Sometimes, the most beautiful spots are just a stone's throw away, andthe Peak District is brimming with charming towns and villages, including this gem – perfect for those who love the great outdoors.

Nestled within the undulating hills of Derbyshire, one of the nation's top spa towns is just an hour's drive from the city of Derby. Perched on the fringes of the Peak District, Buxton serves as the ideal retreat, boasting breathtaking landscapes to discover nearby and a delightful town to reside in while you do so.

It holds the title of England's highest market town but is best known for its 'healing' spa waters that flow through the region. For hundreds of years, visitors have flocked here to bathe in and sample the mineral-rich waters of Buxton, a tradition that continues today.

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In fact, the water is so pristine that it's bottled straight from the natural mineral springs that seep through the rocks. This gives us the famous Buxton water bottles that many of us have sipped and purchased over the years, all sourced from the historic St Ann's Well.

A good two-hour walk from the town centre, or a short car journey, will take you to Three Shires Head, a renowned walking spot where Derbyshire, Cheshire and Staffordshire converge. Here, you'll find stunning waterfalls and inviting pools perfect for wild swimming.

One TripAdvisor reviewer said: "Three Shires Head feels like a hidden world, with waterfalls, old packhorse bridges, and proper peace and quiet. It's a stunning spot for a ramble, with views that make you stop in your tracks. A proper breath of fresh air."

Yet the most beloved walking trail in the region remains the Solomon's Temple circular route, which starts directly from Buxton Station. Walkers are treated to breathtaking rural panoramas as they wander through Buxton Country Park towards Grin Low's peak, where the Victorian observation tower of Solomon's Temple awaits.

One hiker described it as an "unexpected gem", writing: "Was only expecting a view downhill of Buxton, but after a reasonably gentle walk up from town and the caves, you get a full 360' experience at the heart of the Peak District and great views – distant hills, rolling plains and valleys. There's a rocky outcrop just behind it, for those of us that admire that sort of thing (and it's very photogenic)."

Those who favour snuggling up indoors will find the Buxton Crescent Hotel and Thermal Spa Hotel at the town's centre - a Grade I listed five-star establishment featuring a rooftop swimming pool and extensive treatment menu. Next to this stands another architectural marvel, the mesmerising Devonshire Dome, which boasts a span greater than London's renowned St Paul's Cathedral.

A recent guest at the spa said: "The spa is to die for. So relaxing. On the whole I would recommend it. The icing on the cake is the champagne on arrival before check-in. I have never experienced that. We definitely will go again and recommend it to friends and family."