Cathedral of the Peak

Peak District


Dominating the former lead-mining village of Tideswell, the massive parish church of St John the Baptist – aka the Cathedral of the Peak – has stood here virtually unchanged since the 14th century. Look out for the wooden panels inscribed with the Ten Commandments and the grand 14th-century tomb of local landowner Thurston de Bower, depicted in full medieval armour. It's 8 miles east of Buxton, linked by bus 66 (£4, 25 minutes, every two hours Monday to Saturday).

Bus 173 links Tideswell with Bakewell (£3.10, 30 minutes, every two hours daily).


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Peak District attractions

1. Eyam Hall

3.99 MILES

Surrounded by a traditional English walled garden, this solid-looking 17th-century manor house with stone windows and door frames has a craft centre, a…

2. Eyam Museum

3.99 MILES

Vivid displays on the Eyam plague are the centrepiece of the engaging town museum, alongside exhibits on the village's history of lead mining and silk…

3. Eyam Parish Church

4.08 MILES

Many victims of the village's 1665 Black Death plague outbreak were buried at Eyam's church, whose history dates back to Saxon times. You can view stained…

4. Peveril Castle

4.24 MILES

Topping the ridge to the south of Castleton, a 350m walk from the town centre, this evocative castle has been so ravaged by the centuries that it almost…

5. Peak Cavern

4.31 MILES

Castleton's most convenient cave is easily reached by a pretty streamside 250m walk south of the village centre. It has the largest natural cave entrance…

6. Speedwell Cavern

4.4 MILES

Just over half a mile west of Castleton at the mouth of Winnats Pass, this claustrophobe's nightmare is reached by descending 106 steps for an eerie boat…

7. Castleton Museum

4.48 MILES

Attached to the tourist office, the cute town museum has displays on everything from mining and geology to rock climbing, hang-gliding and the curious…

8. Treak Cliff Cavern

4.66 MILES

Captivating Treak Cliff has a forest of stalactites and exposed seams of colourful Blue John stone, which is still mined to supply the jewellery trade…

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