We are new here and renting a car for the first time this weekend. I would like to explore the Peak District and wondered if anyone had any hints as to the best places to hike and eat with our two kids (4 and 1).

Thanks.

genevieve

Monsel head is a nice place to go. :)

Originally posted by neeeeeeeeeek
Monsal head is a nice place to go. :)

Seconded. Start out at the Monsall Head Pub and then head down over the viaduct. Carry on down to the riverside, it's a nice place for a picnic.

If it's dull stay in the pub. Loads of fantastic ales and some gigantic sized meals and a massive roaring open fire!

I recommend a trip out to Ladybower - Derwent/Howden are 100% full, and the water'll be cascading down the wall. Also nice for children as there's ducks etc....

For Child friendly the three merry lads/lodgemoor is good - there's a climbing frame etc... and they're very accomadating.

There's good pub fayre probably every where you go if you avoid the chains etc...

If you are a sheep I recomend the lowland pastures at this time of year! The grass is very tasty!

The Plough near the bridge at Hathersage (on the Grindleford road) is excellent and there's good walking all round there.

Well it depends on how close you need to stay to towns or villages what with the kids.
The Monsal trail which you can access at the old railway station in Bakewell and walk past Hashop towards Greatlongstone and then Monsaldale is nice.
Has stated by me before I love or should I say loved sitting at Monsal head overlooking the lovely valley below.
you can get food and drink here.

Can I 3rd Monsal Head, good all rounder for the family.

If you want something more Epic!, try Edale and climb up to the edges that surround Kinder Scout.
Finding the centre is great fun, then carry on to Kinder Downfall.
Return to Edale for tea at the Nag's Head ( start of the Pennine Way ).

Also if you are visiting the Peak District, Stanage Edge is must.
Common place to start from is Hathersage, or you can get the 51 from Sheffield centre. Walk from the terminus untill the road ends, climb up the bridleway to Stanage Pole ( good view of Sheffield ),
then keep following the bridleway to the edge.

Lathkill Dale (top half) with kids aged 1 & 4. From the top down,......toilets, grass with sheep, wooded walk, steep sided valley with limestone outcrops, a cave (collapsing now), loads of places for picnics all the way. Then two minute drive to Monyash for a pint/icecream on the village green. BLISS :thumbsup:

The 'Peaks' are ugly, uninspiring, spoiled and overcrowded.

I know...I went there....once.

Thank you to our resident Forum Minister for Tourism.:thumbsup:

The Rising Sun between Hope and Bamford offers excellent food - though it is quite pricey and the service can be a little 'relaxed' at times.

The Yorkshire Bridge in Bamford is OK - but has gradually slid downhill in recent years - and tends to get very full.

Although its not quite in the Peak District the Strines Inn on Strines Moor (accessible of the A57) is a charming little pub with very nice home-cooked chips and friendly service.

My personal favourite, pub wise, is the Bull's Head at Foolow - excellent value - nice atmosphere and its not too rammed full of tourists.

On the other hand if you want something other than a country pub, give Aitch's Wine Bar in Bakewell a try - again its pricey but the food is divine.

Oh, and the Plough is imho overpriced for the standard of food when stacked up against the competition.

As for the one's to avoid - the Bowling Green in Bradwell ain't so great, and the Woodroffe Arms and Old Hall in Hope have seen better days.

Hope that helps!

Well we went to Monsal Head on saturday - not sure I'd have like doing it with small children as the path back was narrow + very slippy with a near vertical drop of wood on one side - there are alternatives, and if you want a wander then park in the valley instead of at the head.

There's a nice walk up past grouse butts just after strines inn.

Park in the car park just round the bend from the pub and then follow the path upwards - starts off as a tarmac track. Can get very muddy tho'

If it's lard yer after, a trip to Grindleford Cafe is a Peak District must-do. It's the old station building. Large portions of greasy stuff from an almost endless menu. Huge outside area, or open fire for hardy winter types. Justifiably central to the Peak walking and climbing population. Also peppered by charmingly rude notices that bark orders at you for eccentric English appeal. Don't let that put you off though - this place is an institution and though we take the P***, we go back and back.

