CastletonSights

Sights in Castleton

  1. A

    Peveril Castle

    Topping the ridge to the south of Castleton, this evocative castle has been so ravaged by the centuries that it almost looks like a crag itself. Constructed by William Peveril, son of William the Conqueror, the castle was used as a hunting lodge by Henry II, King John and Henry III, and the crumbling ruins offer swoon-inducing views over the Hope Valley.

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  2. B

    Speedwell Cavern

    Claustrophobics should steer clear of Speedwell Cavern , which includes a unique boat trip through a flooded mineshaft, where visitors glide in eerie silence (save for the garrulous guides) to reach a huge subterranean lake called the Bottomless Pit.

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  3. C

    Peak Cavern

    The most convenient, Peak Cavern , is easily reached by a pretty streamside walk from the village centre. It has the largest natural cave entrance in England, known (not so prettily) as the Devil's Arse. Visits are by hourly guided tour only.

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  4. D

    Blue John Cavern

    Blue John Cavern is an impressive set of natural caverns, where the rich veins of the Blue John mineral are dazzling. You can get here on foot up the closed section of the Mam Tor road.

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  5. E

    Treak Cliff Cavern

    Treak Cliff Cavern is a short walk from Castleton, with colourful exposed seams of Blue John and great limestone stalactites including the much-photographed ‘stork'.

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  6. Castleton Museum

    Attached to the tourist office, the cute town museum has displays on everything from mining and geology to rock climbing, hang-gliding and the curious Garland Festival.

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  8. Castleton Caves

    The limestone caves around town have been mined for lead, silver and the semiprecious Blue John Stone for centuries and four are open to the public on guided tours.

    Peak Cavern

    (01433-620285; www.devilsarse.com; adult/child £7.75/5.75; h10am-5pm, tours hourly till 4pm) A short walk from the castle tourist office is the largest natural cave entrance in England, known locally as the Devil's Arse. Should you choose to enter Beelzebub's rocky crevasse, you'll see some dramatic limestone formations, lit with fibreoptic cables.

    Speedwell Cavern

    (01433-621888; www.speedwellcavern.co.uk; adult/child £8.25/6.25; 10am-5pm, tours hourly till 4pm) About half a mile west of Castleton at …

    reviewed