Castleton
Bakewell Castleton Chatsworth House Dovedale Eyam Village Haddon Hall The Heights of Abraham Peak tour in Brief The Tram Museum	The thumbnails below are linked to larger pictures Castleton is known as 'the Gem of the Peaks', and is situated between the Dark and the White Peak areas of the Peak District, off the A6. The Dark Peak to the north is the area of the Gritstone edges, whereas the White Peak to the south is the area with the Limestone plateaus. Castleton has a lot to offer the visitor, a Norman Castle, four showcaves, beautiful scenery, minerals, including the famous Blue John, and a village steeped in history. The village is overlooked by the keep of Peveril Castle. This Norman castle was built by William the conqueror's son, William Peveril. It was built to oversee the King's Royal Forest of the Peak, although little of the forest now remains. The present keep dates from 1175 and was built under the direction of King Henry II. It was here in 1157 that Henry accepted the submission of King Malcolm of Scotland. Castleton itself dates from 1198 and is named after the castle (Castle town). Peak Cavern is set in the middle of Castleton and has a very picturesque approach following the river Peakshole Water, until you reach the imposing entrance chamber which is the largest natural cave entrance in the British isles. Within the chamber is the remains of an ancient village where a whole community lived and worked making ropes for the local lead mines for over 400 years. A guided tour leads around the caverns chambers including Pluto's Dining Room, the Great Cave and the Devils Cellar where the source of the river Styx can be heard. The other show caves are Treak Cliff, Blue John and Speedwell. *Link to Peak Cavern site for viewing Visitor Information*