fbpx

Walk the Peak District

Walk the Peak District

From $ 1,280 AUD

Description

Take a break to Britain’s first national park and explore its forested valleys and small stone villages threaded by walking trails. This five-day adventure offers a comfortable yet active way to get away from it all. Basing yourself in the quintessential country town of Castleton, you’ll walk your way to the scenic villages of Bamford and Bakewell, take on treks to Stanage Edge and Mam Tor, drop into friendly local pubs and discover more about the local communities, all while surrounded by iconic backdrop of rolling green hills backed by steep peaks. An Intrepid countryside escape awaits.

Trip Name
Walk the Peak District
Last Updated
2022-08-13
Days
5
Capacity
12
Highlights
  • Walk the winding trails between picturesque villages and then hole up at a local pub to try a fittingly named brew from Intrepid Brewing Co.
  • Treat yourself one of the town’s famous tarts or puddings in Bakewell and explore the arched bridges, narrow shopping streets and stone cottages.
  • Enjoy the ease of leaving your walking boots at the same comfortable, conveniently located accommodation each night.
  • Trek to the beautiful escarpment of Stanage Edge, where you’ll find some truly spectacular views, and if you’re lucky, the hidden Robin Hood’s Cave.
  • Take on a walk to the summit of Mam Tor, one of the most famous natural features in the Peak District. The views from the top will be one of the lasting memories of your adventure.

Itinerary

ITINERARY CHANGES Our itineraries are updated regularly throughout the year based on customer feedback and to reflect the current situation in each destination. The information included in this Essential Trip Information may therefore differ from when you first booked your trip. It is important that you review this information prior to travel so that you have the latest updates. Due to weather, local conditions, transport schedules, public holidays, or other factors, further changes may be necessary to your itinerary once in-country. The order and timing of included activities in each location may also vary seasonally to ensure our travellers have the best experience. Your tour leader will keep you up to date with any such changes once on tour. OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES A selection of optional activities that have been popular with past travellers are listed in the day-to-day itinerary. This isn't an exhaustive list and should be used as a guide only for some of what might be available. Prices are approximate, are for entrance only, and don’t include transport to and from the sites or local guides unless indicated. All activities are subject to availability, and maybe on a join-in basis. It may not be possible to do all the activities listed in the time available at each destination, so some pre-planning for what you are most interested in is advised. When it's recommended that travellers pre-book these activities, look for a note in the Special Information section of the day-to-day itinerary. For most, they can either be organised independently on the day, or let your leader know you are interested in the Group Meeting and they can assist. Where activities are considered medium or high risk, we work with operators whose safety and credentials we have sighted and assessed. Although it is possible that you may find the same activity cheaper with another operator on the ground, we cannot vouch for the safety or quality of that operator. Medium and high-risk activities not listed above have not been assessed by us and as such our staff and leaders are unable to assist you with organising these activities. Activities that contravene our Responsible Travel policies are also not listed. Please remember that the decision to partake in any activity not listed is at your own discretion and risk. MUSEUM VISITS & OPENING TIMES Please note that many sights, attractions and museums are closed on Mondays (and sometimes even Tuesdays). We recommend you carefully consider which sites and museums you are going to want to visit and that you do some research and make your reservations in advance where required/possible.

