A Gift from the Peaks
If you’re searching for meaningful Christmas gifts this year - ones that carry the scent of fresh air, the sound of curlews, or the memory of a windswept hike - we’ve got you covered.
The Peak District isn’t just a place to explore. It’s a place to belong to. And this year’s Edale Gift Guide brings together handpicked presents for the hillwalker, daydreamer, fire-sider or fell-runner in your life - as well as a few ways to shop local, reduce waste and maybe even support small businesses in the valleys and villages of this beautiful National Park.
Edale-Inspired Gifts from Our Shop
We’re starting with the most personal: our collection of made-to-order garments designed right here in the valley.
Edale Tees & Sweats
Wear your favourite hill on your sleeve. Our soft, long-lasting T-shirts and sweatshirts celebrate iconic local spots like:
Mam Tor – The shivering mountain
Kinder Downfall – The Peak’s only true waterfall
Mermaid’s Pool – A mysterious body of water with its own legend
Edale Village – The place where the Pennine Way begins
Each item is printed to order, meaning zero waste. We don’t hold bulk inventory or pump out trend-led designs. Instead, we create meaningful garments made with care, shipped with minimal packaging and rooted in a love for this landscape.
Peak District Shopping Spots Worth Visiting
Need to stretch your legs and tick off your Christmas list? Here are some of the best spots across the Peaks for festive shopping with serious charm.
Chatsworth House Christmas Market
Perhaps the most famous festive destination in the Peak District, Chatsworth transforms into a winter wonderland each November and December. With more than 100 stalls, lights strung through ancient trees, and the house itself decorated for Christmas, it’s worth a visit even if you don’t buy a thing (but you probably will).
Expect: Local crafts, books, foodie gifts, mulled wine, traditional decorations.
Hathersage
Head to Hathersage for a more low-key shopping trip, with big outdoor brands (like Outside) alongside independent shops and cafés. You’ll also find:
David Mellor Design – beautiful kitchenware and tableware.
Cintra’s Tearooms – for a gift voucher and some cake.
Colemans Deli – brilliant for stocking fillers and edible gifts.
Castleton
Yes, it can be busy - but Castleton does cosy better than most. This is the place to pick up:
Hand-poured candles
Books about the Peak District
Crystals and Blue John jewellery
Excellent walking maps and guidebooks
All wrapped in the fairy-lit charm of one of the Peaks’ prettiest villages.
Bakewell
The Peak District’s market town staple - worth visiting for the pudding alone. You’ll also find antique shops, craft stalls and some of the best charity shop browsing in the area.
Give an Experience, Not Just a Thing
Sometimes the best gifts don’t need wrapping.
OS Maps App Subscription
If the person you’re buying for loves to explore, an OS Maps subscription is the perfect present. They’ll get access to thousands of walking routes, including all of ours on the Visit Edale site, and can plot their own hikes across the Peaks.
Bonus: OS Maps is currently offering a free trial, and it works on both desktop and mobile. Get them exploring with confidence.
Pub + Walk Combo
Why not build your own gift bundle?
A printed walk (Kinder Scout via Ringing Roger? Lose Hill to Mam Tor?)
A pub voucher (Nags Head, Rambler Inn, or Penny Pot Café for the post-walk brew)
A packet of plasters. Just in case.
If your loved one’s into photography, a day in the darkroom at The Sheffield Darkroom makes a thoughtful, hands-on gift. No prior experience needed - just a roll of black & white film and a sense of adventure. What better way to get your favourite images hand developed and hand printed. Pure magic.
Gifts with a Lighter Touch
Whether you’re shopping for a full-swing present or just a stocking filler, there’s a wealth of small-scale makers and creatives in the region. Look for:
Hand-thrown pottery from Derbyshire ceramicists
Local honey (often available at Peak Co-ops or independent shops)
Art prints of Kinder, Mam Tor and surrounding peaks
Woollen socks from UK makers like HebTroCo
We’ll be featuring more of these kinds of gifts in future so keep an eye on the journal.
Final Thoughts
You don’t have to travel far, spend big, or rely on next-day delivery to give something special this Christmas.
With thoughtful, locally-rooted gifts - whether it’s a jumper that says you belong on this hill, a walk and a pint, or a quiet day wandering Chatsworth with someone you love - you’ll be making memories, not just purchases.
Happy gifting, and thanks for supporting the people and places that make the Peak District so special.
