Weekend Break to Castleton in the Peak District
If you’re looking for a classic Peak District weekend with big views, cosy pubs, and walks right from your doorstep, Castleton is hard to beat. It’s a popular place for a weekend break in the Peak District, and for good reason! Whether you’re after dramatic scenery, a pint by the fire, or a base for some classic Peak District hikes, Castleton really does have it all. I’ve linked some hiking routes below, complete with maps and GPX files, so you can plan your own weekend adventure.
Over the weekend, we squeezed in two brilliant walks. The first was a 4.5-mile circular route up Winnats Pass, over Mam Tor and along to Hollins Cross – a proper Peak District favourite with incredible views from start to finish. The next day we took on a 5-mile walk up Cave Dale to Bradwell Moor trig point, a quieter route with sweeping limestone views and plenty of peace once you leave the village behind.
Castleton is a great place to base yourself if you want to catch a Peak District sunrise – Mam Tor and Winnats Pass are both really popular places for this and are so easy to get to from Castleton.
There are plenty of shops, cafes and pubs to explore and even if you don’t fancy a big hike, there’s plenty to see in the village itself.
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Castleton Ye Old Nags Head
We based ourselves at Ye Old Nags Head, a welcoming pub right in the heart of the village. The Winhill room was perfect for a comfy stay, and the breakfasts were seriously good – the kind that set you up for a full day on the hills. The pub has a private car park (always a bonus in Castleton!) and meant we could enjoy some car-free walks on the hills.
Castleton Mam Tor Walk
This walk from Castleton heads up Winnats Pass for some of the best views in the Peak District before heading over to Mam Tor, along the Great Ridge to Hollins Cross. It then heads down the old coffin route back into Castleton where there’s plenty of pub stops to choose from. This Castleton Mam Tor walk is a steady 4.5 miles, perfect for a morning hike.
Cave Dale and Bradwell Moor Trig Point Walk
This Castleton walk takes you through beautiful Cave Dale and on to the Bradwell Moor trig point. At just over 5 miles this is one of the best walks in Castleton you can do (especially if you’re bagging Ethels or Peak District trig points).
Fancy a different walk? There are plenty of Castleton walks to enjoy such as:
Castleton, Mam Tor and The Great Ridge Walk | 7 Miles
Winnats Pass Scramble Walk [+ Best View Points!] | 3 Miles
Winnats Pass and Mam Tor Circular Walk | 6 Miles
If you’re planning a weekend in Castleton in the Peak District, you’ll find it’s the perfect mix of adventure and relaxation. You can spend your mornings climbing iconic hills, your afternoons exploring caves or browsing little village shops, and your evenings tucked away in a cosy pub with a pint and a hearty meal. Whether it’s your first visit or your fifth, there’s always something new to discover in this corner of the Peak District – and it’s a place that’ll keep calling you back.
