The Peak District
- Encountering secret caves, rich wildlife and Iron Age hillforts
- Chatsworth House, home to the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire
- Listening to the sound of crystal-clear streams that run through the dales and valleys
- Conquering Mam Tor and the Great Ridge, one of the most iconic walks in the Peak District
- Buxton, a spa town and the gateway to the Peak District National Park
Gallery
Itinerary
Day 1 Arrive BuxtonEasily accessible by train, Buxton can be reached from Manchester in just over an hour, or from London in under 4 hours. This spa town has splendid Georgian architecture (reminiscent of the city of Bath) and is famous for its natural spring water and for being the highest market town in England. The discovery of coins indicate that the Romans were here throughout their occupation.
After checking into your centrally located hotel or B&B, why not try one of the local pubs for some traditional food and beer which will give you sustenance for your first day of walking tomorrow.
Within a five minute walk is the impressive architecture of the Georgian Crescent, built in the 1780s and one of the highlights of the centre of Buxton - it is one of the finest Georgian buildings in the country. The bedrooms are well furnished and decorated in a clean and comfortable style sympathetic to the Victorian era of the building. All double and twin rooms are en-suite and have tea and coffee making facilities and colour television.
In the centre of picturesque Buxton, the Old Hall Hotel features a traditional restaurant, free Wi-Fi and spacious rooms with period features. With individual character and elegant decor, the rooms at Old Hall each have tea/coffee facilities and a TV with satellite channels. All rooms have a private bathroom with free toiletries, and some have cosy seating areas.
The Lee Wood Hotel is set in its own grounds with mature gardens. All 38 rooms are individually furnished and TVs, coffee makers and hairdryers are among the other amenities available to guests. There is complimentary internet access throughout and a restaurant, a fitness centre and a bar/lounge are available.
Today’s walk takes you on a circular route through some of the most stunning moorland scenery that this area has to offer. Begin at the splendid Buxton Opera House and follow the trail which winds through farms and atmospheric woodlands.
Make your way up to the moorland and along the route where views open up of the Errwood Reservoir and the Goyt Valley. Looping back the route follows on Burbage Edge, one of the famous gritstone edges of the Peak District. Buxton is a beautiful ‘market town’ and worthwhile exploring after your walk.
Within a five minute walk is the impressive architecture of the Georgian Crescent, built in the 1780s and one of the highlights of the centre of Buxton - it is one of the finest Georgian buildings in the country. The bedrooms are well furnished and decorated in a clean and comfortable style sympathetic to the Victorian era of the building. All double and twin rooms are en-suite and have tea and coffee making facilities and colour television.
In the centre of picturesque Buxton, the Old Hall Hotel features a traditional restaurant, free Wi-Fi and spacious rooms with period features. With individual character and elegant decor, the rooms at Old Hall each have tea/coffee facilities and a TV with satellite channels. All rooms have a private bathroom with free toiletries, and some have cosy seating areas.
The Lee Wood Hotel is set in its own grounds with mature gardens. All 38 rooms are individually furnished and TVs, coffee makers and hairdryers are among the other amenities available to guests. There is complimentary internet access throughout and a restaurant, a fitness centre and a bar/lounge are available.
After a short transfer to Tideswell, a historical settlement founded on the wealth made from wool and lead, walk through Tideswell Dale where you can view a wealth of wildflowers, including orchids. Cross the River Wye and follow the Monsal Trail along a dismantled railway line, over bridges and through tunnels past the ruins of Millers Dale Station. Then head back to Tideswell along the Pennine Bridleway, an official National Trail which follows old packhorse routes.
Pass Wormhill, whose greatest son was James Brindley the virtually illiterate pioneer of canal building. Walk along more pretty trails and country roads until arriving back in Tideswell where another transfer back to Buxton is included. Before leaving Tideswell take the time to check out its magnificent parish church and locally known as the “Cathedral of the Peak”.
Within a five minute walk is the impressive architecture of the Georgian Crescent, built in the 1780s and one of the highlights of the centre of Buxton - it is one of the finest Georgian buildings in the country. The bedrooms are well furnished and decorated in a clean and comfortable style sympathetic to the Victorian era of the building. All double and twin rooms are en-suite and have tea and coffee making facilities and colour television.
In the centre of picturesque Buxton, the Old Hall Hotel features a traditional restaurant, free Wi-Fi and spacious rooms with period features. With individual character and elegant decor, the rooms at Old Hall each have tea/coffee facilities and a TV with satellite channels. All rooms have a private bathroom with free toiletries, and some have cosy seating areas.
The Lee Wood Hotel is set in its own grounds with mature gardens. All 38 rooms are individually furnished and TVs, coffee makers and hairdryers are among the other amenities available to guests. There is complimentary internet access throughout and a restaurant, a fitness centre and a bar/lounge are available.
