Plantlife Deep Dale Nature Reserve

The dale itself is the thing here - a proper limestone valley that cuts through the Derbyshire landscape with vertical rockface walls and a stream running through the bottom. Plantlife Deep Dale Nature Reserve protects a stretch of this that's genuinely worth the walk, especially if you're based at one of the nearby campsites around Bakewell.

You're looking at a narrow gorge hike rather than a gentle stroll. The path winds down into the valley floor where rare plants cling to the cliff faces - alpine plants that shouldn't exist this far south, limestone-loving species you won't see elsewhere. It's a botanist's playground, but non-experts still get the dramatic scenery and the sense of stepping into something properly wild. The stream adds real atmosphere on wet days.

Allow two to three hours if you're doing the full route. It's free to access, and there's parking near Bakewell. The walk itself isn't hugely strenuous but the path can be muddy and narrow in places - not ideal for very young kids or anyone struggling with uneven ground. Spring and early summer are best for the wildflowers, though it's worth visiting any time if you like proper dale walks.

From Greenhills, Dale Farm, or Knotlow Farm you're only a couple of miles away, making it a natural fit for a Peak District camping holiday. Pair it with the easier riverside walks elsewhere in the area and you've got a decent day sorted. It's not Instagram-famous, which is precisely why it's worth going.