Last Updated on April 29, 2024 by Sam
The Peak District has some of the best views in one of the most picturesque area’s of England. One of the reasons we wanted to visit was to enjoy the stunning views of craggy peaks, rolling hills and lush green countryside. Visiting the Peak District is an easy day trip to make from Manchester. Covering over 500 square miles, there’s plenty to explore in this part of the country. Even if you’re not looking for anything too strenuous, there are plenty of easy Peak District walks to enjoy. To help you decide which spots to visit we’ve created our list of the top 12 viewpoints and best views in the Peak District, some of which are easily accessible by car!
We recommend downloading AllTrails which has detailed guidance of different walks/hikes you can do that showcase the best views in the Peak District. Click here to view the Peak District trails!
The best views in the Peak District
Stanage Edge
A walk along the cliffs of Stanage Edge provides some of the best views in the Peak District National Park. As you stroll along the edge of the cliff you can get some brilliant views of the cliff face, as well as the greenery below and hills in the distance.
Stanage Edge extends for quite a while, so it’s possible to spend a few hours enjoying the views whilst wandering up and down the cliff edge. That being said, if you only have time for a quick visit you’ll still be treated to some wonderful views.
As well as being one of the best walks with views in the Peak District, Stanage Edge is also a popular spot for rock climbing. We saw a number of rock climbers on our trip, and it can be pretty amazing to watch them scale the cliff!
If you have the time, we recommend combining your trip to Stanage Edge with a visit to Higger Tor and Bamford Edge. As all three spots are close together you can plan a circular walking route between them.
Free parking is available at the Upper Burbage Bridge Car Park (postcode S32 1BR), which is near to Higger Tor. We recommend using this as your starting point and enjoying a long walk between all 3 viewpoints.
Alternatively, the Hollin Bank Car Park offers parking closer to Stanage Edge for £5 for the day (price up to date in 2024)
Don’t forget to check out our guide to the Stanage Edge walk if you’re planning on visiting!
Thor’s Cave
One of the best and most picturesque views in the Peak District can be found at Thor’s Cave. What makes it such a photogenic spot is the way the cave perfectly frames the landscape below, which is truly incredible to see in person.
The spot has gained a lot of popularity over the years, and in some cases there’s even a queue to get inside the cave, which can ruin its beauty slightly. Thankfully, if you avoid weekends and public holidays, then it’s still possible to visit Thor’s Cave when it’s quiet.
It’s best to time your trip early in the morning if you want to avoid other visitors. We visited on a Wednesday at 8.30am and we were able to have one of the best views in the Peak District all to ourselves.
If you want to make your visit a bit more special then you could always visit at sunrise or sunset for a lovely view in the Peak District. Although we didn’t visit at either time ourselves, we can imagine Thor’s Cave being one of the best sunset spots in the Peak District thanks to the area’s beauty.
Free parking can be found using the postcode DE6 2AF and making your way to Carr’s Lane, from which it’s around a 20-minute walk to the cave.
Make sure to check out our guide to the Thor’s Cave walk in the Peak District before your visit!
Bamford Edge
Bamford Edge is home to one of the best views in the Peak District. There are few lakes in this part of England, but due to the nearby Ladybower Reservoir you can still get a view of water.
It’s a short hike to the top of Bamford Edge, but its view is unique as it’s one of the only places where you can see a body of water amongst the Peak District’s hills and greenery. There are some lovely rock formations which are ideal for taking photos on with the scenic backdrop.
Make sure to check out our guide to Bamford Edge to find out everything you need to know before you visit!
Chrome Hill
In our opinion, Chrome Hill has undoubtedly to one of the best views in the Peak District. Standing at approximately 443 metres (1553 feet) tall, it offers incredible views over Parkhouse Hill and the surrounding landscape.
It’s a relatively steep walk to the summit of Chrome Hill, but you’re rewarded with some lovely views on your way to the top. Depending on the path you’ve taken you can get some fantastic views of Parkhouse Hill as you climb.
Take your time on your way up to enjoy the various viewpoints, and make sure to take some pictures from different perspectives. Once you reach the top you’ll have some sheep for company as you soak in the fantastic views.
Like with many of the places on this list it can be hard to visit using public transport, so it’s best to drive yourself if you can. There is free parking near Chrome Hill in the village of Hollinsclough.
Use the postcode SK17 0RH for your sat-nav, and as you drive into the village there is a lay-by just before you reach the Methodist Church and Hall. From there it’s approximately a 15-20 minute walk to the base of Chrome Hill, and a 20-30 minute walk to the peak from there.
Find out everything you need to know before you visit with our guide to the Chrome Hill walk!
Mam Tor
Mam Tor is the most well-known and most visited peak in the Peak District, and there’s a reason it’s popular – the views are incredible! The name Mam Tor translates as ‘mother hill’, and relates to the several smaller hills created by landslides on its eastern side.
