Shining Tor

The walk up Shining Tor takes about an hour from the car park, and on a clear day you'll understand why locals rate it so highly. At just over 500 metres, it's not exactly Alpine, but the views across the Peak District are genuinely worth the climb - Buxton spreads out below you on one side, and on the other you're looking across proper moorland that feels properly remote.

It's a straightforward hike, well-trodden and signposted, so families with older kids will manage it without fuss. Younger children might find the trudge a bit much, though the scramble to the summit keeps things interesting. The peak itself is marked by a distinctive cairn, and there's a real sense of accomplishment when you reach it - the sort of feeling that makes a holiday feel properly active rather than just wandering about.

Go early if you can, especially on weekends. By mid-morning in summer the car park fills up and you'll be sharing the path with everyone else from Cheshire. Midweek visits are noticeably quieter. The ground gets boggy after rain, so pick a dry day.

If you're based at one of the nearby caravan parks - Buxton Caravan and Motorhome Club Campsite is closest at just 3.5 miles - Shining Tor makes an excellent morning's activity before heading back for lunch. Pair it with a visit to Buxton itself for a proper day out. It's free, naturally, and takes roughly two hours with a decent break at the top.