It may come as a surprise to learn that Tideswell is the second-largest settlement in the Peak District. Despite a population of around 1,700 and great array of shops, pubs and restaurants, it’s not as busy with tourists as some other villages. Despite this it’s a lively base for a weekend break, with historic features to explore and some great events throughout the year.
Nestled at the foot of Tideswell Dale, and with great access to the other Derbyshire Dales it’s also a lovely base for walking the area. All this makes it an ideal destination if you want a relaxing Peak District break, with some great options for your time away from the hiking trails too.
Let me know in the comments what your favourite thing about Tideswell is.
How to Spend the Perfect Walking Weekend in Tideswell.
(Including a 3-DAY ITINERARY)
Tideswell isn’t the first village which springs to mind when many people think of a Peak District walking escape, and that’s the very magic of it! Centred around a strong local community, and known in the area as ‘Tidza’, it is host throughout the year to a variety of festivals and events, celebrating local history and produce.
The village is also home to St John the Baptist church, known as The Cathedral of the Peak and noted for its unusual wood and stone carvings. With a variety of accommodation available, including quirky holiday cottages, it’s time to add Tideswell to your short-break hit-list!
Read on for our pick of the best Tideswell walks and highlights of the village and the local area to keep you busy for a short break or weekend away.
Full walk descriptions, maps and GPX of each walking route can be found in their main walk post.
Explore the history of the textile industry
Although Tideswell itself dates back to pre-Roman times, it thrived due to the textile industry and accompanying mills. With other nearby villages growing up around the mills in the 19th century.
Water powered mills produced high-demand cotton, with Tideswell also involved in the hand-weaving of silk scarves and handkerchiefs. Today you can still see many of the magnificent mill factories dotted around the area. On our 8-mile Tideswell, Millers and Cressbrook Dale from Litton walk, you pass some of these mill villages and can even divert into them to explore them properly.
Textile Mills WalkBrowse the independent shops
Tideswell is home to a handful of independent shops for you to browse. Perfect for a post-walk mooch, or to spend an hour on a rainy day. As well as Peaches Greengrocers and Tindalls Bakery and Delicatessen, selling locally produced, fresh goods, there is a Co-op and pharmacy.
Our favourite however is Peak Volumes, a second-hand bookstore which also stocks a small range of gifts and cards for you to purchase. The perfect place to buy a book to read on your weekend getaway or maybe find some second hand walking books for the area!
Peak VolumesTake in the views from Monsal Head
The Monsal Trail and Monsal Head are ever popular Peak District destinations. You can walk directly onto the Monsal Trail from Tideswell on our 7-mile Tideswell Dale, Millers Dale and Monsal Trail walk, which also takes in a little of Water-cum-Jolly Dale.
If you want to get up high and take in the views though, drive up to Monsal Head for our 2-mile Monsal Head and Viaduct Short Walk.
Want some further Monsal Trail inspiration? Check out our 9 Monsal Trail Walks in the Peak District article below.
9 Monsal Trail WalksSkip across the stepping stones!
Chee Dale is a truly unique place to walk in the Peak District, and its close location to Tideswell makes it well worth the trip for a walk while you’re in the area.
This steep-sided limestone gorge is a protected nature reserve, with the River Wye winding through it. The riverside path, with its wooden bridges, makes for a charming walk, with the Chee Dale stepping stones allowing you to pass at the foot of the cliffs. Our 5-mile Chee Dale Stepping Stones walk from Miller’s Dale is the perfect way to take this quirky dale in!
Chee Dale Stepping Stones WalkEat, drink and be merry!
Not only is Tideswell home to a great selection of pubs and cafes it also hosts and annual Food Festival, so you really are spoilt for choice when it comes to eating and drinking.
Held every May, the Tideswell Food Festival brings together an eclectic mix of artisan food stalls, handmade goods, and live entertainment. Enjoy browsing and purchasing locally-sourced produce, from fresh seasonal ingredients to indulgent treats, alongside unique crafts from talented makers.
Even if you’re not visiting during the Food Festival you can still take your pick of where to eat. Check out:
- The Horse and Jockey – a family run, dog friendly pub with accommodation
- The George Inn – a 16th century coaching inn which regularly features live music
- The Merchants Yard – a restaurant with rooms in the heart of the village
- Tideswell Lounge – a cosy cafe with a laid-back atmosphere
- The Cherry Tree – a popular stop for sandwiches and cakes
- Sal’s Italian – a welcoming family-run restaurant offering fresh authentic Italian cuisine
- Elliott’s Fish & Chips – in case you fancy a chippie tea!
