7 Night Central Peak District Gentle Guided Walking Holiday

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 18^th 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

Distance: 3.5 miles (5.5km)

Ascent: 300 feet (100m)

Descent: 250 feet (80m)

In Summary: The walk starts in the estate village of Baslow and then enters Chatsworth Park initially following the river and then on towards the house. There will be time for a break with cafes and some shops in the magnificent stables. The walk then passes through the "model" village of Edensor (pronounced Ensor) where recent graves of the Cavendish family are found in the churchyard. It's then a fairly level walk along the river to the Garden Centre.

Highlight: Walking through the grounds of the impressive Chatworth House

Distance:  5.5 miles (9km)

Ascent: 300 feet (100m)

Descent: 950 feet (280m)

In Summary: This starts high on the Edges. The walk goes along Baslow Edge giving far reaching views and passing the Eagle Stone and Wellington monument before descending into Baslow and following the same route as Opt 1 through Chatsworth Park and Edensor.

Highlight: Walking through the grounds of the impressive Chatworth House

Distance: 6.5 miles (10.5km)

Ascent: 600 feet (180m)

Descent: 1,200 feet (380m)

In Summary: As with option 2 this walk starts along Baslow Edge and through Chatsworth park with time for a break.  After visiting the village of Edensor the walk then ascends giving excellent views back over Chatsworth House and Gardens.  After passing the "Russian Cottage" (a replica Dacha) the walk descends on a track to the Garden Centre.

Highlight: Views of the Peak District from Baslow Edge

Distance: 3 miles (4.5km)

Ascent: 250 feet (80m)

Descent: 450 feet (140m)

In Summary: After a short coach ride the walk starts in the hamlet of Blore, with time to view its church and Hall (both from outside). The walk then descends to the river and Ilam Park.  There will be an opportunity to view the village, the Boil Holes and the interesting church plus time for a cuppa.

Highlight: Exploring Ilam Park

Distance: 5 miles (8km)

Ascent: 650 feet (200m)

Descent: 750 feet (240m)

In Summary: After a short coach ride the walk starts in the hamlet of Blore, there is a short road walk before following a track giving far reaching views over the Manifold valley and beyond. After descending through a farm, the walk follows the riverbed into Ilam Park. There will be time to view the village and its famous cross.

Highlight: Ilam village with its grand hall, pseudo alpine cottages and memorial cross.

Distance:  6.5 miles (10.5km)

Ascent: 950 feet (280m)

Descent: 1,050 feet (320m)

In Summary: Starting in Dovedale we walk on the Limestone Way to reach the hamlet of Blore. The walk then follows Option 2 to enter Ilam Park. Time to see the Boil Holes, church and village and to have a cuppa.

Highlight: Ilam village with its grand hall, pseudo alpine cottages and memorial cross.

Distance: 3.5 miles (5.5km) 

Ascent & Descent: Minimal

In Summary: This walk starts by the village of Whatstandwell, where the charming towpath of the Cromford canal follows the river Derwent.  Built in the late 18^th Century to link with the Erewash canal and then the River Trent, a tunnel collapse in the early twentieth century has left our section as a 5 mile long haven for nature. This is home to a wide range of wildflowers, insects, birds and even rare water voles. At High Peak Junction we pass a small workshop claimed to be the oldest railway workshop in the world. As the walk ends at Cromford wharf we can enjoy a cuppa and visit the world’s first water powered cotton mill.

Highlight: The Derwent Valley was one of birthplaces of the Industrial Revolution, for it was here that Richard Arkwright set up his pioneering cotton mill. Its importance is now recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Distance: 4.5 miles (7km)

Ascent: 300 feet (80m)

Descent:  100 feet (300m)

In Summary: Middleton Top lies at the top of an incline, where once trains were hauled from below by a steaming winding engine of the former Cromford and High Peak railway. This walk descends the incline, with time to call in to the National Stone Centre. Spot the Millennium wall, many varieties of dry stone wall. The walk continues along the High Peak Trail and descends another incline to arrive at Cromford Canal, built in late 18^th century. See Aqueduct cottage, former lock keeper’s dwelling, now restored by Derbyshire Wildlife Trust, before the walk takes the beautiful canal towpath and arrives at Cromford and Arkwright’s Mill.

Highlight: The Derwent Valley was one of birthplaces of the Industrial Revolution, for it was here that Richard Arkwright set up his pioneering cotton mill. Its importance is now recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Distance: 5.5 miles (9km)

Ascent: 350 feet (100m)

Descent: 800 feet (240m)

In Summary: This walk starts in the pretty village of Crich, with a history of lead mining and quarrying, and famous for it’s National Tramway Museum and a prominent memorial tower of the Sherwood Foresters Regiment. Admire the wide views here before descending, and passing through the atmospheric woodland around Duke’s Quarry, . The walk then joins the Cromford Canal and proceeds to Cromford and Arkwright’s Mill, as in Options 1 & 2.

Highlight: The Derwent Valley was one of birthplaces of the Industrial Revolution, for it was here that Richard Arkwright set up his pioneering cotton mill. Its importance is now recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.