Chatsworth House

Dream big. That's what Chatsworth House* is. A house of dreamers. Of creators. That is your destination today. First though, you must drag yourself away from vibrant Manchester. It will be worth it, we promise, since you enter one of Britain's most famously beautiful regions. The Peak District National Park is rich in limestone, moorland plateaus, iconic villages, and... harrowing stories of murder and death. From the Christmas Eve murder in Hassop in 1866 to the Legend of Lovers Leap, it makes one wonder... is there something in the water? Our first stop is in the lovely spa town of Buxton. Walking among the ornamental gardens and world-famous Georgian and Victorian architecture, you'll come away from this vibrant town refreshed and inspired... and ready for more. We'll make some other stops along the way but we leave that up to your driver-guide who will take into account the weather and interests of the group. And in the early afternoon we reach the impressive Chatsworth House. You'll have several hours here to explore. What you do and see is up to you. Maybe you'll take in the beauty of the estate's gardens? Maybe you simply can't miss the collection of masterpieces inside, artworks from Rembrandt, Reynolds, Veronese. Maybe the kids are begging you to head straight for the farmyard and playground, because who doesn't love cows and a zip line? You'll need to refuel after taking it all in. There are plenty of places at the estate to stop for a treat, whether you just need a quick bite or a full meal. Leaving Chatsworth House, don't fret, because we'll make the return journey to Manchester an interesting one, stopping at some viewpoints along the way. You arrive back in Manchester in the early evening.

This self-drive road trip route covers the Peak District with a route of around 70 miles (112km), broken down into two smaller routes: White Peak Region and Hope Valley. The guide covers 25 destinations. HOW IT WORKS This online guidebook is designed to take the guesswork out of planning your multi-destination trip. No need for endless internet searches—everything you need is in one place, carefully curated with recommendations and helpful links to dive deeper into each destination. Pick and choose from a variety of ideas, including top attractions, hidden gems, and unique experiences and customise your journey to suit your needs. Tailor the itinerary to fit your schedule, with flexible options ranging from 3 to 14 nights. Ideal if you’re travelling with your own car, campervan or rental vehicle. Get started today with instant access (choose the nearest date as with 1 year’s access, there’s no need to wait until your travel date). Use on smartphone, tablet, or desktop. ........................................................................................................................................................ WHAT’S INCLUDED: Plan your road trip around the Peak District National Park. This flexible itinerary covers a 70-mile (112km) route over 25 destinations. Due to its size, this is split into two smaller connecting routes, through the White Peak region and Hope Valley. Choose your own itinerary and time frame. Use the guidebook to choose how to spend your time, example: • Scenic drives: drive one of the 7 most scenic drives • Walking: spend a day or two enjoying the Pennine Way or one of the many other walks in the Peak District • Caving: visit some of the famous show caves • Dovedale: explore the renowned beauty spot and visit the visitor centre • White Valley market towns: wander around charming market towns like Ilan, Ashbourne and Wirksworth. • Matlock Bath: spend a day discovering the delights of the bustling resort town • Top-hitters: spend a couple of days visiting Bakewell, Chatsworth House and Buxton. • Hope Valley: explore the popular walking trails and bases such as Hathersage, Edale and Castleton. • Don't miss out on the hidden gems and lesser-explored villages that add to the region's charm. • Explore scenic drives like Snake Pass, visit picturesque towns, and indulge in local cuisine. • Enjoy outdoor activities from hiking and cycling to rock climbing and water sports. Immerse in the rich history and limestone formations, making this road trip an unforgettable adventure in one of the UK's most beautiful regions. Plus so much more to discover! HOW TO ACCESS: see Know Before You Go

We call our tours "Countryside eBike Touring" and they are the perfect way to discover what the Peak District has to offer. We will take you down hidden trails, quiet country roads and popular cycle routes to uncover the best views, countryside, villages, attractions, pubs, cafes and historic sites in the area. It is both a healthy & environmentally friendly way to tour the Peaks & Dales and better still supports local people & businesses Our self guided or guided tours enable you to immerse yourself in the stunning scenery as you embark on curated routes that will lead you to iconic landmarks and hidden gems that you will not see from a car or bus. From the saddle of your eBike, prepare to see the Peak District from a whole new perspective. You will discover the breathtaking Peak District like never before. Say goodbye to the hassle of route planning and organisation, as we take care of everything for you to make sure you have the perfect day out The Peak District is a perfect location for eBike Touring as it has an established trail network, miles of quiet country lanes, varied countryside, many historic sites, great pubs / cafes and picturesque villages Using eBikes means you can cover a lot more distance than you can on foot and makes sure that the hills are not too challenging to ride up. Tours depart from multiple locations and can be tailored to different needs

Day 1: You leave London and travel to the birthplace of William Shakespeare, Stratford-up-Avon. Home to the bard’s birthplace, schoolhouse, and resting place, you have time to explore this charming market town and enjoy lunch in one of the many restaurants and riverside pubs. You then head to the World Heritage Site of Ironbridge close to the Welsh border. Set in a stunning gorge of the River Severn, the historic valley boasts the world’s first bridge made of iron, as well as a host of other attractions. Then, travel to the beautiful town of Shrewsbury to check in to your accommodation for the next 2 nights. Day 2: Today, you will head into the heart of North Wales and visit the picture book castle of Conwy, built by Edward I in the late 13th century. Marvel at the mountain scenery of Snowdonia National Park, including the huge Dinorwic slate quarries and the dramatic Pass of Llanberis in the shadows of the highest mountain peak in Wales. Hear tales of Owain Glyndwr and the Welsh struggles for independence before traveling back through the borderlands into England. Day 3: Northeast of Shrewsbury lies the Peak District National Park, a landscape of rugged moorland, walled pastures, and wooded valleys. As you travel through, you'll see picturesque villages and stunning scenery. After a scenic drive, you arrive in Buxton, a spa town known for its natural thermal springs, popular since Roman times. You can even fill your bottle with water from the famous spring. In the afternoon, visit Chatsworth, the Duke of Devonshire's renowned stately home, famous for its vast collection of art and furniture. Heading north, you pass through England’s former industrial heartlands before reaching York, where you'll stay for two nights. Day 4: Today you have the option to spend the day at leisure exploring the medieval heart of York. Wander the streets of a city with a rich history that dates back to the time of the Romans, Vikings, and Normans. Visit some of York’s fascinating museums, and the stunning York Minster, or just lose yourself in the maze of narrow streets. Alternatively, join your guide on a half-day excursion into the Yorkshire Dales to visit the pretty market towns of Knaresborough or Ripon. Continue your scenic drive of the remote valleys and rugged scenery of the Eastern Dales, before returning to York for a free afternoon. Day 5: Depart the fair city of York in the morning, stopping in the town of Lincoln, famed for its beautiful historic center and delicious Lincolnshire sausages. Continue to the university City of Cambridge, where you can stroll the medieval streets in the shadow of the dreamy spires of historic colleges, including the famous Kings College Chapel. Take a guided punting ride along ‘the backs’ of the colleges, or climb the steps of St Mary’s tower to get a skyline view before heading back to London.