Suicide Cave(Horseshoe Cave)

The walk up to Horseshoe Cave from Hope Valley is steep and takes about 45 minutes if you're not dawdling, but the limestone cave itself sits tucked into the hillside like nature's own doorway. It's free to enter - no visitor centre, no gift shop, just you and the rock formations. The cave mouth opens wide enough to stand upright in, though the passage narrows quickly as you head deeper. Most people turn back after a few metres unless they've brought proper caving gear and torches.

History types will find this interesting: the darker name comes from a legend of a woman who supposedly took her own life here centuries ago, though the actual story's been lost to time. The Horseshoe part is more straightforward - the cave curves in a rough U-shape. It's the kind of spot that appeals to walkers tackling the High Peak area rather than day-trippers looking for something to do for three hours.

Young kids might find the walk up more of a slog than the cave itself rewards, and the novelty wears off once you realise how little there is to see beyond the entrance chamber. Proper cavers and geology enthusiasts will get more from it.

The nearest caravan parks - Castleton Caravan and Motorhome Club Campsite is closest at just over a mile away - make decent bases for exploring this part of Derbyshire. Pair it with a walk around Mam Tor or a visit to Speedwell Cavern if you want a fuller day out. Go in dry weather; it gets slippery.