English Heritage

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’.