But it’s nice to get out occasionally, right? And the Peak District is a sparkling gem of the north that’s not far from Manchester’s bustling city centre, so whether you’re exhausted from working the nine to five or the nightshift, are studying hard, or just want a fun weekend away, then a daytrip to the Peaks will cure you of all of life’s stresses.
We highly recommend it.
The Peak District National Park covers 555 square miles mostly in Derbyshire, but also includes parts of Cheshire, Greater Manchester, Staffordshire, West Yorkshire, and South Yorkshire.
This year, the Peak District celebrates its 70th anniversary as the UK’s first National Park named in 1951.
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Fancy making the trip then? The Manc is here to help you navigate the Peaks to make sure you have the best weekend away, with no car necessary.
We’ve outlined five simple walks, so you can get out there and enjoy the stunning views.
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Of course, it wouldn’t be a Manc’s guide to a northern staycation without thinking of the weather, so we’ve made sure our plans for you are waterproof, and they’re both cheap and easy too, so pack some scran, whack on your walking boots, and become at one with nature.
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Preparation & How to Get There
First things first – getting there.
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Trains leave Manchester Piccadilly Station to Edale – which is a village right in the heart of the Peaks – every hour, so you’ll want to get a Manchester to Sheffield train on the Hope Valley line, where tickets range between £11.50 – £12.20 for the full 45-minute journey
Even more convenient, there’s one map that covers all our five walks.
OL1 Peak District (Dark Peak Area) is your lifeline, and you can get your hands on it either via Amazon or, if paper isn’t your thing, go to your App store to OS Online App or ViewRanger App, and all the routes will be on there.
Ready, set, let’s walk.
The 5 Walks
Take your pick.
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Grindslow Knoll
Edale from Grindslow Knoll / Credit: Wikimedia Commons
There are two options when walking Grindslow Knoll.
Option A is a four mile walk taking between two to three hours that’s steeper and an occasionally rockier ascent at times but is shorter overall, and then there’s option B, which is five and a half miles that takes half an hour longer than the other, but is a a more gradual route via Ringing Roger.
Both routes lead to a 360° view at the summit of Grindslow Knoll.
Gradually descend, meeting with the Penine Way and back to Edale.
Mam Tor via Black Tor
Mam Tor via Black Tor / Credit: Pixabay
This is absolute cracker of a walk with stunning views and also easy on the knees.
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Spreading across two Tors and across the back of the Great Ridge, this walk takes between two and a half to three hours and is a sum total of five miles.
Hiking up Back Tor is optional as it’s harder as the route goes up and down.
Kinder Scout via Grindsbook Clough
Penine Way, Kinder Downfall / Credit: Flickr
This is a bit of a longer one to really reset yourself after a tough week at work.
A wonderful eight mile walk taking between four to five hours, many seasoned Peak-goers crown this their favourite walks.
Kinder Scout is the highest point in the Peaks, so it’s definitely worth the trek as you can see all across the land and it even has a waterfall. It’s also circular, leaving the village past the Nags Head (some people might just end there), and then over the bridge leaving the tiny village behind you.
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Or you can go the other way round and finish up by the Nags Head – your choice.
Kinder Scout via Jacob’s Ladder
Peter Nook Wood and the River Kinder / Credit: Wikimedia Commons
This is a must-walk route because it covers two major Peak District locations – the highest point in the peaks, Kinder Scout, and Jacob’s Ladder.
Known as ‘the Beautiful Steps to Kinder Scout’, Jacob’s Ladder is a set of stone steps cut into the hillside, leading up to the Kinder Plateau, and the eight to 10 mile route follows the start of the Pennine way to an aesthetic packhorse bridge, which marks the start of Jacob’s Ladder.
Mam Tor via Jacob’s Ladder and Rushup Edge
Penine Way, Edale from Kinder Scout / Credit: Wikimedia Commons
Mam Tor is one of the most popular places to visit in the Peak District and this walk combines it with a loop via Jacob’s Ladder and Rushup Edge.
From Rushup Edge, there are beautiful views towards Mam Tor and then you cross to the Tor before slowly descending back to Edale – it’s a long but gentle walk of 10 miles taking between four and five hours.
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Take your time and enjoy the views, because the Peak District’s got a lot of them.
Now, we think it’s time for a well-earned pint, right? We’re spoiling you for choice with the two finest pubs in Edale.
Pick one or go to both – no one’s driving, remember.
At The Rambler Inn, there’s hearty meals that are locally-sourced and served in the warmth by friendly and attentive staff, a large beer garden to make the most of on a nice day, and a wide range of real ales, traditional ciders, whiskeys and sprits at the bar.
A proper country pub with sturdy furniture and thick upholstery, The Rambler Inn is a cheap, cheerful, and welcoming sight after a long stomp the Peaks.
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The menu is extensive with a great range of vegan or vegetarian option, and famous for its gluten free fish and chips.
Why not try their breakfast and stay in one of the cosy rooms overlooking the mountains?
The Old Nags Head
The Old Nags Head / Credit: The Old Nags Head
Stone walls, exposed beams, and an open fire make up the interiors of quintessentially-British The Old Nag’s Head, so pull up a chair, grab a pint, and soothe your feet in the against the crackling flames.
No messing about, this pub fills your hungry stomach with meat feast pizzas, BBQ pulled pork smothered fries, and any sandwich filling you can think of, from roast beef to halloumi, red pepper, and sweet chilli.
Slushie cocktails are now available here too – so you can’t go wrong.
