| Population: 649 | Grid Reference: SK149829 | Co-ordinates: 53.344,-1.775 |
Castleton
Castleton is one of England's most fascinating villages and has everything for the visitor, a real tourist Mecca. With four
show caves, five pubs, souvenir shops and a museum there is plenty to keep the tourist occupied. The A625 road from
Sheffield once ran to Chapel en le Frith but now terminates in Castleton after the Mam Tor section was abandoned due
to constant landslides. Light vehicles can still travel to Chapel en le Frith via Winnats Pass, a steep gorge which is home
to several caves. Cave Dale as it's name suggests also has a number of small caves.
Dominating the village is Peveril Castle, which is located over the entrance to the largest of Castleton's show caves, Peak Cavern. Originally called "The Devil's Arse", it's name was Bowdlerised for a visit by Queen Victoria but in more recent
years the proprietors of the cave have reverted to using it's cruder name. The tourist section of Peak Cavern gives only a
small insight into this vast underground system which is mostly available only to properly equipped cavers. Live concerts
Castleton is one of England's most fascinating villages and has everything for the visitor, a real tourist Mecca. With four
show caves, five pubs, souvenir shops and a museum there is plenty to keep the tourist occupied. The A625 road from
Sheffield once ran to Chapel en le Frith but now terminates in Castleton after the Mam Tor section was abandoned due
to constant landslides. Light vehicles can still travel to Chapel en le Frith via Winnats Pass, a steep gorge which is home
to several caves. Cave Dale as it's name suggests also has a number of small caves.
Dominating the village is Peveril Castle, which is located over the entrance to the largest of Castleton's show caves, Peak Cavern. Originally called "The Devil's Arse", it's name was Bowdlerised for a visit by Queen Victoria but in more recent
years the proprietors of the cave have reverted to using it's cruder name. The tourist section of Peak Cavern gives only a
small insight into this vast underground system which is mostly available only to properly equipped cavers. Live concerts
 Peveril Castle |
by rock and pop groups
regularly take place in the huge entrance vestibule of Peak Cavern. At the top end of the village is Speedwell Cavern, where an underground boat trip along a flooded mine leads to a natural cavern. Further mining lead to more natural passages which connects with Peak Cavern. Nearby is Treak Cliff Cavern, the smallest of Castleton's show caves which makes up for it's size with it's beauty. Blue John Cavern is further from the village and is best accessed via Winnats Pass. Oak Apple Day (29th May) is celebrated in Castleton as Garland Day where a "Garland King" is paraded around the village on horseback while wearing an extremely large garland of flowers and being followed by an entourage of girls dressed in white and carrying flowers. If the 29th of May falls on a Sunday then the event is moved to the preceding Saturday. |
