Quirky things to do in the Peak District

Wanting to get your dancing shoes on and get your rhythm back? Well there are plenty of Peak District dance schools and Peak District Theatre Schools in the area.

Established for nearly 30 years, the Jayne Roy School of Dancing in the High Peak offers a variety of classes for girls and boys aged 3 years to adult. Private lessons are available, including private ballroom lessons for beginners.  So there really is no excuse to not book yourself on a Peak District Dance course.

The Felicity White School of Dance based in the Peak District village of Eyam has been running for 42 years. Offering RAD ballet, ISTD tap and modern, acro and musical theatre. They offer classes suitable for all ages, from toddlers to teens and beyond so all the family can get involved!  

Peak Performance Theatre School situated in the centre of Bakewell. The school strives to inspire and motivate all young people in a highly creative and artistic environment and encourages pupils of all abilities to benefit from a comprehensive Performing Arts curriculum. They also run Adult Dance Courses and holiday schools so you can certainly book yourself in for fun and creative dance classes in the Peak District.

If your staying in one of our properties as a group of friends, Hen Party or even as a corporate group then you need to check out Peak Outdoor Training for all your group activity needs! They have a vast range of outdoor pursuits to suit everyone from climbing to treasure hunts! There website is jam packed of things to choose from and can be all arranged over the phone!  A great day out for all and also a way to explore the wonderful Peak District all while having fun!

Pure Outdoor is an Award Winning Outdoor Activity Centre in the Peak District with experienced instructors and excellent facilities there is an activity for everyone.

Only 10 minutes from Derby and Ashbourne, Wild Park Derbyshire is the Midlands premier outdoor activity centre specialising in Paintball, Quad Bike trekking, Laser tag and Archery which is great for groups and packages can also include drinks/meals and snacks so working up an appetite is no problem!

Geronica provides Go Karting in the Buxton area if you and your group are wanting to put each other to the test and pump up the adrenalin! 

If you’re a bit of a night owl then a stargaze in The Peak District is a must! Be sure to visit the Stargaze at Wirksworth’s Stardisc and enjoy the dark skies of the Peak District.  A one of a kind installation is its own modern stone henge, designed by Aidan Shingler and carved into black granite.  The star chart reflects the night sky of the northern hemisphere, showing the different constellations and illuminated by solar powered lights at night.

They also host productions of plays, music performances and even yoga practices! There is also a guided tour walk up to the StarDisc with its creator and dog friendly too so bring your little furry friend with you.

Open 24 hours a day all year round and with free parking available in Wirksworth Village from the main road, two good sized car parks are sign posted from the road side and public foot paths from each car park lead to the StarDisc and to the Tissington Trail, access is also available to the National Stone Centre which is just a short distance away.

For something a little 'out of the ordinary' how about a bit of Peak District mosaic making. Try a hand at a little creativity in The Peak District with Zantium Studios based in Wirksworth. They specialise in mosaic design and making and offer fantastic beginner courses even for those with experience can enjoy.

This course will have you designing and making beautiful glass and ceramic tiles with the guidance along the way on advice on cutting techniques, with grouting and finishing demonstrations. With a little break for tea/coffee and lunch which is included in the course fee (also a homemade cake).

If you're a hen party, baby shower or birthday group and wanting to organise some fun together then there are many crafts in The Peak District to have a go at. The Crafty Hen have a range of specially chosen venues in the area with something to suit everyone, novice, or expert crafter alike.

Crafts and Giggles in Derbyshire offer a mobile service and provide expert tuition, materials, inspiration and giggles in the comfort of your own holiday home. For all ages and abilities there are many craft workshops to choose from including fascinator making, bunting, ceramic painting, vintage accessories and even knicker customisation and as well as all that you can even include a pretty yummy vintage tea party, the perfect vintage tea party in The Peak District.

A Bijoux little company based in Derbyshire providing unique old fashioned tea parties with lots of craft!  Crafternoon Teas are fun, happy and a great place to learn a new craft or revive ones from your past whilst sipping on a proper cup of tea in a china cup.

Enjoy your cheese? Then a one day cheese making course is a ‘brie-lliant’ idea. Based in beautiful Bakewell Hartingtons of Bakewell will teach you how to make your own artisan cheese. You will also be tutored on all aspects of this fascinating food by one of the countries leading experts.

