Treasures of the Peak District

DAY 1

Arriving in the spa town of Buxton in the heart of the Peak District, we make our way to the Lee Wood Hotel. We can explore the beautiful spa town before we enjoy our first evening meal together.

DAY 2

This morning we travel by coach to the market town of Bakewell, perhaps best known for its unique and delicious pudding. This cosy, riverside town is a well-known tourist venue with a most pleasant riverside walk and inviting souvenir shops. Following our visit we travel the short distance to Chatsworth House, the ancestral home of the Dukes of Devonshire since the 1500’s. Renowned for the quality of its art that spans 4,000 years from ancient Roman, Egyptian sculpture, and masterpieces by Rembrandt and Reynolds. Famous for its rich history, historic and modern waterworks and sculptures, its Victorian rock garden and maze, there is something for everyone in the 105-acre Chatsworth Garden.

DAY 3

Today we take a scenic circular tour which on a fine day is possibly one of the most fascinating and beautiful in Britain. We commence with the steep climb over the wild hills of Derbyshire into the Staffordshire Moorlands where overlooking a beautiful lake you will learn the true story of Rudyard Kipling’s association with the area. An atmospheric visit to a former water-operated corn mill designed by the great engineer, James Brindley, is enhanced by illustrations featuring the life and work of James Brindley and the history of milling. We take a lunchtime break in the market town of Leek, known as the ‘Queen of the Moorlands’ and home to Railtrail Tours. Our afternoon commences with a steam train** ride through ‘Staffordshire’s Little Switzerland’ as the journey through the Churnet Valley was described by the original North Staffordshire Railway Company. We conclude our day by travelling high along Morridge Edge for a viewing stop overlooking The Roaches whilst discovering the story of the wild wallabies and the mysterious folklore of Mermaid Pool. This stunningly picturesque moorland tour is completed by our return across the border back into Buxton.

DAY 4

Today is vintage transport day as we retrace our steps through Bakewell to Rowsley to board the Peak Railway for a steam train** ride to Matlock. The line which has been reinstated forms part of the old Midland Railway line between Manchester Central and London St Pancras which was closed in 1968 and currently operates for a distance of 4 miles between Rowsley South Station and Matlock. After our visit to the railway, we re-board our coach for the short journey to the historical Crich Tramway Village! Step back in time along the recreated period street and join one of the vintage trams for a ride into yesteryear. Many of the buildings along the street have been rescued from towns and cities across the UK. Perhaps enjoy a drink in the Red Lion pub, the façade of which came from Stoke-on-Trent, and was rebuilt brick by brick.

DAY 5

We bid farewell to beautiful Buxton and the Peak District as we make our way homeward.

**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