THE PEAK DISTRICT AND CHATSWORTH HOUSE AT CHRISTMAS
NOV 14-17th 2024
NOV 20-23rd 2025
(include Chatsworth Christmas)
APRIL 10-13th 2025
(3 nights, 3.5 walking days).
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Join us in the Derbyshire Peak District for an adventure through this land of wild moorland and limestone valleys, with the great Chatsworth Estate at its heart.
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Grade 2: Easy to Moderate*
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Take the tour of Chatsworth House at Christmas - a spectacle that has become famous for its stunning display and decoration. Entry and tour of the house is included in this walking holiday.
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in Walk the wild gritstone moors and picturesque limestone valleys to experience the remarkable variety of landscapes in this area.
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Enjoy four spectacular walks, each with its own character, and all close to our base in Matlock Bath.
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Walk the famous landscaped gardens of the Chatsworth Estate.
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Enjoy easy access by rail to our base (if you choose not to drive). No car needed once you are there.
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Relax in the old Victorian resort of Matlock Bath at the comfortable New Bath Hotel & Spa.
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What's Included: 3 nights single occupancy of an en-suite room (3 x bed, continental breakfast and packed lunch), and the services of our walk leader for this holiday. Also included in our November trips is the Chatsworth House Christmas tour and the cost of any taxi / minibus transfers to the start or end of our day's walk. Evening meals are not included but each evening we will have a group table at the hotel and meals will be available for you to order individually from the hotel menu. For an example menu please see: New Bath Hotel Menus.
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The cost for this holiday including single, en-suite accommodation is £595 (£645 in Novmber 2025)
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*This is a Grade 2, 'Easy to Moderate’ walking holidays, designed for those who would like to walk for 5-6 hours in a day, and 3-4 hours on a half-day. Routes usually involve only moderate ascent and descent, and all walking is on good paths with no technical difficulties. Our aim is always to take our walks at a steady pace, stopping for breaks and to admire the views.
ITINERARY
DAY 1: The Heights of Abraham:
Join us on the arrival day by 1.30 pm for a walk based from our hotel. Our route takes us through woodland above The River Derwent, with spectacular views down the valley from our high points at Harp Edge and interestingly named Heights of Abraham. A wonderful opener, and a chance to meet the others in our group as well as to explore the environment close by. For those who are unable to arrive by then, join us for dinner at 6.30 pm, after which we will talk through our planned programme. (7 km, 3 hours walking)
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DAY 2: Chatsworth and Beeley:
We start the day in Beeley, a picturesque village on the edge of the Chatsworth Estate and follow good tracks up onto the open moor with extensive views back to the central Peak District hills. Easy tracks take us to Swiss Cottage, then to Swiss Lake and Emperor Lake (great spot for lunch!), then down into the woods that lie at the rear of the great house of Chatsworth. We take the grand tour of this famous house and gardens in Christmas splendour before we make our way along the river, through the landscaped estate, and back to our start point. (12 km, 5 hours)
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DAY 3: A Taste of Moorland:
We walk a circuit that takes us through the attractive villages of Rowsley and Birchover, using the Derwent Valley Heritage Way to complete the riverside section of this. A particular highlight is the crossing of Stanton Moor, which reeks of its historical heritage, being strewn with cairns, ruins and ancient boulders. The Nine Ladies Stone Circle is a famous landmark passed en-route before we return to Darley Dale and to the end of our day’s journey. (14 km, 6 hours)
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DAY 4: The Derwent Valley:
Starting with a train journey to Whatstandwell, we walk along the Derwent Valley Heritage Trail, following the river to Cromford Wharf, a beautiful spot at the head of the Cromford Canal. As well as being a unique area for dramatic landscapes, this part of the Peak District is rich with historical buildings and structures such as this impressive waterway. We pass close to Willersley Castle and again follow the riverbank to a footbridge over The Derwent that returns us to our hotel in time to finish our programme by 1.30 pm. (7 km, 4 hours)
ACCOMMODATION
For our Peak District walking holiday we will be based at the New Bath Hotel in Matlock Bath, Derbyshire. Its location is ideal for our programme, being close to a number of inspiring walks and with good access by road and rail.
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Hotel postcode: DE4 3PX
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To reach Matlock Bath by public transport, take the train to Derby, from where it is an additional 30 min train journey to your destination
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Matlock Bath is well connected to the road network. Typical driving times are: 30 mins from Derby, 45 mins from Nottingham, and 1 hour 20 from Birmingham.
HOW TO BOOK
Just send your booking request using the Booking Enquiry Form on this page and we will be in touch very soon to confirm your place.
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You can then secure your place with a low deposit payment of £150.
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If you have any questions or if you need more information, don't hesitate to get in touch using the contact details below.
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We'd love you to join us!
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Feedback from our last trip...
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Enjoyed the holiday! Good variety of walking environments, interesting walking buddies. Steve takes a genuine interest in facilitating the group experience, everyone in our group had come on their own and we left as friends.
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Comfortable accommodation, especially liked the quiet room and hot bath.
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First ever walking holiday and couldn’t have wished for a better experience. ...an excellent guide, hotel was lovely and all very well organised.
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Lovely large comfortable room overlooking the lido.
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I felt very comfortable with the welcoming, hotel, walks and other participants.