Yahoo News 'Hidden gem' Peak District village named one of the best UK holiday destinations
A quaint Peak District village not many have heard of has been hailed as one of the top holiday destinations in the UK. Picturesque Monyash is surrounded by stunning countryside but is just a short drive to the market towns of Leek, Buxton, Ashbourne and Bakewell.
It boasts a highly-rated pub, The Bull's Head, with a huge children's playground, an ice cream parlour, duck ponds and a pretty village green where the well-dressing is held each summer. The village is also one of the starting points for one of the prettiest walks in the Peak District, Lathkill Dale.
Now holiday home insurance firm Schofields has named Monyash as one of the top places for a staycation after looking at factors such as crime rates and rental yield across towns and villages throughout England.
READ: Dog-friendly gastro pub near Thor's Cave to go under the hammer The pub has previously been a hotspot for walkers exploring the national park
A spokesperson from the company stated: "Instead of usual picks like Bakewell, Derbyshire's Monyash was selected as a top location for holidaymakers due to its outstanding crime rates and proximity to a range of local tourist attractions."
Going on to praise the village's unique features, they added that "This is a hidden gem of a village with a remarkably low crime rate of 12.05 crimes per 100 thousand people, making it the 32nd safest village in Derbyshire. It is famed for its five ponds, 20 wells and thriving community, but it is also located perfectly in the rolling hills of the stunning Lathkill Dale making it an excellent base to explore the Peak District.
"You can walk straight out of the village across the White Peak landscape with walks to suit everyone, from four-mile circulars to the long-distance trail, The Limestone Way. Just a short car journey away, you can access all the best the Peak District has to offer, including the Monsal Dale Headstone viaduct and the Monsal Trail cycling route along the old railway line, the iconic Chatsworth House and the spa town of Buxton.
"And of course, you're just a stone's throw from Bakewell's famed tarts, puddings and pies."
Lathkill Dale, a Site of Special Scientific Interest, offers caves, waterfalls, meadows, scree, and abundant trees and wildlife. Although it's a favourite spot for tourists and picnic-goers during summer, its vast expanse and varied landscape mean it never feels overcrowded.
There are multiple attractions and many footpaths to explore in Lathkill Dale, making it a true gem among the numerous walks available throughout the Peak District. This long dale stretches from Alport in the east to Monyash in the west - a trek of just over six miles if covered entirely. However, this could be turned into a circular 11-miles long walk.
