We have improved our walking grade scale. Read more
23 Apr - 26 Apr 2027
3 nights. Trip notes
Non-members
£589
ppMembers
£559
pp£589
pp£559
ppWe have improved our walking grade scale. Read more
■ Location: Peak District
■ Duration: 3 nights at an HF Country House
■ Board Basis: Full Board
■ Travel Dates: Apr-Oct 2027
■ Itineraries available: 1
■ Choice of Walking Grades: 2, 3 & 4 details
■ Carbon Footprint: 97kg CO2 details
Non-members From
£589
ppMembers From
£559
ppMembers Save £30 on this booking and get a whole range of extra exclusive benefits. Add HF Membership to your booking online. details
From September 2026, we have expanded our walking grade scale from 6 to 10 points. While the holidays themselves have not changed (the routes, daily distances and ascent levels remain the same), our newly expanded 1-10 scale offers greater distinction between holidays and clearer grade descriptions, so you can choose a holiday that best suits you.
Gentle walking grade 2
Full or half-day gentle walks on good paths, with plenty of time for rest stops, views, and places of interest. Typically, 3-5 miles (5-8km) with around 350ft (100m) of ascent with few or no stiles.
Gentle walking grade 3
Slightly longer walks, mostly on well-trodden paths, with some gentle gradients plus stiles and steps possible. Typically, 5-6 miles (8-10km) with around 650ft (200m) of ascent.
Gentle walking grade 4
The most active Gentle grade, with longer walks, some ascent, and possible steps, stiles, or off-path uneven ground. Typically, 6-7 miles (10-12km) with around 1,000ft (300m) of ascent.All our carefully-curated itineraries are designed by our experts. While we make every effort to adhere to the described itinerary, we may take alternative routes or adapt the running order for weather and/or operational reasons.
Check-in at the hotel is available from 16:00. If you are a member you can arrive at the house from 14:00. Enjoy a complimentary cream tea at 16:30 and meet other guests.
Distance: 4 miles (7km)
Ascent: 400 feet (120m)
Descent: 650 feet (200m)
In Summary: Starting in Grinlow Country Park, we make our way gently up to one of Buxton’s historic landmarks, Solomon’s Temple. From there we meander down through grasslands and woods to Poole’s Cavern and visitor centre. We make our way back to the house through Pavilion Gardens, Serpentine Gardens and Gadley woods.
Highlight: Grinlow country park with its limestone quarrying heritage, Solomon’s Temple, Poole’s cavern and visitor centre, and Pavilion Gardens including its charming Crystal Palace-esque buildings and conservatory.
Distance: 6.5 miles (10.5km)
Ascent: 800 feet (240m)
Descent: 1,250 feet (380m)
In Summary: Following a short coach journey to the hills to the south west of Buxton, we follow the River Dane to the popular beauty spot known as Three Shires Head where Cheshire, Derbyshire and Staffordshire meet. From there we gradually climb to a very contrasting landscape, that of Axe Edge Moor, a very peaceful and large peat moorland. We complete our journey along the old disused road to Macclesfield and then through some local woods and alley ways back to the Lee Wood Hotel.
Highlight: Pretty waterfalls at Three Shire Head. Extensive peat moorland of Axe Edge Moor with spectacular and far reaching views across three counties. Cheeks Hill– the highest and most northerly point in Staffordshire. Curlews and lapwings in the Springtime.
Distance: 8 miles (12.5km)
Ascent: 1,050 feet (320m)
Descent: 1,400 feet (440m)
In Summary: Following a short coach journey to the hills to the SW of Buxton, we follow the River Dane to the popular beauty spot known as Three Shires Head where Cheshire, Derbyshire and Staffordshire meet. From there we gradually climb to a very contrasting landscape, that of Axe Edge Moor, a very peaceful and large peat moorland. We reach the trig point marking the highest point of the moor. We complete our journey along the old disused road to Macclesfield and then through some local woods and alley ways back to the Lee Wood Hotel.
Highlights: Pretty waterfalls at Three Shire Head. Extensive peat moorland of Axe Edge Moor with spectacular and far reaching views across three counties. Axe Edge Moor trig point. Cheeks Hill– the highest and most northerly point in Staffordshire. Curlews and lapwings in the Springtime.
Distance: 4 miles (6km)
Ascent: 400 feet (120m)
Descent: 500 feet (160m)
In Summary: This walk starts at the village of Crowdecote, north of Hartington, and on the border of Derbyshire and Staffordshire. There are lovely views of hills either side of the valley as the walk descends towards Hartington along the valley of the River Dove. The walk includes a short ascent to the site medieval Pilsbury Castle and finally joining a small lane to continue down the valley to reach Hartington, with its famous cheese shop.
Highlight: Exploring Pilsbury castle, site of a Normon motte and bailey castle
Distance: 5 miles (8.5km)
