Where is the best place to live in the Peak District?

The Peak District National Park is a place beloved by millions. It’s become one of the most popular countryside getaways in the UK, and as people increasingly flock to experience beauty spots around the region, along with greater freedom to work remotely, demand has also risen for people looking to live here. Average property prices are up to £323,050. Most residents consist of families, retirees, outdoor enthusiasts, and those looking for a quieter life. There are countless reasons to move here from more urban areas, a few of the benefits include:

• Crime rates are low
• More space for privacy and walking
• A community feel with friendly neighbours
• Good for wellbeing and slower pace of life
• Stunning countryside views wherever you go
• Independent shops and locally sourced goods
• High property growth and holiday home rental prices
• Central England location near Sheffield, Manchester, Leeds and Midlands

With that said, not all areas are created equal. There are certain locations that are sought after to the point where you might find there are 0 property listings for sale much of the time. So where is the best place to live in the Peak District? Since people move here for different reasons, we’ll break it down based on reputation, desirability, practicality, local amenities, and property appeciation.

Bakewell is the ‘capital’ of the Peak District and home to the infamous bakewell tart (the original pudding shop is still there). It’s one of the only towns in a region comprised of villages. As a result, it’s also the main access point for easy public transport, particularly for bus routes. Tourists flood to bakewell all-year round, which has its pros and cons. On the plus side, you’ll be close to lots of quirky shops, cafes, big supermarkets, and events such as carnivals and markets. The park is often buzzing with life and boasts tennis courts, football pitches, and children’s playgrounds inclusive of a water area. Fuel stations are easily accessible and the local school, Lady Manners, is the most revered for education in the Peak District. It’s ideal for families and retirees who like to stay somewhere busy without too many safety concerns.

Baslow is one of those high-end places that come with prestige but you’ll pay the price for it with the median house price coming in at around £565,600. This isn’t so surprising given the close proximity to Bakewell and Chatsworth House which is home to the Duke of Devonshire and inspiration for Pemberley House in Jane Austen’s iconic novel, Pride and Prejudice. The village is held in high regard with beautiful houses boasting generous land space compared to most villages. It also has an award-winning restaurant, Fischer’s Baslow Hall, along with other quality restaurants.

If you have money and love walks and long hikes, Edale is the perfect spot nestled in the rolling hills. Many of the properties are as expansive as the views with generous amounts of land. Staring at the horizon while sipping tea in your garden has never been so bliss. You’ll meet plenty of walking enthusiasts with interesting stories who stop off at hikers bar. And as a part of Hope Valley, you have easy access to other stunning beauty spots and the highest peaks in the Peak District such as Kinder Scout and Mam Tor.

Not too far away in Hope Valley is the village of Castleton. As the name suggests there are ruins of Peveril Castle that you can visit, which gives the village an aura of historical importance. If you want to be close to the stunning views but you enjoy the idea of regular trips around the village exploring quirky shops then Castleton is more up your street than Edale. Your jaws will drop every time you drive in or out through Winnats Pass. Whether you want some of the best cycling, hiking and caving experiences or Peak District pubs, this is truly the place to be if you want it all. Plus, Hope station is a 5 minute drive which can take you either to Manchester in 50 minutes or Sheffield in 25 minutes so reaching some of the UK’s best cities is never too much hassle. However, expect most of the people you meet to be tourists.

Hathersage is another popular destination for walkers and food connoisseurs. It has a high concentration of good quality dine-ins and takeouts that won’t disappoint,  including an award-winning restaurant and cocktail bar. Property in Hathersage is always in demand and makes a great investment. It’s quite a big village compared to others so comes with extra amenities such as a swimming pool, pharmacy, petrol station, and railway. Though, there is a bit less of a community feel unless you get involved in village traditions and societies. Still, it manages to embody the Peak District’s identity while being only 10-15 minutes away from Sheffield. Along the way you’ll find breathtaking scenes prime for walking like Surprise View and Higger Tor.

If you like a fairy tale vision of a well kept, picturesque village with glimmering streams, houses covered with ivy and flower decorations, and cricket matches down at the pavilion, this could be your dream spot. Situated next to Bakewell makes Ashford-in-the-water prime real estate and a great option if you want to take trips to Bakewell but have a communal village experience.

Tideswell is a winner if you want a more lively residential village with strong community. You’ll often find locals stopping for a chat, relaxing on benches, or enjoying a lunch out. It has everything you need from a wide variety of food places to a pharmacy and surgery. Expansive backroads give you the option to find a quiet house while staying near the centre. Prices are more reasonable than comparable villages its size such as Hathersage and Castleton, which get more tourists.

Ashbourne is a charming market town located just below the Peak District national park but is also run by Derbyshire Dales District Council. The Georgian, Tudor and Victorian era buildings fill the place with character. With a much safer and more down to earth population of ~9000, it’s the biggest and best alternative to Buxton. Boasting the best of both worlds, it is surrounded by beautiful countryside with nearby hotspots such as Tissington trail and Dovedale, with easy access to retail parks and Alton Towers theme park just 20 minutes away. Also, houses are more affordable than Bakewell as you won’t be paying the ‘Peak District premium’.

Luckily, you’re spoilt for options, at least in terms of safety and primary schools. The ideal location would be within the catchment area for Lady Manners secondary school with local facilities suited for kids such as parks, pavilions and sports clubs. It’s also nice to have a thriving community that looks out for each other where parents can mingle. Consider villages such as Ashford-in-the-water, Tideswell, Bradwell, Birchover, Youlgrave, Winster, or a central town like Bakewell or Ashbourne (outside catchment but home to other popular schools).

Some people live in the Peak District for peace and privacy. They would benefit from small remote villages or hamlets that are spread out without too many tourists or traffic. While you can find houses that are tucked away in most places here, some great options include Over Haddon, Foolow, Flagg, Froggatt, Taddington or Monyash. Though, these are harder to find on the market.

Most villages in the Hope Valley region of the Peak District have quick transport links to access the major cities. The <1h 20m train from Manchester Piccadilly to Sheffield goes through Edale, Hope, Bamford, Hathersage, and Grindleford. If you have a car, Castleton and Bradwell are just 5 minutes from Hope station and Eyam is 10 minutes to Grindleford station. Hathersage is the best for (<20m) access to Sheffield while Edale is closest to Manchester arriving in around 45 minutes by train or car. The Sheffield to Castleton bus also goes through this region right into the city centre.

Even the poshest villages are pretty down to earth but their expensive house prices, picturesque scenery, central locations, high end venues, and investment in local facilities make them stand out as favourites of the wealthy. These include Baslow, Edensor, Ashford-in-the-water, Great Longstone and Hathersage.