Peveril Castle sits dramatically above Castleton in Derbyshire’s Peak District, one of England’s earliest Norman fortresses. Built between 1066 and 1086 by William Peveril (or Peverel/ Peverell, as spellings were inconsistent in the 11th century) — possibly an illegitimate son of William the Conqueror — the castle rewards visitors who tackle the steep climb with spectacular views across the Hope Valley. This is a working ruin rather than a fully preserved building, but that’s part of its appeal.
Getting there and parking
The castle overlooks Castleton on the A6187, roughly 17 miles west of Sheffield and 20 miles east of Stockport. There’s no parking at the castle itself. Park at the Peveril Castle Visitor Centre in Castleton village, where parking costs around £4 (pay and display, coins only). English Heritage members get no discount on this parking as it’s run by the local council, not English Heritage. On bank holidays and peak days, spaces fill quickly, though additional parking is available on roads leading out of Castleton.
From the visitor centre, it’s a steep 5-10 minute uphill walk to the castle entrance. The path includes steps and can be treacherously slippery when wet, so wear proper footwear. Benches are positioned at intervals for rests. The lazy and unfit can pretend they’re just wanting to take in the view.
Opening times and tickets
The castle opens daily at 10am, closing at 5pm during main season. However, the castle sometimes closes due to high winds (trust me, you do not want to be on that hilltop in high winds) or maintenance. If coming from a long way away, check it’s open before you turn up. Last admission is 45 minutes before closing. The site closes for winter and reopens in March each year.
Book online in advance (until midnight the day before) to get a 15% discount on tickets. As with all English Heritage sites, pricing is maddeningly complicated. But adult tickets on the day cost from £8.60, students and seniors £7.70, children aged 5-17 £5.
English Heritage members enter free. Allow around 90 minutes for your visit.
Is it worth paying for English Heritage membership?
Entry prices for English Heritage sites, including Dover Castle, Stonehenge and Tintagel Castle, can seem extremely expensive. This is clearly a deliberate ploy to push visitors towards taking out annual English Heritage membership.
Membership gives free access to more than 400 sites across the country, and costs £82. That is, unless you get a special deal – there was a 25%-off Black Friday deal in November 2025, for example.
Whether that £82 is worth it depends on how many sites are near you (there are lots in the south of the country, not so many near me in Yorkshire). And, critically, whether you’re going to visit them with children.
Each member can take up to six children with them free of charge. Given the steep one-time entry fees, an adult member with two children is likely to recoup the cost of their membership by visiting just two or three sites within the year.
For an individual without children, I’d say English Heritage membership is worth it only if you’re planning to blitz a few sites in one year. For an individual with children, membership is a smart investment that will likely pay itself back within one school holiday. To me, it’s a no-brainer.
The real question is whether it’s worth renewing English Heritage membership after a year. That’s debatable, as you’re unlikely to go to many of these sites twice. I eventually renewed after I was offered 20% off the price. I’ll probably recoup the membership price visiting two sites in summer next year, even if I’ve ticked off most of the best ones near me.
If you buy membership through this link, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
What you’ll see
The castle’s roughly triangular layout sits on a limestone ridge with sheer drops to the southeast. Natural defences meant it needed minimal fortification. The dramatic location served as both protection and a highly visible symbol of Norman power.
The keep, built by Henry II in 1176, is the best-preserved section. You can climb to the top for panoramic views stretching across the Hope Valley to Treak Cliff, Mam Tor, and beyond. The keep includes a garderobe (medieval toilet) that drained directly into the chasm below. A charming addition for unsuspecting hikers, there.
Parts of the perimeter walls and gatehouse remain, though much has been ravaged by time. There’s no hiding that Peveril Castle is a ruin. The visitor centre includes a model showing the castle at its peak, however, helping you visualise what once stood here. Inside the courtyard, foundation traces reveal where halls and kitchens once operated.
History worth knowing
The castle appears in the Domesday Book as the only castle in Derbyshire, recorded at a location translated as either “Peak’s Tail” or “Peak’s Arse.” It became the administrative centre for the Honour of Peverel, a vast feudal barony controlling the Peak District.