After a delicious breakfast a transfer is included to Chatsworth House and Estate. You must take the time to visit this great house which is owned by the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire and has been handed down through sixteen generations. It also houses a significant and diverse art collection, has over thirty rooms to explore and acres of beautiful gardens. Arguably the most handsome country house in England it was also the supposed inspiration for Jane Austen’s Pemberly in Pride & Prejudice.
After exploring this historic house and gardens take the trail north along the Derwent Valley Heritage Way to the the quaint village of Baslow and along the river valley to Froggat and Grindleford, a nucleated village standing on the right bank of the Derwent River. Take the Hathersage road continuing along the valley all the way into the village, where you check into your hotel or B&B.
This is a privately owned 16th century Inn and is situated in 9 acres of its own land, all the bedrooms are en-suite with either bath or shower, flat screen television, Tea and coffee making facilities and hairdryers. Also, complimentary Hilden Mineral Water and miniature toiletries. In the evening you can relax and take a meal in their cosy bar complete with real log fires. They serve hand pulled ales and a large range of fine wines from around the world. The menu is a mix of modern European and traditional food using only the finest quality produce brought together in an eclectic style.
Formerly a 500-year-old inn, this Derbyshire hotel in the heart of the Peak District offers rooms featuring contemporary décor, with a seating area and TV, and en suite bathroom with complimentary toiletries. You can enjoy a full English breakfast each morning and award-winning cuisine by chef Helen Prine in the on-site restaurant.
A traditional country pub with ensuite bedrooms. Eat inside the beautiful country inn - snuggle up next to the roaring fire in the winter or dine outside on the patio next to a trout stream in the warmer months.
Your walk today takes you along Stanage Edge, a mecca for rock climbers from all over Britain and a 4 mile long gritstone escarpment. From the centre of the village walk due north and east through the grounds of Brookfield Manor and enter a narrow walled path before passing the farmyard of North Lees. Here, North Lees Hall is believed to have inspired one of the manor houses in Charlotte Brontë's novel, Jane Eyre. Then follow the path up to Stanage Edge and to high point of High Neb. Turn north by the remains of two ancient burial cairns and then the path turns back on itself and descends on the Fiddler’s Elbow road and over a cattle grid. Descend down Dale Bottom for one easy mile before coming back down into Hathersage.
This is a privately owned 16th century Inn and is situated in 9 acres of its own land, all the bedrooms are en-suite with either bath or shower, flat screen television, Tea and coffee making facilities and hairdryers. Also, complimentary Hilden Mineral Water and miniature toiletries. In the evening you can relax and take a meal in their cosy bar complete with real log fires. They serve hand pulled ales and a large range of fine wines from around the world. The menu is a mix of modern European and traditional food using only the finest quality produce brought together in an eclectic style.
Formerly a 500-year-old inn, this Derbyshire hotel in the heart of the Peak District offers rooms featuring contemporary décor, with a seating area and TV, and en suite bathroom with complimentary toiletries. You can enjoy a full English breakfast each morning and award-winning cuisine by chef Helen Prine in the on-site restaurant.
A traditional country pub with ensuite bedrooms. Eat inside the beautiful country inn - snuggle up next to the roaring fire in the winter or dine outside on the patio next to a trout stream in the warmer months.
Take a local train from Hathersage to the village of Edale (a ten minute ride) and from here you embark on your walk to the Great Ridge, situated on the border of both the White and the Dark Peak. Follow the trail along the Chapel Gate track and then climb steadily to Lord’s Seat. Once you have reached Mam Tour you will see some of the best views in the whole of the peaks.
Mam Tour means “mother hill” so called because there are lots of mini-hills beneath it where there have been landslips on its eastern side. Mam Tour is steeped in history dating back to the Bronze Age and another popular name for it is Shivering Mountain, a reference to its unstable geology. Continue to follow the crest of the Great Ridge until you come to Lose Hill then backtrack from here to Back Tor and along the final stretch back into Edale. Take the train back to Hathersage.
This is a privately owned 16th century Inn and is situated in 9 acres of its own land, all the bedrooms are en-suite with either bath or shower, flat screen television, Tea and coffee making facilities and hairdryers. Also, complimentary Hilden Mineral Water and miniature toiletries. In the evening you can relax and take a meal in their cosy bar complete with real log fires. They serve hand pulled ales and a large range of fine wines from around the world. The menu is a mix of modern European and traditional food using only the finest quality produce brought together in an eclectic style.
Formerly a 500-year-old inn, this Derbyshire hotel in the heart of the Peak District offers rooms featuring contemporary décor, with a seating area and TV, and en suite bathroom with complimentary toiletries. You can enjoy a full English breakfast each morning and award-winning cuisine by chef Helen Prine in the on-site restaurant.
A traditional country pub with ensuite bedrooms. Eat inside the beautiful country inn - snuggle up next to the roaring fire in the winter or dine outside on the patio next to a trout stream in the warmer months.
The tour finishes after breakfast and you can take a train from Hathersage to Manchester Airport or other major gateways.