Another top wathering hole is the Grouse, on the road just above Froggatt Edge. Awesome views, fantastic, affordable food, brilliant beer and an unparallelled selection of malt whiskies. Totally warm welcome from the land lord and lady. The perfect place to round off a climb or a wander. Or just to break in the middle. Roaring fire in the winter, and dogs allowed in. If you have relatives coming up from doon south at the weekend, meet them up there for lunch, then have a meal and escort them back to your gaff for the evening. I do this frequently as it's the ideal introduction to the Peak.

The Millstone, above Hathersage, is quite nice of an evening, though you can't take your dog inside.

Don't, however, be fooled by the Fox House. Used to be a splendidly scruffy place offering huge plates of good cheap nosh, gallons of ale and free camping. Now it's a bland chain pub only interested in flogging scampi and chips to tourists. One of the tragedies of the Peak's recent history, I'd say. Go to the Grouse instead.

Grindleford cafe - cheap and crowded
The Chippy in Castleton is quality
But my favourite is the cafe on a campsite in Edale - side of post office - do all day breakfast with gallons of red hot tea - great on a cold day after a journey up and down the gentle slopes of Edale.

There are far too many to mention - perhaps you should take a week off and try them all. Above all else it helps the local economy in a year when the weather's been less than great they could do with all the help they can get.

Originally posted by tgigreeny
My personal favourite, pub wise, is the Bull's Head at Foolow - excellent value - nice atmosphere and its not too rammed full of tourists.

Is that the one on top of the ridge with a view of six counties?

If you are into picnics amnd feeding ducks go no further than Low Bradfield by the river. Picnic tables there.

If you want a pub meal try the Little John pub in Hathersage, plenty of food at reasonable prices.

Happy days!

If the Monsal Head is too crowded to get into (which it is every sunny weekend), the Packhorse in Little Longstone 300 metres down the road has great bar food and beer.

Originally posted by alchresearch
Is that the one on top of the ridge with a view of six counties?

That one will be The Bretton, above Eyam.

What is the pub in Hathersage just on the hill before it bends to the left. There is a car park opposite it.

the pubs in hathersage are the little john and scotchmen, the george is now basically a upmarket hotel. stopped at the derwent in bamford at weekend and made very welcome. food also very good.

Lickszz, i think the pub you mention is 'The Millstone'.
Nice food and atmosphere.

Eyam has some great walks around the village and the surrounding country side. The View from Eyam Edge are amazing and The Miners Arms does great food in the evenings. Eyam Tea rooms and Eyam Hall does fantastic food too.

Castleton is brilliant for things to do with a fabulous little castle to climb up to and explore. Its maintained by English Heritage and costs a few pounds to get in but worth it. Here there are also caves and mines to explore - great fun.

Bakewell is civilised for a walk by the river, antique shops, pub food and country food stores. The Market and Mart is fun for the kids on a Monday.

Chatsworth House and Gardens are an absolute must... Great value day out, and a staggering place. The garden is amongst the best in Britain and the grounds are fabulous to potter around.
Chatsworth House (http://www.chatsworth-house.co.uk/)

Crich Tramway Museum is a little further a field, but brilliant for the kids to climb on trams and go for a ride etc. Its a cool thing to do if you want to combine a trip out somewhere before lunch with a walk after. National Tramway Museuum (http://www.tramway.co.uk/smx/cms/welcome/)

There are thousands of things to do. This just scratches the surface. You can get in a car and just drive around or you can plan a trip.

Interactive Map (http://www.upland.co.uk/imap/imap_new_normal_h.htm)
Derbyshire Dales Tourist Information (http://www.visitpeakdistrict.com/)

The Cheshire Cheese just out of Hope on Edale Road is an excellent pub. Great frech home cooked food (go for the Steak Pie) and an excellent range of real ales!

Also a lovely pub inside with fires in the winter.

Not sure if I agree with the Nag's Head recommendation in Edale, the food is rather poor and seems "reheated", and the beer is rediculously over priced, I paid £2.50 for a pint of Best Bitter some time ago. The Cheshire Cheese, just down the road is far better!

As far as walks, Monsal Dale is indeed good (as is the Stables Bar), but around the Hope Valley the Walk from Edale to Holins Cross, along the ridge to the Cheshire Cheese is excellent on a clear day.

Enjoy!