Rail & Ramble in Historic Derbyshire

DAY 1

For those booking rail travel with us, we arrive at Belper and transfer to our hotel for four nights, The Lion Hotel, which is situated close to the station. Evening meals are included every night.

DAY 2

After breakfast today, we will travel by rail to Ambergate for a leisurely 5-mile walk along the historic Cromford Canal, calling in at the workshop and museum of the Cromford and High Peak Railway before arriving at Cromford Wharf. Here we will enjoy an included buffet lunch before our guided tour of Arkwright's Mill, the world's first successful water-powered cotton spinning mill dating back to the 1800's. We return by rail from Cromford to Belper.

DAY 3

Take a scenic train ride to Matlock and experience the beauty of Peak Rail as we travel four miles to Rowsley South. From there, enjoy a peaceful one-mile stroll to the charming Grouse & Claret pub in Rowsley village. On the way back to Matlock, take some time to explore the town and then embark on a two-mile walk along the picturesque River Derwent to High Tor, where you'll be treated to breathtaking views. End the day by returning to Belper from Matlock Bath station.

DAY 4

We enjoy a leisurely morning to explore the picturesque town of Belper before taking the train to Duffield for a ride behind steam over the Ecclesbourne Valley line to Wirksworth. Here we walk through the historic town, past the immense Middle Peak Quarry, up to the High Peak Trail following the route of the Cromford & High Peak Railway. Built in the 1830's to transport limestone via horse-drawn level sections, there are a number of rope worked inclines on our way down to the Cromford Canal. We stop at Middleton Top Engine House to see the amazing incline beam engines in operation before taking a light lunch at a nearby pub. Continuing our walk, we descend the incline to the narrow-gauge Steeple Grange Railway for a ride over a former quarry branch line, after which, our walk then passes another winding house and down Sheep Pasture Incline. Spectacular views over the surrounding countryside are offered here before we turn into Cromford for the train back to Belper. We will complete an exhilarating total of five miles walking today.

DAY 5

Following breakfast, we will depart for trains to your home station.

*We reserve the right to travel by heritage diesel train should the steam locomotive not be available / timetabled at the time of our visit.

B=Breakfast, D=Dinner