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.

Explore the Peak District your way with this guidebook that illustrates a scenic 70-mile (112 km) point-to-point trip across 25 of the national park’s most captivating destinations. Designed for flexibility, the guide is organised into two smaller connecting routes—the White Peak Region and Hope Valley—so you only visit the places that you choose. __________________________________________________________________ WHAT TO EXPECT • This is an online travel guide – much like a digital book – ready for you to read, browse, and get inspired while planning at home or using your phone on the go. • The guidebook offers an overarching plan to help shape your multi-destination holiday, with different ideas and sample itineraries. It shows how destinations can be combined to suit your timeframe – typically from 3 to 14 days. • It’s designed to help you decide where to go, what to see, where to stay, and to inspire your trip in a way that suits your interests. It also includes helpful tips such as how to get there and where to park. • Please note: the guide itself is not customisable. However, each route includes Uncover Britain’s own pre-populated Google Maps with suggested pins and directions, plus customisable directions by section using Google Maps. __________________________________________________________________ GO BEYOND THE CLASSICS WITH: • White Peak Region – Visit charming market towns like Ashbourne, Ilam, and Wirksworth • Matlock Bath – A lively Victorian spa town with riverside attractions and cable cars • Hope Valley – Explore top walking bases like Edale, Hathersage, and Castleton • Chatsworth House & Bakewell – Must-visit heritage icons in the heart of the Peak • Dovedale – Walk through one of the Peak’s most famous natural beauty spots • Scenic Drives – Travel roads like Snake Pass and explore 7 of the region’s most iconic drives • Outdoor Adventures – Hike, cycle, cave, climb, or kayak your way through breathtaking landscapes • Limestone Formations & History – Discover the geological beauty and rich heritage of the Peak District __________________________________________________________________ While you could search for places to go on your own, this guide offers curated context and ready-made itineraries along a recommended journey—so you don’t have to second-guess or piece everything together yourself. HOW TO ACCESS: see Know Before You Go

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.

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