Castleton
Castleton is a delightful little town in the North of Derbyshire, remotely located in the Peak District, 8 miles North East of Buxton.
The town is overlooked by the ruin of the Norman Peveril Castle, used by Walter Scott as the setting for his novel "Peveril of the Peak", and by Mam Tor, known locally as "the shivering mountain" because of its instability.
The impressive Peak Cavern, known to locals as "the Devil's Arse", is reached along a picturesque footpath beside a stream which issues from the cave.
Other nearby caves include Blue John Cavern, Treak Cliff Cavern and Speedwell Cavern. The famous Blue John rock, from which large and small ornaments are made, is found uniquely in these hills.
St. Edmund's Church, beside the tiny Market Place, has a Norman chancel arch.
Cstleton has no shortage of tea shops and gift shops, and is popular with walkers as well as day trippers.
The excellent Visitor Centre, incorporating Tourist Information Centre and museum, as well as well cared for toilets, is sensibly situated at the entrance to the coach park.
The Garland Ceremony, originally to celebrate the restoration of Charles II, takes place on 29th May each year.