Railway Tracks and Walking in the Peak District

Make your own way to our hotel in North Derbyshire where you will meet an experienced Tour Manager, before enjoying a relaxing evening with dinner.

After breakfast, we will board our coach and travel to Wye Dale, where we will begin our walk on the Monsal Trail. The trail stretches from Wye Dale to Bakewell and incorporates the former Midland Railway line that once linked Matlock to Buxton. Constructed in the 1860s, it ceased operating as a railway line in 1968. In 1981, an eight-mile section was opened for pedestrians. As we walk along this former railway line, we'll come across old stations, former railway tunnels, and the magnificent Monsal Viaduct, which was a scenic highlight of the midland line. Our walk concludes at Hassop Station, which was originally built for the Duke of Devonshire and opened in 1862. Nowadays, it is a bustling location serving refreshments to walkers who have completed this magnificent trail.

This is an easy 8-mile walk lasting approximately 4.5 hours. There is an option to shorten this – your Tour Manager and local guides will provide details if required.

We will return to our hotel by coach and enjoy a well-deserved dinner this evening.

We'll have breakfast at our hotel before boarding the coach to Chatsworth Estate, where we will begin our walk alongside the River Derwent towards Chatsworth House. The estate has been the residence of the Dukes of Devonshire for many generations, having been purchased by Elizabeth and William Cavendish in 1549 for £600. Over the following generations, the house has undergone many transformations and has become the magnificent structure that we see today. As we make our way towards Edensor, we will leave behind the grandeur of the house and venture into this charming little village. Edensor is linked to the Cavendish family, with St. Peter's Church is the main burial ground of the family.

Our route then takes us through New Piece Wood, where we will be rewarded with scenic views back towards the Chatsworth Estate. We will continue our journey through Calton Pastures until we reach Manner Wood, where we will descend towards Bakewell. We will cross the River Wye and arrive in Bakewell, the only true town in the Peak District National Park. Here, you will have ample time to explore – why not try the famous Bakewell Tart or the more traditional Bakewell Pudding?

This is an easy to moderate 5-mile walk lasting approximately 3 hours.

Then, we will return to our hotel by coach for our evening meal.

Today, we will explore the stunning limestone countryside in the southern Peak District. After breakfast, we will board our coach and travel to Alstonefield where our walk will commence. We head down to Milldale and join the path along the River Dove, which marks the boundary between Derbyshire and Staffordshire. Dovedale, a beautiful limestone gorge in the river Dove Valley, is a National Nature Reserve due to the number of rare habitats and wildlife found here. Our delightful riverside walk passes two caves, Dove Holes, and travels over Lover's Leap. We will follow the river across meadows to Coldwall Bridge, before picking up the Manifold trail that leads to Ilam Park. Owned by the National Trust, Ilam Park has a small visitor centre and tearooms, making it the perfect conclusion to our walk.

Afterwards, our coach will transfer us to Wirksworth station where we'll board the Ecclesbourne Valley Railway for a picturesque rail journey from Wirksworth to Duffield. During the journey, we'll take in the beautiful scenery of the Peak District.

This is an easy 6.5-mile walk lasting approximately 3.5 hours. There is an option to shorten this – your Tour Manager and local guides will provide details if required.

Our coach will then collect us from Duffield and return us to our hotel for a relaxing final dinner.

After breakfast, you are free to check out of the hotel and make your own way home at leisure.