Castleton is one of the main tourist destinations in the Peaks, and a visit soon reveals why. At the western end of the Hope valley, Castleton is surrounded by dramatic scenery, with Mam Tor dominating at the end of the valley.
The town itself is overlooked by Peveril Castle, built in a very strong position at the end of a spur of the hills. Under the castle is the entrance to Peak Cavern, the largest cave entrance in England, fifty feet high and one hundred feet wide.
Peak Cavern is only one of a series of show caves at Castleton, with Speedwell Cavern, Treak Cliff Cavern and Blue John Cavern all accessible to the west. Their primary product is now Blue John, a variety of flourspar only found on the southern side of Mam Tor.
Blue John still dominates Castleton through the gift and jewellery shops that fill the town, along with walking and outdoors shops.
Castleton is a great base for walking. Cave Dale leads south onto the limestone plateau of the white peak, and marks one end of the Limestone Way long distance footpath. To the west the dramatic gorge of Winnats pass leads up to the flanks of Mam Tor and round to Kinder. To the north the ridge between the Hope Valley and the Vale of Edale offers widespread views in every direction.