Castleton: Guide

: This article is about the English village in Derbyshire. For other uses, see Castleton (disambiguation).

Castleton is a honeypot (geography)|honeypot village in the Derbyshire Peak District, in England. The village lies at the western end of the Hope Valley, Derbyshire|Hope Valley, on the Peakshole Water stream.

Castleton village originally grew around the Norman Peveril Castle at around 1198, and later prospered from lead mining (see Derbyshire lead mining history). This created and enlarged local caverns, four of which are now open to the public as The Devil's Arse or Peak Cavern, Blue John Cavern, Speedwell Cavern and Treak Cliff Cavern. A limited supply of Blue John is mined locally.

The village is surrounded on three sides by hills. Most prominent are Lose Hill and Hollins Cross to the north, and Mam Tor to the west. The road leading west, to Chapel-en-le-Frith and Manchester, used to go over Mam Tor, but collapsed due to continual damage from landslides and was eventually abandoned. All westbound traffic from Castleton must now travel up the narrow Winnats Pass. Since the road is very narrow and steep most traffic enters and leaves the village from the east.

Castleton attracts large numbers of tourists, some of whom walk the Limestone Way, which runs south from the village down Cave Dale. Others gather to watch the ceremony held on Oak Apple Day, when a garland king is paraded around the streets wearing a large garland of flowers, also followed by local girls dressed in white with flowers. The village is also famous for its display of Christmas lights and decorations during the festive season.

Facilities in Castleton include an information centre, YHA|youth hostel, and several B&Bs and pubs.

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