Ascent: 450 feet (140m)
Descent: 550 feet (160m)
In Summary: This walk commences further up the valley of the River Dove at Glutton Bridge, (the name originates from Middle English ‘gluton’ and indeed has the same meaning as today’s word!) There are great views of surrounding hills, Parkhouse, Chrome Hill and Hitter Hill. The route takes a track then a field path to reach the village of Crowdecote, where the walk replicates the Option 1 walk to reach Hartington.
Highlight: Exploring Pilsbury castle, site of a Normon motte and bailey castle
Distance: 6.5 miles (10.5km)
Ascent: 500 feet (140m)
Descent: 700 feet (220m)
In Summary: This walk starts in the village of Hollinsclough at the head of the Dove Valley, (originally ‘Howel’s Ravine’) and near the junction of 3 counties, Staffordshire, Derbyshire and Cheshire. In the 18th century, the village was linked to the silk weaving industry, and silk was transported to Macclesfield on a packhorse route. There are dramatic views of surrounding landscape as the walk proceeds past the ‘Dragon’s Back’ made up of 2 jagged limestone hills, Parkhouse and Chrome Hill. The walk arrives at Glutton Bridge and follows the Option 2 route to Hartington.
Highlight: Exploring Pilsbury castle, site of a Normon motte and bailey castle
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast before making your way home.
A warm welcome
We want you to feel comfortable from the moment you arrive. You’ll find a welcome pack in your room with guest registration forms, menus, order forms for dinners and picnic lunches, the Wi-Fi password, and the front door code. Our houses are locked at night, so we recommend noting the Duty Manager’s number on arrival in case of an emergency (or getting locked out).
Evening entertainment
While evening entertainment varies from house to house, HF Holidays Inter-House Quiz night held after dinner on Wednesdays is a weekly staple. Your HF Holidays leader may be around for tips on guided and self-guided waking routes as well as visit-worthy local attractions.
Helping you enjoy the Great Outdoors - A natural focus on walks
Walks talks and Discovery Points
Our founder, country pastor turned social innovator, Thomas Arthur Leonard, was passionate about encouraging people to explore the countryside. His legacy continues in HF's continued focus on walking. Many guests choose to travel with us on guided or self-guided walking holidays, and as such, evenings at our houses are often busy with walk leaders hosting various briefings and talks. On guided walking holiday arrival days, there are walking information briefings before dinner, and for the duration of any guided walking holiday there will be a Walks Talk before (or on occasion after dinner), to go through the following day's walk options. Self-guided walking guests, and those on special interest holidays (where there is free time to explore independently), are of course welcome to also join in these Walks Talks - please talk to the team locally if you have any queries. Our Discovery Points are filled with handy maps and route notes, designed to ensure everyone, not just those booked on a guided walking holiday, can enjoy the beautiful countryside settings that our HF houses enjoy.
The walking day
Prior to setting off on guided walks, our HF Holidays Leaders run through a short safety briefing. There’s also an up-to-date weather forecast on display at the house to ensure walkers have appropriate clothing and footwear. If you choose to do your own walks or are on a self-guided walking holiday, we ask that you please complete an Independent Walker Card each day. These can be found near the Discovery Point in the house.
You are welcome to check in from 4pm at the earliest. HF Members can check in earlier, from 2pm. On arrival, you’ll enjoy a complimentary cream tea and get to meet your fellow guests, our HF Holidays Leaders, and the rest of the friendly team. Check out 10am.
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• 43 well-appointed guest rooms • Exclusive occupancy: 68 guests minimum • Check in from 4:00pm • For members check in from 2:00pm • Free Wi-Fi • Free on-site parking • Boot room and drying room • Discovery Point offering a wide range of local area maps, route guides, and information for self-guided walks • Books and games to borrow • Licensed bar • Lounges • Lawned grounds • Electric vehicle charging point - Please note, you will need to bring your own cables to use this EV charging point
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Designed with your comfort in mind, Lee Wood Hotel has 43 well-appointed guest rooms available in three categories: Classic, Premium, and Superior.
Classic Rooms are comfortable en-suite guest rooms, ideal for a peaceful night's sleep. Amenities include free Wi-Fi, tea and coffee-making facilities, toiletries (hand wash, shampoo, and shower gel), and a TV.