Plenty of choice for a few days and nights!
Tideswell Food FestivalTake a trip to nearby Buxton
Buxton is a town with a multitude of attraction points. The highest market town in England lays claim to a geothermal spring, which flows water at a steady 28 degrees centigrade and it’s home to an Opera House! Its mix of Georgian and Victorian architecture makes for a delightful sight, and the Buxton Crescent Spa is the perfect place for a relaxing day.
At only a twenty-minute drive from Tideswell, Buxton is well worth a visit while you’re in the area. Whether it’s for a few hours spa time, to rejuvenate after a big hike, an evening at the Opera House, or just time spent exploring its shops and buildings.
On your way there you can stop at Millers Dale and follow our 4.5-mile walking route into Monk Dale. This gives you time for a walk in the morning and relaxing in Buxton in the afternoon.
Monk Dale from Millers Dale WalkVisit The Cathedral of the Peak
Situated in the heart of Tideswell, the imposing beauty of St John the Baptist church has earned it the nickname The Cathedral of the Peak. Although it isn’t actually a cathedral it is still a popular place to visit due to its array of interesting carvings (look out for the Green Men around the church) and elaborate stained-glass windows.
The church has been a place of worship since 1398 and is now a Grade 1 listed building. There is even a 8.5-mile modern-day, circular pilgrimage walking route, which starts from the church, and visits the four daughter churches of the Benefice.
Pilgrimage WalkEnjoy Well Dressings and Wakes Week
Wakes Week’s are a long-standing tradition in many Derbyshire villages. Over the years the custom has died out in some villages but Tideswell revived it in 1946, reinvigorating the week-long series of festivities with a range of activities and events, such as the crowning of the Wakes Queen, Well Dressing, and a torchlight procession featuring the Tideswell Band and dancing in the streets!
Wakes Week starts on the Saturday nearest to saints’ day for St John the Baptist which is usually in late June and runs until the following Sunday.
Visit Tideswell during Wakes Week and add a whole lot of fun to your walking min-break!
Tideswell Wake WeekTideswell: A 3-Day Itinerary
Day 1
- Arrive in Tideswell and kick off your walking weekend with a trip to Monsal Head for our 2-mile walk with viaduct views.
- Get settled into your accommodation. We spotted the charming Old Toffee Shop, and both The Horse & Jockey and The George Inn have rooms too.
- Head to Sal’s Italian to get some good carbs in before a big day out walking tomorrow.
Day 2
- Grab yourself a sandwich and some cake from The Cherry Tree, to help you fuel up during your walk.
- Drive to nearby Litton to enjoy our 8-mile Tideswell, Miller’s and Cressbrook Dales walk.
- Back in the Tideswell, visit the ‘Cathedral of the Peak’, St John the Baptist church and enjoy the carvings and stained glass windows..
- Finish your day by enjoying a special meal at The Merchant’s Yard.
Day 3
- Begin your day with a full English breakfast at The Tideswell Lounge.
- Head out to Miller’s Dale for our 4.5-mile Monk’s Dale walk.
- Continue to Buxton for a Sunday stroll around the shops and to admire the impressive buildings.
- It’s time to head home – where will your next Peak District weekend break take you?
Do you have any more questions about Baslow? Ask me in the comments below.
Ordnance Survey Walk Maps
For these walks, there are two maps that cover them OL1 – Peak District (Dark Peak Area) and OL24 – Peak District (White Peak Area)
Shop online at Ordnance Survey
And don’t forget your compass, I recommend the Silva Expedition or the Silva Classic compass.
For online maps, I recommend the OS Online App (I have been using it for many years and it is worth getting if you want to start walking more). Check prices here for the one-month or annual option with the OS Online App. All the walks on the website are created using OS Online + you can download them to the App.
Check prices here for the one month or yearly option with OS Online App.
More walks in the Peak District
Want some more Peak District mini-break inspiration? Check out our other ‘Weekend in…’ articles.
- How to Spend the Perfect Walking Weekend in Baslow
- How to Spend the Perfect Walking Weekend in Wirksworth
- How to Spend the Perfect Walking Weekend in Castleton
Or check out all our Peak District walking routes here
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