The Peak District - Chatsworth and Buxton
Holiday Highlights
- Explore Chatsworth House and experience its beautiful gardens
- Discover the elegant spa town of Buxton on a guided tour
- Visit the Heights of Abraham hilltop park, reached by cable car
- visit historic Cromford Mills, the birthplace of the modern factory system
- See Bakewell, idyllically located on the banks of the River Wye
- Explore the Peak District’s unspoilt countryside with an included walk from Ilam Park to Dovedale
- Enjoy afternoon tea in a traditional country house hotel
What's Included
- As this is a single-centre tour, we stay at one of two hand-picked hotels in Buxton for 4 nights, depending on departure dates, with breakfast and all dinners included.
- The price of this holiday is per person, based on two people sharing a twin room. Single rooms are subject to availability at the relevant supplement. The price includes:
- Four nights in three-star or four-star accommodation with breakfast and dinner
- The services of our experienced and insightful tour manager throughout
Itinerary
Day 1
Whether by road or rail, arrive at your historic hotel in the spa town of Buxton in a way to suit you. Affectionately known as the gateway to the Peak District National Park, this afternoon we take in the history and highlights of Buxton on a guided walking tour. The town became especially famous for its natural warm-water springs in Victorian times, which ensured its popularity amongst health tourists. At every turn, you might spy the beautiful contrasts of Recency architecture, Georgian terraces and Victorian attractions which make up its distinct character. Some of the main highlights, which we will see on our guided tour, include the Buxton Opera House, Pavilion Gardens and the Devonshire Dome, which was once the largest unsupported dome in Europe, built in 1779. After our tour, they’ll be time to get acquainted with this charming town, so why not return to the stunning Pavilion Gardens, a great spot for a leisurely stroll along the river Wye. In addition to a wide range of cafes and shops, there is plenty to keep busy during your free time in Buxton, including Poole's Cavern, a limestone cavern just outside the town centre. Tonight, our thoughts turn to dinner plans, as we enjoy dinner at the hotel’s restaurant.
Day 2
After breakfast, we drive to one of the most iconic stately homes of the Peaks, some might even say of England, Chatsworth House. Our journey takes us through lush Derbyshire countryside as we head to the impressive home of the Cavendish family, who have owned the property since 1549. With its grand state rooms and opulent halls, they’ll be plenty of time to explore the extravagant interior before heading out to look upon the acres of rolling parkland. The tranquil grounds are a great place for a stroll, allowing you to discover beautiful water features, giant sculptures and floral arrangements. This afternoon, a picturesque town to rival beautiful Buxton awaits as we continue to nearby Bakewell for lunch and free time. Located on the banks of the river Wye, this is a pleasant place for a relaxing stroll with its pretty stone buildings and arched medieval bridge. There will be plenty of time to explore this quaint town is best known for its delicious Bakewell Pudding, which is thought to have been created by mistake by a local cook in the 19th century. Unlike the better-known cherry-topped Bakewell tart, the celebrated pudding is made with a puff pastry base before being filled with a signature almond mix. After time pottering around Bakewell's streets, we return to Buxton in the late afternoon.