Day 1 - Peak District / Castleton to Bamford village walk
Welcome to the Peak District! Your adventure begins with a 2pm welcome meeting at the accommodation, where you’ll meet your local leader and fellow travellers. After the meeting, kick things off with a walk through the Hope Valley to Bamford village. Castleton is the picture of a quintessentially England country town, with its slate grey old stone houses, countless pubs off the winding main road, and rolling green surrounds backed by steep hills on three sides, including the famous Mam Tor. Bamford is the highest remaining village in the Derwent Valley, with many of its neighbours submerged in the mid-20th century by the construction of two reservoirs. Reward yourself for completing your first walk with a drink in a local pub in Bamford. Take your tastebuds on an intrepid adventure with what couldn’t be a more appropriate brew on tap – beers from Intrepid Brewing Co. Afterwards, there is the option for return to Castleton by foot, or perhaps stay at the pub for dinner and catch a taxi back this evening.
Day 2 - Peak District / Castleton to Bakewell walk
Fuel up with breakfast this morning to get ready for a full day of walking to Bakewell, known as the heart of the Peak District. Jump on the local bus to travel a few miles east to Hathersage for the start of your walk. Local legend says this hilly village is home to the grave of Robin Hood’s right-hand man Little John. Make your way along the banks of the River Derwent, passing farms, woods, beautiful cottages, old sawmills and the tumbledown remains of chapels. Stop for a refresh in Grindleford and grab a tea in a shop that supports, and is run by, the local community. There’s even delicious ice cream made in the Hope Valley. Continue to Bakewell and pass Edensor, a picturesque village that was moved to improve the view for the resident Duke of nearby Chatsworth House. Bakewell’s history lies in the failed efforts of a local Duke to transform a remote market village into a spa town to outdo his local rival in Buxton, but today it's famous for its sweet treats. Explore the town and be sure to try a bite in the original shop of the Bakewell Pudding. The tart may be more well known, but the slippery, almond-flavoured dessert – accidentally invented in the 18th century and made to a top-secret recipe – is the real drawcard. Jump in a taxi back to Castleton for a free evening.
Day 3 - Peak District / Stanage Edge walk
Get ready to give your camera a workout – this may just be the most scenic walk of your journey. Today you’ll take on the Stanage Edge walk, a circuit route that begins in the historic village of Hathersage and loops through the Dark Peak area of the Peak District. Pass by Little John’s Grave and St Michael’s Church, crossing fields and farmhouses before arriving at North Lees Hall – once visited by Charlotte Bronte, this historic building is the inspiration for Thornfield Manor in her novel Jane Eyre. From here, continue to Stanage Edge, a three-mile-long gritstone escarpment running between Sheffield and the High Peak – there are some seriously stunning views from up here! Hidden away in the escarpment lies Robin Hood’s Cave – if you’re lucky enough to find it, you’ll be rewarded with impressive views over the peaks. Complete the final leg of your walk back to Hathersage, where you may like to put your feet up in one of the village’s cosy pubs.
Day 4 - Peak District / Castleton to Longshaw Estate walk
Hop back on the bus to Hathersage this morning after breakfast for the start of a walk in Longshaw Estate. Once used for shooting by the Duke of Rutland, the estate of moorland and woodland is now managed by the National Trust. Make your way through rhododendron bushes, past moss-covered barns and grazing sheep, over babbling brooks, boulders weathered into natural sculptures, and along the heather and gorse flanked packhorse trails which once connected Sheffield to the salt wells of Cheshire. There is the opportunity to join your leader for an optional lunch after the walk before returning to your accommodation in the afternoon.
Day 5 - Castleton
There’s time for one more beautiful walk before your adventure draws to a close. Starting and finishing in Castleton, this morning’s walk takes you to the summit of the Mam Tor hill, one of the Peak District’s most iconic natural features. Pass by Treak Cliff and Blue John Cavern, then follow the stepped path up to the Mam Tor’s summit where you’ll be rewarded with a magnificent final view of the Peak District. Descend back down to Castleton and return to your accommodation, where on arrival your adventure will come to an end around midday.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
14-04-202316-04-2023AUD $ 1,280-
28-04-202330-04-2023AUD $ 1,280-
17-05-202319-05-2023AUD $ 1,280-
26-05-202328-05-2023AUD $ 1,280-
09-06-202311-06-2023AUD $ 1,280-
23-06-202325-06-2023AUD $ 1,280-
07-07-202309-07-2023AUD $ 1,320-
26-07-202328-07-2023AUD $ 1,320-
11-08-202313-08-2023AUD $ 1,320-
30-08-202301-09-2023AUD $ 1,320-
08-09-202310-09-2023AUD $ 1,320-
20-09-202322-09-2023AUD $ 1,280-
06-10-202308-10-2023AUD $ 1,280-

Accommodation

Original style bed & breakfast (4 nights)

Transport

Walk,Taxi,Public bus

Map