With more than 6,000 villages in the UK, choosing the perfect one for a staycation can be a daunting task. And with so many positive reviews online, this can often make planning even harder.

However, one village was thrown into the spotlight for all the wrong reasons.

In a 2001 Radio 5 survey, the tiny village of Dove Holes in the High Peak District of Derbyshire was named the ugliest village in Britain. 

This result sparked controversy and displeased many locals. Understandably, the residents of Dove Holes were shocked, as their village is located on the fringes of the picturesque Peak District National Park.

But despite its controversial reputation, Dove Holes has much to offer. The village is home to three impressive caves beside the River Dove, which visitors can enjoy exploring. 

These caves, formed around 350 million years ago by glacial meltwater, add a touch of ancient natural beauty to the area. 

Recommended by 201 hikers on Komoot, an outdoor app listing top activities for explorers, an intermediate hike starting at Dove Dale and looping through Dove Holes, Mill Dale and Hall Dale is a highly popular trek. 

Straddling the A6 road, Dove Holes is approximately three miles north of Buxton and three miles south of Chapel-en-le-Frith. Visitors can conveniently take a direct train from Dove Holes to Manchester.

With a population of 1,200 residents, many residents live in the village or on outlying farms.

Descriptions of Dove Holes as “dull and drab” from visitors may stem from the large limestone quarries that dominate the area. However, these quarries have significantly contributed to the village’s development and economy.

Evidence of human occupation in Dove Holes can be traced back to the Neolithic period, the late Stone Age, thanks to the existence of a henge known locally as “The Bull Ring”. 

Additionally, since the 1970s, Dove Holes has been the base for the Buxton Mountain Rescue, which originally helped people in difficulty in remote, moorland areas. 

Over time, the charity has expanded to assist in searches for missing and vulnerable people in semi-urban areas, often in cooperation with police.

Moreover, in 2019, Dove Holes railway station was chosen as a filming location for the music video of the chart-topping single “Someone You Loved” by singer Lewis Capaldi, adding a touch of fame to the village.

So, despite its past reputation, Dove Holes is far from unattractive. With its natural beauty, historical significance, and contributions to the community, it is definitely a village worth visiting and appreciating.