Peak District National Park
Discover Peak District with DFDS
The Peak District and Derbyshire is a special destination in the heart of England, home to one of the oldest national parks in the country. This area is renowned for its stunning scenery, with rugged moorland and peaceful valleys, making it some of the most beautiful scenery in the UK.
In addition to its natural beauty, the area also has impressive cultural attractions, including some of the most beautiful stately homes in the country. These places provide an excellent opportunity to immerse yourself in the country's unique heritage.
DFDS Travel Tip: Staying in nearby Manchester? Then you can make a day trip to Derbyshire and the Peak District from here. Walk through the rolling hills, taste traditional delicacies and discover the ancient limestone cave of Poole's Cavern.
How to reach Peak District
The Peak District is located in the center of England, an hour's drive from Manchester and Sheffield. From the city of Leeds you are there within 45 minutes. From our ferry port in Newcastle you can reach the Peak District National Park in approximately 2 hours 20 minutes on the A1(M) to Barnsley. Traveling from our ports in the south of England, Dover and Newhaven, the park is approximately a 4-hour drive away.
The area itself has excellent public transport links to the surrounding towns.
What to see in the Peak District & Derbyshire?
The Peak District National Park can be divided into two main areas - the Dark Peak, known for its rugged moorland and gritstone rock formations, and the White Peak, a gentler landscape of lush limestone meadows, glens and winding river valleys. Both areas are ideal for walking and cycling, but you can also go climbing and horse riding.
The area is home to quintessentially English villages such as Castleton, which is renowned for its beautiful caves and picturesque streets below the imposing ruins of Peveril Castle. Nearby, the quaint village of Edale is a popular starting point for some of the area's finest walks - including the iconic climb of Kinder Scout, the highest point in the Peak District - while the Upper Derwent Valley is home to beautiful reservoirs and waterside walks.
Lively market towns to visit include Bakewell, the largest town in the National Park and the birthplace of the famous Bakewell pudding; Buxton, popular for its beautiful Victorian and Georgian architecture; Belper, voted one of Britain's best shopping streets; and Matlock and Matlock Bath, former Victorian spa towns transformed into vibrant tourist destinations on the River Derwent.
Landmarks and historic houses
There are plenty of attractions to enjoy in the Peak District and Derbyshire. The area has an abundance of historic homes, including one of England's finest stately homes, Chatsworth, the ancestral home of the Dukes of Devonshire, and Haddon Hall, considered one of England's best maintained medieval homes.
For families, there are plenty of places to explore, including The Heights of Abraham in Matlock Bath, a large hilltop park reached by cable car; Crich Tramway Village, which houses the National Tramway Museum; Great British Car Journey, charting 100 years of British motoring history; and a host of wildlife parks and farms with activities for all ages.
Culture vultures can visit a range of free museums and historic sites such as the UNESCO Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site. Here you will find Cromford Mills, the birthplace of the world's first factory system and the recently opened Derby Museum of Making.
Our Routes to the UK
Amsterdam-Newcastle Ferry Crossings
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Calais-Dover Ferry Crossings
Our Calais to Dover route is the shortest crossing we provide and is the perfect way to cross the Channel to the UK.
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Crossing the Channel from Dieppe to Newhaven provides you with the ideal gateway to the UK.
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Travel Guides
Motorcycle tour to England
Plan your individual motorcycle tour from the north of England over the Lake District and Wales to the south of England or vice versa. You decide yourself the pace: Where, when and how long you stay in one place.
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