Overview
- self-guided hotel-to-hotel walking, luggage transported
- panoramic gritstone ‘edges’
- chance to visit famous Chatsworth House
- stay in three typical Peak towns
The Peak District was Britain’s first National Park and is, arguably, still the best, worthy of its status as the most popular. Within its boundaries lies a varied landscape where grand country houses and neat villages occupy lush valleys, while craggy edges mark the beginning of open heather moorland.
Leaving behind the less forbidding crags and undulations of the Derwent Valley, we climbed Win Hill with views of Ladybower Reservoir on one side, Hope Valley on the other, and the higher, bleaker moors of Mam Tor and Edale ahead.
House & Garden Magazine, July 2010
Linking three market towns typical of the area, Bakewell, Hathersage and Castleton, this walk allows you to discover the very essence of ‘the Peak’. Over the three days of walking, you cross very diverse terrain, including the banks of the River Derwent, heather-clad moorland, panoramic gritstone edges and fertile farmland.
itinerary
The itinerary changes slightly according to the day you start your break. Although the route remains the same – Bakewell to Hathersage to Castleton – where you spend a second night varies.
Standard itinerary (2 nights in Bakewell, starting Friday to Monday):
Starting point: Bakewell.
Day 1
Bakewell is the ancient ‘capital’ of the Peak District and is famous for its puddings (don't let the locals hear you call their famous culinary dessert a 'tart'!) and a Monday market dating from 1330. For your day here, we suggest a circular route along gentle paths through woodland and fields before following the River Derwent into the neat, landscaped parkland of Chatsworth House, home of the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire. Dating from the late 17th century, Chatsworth is one of Britain's best-loved country estates and now houses famous works of art, a working farmyard, a spectacular cascade, as well as shops and places to eat. You return via the pretty estate village of Edensor, where each house is built in a different style – when the village was re-sited, a busy Duke simply ordered ‘one of each’ when it came to choosing the design of the houses! (10 miles/16km, 5.5hrs)
Day 2
Today you walk through the deer park of Chatsworth, before continuing along the banks of the River Derwent to the small town of Baslow. Here, you climb through bracken to reach the first of the gritstone ‘edges’ that characterise this region, enjoying an easy walk along Baslow, Curbar and Froggatt Edges with rewarding views over heather moorland on your right and the wooded river valley on your left. A direct descent through woodland takes you to the village of Grindelford where you rejoin the Derwent to follow its banks to Leadmill Bridge on the outskirts of Hathersage. (10.5 miles/17.5km, 4hrs)
Day 3
Your final day’s walk begins with a gentle stroll through farmland and woods beside the river to the village of Shatton. Leaving the river behind, you climb to the summit of Win Hill which rewards with spectacular views over the Upper Derwent Valley and Ladybower Reservoir which was famously used by Lancaster bomber pilots while training for the Dam-buster raid – the film was also shot here in 1954. From Win Hill, you drop down to climb Lose Hill and then descend into the town of Castleton, where you can explore Peveril Castle or the famous Blue John mines, named after the blue and yellow (bleu-jaune) mineral discovered here. (10miles/16km, 4hrs)
Wednesday itinerary (2 nights in Castleton):
Day 1
Walk from Bakewell to Hathersage, as per day 2 of the standard itinerary.
Day 2
Walk from Hathersage to Castleton, as per day 3 of the standard itinerary.
Day 3
Castleton, where the White (limestone) Peak meets the Dark (gritstone) Peak, is set amid a horseshoe of dramatic hills which provide the opportunity for a delightful circular walk for your day here taking in the summit of Mam Tor (‘Mother Mountain’) and the viewpoint at Hollins Cross. You return to Castleton via Cave Dale and the remains of medieval Peveril Castle, with ample time to explore the ruins or to venture into the famous caves, one of which is accessed by boat. (6.5 miles/10km, 2.5hrs)
Thursday itinerary (2 nights in Hathersage):
Day 1
Walk from Bakewell to Hathersage, as per day 2 of the standard itinerary.
Day 2
With two nights in Hathersage, you can enjoy a circular walk from the town that leads through rolling farmland to pass the North Lees Tower House, the inspiration for Thornfield Hall, in Charlotte Bronte’s Jane Eyre. A steady climb up Jacob’s Ladder brings you out on the top of Stanage Edge from where there are spectacular views of the Derwent Valley. You walk through hundreds of abandoned millstones before returning to Hathersage via the Fiddler’s Elbow. (9 miles/14.5km, 4.5hrs)
Day 3
Walk from Hathersage to Castleton, as per day 3 of the standard itinerary.
Accommodation
You stay at a combination of guesthouses and country pubs. All stays are on a bed and breakfast basis, leaving you free to take your pick of the restaurants and inns in each village.
Guesthouse, BakewellMeal arrangements: breakfast only
You receive a warm welcome at this guesthouse, which is set in pleasant gardens beside the River Wye and just five minutes’ walk from the centre of Bakewell. The rooms are comfortable and well furnished with great attention to detail.
Country pub, HathersageMeal arrangements: breakfast only
This is a 16th-century inn set in an idyllic location on the banks of the river, half a mile from the town centre. The warmth of the welcome is matched by the cosy bar with its real log fire, while the comfortable rooms are decorated and furnished to a high standard. We thoroughly recommend dining in the inn’s excellent restaurant (pay locally).
Guesthouse, CastletonMeal arrangements: breakfast only
Located in a quiet position in the old marketplace, this is a lovingly restored cottage dating from 1610. The house oozes comfort, with solid wooden antique furniture and sumptuous drapes, while breakfast is a hearty affair served in the beautiful dining room.
Prices & Travel
| Prices (£ per person based on 2 sharing)# |
Walk
price* |
Single
room* |
| 4 nights: 1 March-31 October 2010 |
| 1-26 Mar |
260 |
96 |
| 27 Mar-31 Oct |
275 |
96 |
| 3rd+ person saving |
25 |
|
| Add £13 per night if staying in a single room in Bakewell on Fri or Sat night |
| # Not available for children under 12 yrs |
*Connecting travel: return taxi from Chesterfield or Sheffield £33pp
Start: Wed-Mon (i.e. not Tue)
Standard itinerary:
Start Mon, Fri, Sat, Sun: Bakewell (2nts), Hathersage (1nt), Castleton (1nt)
Itinerary variation:
Start Wed: Bakewell (1nt), Hathersage (1nt), Castleton (2nts)
Start Thu: Bakewell (1nt), Hathersage (2nts), Castleton (1nt)
Last start: by latest date(s) shown above
PLEASE NOTE: dogs are not allowed on Inntravel holidays.