Looking out from the summit you get some amazing views of the Peak District’s countryside, with plenty of greenery and a number of hills nearby and in the distance. From the top of Mam Tor you can see why we have put this on our best views of Peak District list!
There is a car park at the base of the Mam Tor walk, with free parking for National Trust members or costing £3.50 for non-members. It’s a relatively easy uphill walk from the car park, taking around 15 minutes to reach the summit to enjoy the views.
If you want to enjoy a longer walk on your trip then you may want to continue onwards to Lose Hill, which you can visit on a circular walk encompassing Mam Tor and the village of Castleton. It’s a slightly different route, but you can use this guide as a good basis for the circular route.
Alport Castles
Formed by a landslide, the unique gritstone mounds known as Alport Castles make for one of the best views in the Peak district. The name can be slightly confusing as there isn’t a castle here, but the mounds do bear a resemblance to castle towers.
Viewpoints at the Alport Castles offer some remarkable views of this natural feature and the surrounding scenery. It’s even possible to scramble up the infamous ‘Tower’ to get a different perspective of the area, although only try this if you’re confident as it’s classified as a grade 1 scramble.
It takes around 3-4 hours to walk to Alport Castles from the Derwent Overlook Car Park, but you will get to enjoy incredible views along the way. In our opinion it’s one of the most scenic walks in the Peak District, thanks to a 45-60 minute section along a plateau with views of hills, peaks and a valley below.
Despite the incredible views, it’s still somewhat of a hidden gem and isn’t particularly crowded. If you want to visit before it increases in popularity then make sure to check out our guide to the amazing Alport Castles walk!
Cave Dale
One of the views that surprised us the most during our time in the Peak District was the lovely Cave Dale. This unique limestone valley was formed by glacial water, which created a stunning ravine on the edge of the bustling town of Castleton.
The view from inside the dale is one of the most beautiful views in the Peak District, with the steep valley sides creating a place of true natural beauty. If you follow the path you can reach viewpoints overlooking the stunning Cave Dale, as well as Peveril Castle and the surrounding scenery.
We planned our trip here to coincide with our visit to Mam Tor, so we were able to make it a stop on a long walk over several hours. If you decide to do that you can make use of the parking at Mam Tor and plan your own route to the dale from there.
Alternatively, parking is available at the car parks in the village of Castleton, which is ideal if you just want to visit Cave Dale itself. There are two public car parks in the village, one which accepts coins only and one which accepts coins and card payments.
Prices vary depending on the car park and how long you plan to stay, but it’s quite easy to find up-to-date prices using google. Considering there is easy access to parking nearby, it’s one of the best views in the Peak District to visit by car.
Make sure to read our guide to the Cave Dale walk before you visit!
Parkhouse Hill
Our visit to Parkhouse Hill was particularly memorable – partly thanks to the amazing views from the summit and partly because we scrambled all the way up the side of the hill as we couldn’t find the path!
From the top you get brilliant views of the nearby Chrome Hill, and in our opinion it’s one of the best viewpoints in the Peak District. Even before you climb you get some lovely views of Parkhouse Hill itself, which is an impressive ragged hill dominating the landscape.
Unsurprisingly, we recommend sticking to the path on your visit, as it’s substantially easier than climbing directly up the side which is very steep. There are two paths up from opposite sides of the hill, and you can either retrace your steps on the way down or take the other path.
To find the easier path up Parkhouse Hill follow the single track road along the base of the hill, leading away from Chrome Hill. After a short distance you will reach a stone wall, and if you follow along the inside of the wall you should be able to find the path up.
It’s around a 10-20 minute walk up the hill, and can still involve quite a bit of scrambling even when you take the right path! The alternative path up Parkhouse Hill is closer to Chrome Hill, but it is quite steep near the start so we think the other path is probably easier.
Be warned, Parkhouse Hill isn’t for everyone, as it’s quite a steep walk and the path at the top can be quite narrow. We recommend climbing both Parkhouse Hill and Chrome Hill one after the other, which in our opinion is one of the best walks in the Peak District.
If you’re planning to visit then make sure to read our guide to the Parkhouse Hill walk so that you’re fully prepared for your trip!
The Roaches
The Roaches is a beautiful rocky ridge with some of the most amazing views in the Peak District. It’s a particularly scenic spot thanks to the ridge’s dramatic rock formations which tower above the countryside below.
With such impressive scenery it’s hardly a surprise that the Roaches ridge is a popular spot for walking and hiking. There are a few different short walks or long hikes to enjoy along the ridge, so you can enjoy some great views regardless of how active you’re feeling!
