Tucked away near the Peak District National Park, this delightful rural village provides the ideal stopping point during a Derbyshire ramble, with numerous welcoming pubs just a short stroll away.
Located directly beside the renowned Mam Tor, a 517-metre peak within the national park, Castleton ranks among the most spectacularly positioned villages in the region. The settlement is completely encircled by breathtaking vistas of limestone and gritstone escarpments, which regularly draw visitors from cities like Sheffield and Manchester who journey specifically to witness these natural wonders.
Numerous visitors pause in the village either before or following a day spent climbing the hill, with its stone-paved pathway guiding walkers along a circular route spanning approximately three miles. The moderate trek requires up to two hours to complete - a journey well deserving of a celebratory drink afterwards.
One recent hiker shared on TripAdvisor: "I finally decided to pay Mam Tor a visit to walk up to rather than just driving past it. It's so dominating on the horizon as you drive through Castleton. Now, you can walk up to it from a variety of paths. The tourist path from the official Mam Tor car park is a popular one; however, you pay for car parking there, and it usually gets busy."
At its core lies a thoroughly English settlement, packed with public houses, tea shops, bakeries and retail outlets, ideal for leisurely browsing. Highly-rated drinking establishments within the village feature The George, Ye Olde Nags Head, 1530 The Restaurant and the Bulls Head.
All situated within walking distance of one another, the pubs provide the perfect sanctuary following a lengthy day and maintain a brilliant ambience throughout the year. Steeped in heritage, Ye Olde Nags Head is thought to be the most ancient in the locality, having traded since the 17th century.
One patron commented: "The pub is lovely, warm and welcoming. The staff were very friendly. The building is old and tired in places, but it's part of the character of the place."
Beyond the ale offerings, the locality boasts a remarkable density of coffee shops, considering the village's modest size, providing travellers with a caffeine fix and delicious treats. Regardless of weather conditions, both residents and tourists pack the establishments for a warming beverage and their locally crafted cakes, biscuits and other confections - delectable and completely Instagram-worthy.
Castleton is considered to be the sole location globally where the rare mineral Blue John can be found, nestled within several of its underground treasure chambers. Four caverns in total welcome visitors for exploration, featuring Peak Cavern, Speedwell Cavern, Treak Cliff Cavern and Blue John Mine.
The most sought-after destination is Peak Cavern, positioned beneath Peveril Castle, comically dubbed 'the devil's arse'. Enthusiastic adventurers travel to the location to enjoy guided tours lasting more than an hour, explaining its past and revealing the complexities of this subterranean marvel.