – Weather can turn quickly, even in summer.
• Bring a baseball cap – I always pack one. It’s great for both sun and light rain.
• Dress in layers – The Peak District is known for its changeable weather. Bring a fleece or jumper that you can take on and off as needed.
• Offline maps – Mobile signal can be patchy in some areas, especially on hikes. Download offline maps ahead of time to avoid navigation issues.
• Arrive early for parking – Especially during school holidays and sunny weekends. It’s best to start your day early, avoid crowds, and have time to relax later in the afternoon.

Conclusion

Before you set off, here are a few final things to consider. If you’re planning to visit during a weekend or school holidays, I recommend booking your accommodation, car hire, and restaurants in advance.

Make sure to download offline maps, pack walking shoes, layers, and a raincoat, and arrive early at popular car parks to avoid the crowds.

If you’re still in the early planning stages and looking for more inspiration, check out my article on the Best UK Getaways for other ideas around the country that includes the Cotswolds.

And if the Peak District is just one stop on a longer UK road trip—perhaps en route to Scotland—I’ve got plenty to help you there too.

Take a look at my detailed guides, including a 4-day Scotland Itinerary, 10-day Scotland Road Trip, and 2-week Scotland Itinerary, plus tips on how to visit the Glenfinnan Viaduct and where to see puffins on Staffa Island.

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