Phil who learnt his skills at Reaceheath College along with working in New Zealand as a cheesemaker will tutor you in the techniques and theory to allow you to make your own soft cheeses. You will start your day by learning how to make a camembert style cheese. You will also learn about rennet, temperatures and techniques.

Lunch will include a tutored cheese tasting with a board of UK cheeses when you will be shown how an expert like Phil samples and grades cheese. In the afternoon you will learn how to make a lemon cheese and also a mozzarella. The course also includes an informal light lunch of cheese & merriment.

There's also other Cookery Classes available including Pork Pie making, Pasta making and Artisan Breadmaking .  

Wanting to get your voice heard! and have a little singing fun in the Peak District?  Stones Barn have weekend courses for singing, poetry, song writing and performance workshops for all. Whether you’re a professional who wants to learn and refresh your skills or a budding enthusiast who wants to showcase their work in a fun, safe space there is a workshop for you.

Workshops packed with fun content and beautiful, peaceful surroundings, our weekends feel like retreats. And if you fancy a dabble in a bit of role play while staying in The Peak District? Then Yafta International offer online workshops/training and classes. With the weekly acting classes on offer you can develop team working skills, build confidence and strengthen interpersonal relationships, all whilst embracing your own creativity through acting.   

​Get yourself in the great outdoors of the Peak District and enjoy a spot of 'Clay pigeon Shooting' all while soaking up the stunning scenery. 

With quite a few clubs to choose from in the area it's a great activity to do as a group whether you're a birthday group, Hen/Stag group, or a Corporate group -  and a bit of 'healthy competition in the workplace is a great motivation!

See below some popular clubs: 

• Darley Dale Clay Pigeon Shooting Club
• Cold Springs Farm Gun Club
• Old Glossop Clay Shooting ground
• Doveridge Clay Sports
• Harboro Rocks Clay Shoot

Ever wanted to be locked in a room and solve the puzzles to escape?  Maybe not something you have thought of! But if you are good at solving puzzles (and even if you’re not) then you need to discover the thrill and suspense of an ‘Escape room’ experience. Not far from your holiday home is Deception Escape Rooms based in Matlock. 

For all ages and with 4 escape rooms to choose from you can search the room, solve the puzzles, find the secrets and escape the room!  Fantastic team building in the Peak District for corporate groups too.   

Escape the Van - Mobile escape room - delivered to your venue door you can enjoy hours of fun working together to find clues, solve puzzles and break locks in this fun and challenging escape room experience.

Bring the entertainment to your holiday property. After some light-hearted enchanting entertainment? Then a little 'Peak District' magic is what you need to wow and amuse your guests.

We have some local ‘tricksters’ in the area available to book.  Danny Jewell specialises in weddings, corporate events and private parties. Performing for over 15 years Danny thrives off quality magic and pays attention to accommodating his clients needs.   

An award – winning magician Nick Rushton from the area is a professional experienced in ‘close up magic’ ‘table magic’, ‘pickpocketing’ and ‘mind-reading’. He’s appeared several times on tv and is a firm favourite of many celebrities.   

Stuck for a group activity to do in your holiday home and after a little entertainment in The Peak District'? Then book a ‘Murder Mystery Night’ where the murder is brought to you!  HDK Pursuits have packages for up to 20 guests with everything included and typically lasts 2.5 – 3 hours. Enjoy a fully interactive murder mystery with a variety of spectacular twists whatever your budget they’ll have a package for you.   

One way to see the stunning landscapes of the Peaks is trip on a Hot air balloon flight over The Peak District from a few selective launch sites in the area: ‘Rowsley’, Tissington Hall, Clover Fields and Peak View Campsite. A unique experience gives you the opportunity to see the Peak District from a height and see it in all its glory, see the rolling hills, landscapes and magnificent colour - a truly breath-taking experience!    

Also another unique Peak District experience is taking a trip to The Heights of Abraham in Matlock Bath and book your cable car ticket and ride up to the summit in style and enjoy the magnificent 360 degree panoramic views of the Derbyshire Dales around you. There is also two adventure playground areas for our younger guests to enjoy.

Also a trip to see Rutland Cavern at The Heights of Abraham in Ashbourne (one of 2 caverns here) where you can now see the newly revealed huge deposits of calcite crystals revealed when the Cavern was cleaned during the winter.  (See more on our Cave Section)