Henry II confiscated the castle in 1155 and visited three times, once hosting King Malcolm IV of Scotland who paid homage here. During the Revolt of 1173-1174, the garrison expanded from two watchmen and a porter to a force of 20 knights shared with nearby castles.
By the late 14th century, John of Gaunt stripped materials for reuse elsewhere, beginning its decline. By 1609 it was “very ruinous and serveth for no use.” Sir Walter Scott’s novel Peveril of the Peak revived interest in the 19th century, though the story doesn’t actually take place at the castle. Today it’s owned by the Duchy of Lancaster and managed by English Heritage.
Practical details
The visitor centre includes a gift shop selling cold drinks and ice creams. You can bring picnics—there’s space to sit and eat. The site has limited handrails on steep sections, so take care. Dogs are welcome on leads.
Toilets are at the visitor centre, not at the castle itself. The steep approach makes this unsuitable for pushchairs or wheelchairs, though the village of Castleton offers plenty of accessible activities.
Nearby attractions
The delightfully pretty Castleton village, directly below the castle, is worth a day or two in its own right. Stone cottages line the streets, with cafés, pubs, and shops clustered around the main square. It gets very busy in summer, and again around Christmas when the lights are switched on and shoppers come to buy trinkets.
Four show caves surround Castleton, all within walking distance. Peak Cavern has the largest natural cave entrance in Britain and historically housed rope-making operations. Soot marks on the ceiling remain from when families lived inside. It’s a 250-metre walk south from the village centre.
Speedwell Cavern sits at the foot of Winnats Pass. Visitors descend 106 steps to board a boat through flooded tunnels carved by 18th-century lead miners, emerging at a huge chamber called the Bottomless Pit. Joint tickets with Peak Cavern offer savings.
Treak Cliff Cavern, about a mile west on the old Mam Tor road, displays impressive stalactites and exposed seams of Blue John stone — a semi-precious purple-blue mineral unique to this area that gets its name from the French colours “bleu” and “jaune”. It’s the best of the four caves for seeing Blue John in situ. Self-guided audio tours last 40-45 minutes.
Blue John Cavern, higher up the same hillside, offers another chance to see this rare mineral through a mix of natural chambers and mine workings.
Mam Tor, known as the “Shivering Mountain” due to frequent landslips, rises to 517 metres just west of Castleton. The summit provides sweeping views across the Peak District and takes around 20-30 minutes to climb from the nearest car park at Mam Nick. The ridge walk along the Great Ridge from Mam Tor to Lose Hill ranks among the Peak District’s finest hikes.
Winnats Pass itself is worth experiencing—a dramatic limestone gorge where the road climbs steeply between towering rock faces. You can walk above the pass for spectacular valley views, though sections involve steep, rocky terrain with sheer drops and no safety barriers.
Cave Dale, a collapsed cave valley behind Peveril Castle, offers a quieter walking route with perpendicular cliffs at its start and the castle looming overhead. The route becomes more open as you climb, eventually connecting to paths leading to Mam Tor. You might recognise it from the Princess Bride.
Further afield, Chatsworth House lies 15 miles south. It’s the seat of the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire and one of England’s grandest stately homes. The village of Eyam, about 9 miles southeast, tells the remarkable story of the 1665-66 plague outbreak when villagers voluntarily isolated themselves to prevent spread.
Making the most of it
Combine the castle with at least one cave visit and a walk to make a full day. The climb to the castle takes effort, but you’re rewarded with views that explain exactly why Norman lords chose this spot. The exposed hilltop can be cold and windy even when Castleton village is pleasant, so bring layers.
Castleton gets very busy during weekends and school holidays. Arrive early for parking and to beat crowds both at the castle and on popular walks like the hike up Mam Tor. The village has several pubs serving food—The Castle and The Bull’s Head both offer traditional Peak District hospitality with log fires in winter.
This isn’t a castle for young children who need entertaining (although, in fairness, my two enjoyed running around exploring). It’s ruins to explore and views to admire rather than interactive exhibits. But for anyone interested in Norman history or simply spectacular viewpoints, Peveril Castle delivers.
More East Midlands travel
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