The Peak District National Park is known for its outstanding beauty and incredible viewpoints so why not explore them whilst you’re in the area.

Whether you are staying in our Rivendale Lodge Retreat or not, this list of viewpoints we’ve put together are definitely worth considering during your time in the Peak District. If you love walking, taking beautiful photos and exploring new places then you will definitely appreciate all that the National Park has to offer. These viewpoints are perfect to explore all year round and you can enjoy breath taking views at all of them.

Solomon’s Temple

Poole’s Cavern Visitor Centre, Buxton, SK17 9DH | 19 mins

Solomon’s Temple is a historical landmark that sits at the summit of Grin Low hill. Some may know this temple as Grinlow Tower and was built in 1896 by architect William Radford Bryden. The area it is located in is Buxton Country Park which has a 100 acre woods that you can explore along with GoApe, a shop, picnic area and toilets.

• 3 different trails to the viewpoint (25, 30 or 45mins)
• There are stairs to get to the top of the viewpoint
• Enjoy incredible views across the spa town of Buxton
• You can camp at the country park from Easter till October

find out more

Derwent Edge

Hope Valley, S33 0AX | 60 mins

Derwent Edge consists of a short but challenging walk with the reward of Derwent Edge at the top where you can enjoy views as far as the eye can see. The walk to get there is easily followed thanks to the signs that you will see along the way. Or follow the link below which gives you a step by step on what the walk consists of and where you can park.

• Views of Ladybower Reservoir, Crook Hill, Win Hill & Kinder Scout
• 2.5 mile walk that will take around an hour to complete
• Short, challenging walk with fairly steady climb up and steep descent
• The terrain consists of moorland and rocky paths

find out more

Dovedale Stepping Stones

Dovedale, Ilam, Ashbourne, DE6 2AY | 15 mins

The popular Dovedale Stepping Stones can be accessed from Ilam Park which is a 158 acre country park owned by the National Trust. There’s also  Dovedale House within this park along with the Dovedale stepping stones that you can walk to. Along the walk you will see plenty of wildlife like sheep and cattle so ensure if you have dogs that they are on leads.

• 3 mile circular walk which takes around 2 hours
• Head out early for the walk as it gets busy
• After heavy rain stepping stones are often submerged, save walk for when the weather has been dry
• One of the most popular hotspots in the Peak District

find out more

Thor’s Cave

Ashbourne, ST13 7TS | 16 mins

Located in the Manifold Valley of the White Peak in Staffordshire, Thor’s Cave has become an extremely iconic natural cavern to explore. The cave can be seen at the foot of the valley 80ft up so you can imagine how impressive the views are when you get to the opening of the cave. The circular hike will take you over a mixture of paths and open grounds.

• One of the Peak District’s most iconic landmarks
• 5 mile walk which takes around 3 hours to complete
• Excavations at the cave revealed 10,000 year old remains
• The Verve used Thor’s Cave for the cover art for ‘A Storm in Heaven’

find out more

Stanage Edge

Hope Valley, S32 1DZ | 44 mins

If you are looking for somewhere with stunning views and a unique hike then heading to Stanage Edge would be a great idea. There are various car parks around the area which create different types of walks but the most popular is around 9km long. During the walk you can also find the popular Robin Hood’s Cave.

• Stanage Edge is around 3.5 miles in Length
• Most popular car park to use is Hathersage Village Car Park
• Walking route is 9km and takes around 3-4 hours
• The Dale Road parking will make your route shorter

find out more

Ladybower Reservoir

Hope Valley, SS33 6RA | 45 mins

The Ladybower Reservoir is a Y shaped reservoir that the River Derwent and River Ashop flow into. It is extremely popular as a walking route and many visitors also come just to enjoy the views and scenery around the reservoir. Particularly the Ladybower Reservoir “plug hole” which you can see in the image above.

