You don’t have to move to the Peak District to get a taste of what life is like in one of Britain’s most charming villages.
Nestled in the scenic Hope Valley, this postcard-perfect village has just been named one of the best places to live in the UK by The Sunday Times and it’s easy to see why.
Famed for its 30-metre open-air swimming pool, this Derbyshire gem captures everything people love about the countryside: rolling green hills, independent shops, a thriving community, and some of the most striking scenery in the north of England.
Hathersage has been named one of the best places to live in the UK by The Sunday Times
Though surrounded by miles of walking trails and dramatic gritstone edges, Hathersage is just a short train ride from Sheffield, only around 20 minutes and easily reached from Manchester too.
Its location offers what The Sunday Times describes as “the best of both worlds”: the beauty of the outdoors paired with easy access to city life.
Hathersage sits in the heart of the Peak District, Britain’s first national park, designated back in 1951 after the historic Kinder Scout mass trespass of 1932.
Stretching across five counties, the park’s landscapes shift from the rugged Dark Peak moorlands to the gentle limestone dales of the White Peak in the south and Hathersage places you right between them.
Hathersage is home to a 30m outdoor swimming pool, which is open all year round
What truly sets this village apart, though, is its heated outdoor swimming pool, originally built in 1936 and lovingly maintained ever since.
Open all year round, it’s a community favourite whether you’re braving a winter swim or soaking up the summer sun.
For locals, a six-month season pass costs £223; for visitors, £306. One-off swims are available too, £8 for adults and £4 for kids but you’ll want to book early during the warmer months, as sessions fill up fast.
Walks, views and village life right in the heart of the Peak District
If you fancy stretching your legs after a dip, the spectacular Stanage Edge is just two miles away – a gritstone ridge offering some of the best panoramic views over the Hope Valley.
Back in the village, stop by Harrington’s butcher and deli for what locals say are “the best quiches this side of Manchester,” or enjoy a pint at The George, the 16th-century inn where a young Charlotte Brontë once stayed and found inspiration for Jane Eyre.
Nearby Haddon Hall, a grand medieval manor dating back more than 900 years, offers another glimpse into the Peak District’s rich history.
With average house prices around £601,000, moving to Hathersage might not be in everyone’s plans but visiting certainly should be.
Whether it’s the clean country air, the wild beauty of Stanage Edge, or a dip in that famous pool, this Peak District village delivers a perfect taste of outdoor living at its finest.