Castleton, Derbyshire<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />
Castletonâs weather is English in every sense of the clich© (i.e. fickle!). With temperatures ranging from 19°C (66°F) in the summer to 1°C (33°F) in the winter, itâs a temperate climate for those who want a holiday that is neither blistering nor chilly.
Castleton is a tourist-attracting village in North Derbyshire, situated in Englandâs Peak District National Park and not far from the Pennines. It sits 300m above sea level and is surrounded by many a hill and as such acts as a hub for hikers who park in Castleton then meander off into the scenic wilderness.
Aside from its rustic English country charm, the village of Castleton is adorned with a multitude of pubs, tea-shops (for the designated drivers), guest houses and has attractions such as the discontinued Peak Rail, built in 1863 and is a short drive from Bakewell: Birthplace of the Bakewell tart and fictional home of Mr Darcy from Jane Austenâs Pride and Prejudice.
Spring
The forecast in the spring tends to be, at its coldest, 9°C (46°F) and at its most extreme, 16°C (60°F). It is surprising to note that the season has the lowest amount of rainfall at only 4.38cm.
The humidity has a nice range in the spring, starting the day at around 89% and gradually fading to 61% in the evening. That, and the 5 hours of direct sunlight Castleton receives per day, will ensure that the mornings are warm enough to enjoy a day out and the evenings are cool enough to sleep soundly. If you manage to spot a Jacobâs Ladder plant, smile because itâs Derbyshireâs county flower, much like the red and white roses that Yorkshire and Lancashire keep bickering over.
Summer
Itâs unpredictable, it starts raining when youâve just put you shorts and sunglasses on and its talked about in England almost as much as the football. Thatâs right. Itâs the English summer.
The forecast hovers around the 21°C (69°F) to 18°C (64°F) region with 6 hours of sunlight a day. Thatâs easily enough time to enjoy a day out, be it in the village of Castleton (it is barbeque weather after all) or out in the countryside as Castleton is only 5 miles from Kinder Scout, the Peak Districtâs highest point. Not a mountain like those in the Lake District, but a plateau with that picturesque paling valley with a stream running through the middle.
Summer weather is made hotter by the humidity which can reach peaks of 91% before dropping to 58% after the barbecue is over.
The rain situation is an average 5.57 cm over Castleton and the whole of Derbyshire. Itâs worth looking out of the window before you dress for the day and, if youâre leaving the village, taking something with sleeves just in case.
Autumn
When the leaves start falling, you can bet the temperature will too. Dropping to heights of 17°C (62°F) at the start before fading off into winter at 9°C (46°F) and with the sunshine dwindling to 2 to 3 hours a day, itâs easy to see that it gets cold fast. Taking a raincoat is advised too as the precipitation peaks in Castleton around this time of year at 6.89cm. That may not sound much, especially when you look it up on a ruler, but imagine it everywhere.
As the temperature drops, the humidity will cause those foggy mornings everyone knows English countrysideâs for. It does tend to fade slightly as the day progresses, with the humidity dropping from 91% to 71%.
Winter
Time to put on the layers, strap on the yaktrax and don the woolly-hat and thatâs if you only want to nip to the shop. The temperatures will drop to lows of 1°C (33°F) and peaking at a chilling 6°C (42°F). It will drop below the zeros at night time though, so expect to wake up to ice on the ground and frost on everything else.
Winter Castletonâs great if youâre feeling nocturnal though as Castleton only receives 1 hour of direct sunlight a day and the humidity ranges from 88% to 79%, ensuring it will feel colder than it actually is and will also bring some foggy mornings. That, coupled with the classic old village âDonât go out on the moorsâ appeal, has always defined England and brought many holiday-makers to the country.
The rain falls at 4.99 cm, but the snow has been known to kick in during late November and carry on periodically until March.