Gardom's Edge

Bronze Age stones pierce the horizon line like ancient sentinels, marking this windswept ridge above the Derwent Valley. Gardom's Edge delivers one of the Peak District's most rewarding short walks, combining prehistoric mystery with sweeping views across Derbyshire's rolling moorland.

The stone circle and scattered rock art here date back 4,000 years, but it's the panoramic vista that steals the show. On a clear day you can see across to Kinder Scout and the Dark Peak, with Chatsworth House's parkland spread out below like a green carpet. Worth noting though - this is proper exposed moorland, so wrap up warm even in summer.

Families with older children will love the treasure hunt element of finding the cup-and-ring marked stones, though the terrain can be boggy underfoot. Serious walkers often combine this with longer routes towards Birchen Edge or down into Chatsworth Park. Allow at least an hour for a decent explore, longer if you fancy extending the walk.

From Bakewell, it's a straightforward drive up through Baslow - look for the small car park on the B6001. The walk to the stones takes about 15 minutes across heather moorland that's absolutely glorious when it flowers in late summer. Several nearby campsites like Darwin Forest make this a cracking addition to a Peak District break, especially if you're after something more atmospheric than the usual tourist hotspots.