The Peak District is the perfect playground for outdoor types, with walking, mountain biking, climbing and caving among the hot sports and activities on offer throughout Britain's first National Park.



The area has more than its fair share of historic and cultural attractions including a World Heritage site based around the mill industry of the past, the largest collection of motorsport memorabilia imaginable, and the inspirational landscape of Jane Austen's novel Pride and Prejudice.

The Peak District, around 150 miles from London, remains generally unspoilt by commercialism and whilst its clouded hills have a rugged beauty you will never be short of something to do. Here are ten ideas:-

Walking

A vast landscape of moorland, hilltops, deep valleys and dales means there is a large number of interesting walks to do in the Peak District area. There are over 1,600 miles of public footpaths and rights of way, which provide walking routes for all abilities. Most of the routes are well signposted or waymarked. Popular long-distance walks include the Tissington, High Peak and Monsal Trails. Walking in the Peak leaves no carbon footprint. A holiday, hiking across the hills, is good for the hiker and good for the environment.

Rock Climbing

Rock climbing is extremely popular in the Peak District, and the National Park provides thousands of routes on hundreds of crags. It is also an excellent place in which to start learning to climb.

Caving

The National Park has an abundance of natural caves, making it a Mecca for cavers. In addition to natural caves and potholes, there are also many old mines worthy of exploration by experienced cavers. For those who prefer a more sedate approach there are some wonderful show caverns including the Blue John Cavern, Speedwell Cavern and Treak Cliff Cavern.

Mountain biking

It is easy to come across groups of fellow mountain bikers at some of the main centres for the sport including those in Hope Valley and Upper Derwent Valley although good routes also start from other locations such as the Peak Forest and Tideswell. There are sufficient bridle paths in the area to provide plenty of other routes as well.

Pride and Prejudice Country

If you've seen the latest movie adaptation of the Jane Austen novel, check out some of the locations that provided inspiration for the author and film sets for the movie. Locations such as Chatsworth House, Haddon Hall and Sudbury Hall are all featured in the film. Chatsworth - the stateliest of stately homes - is the greatest of the Peak District houses. Its size and splendour (together with an extraordinary collection of paintings, ornamental gardens and an enthusiasm to welcome visitors) have made it synonymous with the Peak park. Haddon Hall, as near to being its next-door neighbour as it is possible for two stately homes to be, is almost as grand.

Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site

This World Heritage Site is a real step back in time to the 18th and 19th centuries, and is where water power was first successfully harnessed for textile production. On a 15-mile stretch down the river valley from Matlock Bath to Derby there is a series of historic mill complexes, including some of the world's first modern factories and the watercourses that powered them. There are examples of the settlements that were built for the mill workers, and the remains of one of the world's earliest steam railways all surrounded by a beautiful countryside that has changed little over two centuries.

Unspoilt Limestone Villages

Discover the many unspoilt limestone villages in Derbyshire, including Eyam, the plague village. In 1665 the villagers of Eyam decided to stay and die, one by one, rather than spread the pestilence throughout the county. The "Plague Cottages" still stand as a monument to their extraordinary sacrifice. Enjoy summer carnivals, well dressings and country shows that are a constant feature of village life in the Peak District. Enjoy home-made food and an array of fine beers and wines in excellent restaurants, hotels and bed and breakfast accommodation.

Fishing

There is a wide variety of fishing opportunities in the area, with the Wye, the Dove, the Lathkill and the Derwent rivers all providing good fly fishing. More southerly, the lower reaches of the Derwent and the Trent offer good opportunities for coarse fishing, while there are also numerous gravel pits, ponds, lakes, canals and reservoirs to try out.

Yorkshire Sculpture Park

Set in the beautiful grounds and gardens of the 500-acre Bretton Country Park, an 18thC country estate, Yorkshire Sculpture Park is one of the world's leading open-air galleries and presents a changing programme of international sculpture exhibitions. Located near Wakefield, the landscape provides a variety of magnificent scenic vistas of the valley, lakes and 18thC estate buildings and bridges. By organising a number of temporary exhibitions each year, there is always something new to see. The new visitor centre provides all-weather facilities including a large restaurant/shop/coffee bar/meeting rooms.

Donington Grand Prix Collection

Located at Donington Park, the Donington Grand Prix Collection is, quite simply, the largest collection of Grand Prix racing cars in the world. Five halls, with over 130 exhibits, illustrate the history of motor sport from the turn of the 20th Century. Cars include examples driven by such famous names as Nuvolari, Mansell, Prost, Moss, Senna, Fangio, Clark and Stewart.

Those of us who live in the Peak park think of it as a peaceful place. Those of you that visit will marvel at its natural beauty, its history and traditions and then have to think about booking your next vacation because you have run out of time.

For more details on the Peak District and Derbyshire try www.peakdistrictview.com