Lonely Planet puts Castleton on the map

Travel experts Lonely Planet are to spend a day at the Peak District National Park’s new flagship visitor centre in Castleton next week.

The team will be at Castleton on Thursday 24 August (10am to 5pm) hosting book promotions and giveaways. Visitors can also join in a photography walk led by Lonely Planet pathfinder Dan James.

The visit is part of a nationwide road trip – in an electric car – to showcase some of the best national parks in England, Scotland and Wales. The trip also celebrates new Lonely Planet book releases, including Epic Drives of the World and National Parks of Europe, as well as updated guidebooks for England, Scotland and Wales.

The newly refurbished centre in Castleton is one of six venues to be visited by Lonely Planet during the nine-day tour. Team members will be driving an all-electric Tesla Model S from the Cairngorms in Scotland to Dartmoor in the South West.

The tour starts on Saturday 19 August and will take in Loch Lomond and The Trossachs, the Lake District, the Peak District, the Brecon Beacons and Dartmoor.

An epic road trip sparked the idea of Lonely Planet in the 1970s, and this journey follows in that legacy, while highlighting the potential future of road travel.

Tom Hall, editorial director at Lonely Planet said: “We’ve been inspired by our new books to head out and explore some of Britain’s fantastic scenery and amazing places. We’re blessed with an incredible variety of natural landscapes and we’re looking forward to getting out on the road and visiting some of the best – and meeting fellow travellers along the way.

“Many road trips in the future could be taken by electric car, so this trip aims to provide a taste of what to expect and how this might transform people’s travel experiences.”

Sue Beswick, the Peak District National Park’s visitor experience development manager, said: “We look forward to welcoming Lonely Planet to our newly refurbished visitor centre – an ideal base for the team as they explore our beautiful National Park.

“Castleton is now the Peak District’s premier visitor centre, offering a warm welcome to people of all ages and abilities. With exciting information displays, Castleton Historical Society museum, improved retail facilities and a new café, it is the perfect place for people exploring the area by car or on foot.”

The circular photography walk will leave Castleton Visitor Centre at 2pm, returning at 3pm. The walk is free but limited to 25 people (over 18s only) on a first come, first served basis. Walkers should meet at the Lonely Planet stand at the visitor centre at 1.45pm.