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Featured Image – Pixabay
Kids & Family
Giant outdoor funfair and circus returns to Trafford Centre next month
Emily Sergeant
A giant outdoor funfair full of vintage fairground rides and a circus is heading back to the Trafford Centre by popular demand next month.
After several hugely successful runs in both 2021 and 2022, the UK’s third largest shopping centre has announced that its outdoor space is “springing to life” once again at the start of next month, and will be back with a whole host of thrilling rides, a glittering circus, and lots of delicious treats for the whole family to enjoy.
Spring Escape is returning to the Trafford Centre just in time for the school Easter holidays on 1 April, and as usual, will be popping up outside the Great Hall.
Here all spring and open right through until 4 June, people can head on down to the shopping centre to make the most of “all the fun of the fair”, which is full of vintage fairground rides and attractions suitable for all ages.
Some of the rides this year include the fan-favourite Starflyer, Rock Rage, Waterballs, Waveswinger, Funhouse, and even a giant inflatable clown.
Spring Escape takes over the Trafford Centre’s outdoor space from 1 April / Credit: Trafford Centre
One of the stand-out events has to be the return of Gandeys Circus, who’ll be bringing their new GLITTERATI show to the Trafford Centre from 31 March – 16 April.
The sparkling show stars 30 artists, and combines new special effects, new productions, and even a new Big Top with stunning costumes and “lots of surprise features”, which are all gearing up to make GLITTERATI an unmissable date in your 2023 calendar.
If all the fairground fun has you feeling hungry, then there’ll also be a wide range of pop-up street food traders at the event serving up everything thing from sweet treats like donuts, crepes, and ice cream, to more hearty meals like burgers and hot dogs, as well as lots of coffees, and hot and soft drinks to wash it all down with.
There’s a giant outdoor funfair, a circus, and so much more for all the family / Credit: Trafford Centre
Speaking ahead of return of the popular event, Zoe Inman – Centre Director at the Trafford Centre – said: “It’s time to come out of hibernation and escape the ordinary at Trafford Centre, as Spring Escape promises to be a fun-filled event, with something for the whole family to enjoy.”
Tickets for entry to the Spring Escape will set you back just £2.80 per person, if you’re booking in advance (including a booking fee) or £3 on the door, while tickets to watch GLITTERATI are currently on sale from £9.99 at every show.
Find out more and grab tickets to Spring Escape on the Trafford Centre website here.
Featured Image – Trafford Centre
Kids & Family
A massive ‘gaming extravaganza’ is happening at the Science and Industry Museum next month
Emily Sergeant
A massive “gaming extravaganza” is happening down at the Science and Industry Museum in Manchester next month.
With only a couple of weeks to go before schools right across Greater Manchester are out for the Easter holidays, families may already be on the look-out for some fun and educational ways to keep the little ones entertained – and luckily, the Science and Industry Museum has, as it always does, got you covered.
For all the gamers out there, the beloved visitor attraction in the heart of the city centre has organised a packed programme of gaming, animated adventure, and digital discovery events inspired by its hugely-popular ongoing interactive gaming experience, Power UP.
From Saturday 1 to Sunday 16 April, visitors will be transported inside their favourite games as part of the Actual Reality Arcade – a life-size nostalgic gaming experience that’s promising to “unlock memories” players star in real-life versions of some retro favourite games, including Invaders and Breakout.
Young gaming lovers can also explore a special Pac-Man floor maze, and families can level up together with some super-size gaming too.
A massive ‘gaming extravaganza’ is happening at the Science and Industry Museum next month / Credit: Science Museum Group
If you haven’t had the chance to head on down to the museum to check out Power UP for yourself yet, then now’s your chance, as on top of the special Spring events, the exhibition also showcases the very-best video games from the past five decades, and gives you the opportunity to try over a hundred different consoles to rediscover childhood favourites and test out some of the latest developments in virtual reality.
You can also revel in nostalgia with retro arcade classics Pong and Pac-Man, rock out on Guitar Hero, and tackle a virtual reality mission with Astro Bot.
The museum’s team of expert Explainers will also be on hand to lead the ultimate gaming geek-out, as they share the secrets behind the latest technology that’s bringing huge advances in graphics and game playing.
There’ll also be plenty of chances to get creative alongside professionals from the gaming industry.
There’s a packed programme of gaming, animated adventure, and digital discovery events / Credit: Science Museum Group
“We’re so excited to turn the museum into a playground of super-sized gaming fun this spring holiday,” explained Tash Camberwell – School and Families Producer at the Science and Industry Museum.
“We want to inspire visitors with ideas that have changed the world by discovering Manchester’s amazing contribution to the gaming industry as we look to the future, supporting the next generation shaping it through careers in science, technology, engineering and maths.
“From Pong to Pac-man, there’s something for everyone this April, so whether you’re an experienced gamer or picking up a console for the first time, come along and get involved.”
The world of gaming not really up your street though? There’s still time to check out the museum’s new world-first exhibition, Turn It Up: The power of music, for the chance to make some noise and get creative with hands-on activities – including building your own music-makers, creating your very-own tunes in a specially-commissioned ‘musical playground’, and exploring the secrets and science of sound.
Families with younger children can also enjoy activities specifically designed to “spark creativity in young minds”, with free Construction Packs on offer to take round the museum.
You can experience first-hand how far games and gaming technologies have advanced over the years / Credit: Science Museum Group
The Science and Industry Museum will be open throughout the Easter holidays, with general admission tickets to the museum free, but tickets to Power UP and Turn It Up setting adults back £8 and children £6 each.
Dolly Busby -
20th October 2021 
