Derbyshire and Peak District towns named among best staycation holiday destinations in the UK – with Bakewell ranked in the top four

Bakewell and Matlock have been ranked among the best places across the country for a staycation.

By Tom Hardwick

Published 7th Feb 2024, 15:05 BST

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Bakewell and Matlock have been ranked inside the top 10 places in the UK for staycations – with Bakewell finishing fourth and Matlock coming in at sixth place.

The ranking was compiled by experts from GoOutdoors, who researched a range of destinations across the country. They scored each place based on things to do, nature tours, hiking trails and the cost of local transport – before giving a score out of 10.

READ THIS: 22 new pubs that opened over the last 12 months, locals that closed down and venues set to launch across Chesterfield, Derbyshire and the Peak District

These photos show why Bakewell and Matlock were ranked so highly – will you visit either of these towns in 2024?

Matlock and Bakewell have been named among the best UK staycation destinations.

1. Staycation hotspots

Matlock and Bakewell have been named among the best UK staycation destinations. Photo: Brian Eyre/Jason Chadwick

Bakewell was given a 7.81/10 rating. A GoOutdoors spokesperson said: “The biggest town in the Peak District National Park, Bakewell is perhaps best known for its unique and tasty Bakewell tart. However, there is much more that this humble market town has to offer.”

2. Bakewell

Bakewell was given a 7.81/10 rating. A GoOutdoors spokesperson said: “The biggest town in the Peak District National Park, Bakewell is perhaps best known for its unique and tasty Bakewell tart. However, there is much more that this humble market town has to offer.” Photo: jason chadwick

They continued: “A great location for nature lovers and walkers alike, Bakewell has over 205 hiking trails per 10,000 people. One of its best hiking trails is the Lathkill Dale Waterfall Hike to Sheepwash Bridge, a 7.2-km out-and-back trail with a 17th-century packhorse bridge.”

3. Ideal for nature lovers

They continued: “A great location for nature lovers and walkers alike, Bakewell has over 205 hiking trails per 10,000 people. One of its best hiking trails is the Lathkill Dale Waterfall Hike to Sheepwash Bridge, a 7.2-km out-and-back trail with a 17th-century packhorse bridge.” Photo: jason chadwick

The spokesperson added: “Not only is the town situated in an ideal location on the banks of the River Wye, but it is surrounded by mellow stone buildings, a medieval five-arched stone bridge and quaint courtyards – perfect for sightseeing.”

4. Plenty of sightseeing options

The spokesperson added: “Not only is the town situated in an ideal location on the banks of the River Wye, but it is surrounded by mellow stone buildings, a medieval five-arched stone bridge and quaint courtyards – perfect for sightseeing.” Photo: jason chadwick

Bakewell Derbyshire Peak District Matlock Chesterfield