This trip has a carbon score of 6kg per person per night, meaning it’s one of our best trips! For comparison, a carbon count of 6kg is equivalent to 4.5 ham and cheese sandwiches from the store. Here at Macs, we pride ourselves on being a responsible travel company and continue to adopt, develop and innovate ways to positively impact the environment. Find out more information on how we've carbon counted our trips.
Other Information
Is it for me?The Peak District is a walkers paradise as you are surrounded by footpaths, bridleways and disused railway lines that are used as public paths. This area in immersed in history and the hotels or guest houses are warm and welcoming. The terrain can be quite rugged and boggy at times and the footpaths exposed to the wind, so you will need to come dressed ready to protect yourself against the elements should the weather take a turn for the worst.
Classic Routes | If you’re the active, outdoorsy type, who’s interested in taking on the great routes of the world or looking for a challenge, then our Classic Routes are for you. We’re talking the West Highland Way, Tour Du Mont Blanc and the Passau to Vienna Danube Cycle Path, to name but a few!
Inn to Inn Walking | Walk from place-to-place changing accommodations each night. Generally staying in B&Bs, inns, and guesthouses.
Solo Travellers, Families with Teens
The minimum age for this tour is: 12 Years
This tour is suitable for most people that are in good physical condition. It is rated easy to moderate but the terrain may be a bit rugged and tricky at times, with rocks and roots underfoot. There are some elevation gains and losses, especially on the Mam Tour walk, which would be graded more as moderate. The trails may be boggy, so come prepared with good waterproof hiking boots.
You will stay in carefully selected B&B's or 3* small hotels. Your room will always have an ensuite or private bathroom. A delicious breakfast is also included.
Alternate accommodation
You might be booked into alternative accommodation which is not listed in the description. These will be of the same or better standard as those described.
Single Rooms & Solo Walkers
If you require single rooms within your party we would be happy to accommodate you although there is a single room supplement payable. Solo walkers are also welcome for an additional charge.
Navigation is straightforward as you can use the Macs Adventure app which has maps, tracks and daily route info. Simply download the GPS tracks for offline use and follow the route on your phone.
- 6 Nights in either 3* hotels or B&B’s
- 6 Breakfasts
- Baggage transfers
- Three required transfers during the walking days
- Detailed maps, information pack, and route notes
- Organisational assistance and backup from our area manager in England and our office
- Travel to Buxton
- Travel from Hathersage
- Entrance to Chatsworth House & Gardens
- Return train trip from Hathersage to Edale
- Dinners and lunches
- Drinks and snacks
- Personal equipment
- Travel insurance
- Additional nights before or after the holiday
This trip is available from April through to October. The Peak District is very pretty in spring when the flowers are starting to bloom, but it is equally impressive in the autumn months of September and October, when the leaves turn golden brown.
Manchester Airport is the closest airport to Buxton and the journey by train (via Manchester Piccadilly Station) takes approximately one hour. For more information please consult the National Rail website. Buxton is also accessible from London by train and the journey takes under 4 hours, with one change.
We recommend travelling by train as it is straightforward and more environmentally friendly. However, if you prefer to drive, there are numerous public parking options in either Buxton or Hathersage. More information can be found here. It may be possible to park your car at your accommodation for the duration either in Buxton or Hathersage but this cannot be guaranteed, and there may be an additional cost involved, please ask us about this when booking. Unfortunately, there is not a direct train between Hathersage and Buxton so to get back to your car, we would recommend taking a taxi which would take around 25 minutes.
From Hathersage it is also possible to return by train to Manchester Airport via Manchester Piccadilly. The trains run every hour and the journey takes one and a half hours.
All baggage transfers are included. We request that you have only one piece of luggage per person and it should weigh only 20kg.
Please be prepared by packing all necessary items, for example, proper rain gear (jacket and pants), sun hat, sunscreen. Your information pack has a detailed equipment list which includes standard walking gear such as good walking boots or shoes, warm and waterproof clothes for the cooler months and lightweight clothing for summer, and a day pack.Our pre-departure information pack has detailed advice and a kit list on what to take.
It is a requirement of booking this tour with Macs Adventure that you have suitable travel insurance which covers you for the activity and emergency evacuation and hospital care.
This tour is suitable for most people that are in good physical condition. It is rated easy to moderate but the terrain may be a bit rugged and tricky at times, with rocks and roots underfoot. There are some elevation gains and losses, especially on the Mam Tour and Kinder Scout walks.
As far in advance as possible! We suggest you book as soon as your plans are finalised as The Peak District is extremely popular. If booking at short notice we will always try and accommodate your plans.
You will need good walking shoes/boots (ideally waterproof), comfortable walking clothes, waterproof jacket and trousers, a daypack and hats/gloves etc. You can download a full equipment list from the downloads page of our website.
The Peak District itinerary is very enjoyable at any time between the beginning of April and the end of October although it is particularly lovely in late spring and early Autumn.
Unfortunately we are unable to accommodate walkers with dogs as many of the accommodation providers we use do not accept pets.
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