TREASURES OF THE PEAK DISTRICT 2022

By Les Snaith

 

Day 1 - We arrived in to the spa town of Buxton, where we made our way to the Lee Wood Hotel, situated close to the town centre and train station.

 

Day 2 - Today we travelled by coach to Bakewell, which sits above the River Wye. Bakewell is probably most famous for its Bakewell puddings and tarts and is home to 'The Old Original Bakewell Pudding Shop'. After some leisurely time around the historic market town, we headed to the magnificent Chatsworth House, which has been the ancestral home to the Devonshire family for 16 generations, the estate is set in 1,000 acres on the banks of the River Derwent. 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 - A circular tour awaited us today through Derbyshire and into the Staffordshire Moorlands. We visit former water-operated corn mill designed by the great engineer, James Brindley and learnt about the history of milling, followed by a short lunch break in market town of   Leek, home of Railtrail Tours.

 

Our afternoon commenced with a steam train ride through 'Staffordshire's Little Switzerland' as the journey through the Churnet Valley, United States Army Transport Corps 2-8-0 loco built in Ohio in 1945 is now a star attraction on the Churnet Valley Railway!

 

 

We concluded our day 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.

 

 

Day 4 - A day of vintage transport! We retraced our steps back through Bakewell to Rowsley, to Peak Railway. The line currently operates for a distance of 4 miles between Rowsley South Station and Matlock. Below is a picture of a Stephenson Hawthorne 1942 built 0-4-0ST preparing its train at Rowsley station.

 

We then headed to the Crich Tramway Village, home of the  National Tramway Museum   and stepped back in time along the recreated period street and saw the vintage trams, including the last tram to run in Sheffield in 1960.

 

 

Day 5 - Following breakfast, we bid farewell to the Peak District and make our way homeward.

 

Find more details of this tour here, we also have a Festive Peaks tour!