Name: Peveril Castle
Rating: 5.0

Peveril Castle

Market Place, Castleton, Hope Valley, Derbyshire S33 8WQ, UK

1-99 Years

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Description

Peveril Castle towers above the pretty Peak District town of Castleton. Reachable only by an invigorating uphill hike, Peveril Castle is naturally defended by sheer drops into Cave Dale and Peak Cavern Gorge. If you’re up for the climb, there are benches for tired travellers along the path. And you’ll be rewarded with spectacular views once you reach the top!

It was here that William the Conqueror’s trusted knight William Peverell built one of the first stone castles in England. A century later, Henry II added Peveril Castle’s hill-summit keep, with a garderobe toilet that drained into a chasm: the ultimate ‘loo with a view’. Head to the visitor centre to learn about Peveril’s past. Look out for the model showing Peveril Castle at its ‘peak’.

Price starts from £8.00 for Adults, £4.50 for Children(5-17 yrs) and £12.50 for Family(1 adult, up to 3 children). If you are looking for Best place for day out with kids and families then this is the perfect destination offering fun, adventure, and unforgettable memories for everyone.

Features

Paid
Host birthday parties: No

Features

History of Peveril Castle: The ruins of Peveril Castle stand isolated on a rocky hilltop in the Derbyshire Peaks, one of the most dramatically sited castles in England. Throughout its history, from the 11th to the 16th century, Peveril Castle served as a base for the government of the local area, the ‘Forest of the Peak’. The town of Castleton, at the foot of castle hill, was founded 100 years after the castle.
Early History: Peveril Castle was established on this site soon after the Norman Conquest of 1066. The castle stood on a high hill overlooking the Hope Valley and a deep cave, the ‘Peak Cavern’. The site was probably unoccupied at the time, though prehistoric earthworks in this area and a flint blade found within the castle show that the site had been used for centuries before. In 1086, Domesday Book mentions ‘William Peveril’s castle of Pechesers’ (‘Peak’s Arse’, the medieval name for Peak Cavern).
Castle and Town: The town of Castleton was laid out below the castle in the late 12th century by royal initiative. Though this is hard to detect today, the town’s layout was planned inside a bank and ditch, with a grid pattern of streets. The town contained a church, still surviving, and possibly a marketplace towards the foot of the hill.
The Later Middle Ages: Though built in a strong and commanding position, Peveril Castle was used more as a base for hunting and administration than as a military fortress.
The Royal Forest: Peveril Castle’s history shows that it was concerned less with defence and warfare than with the protection and government of the Royal Forest of the Peak. William Peveril, from whom the castle now takes its name, was the Keeper of the Forest in the 11th century.
Decline and rebirth: Peveril Castle was neglected and fell into disrepair in the 16th century. Few uses could be found for it. Its popularity was only revived centuries later, when visitors were drawn by its historical associations and by the beauty of the ruin in its landscape.
Exhibition: There is a permanent display on the upper floor of the visitor centre. This charts the history of the castle and includes two display cases showing artefacts such as horseshoes and medieval coins. Disabled visitors can access this display via a lift.

Facilities

Parking: Charged parking in main village car park (not managed by English Heritage) a 5-minute walk from Peveril Castle.
Food And Drink: Cold drinks and ice creams are available to purchase from the visitor centre. There are no food and drink facilities available up at the castle.
Toilets: There is one unisex toilet / disabled toilet (including baby changing facilities) located in the visitor centre. Visitors should be aware that once they have climbed up to the castle site there will be no toilet facilities available for them to use.
Dogs: Dogs are welcome on the site, but we do ask that they are kept on a lead.

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Price

Price: Paid

Price Details

Advance online tickets:

Adult: £8.00 with donation & £7.20 without donation.
Child (5–17 years): £4.50 with donation & £4.00 without donation.
Concession: £7.00 with donation & £6.30 without donation.
Family (2 adults, up to 3 children): £20.50 with donation & £18.40 without donation.
Family (1 adult, up to 3 children): £12.50 with donation & £11.20 without donation.
Member: Free.

On the day tickets:

Adult: £9.50 with donation & £8.60 without donation.
Child (5–17 years): £5.50 with donation & £5.00 without donation.
Concession: £8.50 with donation & £7.70 without donation.
Family (2 adults, up to 3 children): £24.50 with donation & £22.20 without donation.
Family (1 adult, up to 3 children): £15.00 with donation & £13.60 without donation.
Member: Free.

Pricing URL: https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/peveril-castle/prices-and-opening-times/

Birthday Parties

Offer Birthday Parties: No

Open Daily: 10am - 4pm (last entry at 3.15pm)

Address: Market Place, Castleton, Hope Valley, Derbyshire S33 8WQ, UK

Post Code: S33 8WQ

Council: High Peak

County: Derbyshire

Road Access: The entrance to Peveril Castle is near the Castleton marketplace, 15 miles west of Sheffield on the A6187.
Bus Access: Hulley’s 68, 173, 174, 272, 273, 274, 276; First 272 to Castleton then short walk.
Train Access: Hope station is 2 1⁄2 miles from Peveril Castle.
Bicycle Access: Find your cycling route to Peveril Castle at sustrans.org.uk, the National Cycle Network.
Parking: Charged parking in main village car park (not managed by English Heritage) a 5-minute walk from Peveril Castle.