• Built between 1935 and 1943 and opened by King George VI
• Rainbow and brown trout are in these waters
• 5 mile walk around the reservoir takes between 1 and 2 hours
• Shaft spillways (plug hole) is there to regulate water levels after prolonged rain spells.

find out more

There are so many other amazing viewpoints in the Peak District that you can explore. They are the perfect way to have a day out if you are staying at Rivendale Lodge Retreat. Our resort can then help you relax and unwind with the on-site bistro & bar.

explore Rivendale Lodge Retreat

Photo by Pete Le May © RSC

Find out more about the cast of The Comedy of Errors as they answer this holiday related questionnaire.

We have been partners with the Royal Shakespeare Company for a couple of years now and have sponsored various shows and events that they have hosted. (Read more about our partnerships) Which is why we thought it would be a great idea to learn a little more about the cast and their preferences when it comes to holidays. So we sent them over a few questions for them to answer which you can find below. But before we get into the questions here is a quick rundown of what The Comedy of Errors is about:

These are strange times. Confusion and uncertainty everywhere.

A father ends up in the wrong country on the wrong day as a government makes hasty proclamations about travel. A lonely son, while searching for his brother, loses himself. Across town a wife starts to realise her husband is not the man she thought he was (but rather likes it). Will anything ever be the same again?

Shakespeare’s The Comedy of Errors, a fairytale farce of everyday miracles, mistaken identity and double vision, is directed by comedy master Phillip Breen (The Provoked Wife 2019, The Hypocrite 2017).

more information & book tickets to watch the show here

Avita’s ideal Darwin Escapes resort is…

Piran Meadows Resort

Jonathan’s ideal Darwin Escapes resort is…

Hawkchurch Resort & Spa

Hedydd’s ideal Darwin Escapes resort is…

Norfolk Woods Resort & Spa

Zoe’s ideal Darwin Escapes resort is…

Cheddar Woods Resort & Spa

If you like the sound of our Darwin Escapes resorts based on what the cast had been matched to why not have a browse at all the destinations we have available for both holidays and ownership.

• our holiday resorts
• own a holiday home

Keep all the kids entertained during your break away and explore the local area for the day. Below you will find some of the best days out with kids in and around Wareham, Dorset.

And if you are staying with us for a holiday at Wareham Forest Lodge Retreat we hope you find this useful and get some ideas of what to do with your little ones to make the most of your time here. There is so much on offer when it comes to things to do along the southern coast of England, particularly in the Dorset area. So we’ve picked the best of the bunch that are suitable for kids and listed them below for you.

Poole Old Town & The Quay Murder Mystery Treasure Trail

The Quay, Poole, BH15 1BQ | 15 mins

Whether it’s your first time in Poole or not, this murder mystery treasure trail will be the perfect activity for you and the kids to enjoy. The overall idea of this treasure trail is that you have to work together to solve sneaky clues that you unlock at various buildings in this self-guided trail route. It’s a circular trail and starts at the visitors centre and then trails all around the old town and ends at the Quay. See if you all have what it takes to eliminate the suspects and correctly discover who the culprit is.

find out more

Poole (Dolphin) Leisure Centre

Kingland Road, Poole, BH15 1TN | 15 mins

At Poole (Dolphin) Leisure Centre you will be able to enjoy a swimming session in either the small pool or the main pool they have on offer to use. Before you go it is best to check their swimming timetable as things may change each day with their family swimming times depending on what they have on. The family swimming sessions are usually on for an hour and would cost you no more than £20 for a family of 4!

find out more

Putlake Adventure Farm

High Street, Swanage, BH19 3EU | 25 mins

There are so many things in Putlake Adventure Farm to keep your little ones entertained. With tractor rides, outdoor play equipment, a real working farm, animals, indoor soft play area, pedal go-karts, trampolines, birds, a pet centre…the list could go on but you get what we mean. It’s the perfect place for children ages 0-10 years to enjoy and there is also a tearooms so adults can enjoy some tea and cake or a bite to eat for lunch!

find out more

Sandbanks Crazy Golf

Banks Road, Poole, BH13 7QQ | 27 mins

Perfect if you are looking for fun for the kids and the adults, Sandbanks Crazy Golf is an 18 hole outdoor crazy golf course that will provide you with plenty of fun. No matter what plans you may already have sometimes there is nothing better than injecting some friendly competition into your holiday fun. It’s the best crazy golf course on the South Coast and it is located right next to the beautiful beach so you can enjoy the views.

