Things to do in January and February

Edale is a fantastic area to walk in at all times of the year. Everyday the scenery looks different, and there are short walks or long walks to suit your mood and ability. Today I left the house early and walked for an hour up Ollerbrook Clough and along to Nether Booth and didn't see a soul. The sky was clear, it was a little windy and the visibility was excellent.

But what is there to do when you don't feel like heading out in the elements, or curling up in front of the fire with a book, or watching a DVD and drinking a glass of wine? The stately homes and Chatsworth are closed until March, although the Stables Restaurant and shops at Chatsworth are open daily from 10 am - 4pm. Visit www.chatsworth.org for more details.

To start with, there are the caves in Castleton. Castleton itself is a lovely little village with coffee shops and gifts shops, and sits at the base of Winnat's Pass, one of the Peak District's most spectacular natural features. Choose from Speedwell Cavern, where you can explore the underground caves by boat, Peak Cavern, or Treak Cliff and Blue John Caverns to see the famous flurospar artefacts, known as Blue John, in all it's glory. www.derbyshireuk.net/castleton.htm


Tideswell is on the up! www.peakdistrictinformation.com/towns/tideswell.php There are coffee shops, delicatessens, pubs and interesting little shops to explore here, as well Tideswell's magnificent church. Tideswell is known as 'the cathedral of the Peak' and was recently featured on television, as it is becoming a 'foodie' destination www.tastetideswell.co.uk. Tideswell has its own school of food, promoting 'The Taste of Tideswell'.

Bakewell is a lovely market town, and home to the famous Bakewell Pudding. There are actually two bakeries claiming to be the original maker of this famous dish. There are lots of interesting shops and eateries to discover, a museum and an interesting church steeped in history. www.bakewellonline.co.uk

Buxton was once a spa town to rival Bath, with an imposing crescent and Opera House. Whilst it isn't as magnificent as Bath, there is still plenty to do and see in Buxton, including the Opera House, regular exhibitions and Farmers' Markets. The tiny Opera House is host to plays and cinema throughout the year, and in the summer there is the renowned festival to attend. Watch this space for a list of events or visit www.visitbuxton.co.uk

A little further afield both Sheffield and Manchester are easily accessible by rail from Edale station. The scenic Hope Valley Line has been named as one of the most stunning in the country, and it is worth a trip to Hathersage or Chinley just for the views. Hathersage has plenty of cafes and shops to potter in until your return journey, and the David Mellor shop and museum is well worth a visit, too. www.davidmellordesign.com. Why not have a meal at The Plough Inn, voted Derbyshire dining pub of the year? www.theploughinn-hathersage.co.uk


In Sheffield you can visit the Millennium Gallery, the Winter Gardens (inside, and warm), Weston Park Museum, where there is currently an exhibition on China, Journey to the East, or The Graves Art Gallery www.museums-sheffield.org.uk. For those that want it, there is also Meadowhall. Catch a tram from the main line station to Meadowhall and shop until you drop, have a meal or go the cinema.

In Manchester, there is good, designer shopping to be had, as well as visiting The Lowry at Salford Quays, The City Art Gallery at Mosley Street (wonderful pre-Raphaelite paintings, and there is currently a Ford Maddox Brown exhibition), plus the largest China Town in the UK outside London. Take advantage of the free bus service from the station www.visitmanchester.com for more details of what is on, including the theatres.

For foodies, why not visit Fischer's at Baslow Hall www.fischers-baslowhall.co.uk, Rowleys www.rowleysrestaurant.co.uk, The Old Vicarage at Ridgeway www.theoldvicarage.co.uk, or the Chatsworth Farm Shop www.chatsworth.org/shop-eat/the-farm-shop? There is an excellent cheese shop in Hartington for cheese www.hartingtoncheeseshop.co.uk, as well as the Chatsworth Farm Shop for just about everything, and not forgetting Watson's Farm Shop in Hope, full of local produce.

After all your sight-seeing you can relax and get pampered at Lose Hill Hall Spa, www.losehillhouse.co.uk and choose from a variety of treatments, use the hot tub and go for a swim, or visit Lisa's in Hope or Glow in Hathersage for a little bit of TLC.

Enjoy!