The Peak District celebrated its 70th anniversary as the UK's first National Park a few years ago - so why not take a trip to this northern gem?
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.
Last year, the Peak District celebrated its 70th anniversary as the UK’s first National Park named in 1951.
Fancy making the trip then? The Sheff is here to help you navigate the Peaks to make sure you have the best day possible.
We’ve outlined five simple walks, so you can get out there and enjoy the stunning views.
Image: Pixabay
Grindslow Knoll
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
This is absolute cracker of a walk with stunning views and also easy on the knees.
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 Scoutvia Grindsbook Clough
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.
Image: Pixabay
Kinder Scoutvia Jacob’s Ladder
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 Torvia Jacob’s Ladder and Rushup Edge
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.
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.
The Sheff
Sheffield artists wanted to help put their stamp on huge new neighbourhood
Sheffield artists are being given the chance to leave a permanent mark on one of the city’s biggest new developments.
Capital&Centric is calling on local creatives to help bring its new Fitzwilliam neighbourhood in Mesters’ Village to life – and one lucky artist will ultimately see their work commissioned as part of the finished scheme.
The developer is particularly keen to hear from street artists in Sheffield, asking creatives to send over their portfolios for a chance to take part.
Four artists will be shortlisted and paid to develop their ideas, before one is chosen to create the final piece.
Capital&Centric announced the opportunity on social media, saying: “If you’re an artist in Sheffield who wants to leave their mark on the city, then you’re gonna want to listen to this.
"We’re building Fitzwilliam, a brand-new neighbourhood in Mesters’ Village Sheffield, and we want local artists to put their stamp on it.
"DM us your portfolio, we’ll then shortlist four artists, pay you to sketch out your idea, and then one of you will be commissioned when the building’s done.
"So if you’re a street artist in Sheffield, or know one, share this, tag them, and get involved."
The call-out comes as plans for Fitzwilliam move forward, with the new neighbourhood set to bring 192 rental homes to the site between Sheffield city centre and Kelham Island.
Construction is expected to get underway in early 2027, with the first residents due to move into Fitzwilliam from spring 2029.
The development will feature two six-storey buildings containing the new homes, with the architecture designed to reflect Sheffield’s industrial heritage.
Brick and black steel will feature heavily in the scheme, while residents will have access to a range of shared facilities designed to make the development feel more like a neighbourhood than a collection of apartments.
These will include communal lounges, co-working spaces, a landscaped courtyard and a rooftop terrace offering views across Sheffield.
There will also be space at ground-floor level for an independent café-bar.
Cornerstone Coffee to open new café and bakery just metres from the Peace Gardens
Daisy Jackson
Sheffield coffee and food brand Cornerstone is set to open a new specialty coffee shop and bakery in the heart of the city centre this winter.
The independent business has announced plans for a fourth site at 52A Pinstone Street, in the former Toni & Guy unit, just moments from the Peace Gardens and Sheffield Town Hall.
The new venue will be an extension of what Cornerstone has already established at Dyson Place in Sharrow Vale and at The Hive, Yorkshire Wildlife Park, where it operates Cornerstone Coffee and Cornerstone Gelato.
Founders Richard and Michael Massarella say the new opening will bring the Cornerstone experience into the city centre, with a particular focus on coffee, freshly baked goods and relaxed café culture.
They said: "Simple things, done well. That's all it's ever been. Food, drink, people."
The pair say they have been interested in the Pinstone Street space for some time, and are keen to become part of the wider redevelopment of Sheffield city centre.
They also want the new café to capture something of the relaxed European café culture they love - people spilling out onto pavements, meeting friends, enjoying coffee and pastries, and taking their time.
Plans include outdoor seating, making use of Pinstone Street's transformation into a pedestrian-friendly route connecting Fargate with The Moor.
They said: "We've done Dyson Place - sitting down, sharing food, everyone round a table. Now we want to show our other experiences and memories of summers in Sardinia, strolling the streets with sandwiches, pastries and gelato, taking it all in."
Coffee will come from North Star Coffee Roasters, with Cornerstone serving its house espresso using beans roasted in Yorkshire.
The centrepiece of the café will be a large counter filled with freshly made food and baked goods. Cornerstone plans to offer pastries and bakes from its own kitchen alongside products from selected independent bakeries across Sheffield.
There will also be focaccia sandwiches, salads, and savoury light lunch options, prepared fresh each morning.
The menu is deliberately intended to change regularly, with the team promising a counter that feels different from one visit to the next. And for those with room after lunch, there may even be gelato.
The interior is being designed by Studio Jim, with a scheme that combines light oak, sage green gloss tiles, mustard-coloured banquettes and opal globe lighting.
The counter will extend towards the front glazing, creating the impression that the café's food and drink offering is flowing out onto the street.
While the new venue will have its own identity, Cornerstone says it will remain recognisably part of the brand.
With its new city centre location, the team hopes to create somewhere that works equally well for a morning coffee and pastry, a quick lunch, or a slower afternoon spent sitting with friends.
Clementine Hall -
1st August 2025 