Premium Rooms are more spacious en-suite guest rooms*. Amenities include free Wi-Fi, tea and coffee-making facilities, toiletries (hand wash, shampoo, body lotion, shower gel), and a 32-inch TV. Extras include bathrobes, slippers.
Superior Rooms are even more spacious en-suite guest rooms offering upgraded views of the surroundings*. Amenities include free Wi-Fi, tea and coffee-making facilities, toiletries (hand wash, shampoo, body lotion, shower gel), and a 32-inch TV. Extras include bathrobes, slippers.
The Choose Your Room service is available at our UK country houses, allowing you the option of choosing and confirming a specific room for an extra charge of £30 per room. This is subject to availability. Upgrade supplements apply.
Room supplements
| Superior | Premium single | Premium double/twin | Choose your room |
| £25 pppn | £20 pppn | £20 pppn | £30 per room |
*Views and layout reflect each properties unique character and location
For accessibility and assistance information, please contact our expert team on 020 3974 8865.
The Park,
Park Rd,
Buxton
SK17 6TQ
Tel: 01298 23002
The nearest station is Buxton, approximately 0.5 miles from the house.
Check National Rail for train times and routes.
You may wish to call one of our local taxi companies on 01298 72123 or 01298 72333 on arrival for transport to and from the train station.
Lee Wood Hotel can be approached either via The Park or to the rear via Manchester Road (A5004 Long Hill to Whaley Bridge). If you are using SatNav, our postcode is SK17 6TQ. Parking is available around the hotel, and there is additional unrestricted parking on The Park, to the south side of the premises.
The UK has a famously unpredictable climate so it's best to be prepared for weather that’s sunny one minute and raining the next. To make it easier, here’s a list of items you should consider packing.
Essentials
For holidays operating October through to the end of March, please also bring the following on your walks:
Recommended
Walks may be changed for safety reasons and are subject to a maximum and minimum number of guests.
Leaders always consider the safety of the group as a whole, and may need to alter or curtail the walk if the conditions dictate. Your leader may refuse to accept a guest where clothing, equipment or behaviour is unsuitable. In the event of a problem all leaders carry a mobile phone, first aid kit, group shelter, spare maps and a compass.
Please note: If you choose to leave the group your leader is no longer responsible for you.
If you have a particular health condition or disability please put this on your guest registration form. This information will be confidential to your leaders and the house manager, but leaders do need to take account of any issues when planning walks. Please carry a copy of these trip notes with you, or note down the contact phone number for your accommodation (details in the travel section) should you need them in case of emergency.
We see it as our responsibility to minimise our emissions, not just for this year but every year to come. Our work with sustainability experts, ecollective, has enabled us to measure our carbon footprint and create a strategy to reduce the carbon intensity of our product by 5% each year. Our ambition is to be net zero by 2040 – earlier if we can.
Learn moreCode: BUX03-BEW01
Dates & availability
3 Night Central Peak District Gentle Guided Walking Holiday
3 nights. Trip notes
Non-members
£589
ppMembers
£559
pp£589
pp£559
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£639
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pp3 nights. Trip notes
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ppMembers
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We are proud to be Britain’s only walking holiday co-operative. Led by almost 40,000 members, offering hundreds of holidays across the UK and overseas, with all surplus being reinvested back into our Society.

Experienced volunteer HF Leaders guide every walk at our UK country houses, offering up to three daily options. Making it easy to find a holiday to suit your ability, and with the flexibility to switch grades each walking day.

Become an HF Member to benefit from our Price Pledge. Secure your first choice of holiday early, and if the cost drops after you book, we will automatically refund the difference (exc. travel agent, group and self-guided bookings).

If the flights we have organised are cancelled or changed, we’ll do everything we can to find alternative transport, with minimal disruption to your holiday
If we cancel your holiday, we honour all refund requests

We know that peace of mind is priceless, so we’ll always go above and beyond to meet – and exceed – expectations
If the flights we have organised are cancelled or changed, we’ll do everything we can to find alternative transport, with minimal disruption to your holiday

A British heritage brand with 111 years of experience
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