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The Peak District

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4.3 stars(9 reviews)
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Uncover some of the best landscapes

You are viewing the 2021 itinerary. Select your departure year
20212022
5 days From £449 per person

2021 Tour code: 21DPS

About the tour

Uncover some of the best landscapes that rural England has to offer in Derbyshire and the Peak District. Visit pretty Buxton, admire the splendour of Chatsworth House and gardens, and step back in time on a nostalgic rail journey.

Highlights

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What’s included

Itinerary

Day 1 - Derby

Your holiday begins at your hotel for four nights, the Holiday Inn Derby - Riverlights, perfectly placed for your exploration of the stunning Peak District.

Includes
  • Dinner
Day 2 - Discover the Peak District

Transfer by coach to Rowsley South Station for a nostalgic, steam-hauled journey on the Peak Rail heritage railway. This line has a rich and fascinating history, forming part of the Old Midland Railway Line which was closed in the late 1960s. Continue by coach to the Peak Shopping Village, where you have time to enjoy lunch.

In the afternoon, enjoy a guided tour of the Peak District by coach. Your journey takes you through the expansive scenery of Chatsworth Park, home to stunning Chatsworth House, and through the attractive valley villages of Baslow and Calver. Continue through the dramatic moorlands to Surprise View. This spectacular view point sits just above the village of Hathersage, and is known for providing one of the most stunning views in the Peak District. The viewpoint supposedly received its nickname in the 19th century, when Queen Victoria paused a journey here and was taken aback by the landscapes that stretched out before her.

Continue your coach tour, taking in the pretty scenery and picturesque villages of Hope Valley. Discover Castleton and Bradwell, nestled amongst the striking limestone landscapes of the area, before arriving in Eyam - 'the plague village'. Eyam has a fascinating claim to fame; in the 1660s the village suffered a horrendous outbreak of bubonic plague, and in a heroic act of self-sacrifice, the villagers quarantined themselves in order to stop the disease from spreading, with nobody allowed in or out of the village. Many villagers sadly perished but the attempt proved successful, saving those in neighbouring villages from the same fate. Today, Eyam is a quintessentially English village, home to lovely stone cottages, flower-filled gardens, and lush countryside.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 3 - The Ecclesbourne Valley Railway & Buxton

Travel to the elegant spa town of Buxton. The highest spa town in the country at around 1,000 feet above sea level, Buxton is known for its Victorian and Georgian architecture as well as its natural thermal springs. Discover its charms on a guided tour which includes Buxton's famous opera house, an ornate Edwardian creation built in 1903, and designed by renowned architect Frank Matcham - famous for designing prestigious theatres such as the London Palladium and Hippodrome. Following your tour, you have some free time for lunch in one of the town's cafés or restaurants.

A little later, travel by coach to Wirksworth for a journey on the Ecclesbourne Valley Railway. Your journey takes you through the pretty valley, taking in views across the attractive countryside.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 4 - Bakewell & Chatsworth House

Discover Bakewell, a delightful market town on the banks of the river Wye, famous for its Bakewell puddings. You have time to discover the town at your own pace. There are a multitude of bakeries offering a variety of tempting treats, and the town's Bakewell pudding - a flaky pastry, jam and almond confection - is a must-try. 

Your next visit is to Chatsworth House. This beautiful 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. Enjoy some time to explore the regal halls, grand corridors, and opulent state rooms, discovering a host of magnificent artworks, some of which date back thousands of years. The beautiful grounds are also a joy to stroll through. Unwind in the tranquil park, seeing the majestic Emperor fountain, market gardens, and floral arrangements.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 5 - Home

Your tour ends after breakfast, and you're free to make your own way home.

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.

Trains

Ecclesbourne Valley Railway
Peak Rail Railway

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Upgrades

UK rail connections

Reviews

4.3 stars4.3 / 5 · 9 reviews

  1. 5 stars
    (3)
  2. 4 stars
    (6)
  3. 3 stars
    (0)
  4. 2 stars
    (0)
  5. 1 star
    (0)

S Cheetham

4 stars

Submitted 30/Jun

Buxton was the highlight.

Collected by Trustpilot

M Greenwood

4 stars

Submitted 29/Jun

A good taster for the area; photo stops on the Sunday afternoon drive would have been nice.

Collected by Trustpilot

Pamela Stone

4 stars

Submitted 29/Jun

Enjoyable weekend overall.

Collected by Trustpilot

L Walker

4 stars

Submitted 29/Jun

Comfortable hotel coping well with very recent reopening. A pity the lift was unreliable. Good food . Excellent tour manager and very good coach drivers. Beautiful scenery and spectacular views . Train journeys good but unremarkable!

Collected by Trustpilot

Mr Ken Milne

4 stars

Submitted 29/Jun

Nice scenery but at times the roads were too narrow for the coaches - the Sunday drive around seemed wasted with not dissimilar views everywhere we went, although Castleton was nice as was the trip to Buxton which appeared to be everyones favorite !!

Collected by Trustpilot

Mrs Diane Wincott

5 stars

Submitted 24 Oct 2020

Very well organised no hiccups considering a lot of places were closed due to the covert still very enjoyable

Collected by Rail Discoveries

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Europe & UK Escorted Holiday by Rail 2021

Europe & UK Escorted Holiday by Rail 2021

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The Peak District

Uncover some of the best landscapes

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