Lemur Landings

Tower Park Leisure Complex, Poole, BH12 4NY | 15 mins

If you are looking for a children’s entertainment centre then Lemur Landings is the place for you. Located in the Tower Park Leisure Complex, your kids will be able to enjoy the soft play area which is one of the biggest in Dorset. Along with some epic climbing walls and ‘The Ted Shed’ where your little ones can make their own teddy bears to take home. There are more than enough things to do here to keep everyone entertained.

find out more

Farmer Palmer’s Farm Park

Wareham Road, Organford, Poole, BH16 6EU | 3 mins

Farmer Palmer’s Farm Park can offer you everything you’d expect from a farm park. You will be kept busy with a tractor trailer ride, pig racing, animal activities, go karts, sand and water play area, a duck pond, maize maze and plenty of other things. It’s another day out that is perfect to keep the kids entertained but also provide parents and adults with a fun experience as you see plenty of farm animals and learn all about them too.

find out more

Hollywood Bowl

Tower Park Leisure Complex, Poole, BH12 4NY | 15 mins

If you like the sound of Lemur Landings and you are on the Tower Park Leisure Complex then Hollywood Bowl would be a great shout for something else to do whilst your there. There are 24 lanes along with a designated VIP area, an American themed diner and an amusement area. So not only can you go head to head in a fun game of bowling you could also grab a bite to eat and play on some of the arcade games.

find out more

Corfe Castle Model Village

The Square, Corfe Castle, Wareham, BH20 5EZ | 18 mins

If history is an interest of yours and you want to show the kids something a little bit different to just an ordinary castle then having a day out at Corfe Castle Model Village would be the perfect idea. Sitting in the heart of Corfe Castle village on the Isle of Purbeck you will be able to enjoy the 1/20th scale model of the castle and the village as it was back in 1646! As well as the model village you can also explore the gardens around and have a rest at the Courtyard Café.

find out more

Witbit Water Park

Arfleet Mill Lakes, Studland Road, Dorset, BH20 5JG | 17 mins

In the summer months we couldn’t think of anything better than a trip to Witbit Water Park. Located at the Arfleet Mill Lakes this inflatable obstacle course is the perfect challenge for both friends and family! You will be taking part in a range of different inflatable obstacles that will test your climbing, balancing and strength. You will be guaranteed unbeatable fun with everyone and there is also a snack shack that serves hot and cold food and drink options.

find out more

Upton Country Park

Poole Road, Upton, Poole, BH17 7BJ | 10 mins

With 160 acres of parkland, shoreline and formal estate gardens, Upton Country Park would make the perfect trip for a day out with the kids. You can explore all the grounds and take in the stunning views of the grand Grade II listed Georgian Mansion House and the kids can keep entertained at Spurrier’s Play Park with the Splash Fountain.

find out more

Mr Mulligans

Exeter Road, Bournemouth, BH2 5AF | 28 mins

Mr Mulligans is a venue that takes crazy golf to a whole new level. This adventure golf experience has two epic courses, an 18 hole course and a 27 hole course. Along with the adventure golf courses there is also a bar and restaurant so you can make a full day out at Mr Mulligans. Perfect for families who want to have fun, or even for a birthday party, no matter what your age is you are bound to have some fun here!

find out more

Our Wareham Forest Lodge Retreat would make the perfect base for your family holiday so that you can then try out all of the amazing things listed above. There are also so many amazing ways to keep everyone entertained on the resort too such as the beautiful forest that surrounds the area.

explore Wareham Forest