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The Peak District

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5 days From £399 £379 per person
4.1 stars(94 reviews)
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Discover rural England by heritage rail through idyllic landscapes, explore the natural beauty of the Peak District, and hear the tales that lie within quaint villages.

Save £100pp

Save up to £100pp on selected 2024 holidays when you book by 13th December 2023.

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Mobility Rating 2

2024 Tour code: 24DPS

About the tour

Uncover some of the best landscapes that rural England has to offer in Derbyshire and the Peak District. Visit pretty Buxton and discover its Roman origins with a guide, explore Bakewell's historic buildings and tasty treats before experiencing the majesty of Chatsworth House, and travel back in time on a nostalgic Peak Rail journey.

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Unforgettable Experiences

Rail Heritage Line
Rail Heritage Line
Travel on the Peak Rail heritage line, enjoying a nostalgic journey through the Peak District.
Peak District
Peak District
Enjoy a coach tour of the Peak District, taking in some of the most striking scenery in the country.
Buxton
Buxton
Visit the elegant spa town of Buxton and discover its stunning Georgian architecture with a local guide. n the Wensleydale Railway, a magnificent heritage journey through beautiful countryside.
Ecclesbourne Valley Railway
Ecclesbourne Valley Railway
Journey on the Ecclesbourne Valley Railway, travelling through beautiful rural countryside.
Chatsworth House
Chatsworth House
Visit Chatsworth House and explore the elegant house and gardens of this fine stately home.

What’s included

Itinerary

Day 1 – Cultural Derby

Your holiday begins today as you meet your Tour Manager at your hotel in friendly Derby. The Leonardo Hotel is perfectly placed for exploring the main attractions of the Peak District and you can start at your own pace. If you fancy a stroll, then you could meander the banks of the River Derwent, which is right on your doorstep. This evening your group meets for dinner at your hotel.

Includes
  • Dinner
Day 2 - The Ecclesbourne Valley Railway and brilliant Buxton

This morning, your coach takes you to the elegant spa town of Buxton where your expert guide joins the group again. A guided tour takes you through the town's history, culture, and natural beauty. Hearing tales of the town's Roman origins and its significance as a spa destination along the way, you see the ornate Edwardian opera house, iconic Buxton Crescent with its stunning Georgian architecture, and the peaceful Pavilion Gardens. After some, some time for lunch the coach takes you to Wirksworth for a journey on the Ecclesbourne Valley Railway. Aboard Derbyshire's longest heritage railway, gaze out at the rolling hills and charming villages of the picturesque Derbyshire countryside and relax as you pass by verdant meadows and sparkling rivers.

Trains are steam-hauled where possible, however due to timetable changes or weather conditions, heritage diesel locomotives may be running instead.

 

 

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 3 – A heritage Peak Rail journey and discovering the Peak District

Your day starts with a journey on the Peak Rail heritage railway. After breakfast, your group head to Rowsley South train station by coach where you board the steam-hauled preserved railway. After travelling through the delightful Derbyshire countryside by heritage train, you continue by coach to the Peak Village, where there's time for lunch.

Next, enjoy a guided tour of the Peak District by coach. Your journey takes you through the valley villages of Baslow and Calver into the dramatic moorlands to Surprise View. This viewpoint is one of the best in the Peak District, sitting just above the village of Hathersage. You continue through the pretty scenery and picturesque villages of Hope Valley before discovering Castleton and Bradwell. Arriving in Eyam, a quintessentially English village of stone cottages and flower-filled gardens, we learn its interesting history with the bubonic plague in 1665.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 4 – Traditional Bakewell and magnificent Chatsworth House

Today, you discover Bakewell, a market town on the banks of the River Wye. After breakfast, the coach takes your group to the Peak District's capital town where you can explore at your own pace. You'll find bakeries with a variety of tempting treats including the famous Bakewell tart, impressive stone buildings, and historic almshouses. Your next visit is to Chatsworth House. This stately house, set in acres of parkland, has been the home of the Cavendish family since 1549 and was the inspiration for Pemberley in Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. Grab some lunch and enjoy exploring the regal halls, grand corridors, and opulent staterooms. The beautiful grounds are also a joy to stroll through. Relax in the quiet park, where you'll see the majestic Emperor fountain, market gardens, and floral arrangements.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 5 – Homeward bound

Your holiday comes to an end today after breakfast. Once you've checked out and said goodbye to new friends, you can make your way home. Or, you could keep exploring the beautiful landscapes and impressive landmarks of the Peak District on your own.

Includes
  • Breakfast

Additional information

Departure times

On many of our UK & Ireland tours, you may check in at the first hotel on your itinerary anytime after 14:00; your Tour Manager will be available between 16:00 and 18:00. However, if you are arriving later, you can meet your Tour Manager before dinner from 19:00.

Mobility information

Due to the nature of our tours they are generally unsuitable for those with restricted mobility. If you’d like to discuss any particular holiday with us in this respect, then please don’t hesitate to call us.

Hotel

Leonardo Hotel, Derby

Leonardo Hotel, Derby

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Trains

Ecclesbourne Valley Railway
Peak Rail Railway

Enhance your holiday

Upgrades

UK rail connections

Reviews

4.1 stars4.1 / 5 · 94 reviews

  1. 5 stars
    (41)
  2. 4 stars
    (31)
  3. 3 stars
    (13)
  4. 2 stars
    (5)
  5. 1 star
    (4)

Jeannette Elrick

5 stars

Submitted 9/Oct

A beautiful area to visit, lovely market towns like Buxton and Bakewell (and the yummy Bakewell Pudding), historic houses and heritage railways. We travelled on a Rail Discoveries tour which was excellent, all trips included and a great tour manager to ensure it went without a hitch.

Collected by Trustpilot

Lydia Bailey

5 stars

Submitted 9/Oct

Lovely visit to the Peak District Tours very enjoyable. Tour guide very informative and friendly Hotel comfortable and food very good.

Collected by Trustpilot

J Gill

5 stars

Submitted 9/Oct

Complete value for money great locations and Chatsworth House was great and all in with the price

Collected by Trustpilot

Ms Edna

5 stars

Submitted 20/Sep

Well organised .. great tour guide and driver

Collected by Trustpilot

Ms Edna
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Mr Fleming

5 stars

Submitted 29/Jul

Stunning scenery but lousy weather!

Collected by Trustpilot

Mr R Halliwell

4 stars

Submitted 27/Jul

Packed 3 days. Could of done with more free time. Perhaps making it 4 days. Hotel was very good, friendly staff especially in the restaurant. Jeff, the coach driver did extremely well on first day when Gill was ill. Gave commentary as well as drove on difficult roads.

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