Davis Blank Furniss are proud to be located at the heart of Manchester City Centre with our excellent Deansgate offices, but we also have a branch based just off the main high street in the lovely little town of Glossop.

On the outskirts of the Peak District National Park, Glossop is a market town that is proud to be part of the High Peak, officially a borough that’s home to a number of towns and villages, and some beautiful greenery.

The High Peak is an excellent place to spend some free time, whether you’re looking to relax and enjoy some food, explore caves and caverns, or walk along some of the most scenic routes around. Here are seven great reasons to visit the High Peak:

1. The beautiful scenery

The High Peak is a beautiful part of the UK, based mostly within the Peak District National Park. With miles of rolling hills and natural land, there’s so much to explore within the area.

The High Peak is made up of some of the finest parts of the Peak District, with so much untouched moorland stretching for miles, with almost no end to the incredible scenery on offer in between the towns and villages in the area.

Miles and miles of sights can be seen from some of the highest points in the area, with walkers regularly heading up to the top of the 636m high moorland plateau Kinder Scout, with other highlights including Bleaklow Head and Grindslow Knoll. Other great climbs will take you to the highest point in Cheshire, Shining Tor, or to Lord’s Seat, offering views over the Upper Edale valley.

2. The invigorating walking routes

For those who like to spend the weekend hiking, there are many excellent routes that take in all of the scenery through the High Peak.

The National Trust offers a challenging eight mile walk from Hayfield to Kinder Scout, following in the historic footsteps of 500 trespassers in 1932 who walked the route to secure open country access rights for all.

Another popular route takes walkers up the 517m hill Mam Tor, based near the village of Castleton, passing the historic Peveril Castle, and walking along the Great Ridge.

3. The stunning reservoirs

For those who like a peaceful walk around a huge reservoir, the High Peak will definitely not disappoint, with many beautiful bodies of water awaiting.

There’s a chain of five reservoirs starting near the village of Tintwistle, starting with Bottoms Reservoir and culminating with the 135 acres of Woodhead Reservoir.

One of the most popular reservoirs in the area is Ladybower, which stands at over 6000 acres, located near the similarly large Howden and Upper Derwent reservoirs.

Walks around any of the reservoirs in the area will keep everyone occupied with beautiful sights and nature, but for those who would rather be out on the water, there are also sailing clubs, including Glossop Sailing Club at Torside Reservoir.

4.The picturesque villages

The High Peak is home to many beautiful little villages that are well worth a visit. With little tea rooms and unique independent shops, there’s plenty to keep you busy in many of these places.

Castleton is one of the most popular villages in the High Peak for Tourism, with a modern visitor centre featuring a small museum about the area.

Edale is another popular location, with many High Peak visitors choosing to go there by train to explore the surrounding area, making it one of the gateways to the High Peak.

5. The bustling towns

As well as the lovely villages, there are also many towns to visit for those who are looking for a less energetic trip to the area. The proclaimed “Capital of the Peak” is small town Chapel-en-le-Frith, featuring high quality pubs and restaurants, as well as a market square and high street packed with plenty of independent shops to visit.

Another great town is Glossop, home not just to Davis Blank Furniss, but also to the thriving Norfolk Square, a picturesque part of the town with historic buildings and a brilliant range of shops. It’s also adjacent to the market hall, home of the regular artisan and craft market. A top choice for shoppers, with many places to sit and enjoy something to eat and drink afterwards.

6. The exciting attractions

It’s not just villages and moorland – there’s a lot to do aside from walking, with some exciting attractions on offer across the area.

For a tour of the cave networks in the area, the village of Castleton hosts four different caving attractions, including the well known Blue John Cavern, and the excellent Speedwell Cavern which offers an underground boat ride through a flooded 18^th century lead mine.

Castleton also has the ruins of Peveril Castle on show, now open to visitors after originally being built in 1176. As well as exploring the remains of the castle, you can get to the top for view of the beautiful Hope Valley.

The town of Buxton is a highlight of the High Peak, with the excellent Buxton Park home to the Pavilion Gardens, usually with a calendar of events including farmers markets and craft fairs, while not far away is Poole’s Cavern & Buxton Country Park, offering tours of vast limestone caverns, and walks through stretching woodland.

7. The historic pubs

Everyone loves a country pub, and the High Peak has some of the cosiest, most characterful around. Whether you’re looking to relax after a long walk in a central village location at somewhere such as the 16th century Cheshire Cheese Inn in Hope, or want to stop off somewhere more remote such as the Yorkshire Bridge Inn adjacent to Ladybower Reservoir, there’s something for everyone.

So many of these pubs look the part, with fixtures and fittings that have housed drinkers for centuries, and a range of excellent drinks including real ales.

Of course, a good country pub is well known for its great pub grub, and there are so many great places to eat in the High Peak, all serving authentic, locally sourced food.

Want to speak to our Glossop team? Contact us via phone on 01457 860606, or send us a message via our enquiry page.