Litton

Litton is a quaint little village that benefits from a close local community who run the shops, pub and church together. It has grown out from the 18th century, a more recent development than other surrounding villages, due to new work mining lead and then further expansion when Litton mill opened in Miller’s Dale to produce cotton. However, it isn’t visited for its historical significance but rather as a quiet countryside getaway or ‘walk through’ village for walkers to stop for pub lunch and refilling supplies on their way to somewhere else. While there aren’t too many things to do in Litton, it’s an ideal location to stay between Buxton and Bakewell and just a short distance from key places to explore in the Peak District.

The Red Lion pub is a traditional English pub and the highlight of the village. It was run by live-in residents but sold in summer 2024 to a new couple, Tomas & Kristina, who have kept the spirit alive. There is a sense of care in the overall quality and cultivating a nice atmosphere for everyone to enjoy. The food and drink tastes great, the presentation is appetising and the staff are welcoming. It’s dog friendly with outside seating to enjoy the lush green surroundings in the centre of Litton.

There are many awe-inspiring countryside walks close to Litton that we’ll cover shortly. But, to get a better feel for the area, take a look at this peaceful short walk around the village.

To start your walk, head to bottomhill road and go up the path (left in picture above).

The road is on an incline, which gives you views looking over Litton.

To your right are countryside views looking out to Tideswell in the distance.

After a short walk, you’ll reach a signpost for 3 public footpaths. We’re taking the gate to the left (the path to the right leads to a dead end). This takes you through some fields. Keep going in the same direction, over a stepping stone wall.

You’ll come out onto Hall Lane where you just go straight on.

Follow Hall Lane to the left back into the other side of Litton.

Take a left into the village centre and enjoy the shop to your left and pub to the right further on.

You will encounter the war memorial just before reaching the start point again. Litton has some of the most greenery entwined within the village to relax.

Near the memorial there is also Litton village hall where local meetings are held.

If you turn right out of Hall Lane there are some lovely houses and a bench to sit. If you keep following Mires Lane out of the village, you can get incredible views of cressbrook dale. Halfway down the long road there’s a lay-by and gate you can go through with an information board for the dale.

When planning walks in the area, keep Litton on your radar for stocking up on refreshments or grabbing some lunch. Litton shop, originally the old smithy, has been going for over 25 years and is also the village post office. It has your essentials if self catering in a holiday cottage but there’s also a Co-op in the neighbouring village of Tideswell.

Litton has a lot of the same charm as Eyam, a more popular picturesque getaway known for its history during the plague. You can avoid the crowds and expensive prices staying in a beautiful holiday cottage here, or Foolow if you want to be closer to Eyam and Stoney Middleton. These areas all have great places to eat such as The Bull’s Head (Sunday roast), Stella’s Kitchen (African/Caribbean food), Curry Cottage, Cupola cafe, or Bloom Bar & Grill for steak, burgers and pizza. Litton is a great place to detox without being part of all the tourist noise that makes the Peak District busy these days.

Tideswell is the big neighbour of Litton. Sharing the same sense of community, the village offers more liveliness, things to do, and places to see – especially for foodies. You’ll be welcomed to a great selection of award-winning restaurants, cafes and pubs. The Merchant’s Yard restaurant offers fine dining if you want to treat yourself to a romantic evening dinner. If you enjoy fruity biscuit-like cakes, try the infamous original recipe Wakes Cakes and Thar Cakes from Tindalls bakery – another award winner. Burn some calories off on a walk to Tideswell Dale, a favourite local walking spot, in 30 minutes. And check out the not so subtle ‘Cathedral of The Peak’, one of the most beautiful churches in Derbyshire.

Cressbrook Dale is a steep-sided limestone valley with rugged cliffs and lush woodlands oozing with diverse wildlife. Starting near Monsal Head or Litton, the route meanders past striking rock formations like Peter’s Stone, which resembles a mini mountain. The River Wye flows near the largely unspoilt trail, adding to the area’s peaceful charm.

Monsal dale is characterised by the incredible architecture that built the Monsal viaduct. Once used for trains, the route is now part of the famous Monsal Trail. The real gem, though, is one of the best views in the Peak District, which you’ll find in Monsal Head, which overlooks the dale. From there, you can take the Upperdale route along the river wye to Litton or head towards Monsal Head the same way via monsal dale and Cressbrook. Alternatively, drive there in 8 minutes and use the time saved to check out the beautiful nearby village of Ashford-in-the-water, which is also a stone throw from Bakewell town, home of the bakewell tart. 

Miller’s Dale is most known for being part of the Monsal Trail, making it easily accessible to the thousands of people on the popular route each day. Here you can find Litton mill residents used to work at, which has since turned into apartments. Further to the west, there’s a little beauty spot that has gained fame in recent years called Chee Dale, where you can go across stepping stones.

Eyam is known as ‘Plague Village’, honoured for the sacrifices residents made to save countless others from dying in the surrounding areas. While you can walk to Eyam in 1.5 hours, a lot of the route is along the roadside. Instead, drive from Litton to Eyam in 8 minutes and explore the village’s history at Eyam Museum and Eyam Hall.