3 Night Central Peak District Gentle Guided Walking Holiday
Ideal for those wanting to discover the Peak District at a more relaxed pace, this gentle guided walking holiday rewards with magnificent trails, big-name historic attractions, and comfortable accommodation in Buxton – the thermal spa town nestled in the centre of the Peak District. You’ll also enjoy a choice of up to three different-grade daily walks, including a gentle walk of three to four miles.
What you’ll love
- Discovering the best landscapes the Peak District has to offer
- Admiring open moorlands and stunning countryside
- Spending time with like-minded people in the great outdoors
- Finding new routes and places to explore with your HF Holidays Leader
- Staying at the Lee Wood Hotel, our country house in Buxton
What’s included
- En-suite accommodation in our country house
- Cream tea on arrival day
- Cooked or continental breakfast every morning
- Daily packed lunches
- Three-course evening meals, plus tea & coffee
- Guided walking with experienced HF Holidays Leaders
- Choice of up to three guided walks (on walking days)
- All transport to and from walks where necessary
- Easy-to-follow routes, maps, and information in our Discovery Point if you want to explore independently
Trip Notes
Easy to download as a PDF, our trip notes provide detailed information for every holiday. Please click below to find the trip notes for your departure date.
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.
Option 1 - Buxton Highlights
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.
Option 2 - Three Shires Head and Axe Edge Moor
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.
Option 3 - Three Shires Head and Axe Edge Moor trig point
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.
Option 1 - Crowdecote, Pilsbury Castle to Hartington
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
Option 2 - Glutton Bridge to Hartington
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
Option 3 - Hollinsclough to Hartington
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.
Lee Wood Hotel
A New HF Country House for 2027
Lee Wood is our 43-bedroom Georgian property in the historic spa town of Buxton, opening 29 January 2027 with a special celebratory launch week. Not only does our newest country house have excellent rail connections, with Buxton station only a short walk away, it also has easy access to a wonderful variety of Peak District walking routes. Surrounded by the Peak District National Park, our Buxton base offers a wealth of walks across the dramatic gritstone edges of the Dark Peak, through the gentle valleys of the White Peak, and routes that delve into the region’s industrial past, history, and heritage.
Other nearby highlights include the Derbyshire Dales and the Hope Valley, home to picturesque villages such as Hathersage, Eyam, and Castleton, which is famed for its show caves and is crowned by the dramatic ruins of the 11th-century Peveril Castle.
When you’re not out walking, unwind in the well-kept gardens, or enjoy plenty of space for socialising and activities in the roomy bar and lounge areas.
If you want to take it easy or fill a free day, Lee Wood’s excellent location puts you steps from Buxton’s many highlights. Visit Buxton Opera House to catch a show in an authentic Edwardian theatre, stop by the iconic, Grade I-listed Buxton Crescent building and browse its fascinating museum, or simply stroll through the landscaped parklands of the Pavilion Gardens, which first opened in 1871. Alternatively, take a 25-minute walk to Poole’s Cavern, a two-million-year-old natural limestone cave and Site of Special Scientific Interest.
Rooms
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
About your stay
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.
Walks talks
Our HF Holidays walk leaders host guided walking information briefings before dinner on guided walking holiday arrival days. This is followed by a group Walks Talk for information on the following day’s guided walks (held before dinner every evening). Self-guided walking guests are, of course, welcome.
The walking day
Prior to setting off on guided walks, your HF Holidays Leader will run you through a short safety briefing. There’s also an up-to-date weather forecast on display at the house to ensure you 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.
Accessibility
For accessibility and assistance information, please contact our expert team on 020 3974 8865.
Getting to Lee Wood Hotel
Find out more about this location including travel details and room types.
More InformationAddress
The Park,
Park Rd,
Buxton
SK17 6TQ
Tel: 01298 23002
By train
The nearest station is Buxton, approximately 0.5 miles from the house.
Check National Rail for train times and routes.
By taxi
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.
By car & parking
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
- Suitable footwear such as waterproof walking boots that provide ankle support and good grip
- Waterproof and windproof jacket
- Comfortable clothing (jeans & waterproof capes are not suitable)
- Mid-layer(s) to keep you warm. Fleeces make a good choice
- Waterproof overtrousers
- Gloves and a warm hat
- Rucksack with waterproof liner
- Flask for hot drinks
- Water bottle (at least 1 litre capacity)
- Sunscreen
- UV sunglasses
For holidays operating October through to the end of March, please also bring the following on your walks:
- spare warm clothing
- spare high energy food
- head torch and spare batteries
- please note for the October to March season your waterproof jacket needs to offer a high level of waterproofing and wind resistance, and a hood. Look for a waterproof jacket with sealed/taped seams and a minimum HH (hyrodstatic head - this is the rating given on waterproof jackets) of 10,000mm+
Recommended
- Several base layers (long-sleeve or short-sleeve)
- Cushioned walking socks to avoid blisters
- First aid kit, including plasters and insect repellent and tick remover tool
- Sit mat
- Waterproof pouch for valuables
- Rubbish bag (remember to always leave no trace)
- Wallet/purse
- Camera
- Walking poles
Lee Wood Hotel Calendar
- Guided Walking
- Self-Guided Walking
- Special Interests
- Unavailable to Book
Guest reviews
All holidays are subject to availability. Supplements may apply.
Extra Savings for Members
HF Members save £30pp in the UK, £50pp in Europe & £80pp on worldwide holidays. Call us to join, add membership when booking online, or find out more here.All our carefully-curated itineraries are designed by our experts. While we make every effort to adhere to the described itinerary, we may take an alternative route, or vary the running order for weather and/or operational reasons.
Holiday prices
| Date (Start - End) | Itinerary | Double / Twin Room | Single Room | Notes / Offers | Trip Notes | Book | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | ||||||||
|
23 Apr - 26 Apr 2027 3 nights |
Itinerary Single from £619 £501 Double from £589 £471 pp |
from £589 £471 pp |
from £619 £501 |
Early Booking Offer Save £118 Per Person |
Trip Notes
|
Book Now | ||
|
11 Jun - 14 Jun 2027 3 nights |
Itinerary Single from £659 £596 Double from £629 £566 pp |
from £629 £566 pp |
from £659 £596 |
Early Booking Offer Save £63 Per Person |
Trip Notes
|
Book Now | ||
|
17 Sep - 20 Sep 2027 3 nights |
Itinerary Single from £669 £605 Double from £639 £575 pp |
from £639 £575 pp |
from £669 £605 |
Early Booking Offer Save £64 Per Person |
Trip Notes
|
Book Now | ||
|
08 Oct - 11 Oct 2027 3 nights |
Itinerary Single from £619 £501 Double from £589 £471 pp |
from £589 £471 pp |
from £619 £501 |
Early Booking Offer Save £118 Per Person |
Trip Notes
|
Book Now | ||
3 nights
from
£589pp
£471pp
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