Escape the city and enjoy a relaxing day in the countryside with 16 hidden villages just a short drive from Derby.
These peaceful spots offer quiet lanes, old stone cottages, and timeless charm - perfect for a walk, a lazy lunch, or simply soaking up the sun.
Think winding paths through green fields, sleepy pubs with garden seating, and village greens where nothing much happens - and that’s the beauty of it.
Whether you're after a gentle stroll, a riverside picnic, or a dose of rural calm, each village has its own quiet appeal.
There’s no need for long travel or busy tourist spots.
These are the kind of places where you can park up, wander freely, and let the pace slow right down.
1. Best villages to visit this summer
These are some of the best villages to visit this summer across Derbyshire and the Peak District. Photo: jason chadwick
2. Edale
Edale is an ideal base for hiking trips. The village is located at one end of the Pennine Way and near to Kinder Scout, the highest point in the Peak District. It is easily reached by train, with services on the Hope Valley line between Sheffield and Manchester stopping at Edale. Photo: jason chadwick
3. Eyam
For those interested in history, Eyam is a perfect place to visit. It is known as the plague village, after residents quarantined themselves to stop the spread of a plague outbreak in the 17th century. Photo: Jason Chadwick
4. Pilsley
Pilsley is located on the Chatsworth Estate, and is home to the popular Chatsworth Farm Shop. Estate workers live here in cottages and the village green normally hosts an annual fete. Photo: jason chadwick