You don’t have to move there to get a taste of what life is like in this gorgeous village
16:39, 12 Apr 2026
The village of Hathersage has been named one of the best places to live in the UK by The Sunday Times (Image: UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty)
For decades the Peak District has been charming visitors with its dramatic landscape and picturesque villages. It occupies a rather unique position when it comes to the UK’s national parks.
It was the first of Britain’s 15 national parks to be designated in April 1951, kickstarted by the mass trespass of Kinder Scout in 1932. It also doesn’t belong to just one county or region, thanks to its location in the heart of the country it encompasses five counties: Derbyshire, Cheshire, Staffordshire, Yorkshire and Greater Manchester.
The Peak District features distinct geological sections, too; in the north lies the Dark Peak, a landscape of rugged moors and gritstone edges. Meanwhile in the south is the White Peak, where you’ll find green rolling hills and limestone dales.
It’s managed to escape the mass tourism of the Lake District, well mostly, some key areas like Bakewell and Mam Tor can attract large crowds; while it’s also within easy reach of major cities and towns including Manchester and Sheffield.
The village is home to a 30m open-air pool (Image: PA)
So it’s not surprising that one village in the Peak District was recently named by The Sunday Times as one of the best places to live in the UK in 2026. Hathersage was included in the publication’s annual list.
Nestled in the Hope Valley, the village is easily reached by train from both Manchester and Sheffield (the latter is only 20 minutes away), yet couldn’t feel further away from city life, in fact The Sunday Times describes it as ‘the best of both worlds’.
While the list highlights places to live (and should you fancy a move to the village, the average house price comes in at around £601,000), Hathersage is certainly worthy of a day trip of weekend away from Greater Manchester, especially if you want to explore the incredible scenery on its doorstep.
The publication writes: “In a sweet Peak District spot, Hathersage celebrates outdoor living at its most fulfilling: hiking, biking, rock-climbing, geocaching, mountaineering, canoeing, caving … and there’s no shortage of shops to stock up on cagoules and crampons, such as Outside and Alpkit.”
View from Stanage Edge at sunset(Image: Loop Images/Universal Images Gro)
Tt recommends a walk to nearby Stanage Edge, a gritstone escarpment which is just a two-mile walk away that’s “worth it, every time”, with “breathtaking views over the Hope Valley.”
But what sets Hathersage apart from other Peak District towns and villages is its 30m outdoor swimming pool, which is open all year round. It was built in 1936 and is still much-loved by the local community today.
A resident season pass (either for six months in summer or six months in winter) costs £223, while those who live out of the area will need to pay £306. Or you can book a one-off swim which is £8 for adults, £4 for children aged 4-17 and £7 for concessions. Be warned, it can get booked up quickly in the summer season.
Other gems in Hathersage that The Sunday Times recommends are Harringtons butcher which “does double duty as a deli, offering the best quiches this side of Manchester”, ideal fuel for a hike nearby; The George pub where Charlotte Bronte stayed in 1845 (which also inspire the George Inn in Jane Eyre) ; and the historic Haddon Hall, an estate which dates back more than 900 years.