One spot not to miss at the Roaches though is the eerie Doxey Pool, which legend says is haunted by an evil mermaid. She allegedly drags unsuspecting passers-by into the pool’s waters if they stray too close – so be sure to keep a safe distance! Doxey pool is supposedly connected to the nearby Blake Mere Mermaid Pool, which is also worth a visit if you want to ‘double’ your chances of seeing a mermaid.
Find out more about this lovely spot with our guide to the Roaches walk in the Peak District!
Ramshaw Rocks
If you’re looking to do a bit of scrambling in the Peak District then make sure to visit the Ramshaw Rocks. The views may not be quite as breathtaking as some of the others on this list, but it’s still well worth a visit for the the ruggedness of the rocks themselves along with the surrounding landscape.
There are a number of large rocks here, which are perfect for climbing up to discover different vantage points. Even if you don’t climb up the rocks themselves, you’ll still get to enjoy views of the Peak District’s beautiful countryside.
There is free parking directly beside the rocks, listed as Ramshaw Rocks layby on Google Maps, but there is limited space. If you’re going to be driving near the rocks it’s an ideal place for a quick stop off, as you won’t need too long to enjoy the rocks and the scenery.
Higger Tor
Higger Tor is one of the Peak District’s lesser-known views, and is generally more popular with locals and dog-walkers. It offers 360 degree views of the Peak District’s villages, hills and greenery.
It’s another spot to go scrambling in the Peak District, as there are some large rocks which can be climbed to offer different views.
Free parking is available a short distance from Higger Tor at the Upper Burbage Bridge Car Park, postcode S32 1BR. It’s a relatively short walk from the car park to to the viewpoint overlooking the Peak District, so it’s ideal if you don’t want too long of a walk.
If you are up for a longer walk though, you can combine a visit to Higger Tor with two more of the Peak District’s best viewpoints at Stanage Edge and Bamford Edge.
Find out more before you visit with our guide to the Higger Tor walk!
Monsal Head
Monsal Head is one of the Peak District’s most famous and best viewpoints, offering a scenic view of the Monsal Dale and Headstone Viaduct below. The hilly landscape along with the arches of the viaduct make it particularly picturesque, so it’s well worth a quick visit.
There is a car park directly beside the Monsal Head viewpoint, which makes it one of the best views in the Peak District to visit by car. Parking costs £1.50 per hour, but realistically you won’t need that long unless you’re planning on taking a walk or visiting the Monsal Head Hotel Pub.
Getting around the Peak District
The easiest way to explore the best viewpoints of the Peak District is by driving. Although some of the viewpoints are close to each other, you’ll still need to cover a reasonable distance if you want to visit them all.
Having a car is a lot more convenient than using public transport as in most instances you’re able to park nearby to the viewpoints. If you opt to take trains or buses around the Peak District then you may need to either pay for a taxi (if you can find one) or walk long distances to get to where you want to go.
Another great thing about travelling around the Peak District by car is that you can stop as and when you want to admire the views and do as many walks as you would like. If you have your own car then you’re all set, but if not then it’s worth renting one for your trip.
We personally recommend arranging your rental through Discover Cars as as they compare prices with lots of operators, and so it’s a quick and easy way to find the best price.
Click here to get a car rental quote for your trip on the Discover Cars website!
Where to stay in the Peak District
The H Boutique Hotel
The wonderful H Boutique Hotel is well-located in the centre of Bakewell town, making it a perfect base for exploring the Peak District. With spacious and comfortable rooms, the hotel is the ideal place to unwind after some long walks and hikes.
Its location in the centre of town means the hotel is nearby to a number of shops, restaurants and pubs, as well as having a bar and restaurant on site. One of the advantages of staying here is that rooms have air conditioning, which can be particularly useful if you’re visiting during the summer.
The one slight downside is that there is no parking available at the hotel, but there are several private car parks in Bakewell to make use of.
Prices at the hotel start from £150 per night, but rates do vary. Breakfast is available at the property for an extra cost and can be arranged when booking online.
Click here to book a stay at the brilliant H Boutique Hotel on Booking.com!
The Brosterfield Suite
Another brilliant accommodation option is the Brosterfield Suite at Brosterfield Farm. It’s located in the centre of the Peak District and offers free parking on site, so it’s ideal for anyone exploring the area by car.
The suite is well-furnished with a comfortable king-size bed and satellite TV, so you can unwind after a long day of exploring. There is also a separate kitchenette with a fridge freezer, which is sure to come in handy during your stay.
Prices start from £89 per night, but there is only one suite available. Fortunately Brosterfield Farm have a few other options available on Booking.com’s website if the suite isn’t available on your desired dates.
Click here to arrange a stay in the lovely Brosterfield Suite on Booking.com!
Alternatively, VRBO have some fantastic accommodation options if you want to rent a property instead of staying at a hotel! Click here to see the amazing options on the VRBO website!
If you’re looking to visit other spots nearby then check out our itinerary for Liverpool as well as a weekend in Manchester.
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