Middleton by Wirksworth sits on the edge of the Peak District, making it an ideal base for exploring both the White and Dark Peak. With the A6 and Via Gellia offering easy access by car, public transport, or bike, it’s simple to reach destinations across the national park. But you don’t need to travel far - with Wirksworth, Cromford, the Matlocks, and the Derwent Valley all within walking distance, there’s plenty to see and do right on your doorstep in the Derbyshire Dales.

Just a mile downhill from Middleton, Wirksworth is an enchanting market town filled with winding lanes, historic buildings, and independent spirit. Visit T’Owd Man, one of the oldest depictions of a miner, in St Mary’s Church, then pop into the Heritage Centre (currently closed) to uncover more about the town’s fascinating past.

You’ll find a variety of shops, galleries, and cafés lining the streets, while a Co-op ensures you can keep the cottage well stocked. There’s a weekly market every Tuesday morning and a farmers’ market on the first Saturday of the month. After browsing, stop at one of the many cafés for lunch, or walk off a slice of cake with a climb up Greenhill to the StarDisc, a modern stone circle and celestial amphitheatre with panoramic views over the Ecclesbourne Valley.

In the evening, take your pick from a range of pubs and restaurants, or book a seat at The Northern Light Cinema, a characterful venue screening everything from arthouse films to blockbusters. Wirksworth also has a lively calendar of festivals and events, and heritage rail enthusiasts can enjoy a ride on the Ecclesbourne Valley Railway, which runs to and from Duffield, nine miles to the south.

Cromford is famous for its pivotal role in the Industrial Revolution. Richard Arkwright built the world’s first water-powered cotton spinning mill here in 1771, and Cromford Mill is now recognised as the birthplace of the modern factory system. The village marks the northern end of the Derwent Valley Mills UNESCO World Heritage Site, which stretches south along the River Derwent to Derby, beginning at nearby Masson Mill in Matlock Bath.

After touring Cromford Mill and learning more at its visitor centre, you’ll find the village itself is full of character. There are several pubs, cafés, independent shops and galleries to explore. Tucked behind The Greyhound Hotel is a peaceful mill pond, overlooked by Scarthin Books, named one of the ‘World’s 10 Best Bookshops’ by The Guardian. Here you can lose track of time browsing the shelves of new and second-hand books, or enjoy something from the on-site vegetarian and vegan café.

Art lovers can stop in at The Old Lock Up Gallery, set in a former 18th-century village jail. Continuing uphill through the village, you’ll pass rows of historic mill workers’ cottages. North Street is especially significant, featuring what’s believed to be the earliest example of planned industrial housing anywhere in the world.

Cromford also offers some outstanding walks. A climb up to Black Rocks rewards you with dramatic views to Middleton Moor, Bonsall, and the Matlocks. From here, you can pick up the High Peak Trail, or head across to Bolehill for a sweeping view over Wirksworth.

If you prefer a gentler route, the Cromford Canal towpath offers serene, low-level walking. Originally built to transport limestone, coal, lead and iron ore, the 14.5-mile canal is now a haven for wildlife, including water voles. The stretch from Cromford to Whatstandwell and on to Ambergate is beautiful in all seasons and easy to incorporate into circular walks. Alternatively, you can hop on the Derwent Valley Line to return to your starting point. For a slower-paced experience, join a canal cruise aboard Birdswood at Cromford Wharf and glide along to High Peak Junction.

Not far from Cromford is Crich Tramway Village, home to the National Tramway Museum. More than 60 vintage trams, built between 1873 and 1982, run through a recreated period village complete with a working pub, café, traditional sweetshop and tram depots. Trams carry passengers out into the surrounding countryside and back again, offering a nostalgic ride through time.

The village of Crich itself is full of charm and boasts magnificent views across the Derwent Valley. Its crowning feature is Crich Stand, the memorial tower of the Sherwood Foresters Regiment. Sitting at 286 metres above sea level, it can be seen for miles. Climb the 59 steps to the viewing gallery and, on a clear day, you’ll be rewarded with views spanning seven counties.

Just over a mile upstream from Cromford, Matlock Bath sits in a dramatic gorge carved by the River Derwent, flanked by wooded hillsides and limestone crags. Lord Byron famously dubbed it ‘Little Switzerland’ for its Alpine character, an impression only enhanced today by the cable cars that whisk visitors up to the Heights of Abraham high above the village.

With its amusement arcades and fish and chip shops, Matlock Bath has the feel of a landlocked seaside resort, but there’s much more to discover. Tucked inside one of the handsome Georgian buildings lining the main street is the Matlock Bath Aquarium, where you can see one of the original Victorian swimming pools, fed by thermal springs and now brimming with carp. If you’re after a dip yourself, head to the New Bath Hotel’s restored 1930s lido, also warmed by the town’s natural springs.

For younger visitors, Gulliver’s Kingdom is a popular hillside theme park. For more traditional height-based excitement, hike up to High Tor for breathtaking views and a walk along the narrow Giddy Edge, then descend to Lovers’ Walk for a gentler riverside experience.

In September and October, Matlock Bath hosts its famous Illuminations, when the riverside is lit up and the cliffs glow with coloured floodlights. Weekends bring parades of decorated boats, live entertainment, and fireworks, transforming the village into a dazzling festival of light.

Continue north along the river and you’ll soon reach Matlock, the county town of Derbyshire. Quieter than its flamboyant neighbour, Matlock offers plenty to see and do. Hall Leys Park has a boating lake, tennis courts, and peaceful riverside paths, while the shops and cafés in town are ideal for a leisurely browse. Antique hunters will want to explore Dale Road, home to several vintage and curiosity shops.

There are excellent walking options nearby. Hike up to the imposing Riber Castle for wide-reaching views, or explore the hidden beauty of Lumsdale Valley, where waterfalls tumble past atmospheric mill ruins. After your adventures, you can toast your efforts at Bentley Brook Brewing Company, or carry on through to Tansley before looping back to town.

There are many more charming villages within easy walking or cycling distance of Eight The Green. Bonsall, Carsington, Brassington and Winster can all be included in a day’s route, and each has a welcoming country pub serving hearty food.

If you're up for a challenge, try ticking off a few Ethels in the area: Harboro’ Rocks, Bolehill, Blakelow Hill and Minninglow are all within a few miles of Middleton. The Ethels are a collection of 95 hills in and around the Peak District, each over 400 metres high or with notable prominence. They’re named after Ethel Haythornthwaite, founder of the countryside charity CPRE. You can find out more on their website and download the Ethel Ready app to track your progress.

Carsington Water lies three miles to the south-east of Middleton. This large reservoir is surrounded by wildflower meadows and native woodland, and offers easy walking and cycling routes, including an 8-mile circuit around the water’s edge. Outdoor activities such as fishing, kayaking and paddleboarding are also available, with equipment hire and courses for all abilities.

The reservoir provides an important habitat for many bird species, as does Middleton Moor, so don’t forget to pack the binoculars and log any interesting sightings with the Derbyshire Ornithological Society.

If you prefer something a little more cultivated, the area is also home to several gardens that are well worth a visit. Cascades Gardens in Bonsall, Hopton Hall with its snowdrop and rose walks, and Lea Rhododendron Garden all offer something different throughout the seasons.

With so much to see and do right on the doorstep, you won’t need to travel far. But if your heart’s set on a particular walk or historic house, Eight The Green makes the perfect base, with most Peak District highlights well within easy reach.