Black Edge - South Top

The walk up Black Edge to South Top isn't a difficult climb, but it's one that rewards you properly once you're there. From Buxton, it's a straightforward push into the moorland above town, and you'll find yourself on a ridge that opens out across the White Peak in every direction. On a clear day the views are genuinely outstanding - you can see for miles across limestone country and the sprawl of the town below feels small and distant.

This is a proper walkers' thing. You're not going to find a café or facilities up here, so pack a flask and settle in for an hour or so if the weather's decent. The path itself is well-trodden and accessible enough for anyone with reasonable fitness, though it can get boggy in the wetter months. Allow two hours return from the car park, more if you want to lounge about at the top with a sandwich.

Families with children will find it manageable - not too steep, and kids usually respond well to the sense of space and air at the summit. History types won't find much to chew on, but walkers and outdoor photographers will be very content indeed. It's the sort of place you go for the view and the walk itself rather than a destination with attractions.

Stay at any of the nearby parks - Lime Tree Holiday Park, Beech Croft Farm, or Peak Glamping Hideaway are all within reach of Buxton - and you can easily slot this into a wider Peak District ramble. It's free, obviously, and best visited on a clear morning before the clouds roll in.