7 Days & 6 Nights

4.4

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

Few places in Britain provide such an infinite variety of walking opportunities as the Peak District National Park. From craggy crests of the Dark Peak, to the rolling limestone and flower-rich dales of the White Peak, this area offers sublime walking and a rich cultural and historical heritage, most notably, Chatsworth house, home to the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire. The Peak District is an area of great natural beauty, with picturesque towns and villages, historic churches, grand houses, rugged peat-covered moorlands and lushly-vegetated valleys. Topographically it is split into two areas, the White Peak and the Dark Peak. The former has a very soft, gentle landscape with limestone caves and green valleys, whereas the Dark Peak has a starker landscape made of gritstone and with tor-topped edges and steep escarpments. On this self-guided walking holiday you experience the best of both areas. Begin in Buxton, famed for its natural spring water and Georgian architecture. You will be based here for three nights incorporating walks in the surrounding areas, such as The Goyt Valley, Chee Dale and the village of Tideswell, whose importance stems back to the 13th century when it was granted the right to hold a weekly market and whose parish church is known as the “Cathedral of the Peak”. One of your walks begins at the impressive yellow-stoned Chatsworth House, home to the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire, and one of the inspirations for Jane Austen when writing Pride and Prejudice. Hathersage, your home for the next few nights, is a prosperous village and a popular centre for walkers. It is surrounded by Stanage Edge on the east and by many spectacular tors and gritstone edges. Whilst staying here you will have the opportunity to walk up Mam Tor, an iconic walk that provides some of the greatest views in the whole of the Peak District. Your 7 day walking tour through the Peak District includes 6 nights in historic 3* hotels, daily breakfasts 6 breakfasts, three transfers, baggage transfers, daily route cards, maps, and a comprehensive information pack.

From $0.00

Select Date Inquire Tour Brochure

Gallery

All Photos (10)

Itinerary

Expand all

Day 1 Arrive Buxton

After flying into Manchester (or London) you can take a train into Buxton, where your tour begins. 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.

Overnight Buxton

Accommodations

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Roseleigh Guest House | Guest House

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.

Old Hall Hotel | Hotel

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.

Best Western Plus Buxton Lee Wood Hotel | Bed and breakfast

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.

Day 2 Goyt Valley and Burbage Edge 9 miles / 15 km

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.

Overnight Buxton

Accommodations

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Roseleigh Guest House | Guest House

Old Hall Hotel (Upgrade Option in Buxton) | Hotel

Best Western Plus Buxton Lee Wood Hotel | Bed and breakfast

Day 3 Tideswell Circular Walk 12 miles / 19 km

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”.

Overnight Buxton

Accommodations

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Roseleigh Guest House | Guest House

Old Hall Hotel (Upgrade Option in Buxton) | Hotel

Best Western Plus Buxton Lee Wood Hotel | Bed and breakfast

Day 4 Chatsworth to Hathersage 8 miles / 14 km

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.

Overnight Hathersage

Accommodations

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

The Plough Inn | Country Inn

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.

George Hotel | Hotel

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.

The Scotsman's Pack Country Inn | Country Inn

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.

Day 5 Stanage Edge 8 miles / 14 km

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.

Overnight Hathersage

Accommodations

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

The Plough Inn | Country Inn

George Hotel | Hotel

The Scotsman's Pack Country Inn | Country Inn

Day 6 The Great Ridge - Mam Tor 9 miles / 15 km

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.

Overnight Hathersage

Accommodations

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

The Plough Inn | Country Inn

George Hotel | Hotel

The Scotsman's Pack Country Inn | Country Inn

Day 7 Onward Travel

THIS TRIP'S CARBON SCORE

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 about how we've carbon counted our trips.

Reviews

Expand all

Other Information

Expand all

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.

Tour Type:

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 in Scotland, the world renown Tour Du Mont Blanc and Germany's Moselle Cycle Path, to name but a few!

Activity:

Inn to Inn Walking | Walk from place-to-place changing accommodations each night. Generally staying in B&Bs, inns, and guesthouses.

This trip is suitable for:

Solo Travellers, Families with Teens

The minimum age for this tour is: 12 Years

Ideal if you have an interest in:

National Parks

Activity Level & Terrain

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.

Experience & Fitness

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. The trails may be boggy, so come prepared with good waterproof hiking boots.

Accommodation & Meals Navigation What's Included

Included

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

Excluded

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

Extras

Additional nights before or after the holiday

When to go Travel & Transfers Info & FAQ

General Information

The distances and ascent/decents are approximations of the recommended routes.

Equipment

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.

Travel Insurance

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.