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Great Rail Journeys · Escorted tour

The Peak District

Five-day Peak District escorted tour from Derby via heritage railways

Illustration of The Peak District

Great Rail Journeys operates this four-night escorted tour of Derbyshire and the Peak District, based in Derby's Cathedral Quarter. Over five days, the group stays at the 4-star Leonardo Hotel and travels by heritage railway, coach, and on foot to explore the region's spa towns, country houses, and moorlands. Day one introduces Derby's cathedral and riverside. Day two includes a market-town stroll in Bakewell and entry to Chatsworth House, a stately home dating to 1549 set in 105 acres of landscaped gardens. Day three features a guided tour of the Georgian spa town of Buxton and a roundtrip journey on the Ecclesbourne Valley Railway, Derbyshire's longest heritage line. Day four climbs to Surprise View, a vantage point over moorland and valleys, following a steam-hauled Peak Rail heritage journey. A UK Tour Manager leads all excursions, and breakfasts and dinners are included each evening.

What to know before you look closer

  • Lunches are not included; only breakfast and dinner are provided each day.
  • The group size can reach 40 people, which may limit the intimacy of some guided experiences.
  • Rail connections from your local station to Derby are optional extras and must be booked separately.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Derby

    Meeting up in the Cathedral city of Derby

    Your holiday begins in the historic city of Derby where you meet the Tour Manager and rest of the group at the hotel in the Cathedral Quarter. Free to explore the local area at your own pace, visit the Derby Arboretum, meander along the riverbank of the Derwent, or explore the Cathedral Quarter's shops, restaurants and cafés. First group dinner served at the hotel restaurant.

    Meals: Dinner

  2. Day 2overnight: Derby

    The market town of Bakewell and magnificent Chatsworth House

    After breakfast, travel by coach to the charming market town of Bakewell on the banks of the River Wye, wander quaint courtyards, admire stone buildings or sample a famous Bakewell tart. Continue by coach to Chatsworth House, a grand stately home nestled in acres of parkland, home to the Cavendish family since 1549. Entry included to explore the regal halls, grand corridors and opulent staterooms. Lunch independently from cafés and restaurants on site. Stroll through the 105-acre historic garden with striking water features, sculpted landscapes and Victorian Rock Garden. Return by coach to the hotel.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  3. Day 3railovernight: Derby

    Touring Buxton and the Ecclesbourne Valley Railway

    Explore the elegant spa town of Buxton after breakfast, joined by an expert guide at the Edwardian opera house who brings Buxton's history to life, Roman origins, rise as a spa destination, the Georgian Buxton Crescent and Pavilion Gardens. Free time over lunch, then continue to Wirksworth for a scenic roundtrip journey on the Ecclesbourne Valley Railway (Derbyshire's longest heritage line), winding through rolling hills, peaceful meadows and charming countryside. Return to the hotel by coach. Note: trains are steam-hauled where possible; heritage diesel locomotives may run instead.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  4. Day 4railovernight: Derby

    Discovering the Peak District on a Peak Rail heritage journey

    Transferred by coach to Rowsley South station to board a beautifully restored steam-hauled Peak Rail heritage train through the Derbyshire countryside. Continue by coach to Peak Village for free time and independent lunch. Joined by a local guide for a tour through valley villages of Baslow and Calver into dramatic moorlands to Surprise View, sweeping views over the hills above Hathersage. Continue through Hope Valley, stopping in Castleton and Bradwell, ending at Eyam, a quintessential English village with a dark history from 1655. Return to hotel by coach. Note: on the 17th September departure, Peak Rail will be running their popular Mixed Traffic Gala Event.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  5. Day 5

    Homeward bound

    After breakfast, the holiday comes to an end and guests are free to make their way home or continue exploring the area independently.

    Meals: Breakfast

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Entry to Chatsworth House and its 105-acre landscaped gardens, home to the Cavendish family since 1549.
  • Day 3A guided tour of Buxton with an expert who explains the town's Roman origins, Georgian architecture, and rise as a spa destination.
  • Day 3A scenic roundtrip on the Ecclesbourne Valley Railway, Derbyshire's longest heritage line, winding through rolling countryside.
  • Day 4A steam-hauled Peak Rail heritage journey through the Derbyshire countryside, followed by a guided tour to Surprise View for sweeping moorland vistas.

Included

  • Expertise of a UK Tour Manager from start to finish
  • 4 nights' 4-star hotel accommodation
  • Standard Class rail travel
  • All rail and coach travel throughout the tour
  • Breakfast and dinner each day
  • All tour excursions including heritage rail journeys
  • Entry to Chatsworth House
  • Guided tour of Buxton
  • Guided tour of the Peak District
  • Ecclesbourne Valley Railway roundtrip journey
  • Peak Rail heritage railway journey

Not included

  • Cancellation & Travel Insurance
  • Lunches
  • Personal expenses

Questions travellers ask

Is this an escorted or independent tour?
It is escorted. Great Rail Journeys provides a UK Tour Manager from start to finish.
What trains are included?
The tour includes journeys on the Ecclesbourne Valley Railway (a roundtrip from Wirksworth to Duffield on a heritage line with diesel or steam haulage) and the Peak Rail heritage railway (Rowsley South to Matlock Platform, steam-hauled where possible).
What is the accommodation?
Four nights at the Leonardo Hotel, a 4-star property in Derby's Cathedral Quarter.
What meals are included?
Breakfast and dinner each day are included. Lunches are not included and are your own cost.
What major attractions are included in the price?
Entry to Chatsworth House, a guided tour of Buxton, a guided tour of the Peak District, both heritage railway journeys, and all coach travel throughout the tour are included.
How much walking is involved?
Expect moderate activity, including city walking tours in Derby and Buxton, independent exploration of Bakewell and Chatsworth House grounds, and a guided moorland tour to Surprise View.

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