Rolling across the Pennines’ southernmost hills is the glorious Peak District National Park. Ancient stone villages are folded into creases in the landscape, and the hillsides are littered with stately homes and rocky outcrops. Founded in 1951, the Peak District was England’s first national park and is Europe’s most popular. But even at peak times, there are 555 sq miles of open English countryside in which to soak up the scenery.