7-Night Peak District Family Walking Adventure
The UK’s oldest national park is a land of pretty villages, limestone valleys and outcrops of millstone grit. The area is full of rural charm with a range of walks. Leg-stretching hikes up to gritstone edges reward with sweeping views while riverside walks see the hills from a different perspective. Follow the High Peak Trail to the lead mining villages of Brassington and Carsington, take the Tissington Trail for views of Dovedale Gorge and walk through the grounds of Chatsworth House. If you need to refuel, a stop off in Bakewell for a slice of its famous tart is highly recommended!
Holiday Highlights
- Cross the River Dove at the famous Stepping Stones
- Explore the historic town of Buxton
- Discover Derbyshire’s industrial heritage at the National Stone Centre
What’s included
- Full Board en-suite accommodation.
- A full programme of walks guided by HF Leaders
- All transport to and from the walks
- Free Wi-Fi
On our Guided Walking holidays, we believe that choice is key. Our walks descriptions will help you choose according to your interests and fitness. The walks are grouped together with care by local experts to give the best experience. While every effort will be made to adhere to the described itinerary, we may occasionally vary the sequence shown here or substitute an alternative route to suit local conditions or for other operational reasons, potentially at short notice.
You're welcome to check in from 4pm onwards.
Option 1 - Above & Below the Dam
A shorter walk with lots of time to discover the wood carvings and enjoy the visitor centre or spend time in a bird hide.
Option 2 - Harboro
Starting from Middleton Top, we follow the High Peak trail, arriving at Harboro rocks, with its caves and stone seat. After time exploring the rocks, we continue past the windmills before reaching the reservoir.
Option 3 - Carsington Circular
This walk includes a full circuit of the reservoir, but we’ll also have time to look for the wood carvings and maybe some bird watching from a hide.
Option 4 - Black Rock Harboro
Starting at Black Rocks with lots of opportunity for scrambling, this walk then ascends to reach the High Peak Trail. There will be time to explore the National Stone Centre and Middleton Top and then we’ll be following the easier walk over Harboro Rocks before reaching the reservoir.
Option 1 - Solomon’s Temple
Starting at Grin Low Country Park, we’ll climb to Solomon’s Temple before descending through the woods, passing Poole Cavern before reaching Buxton with its baths, fountain and extensive gardens.
Option 2 - Cat & Fiddle to Buxton
This walk begins at the Cat & Fiddle, the 2nd highest pub in England, before continuing over moorland to Grin Low Country Park to Buxton, via Solomon’s Temple.
Option 3 - Errwood Hall
From the Cat & Fiddle, this walk takes a zig-zag path to the ruins of Errwood Hall hidden away in its isolated valley. From there, we will cross the dam at Errwood Reservoir before arriving in Buxton.
Option 4 - Errwood Hall & Spanish Chapel
This walk follows the same route to Errwood Hall but we’ll be exploring more of the woods to see the Spanish chapel. We shall then walk across Wild Moor - listen out for the curlews and lapwings!
Discover more about The Peveril of the Peak and the local area for ideas on how to fill your free day.
Option 1 - Lover’s Leap
We begin this walk by descending to the famous Stepping Stones before following the path to Lover’s Leap. We’ll climb out of the valley and back to the house with time to spare before dinner.
Option 2 - Dovedale Skyline
This walk also takes us past the Stepping Stones and along the valley, before climbing back up to return to the house via the Dovedale Skyline.
Option 3 - Alstonefield & Dovedale Skyline
On our medium walk, we’ll follow the path from Dovedale to Milldale, before ascending steeply to Alstonefield with its Green Well. We shall return to the house via the Dovedale Skyline.
Option 4 - Narrowdale Hill
Our harder walk follows much the same route as our medium walk but we shall also be climbing Narrowdale Hill, with its extensive views and a hilltop to explore.
Option 1 - National Stone Centre
Starting at Middleton Top, this walk descends along the High Peak Trail with time to explore the National Stone Centre and scramble at Black Rocks before reaching the High Peak Junction. We’ll end our walk by following the towpath to Cromford.
Option 2 - High Peak Junction
This easy walk follows the same route as Option 1 to High Peak Junction. We shall pass Lea Pumping Station, the river and railway before taking a route through a wood to finish at Cromford.
Option 3 - Black Rocks & Cromford
On our medium-level walk, we’ll have the opportunity to explore up high above the towering Black Rocks, before following a circuit to reach High Peak Junction. We’ll be walking in the woods, through tunnels and along the canalside to reach Cromford.
Option 4 - Wirksworth
This walk will also take in the High Peak Trail and the Stone Centre before descending to the town of Wirksworth. Here we’ll find a star disc and learn about the T’Owd Man. From there, it’s over the hill to Cromford.
Option 1 - Ilam Country Park
Our walks begin today with a river crossing at the Stepping Stones. From there, we take a route over the fields to Ilam Country Park with its extensive grounds, turrets, towers, trees and Boil Holes to explore. We return on the Staffordshire side of the Manifold River to join the Limestone Way using an old route across the river back to the house.
Option 2 - Ilam Country Park via Carstern Hall
Taking the same route over the Stepping Stones, this walk then ascends to lofty Carstern Hall before descending to enter Ilam Country Park. We will also be returning to the house via the Limestone Way.
Option 3 - Blore & Okeover Park
Having crossed the Stepping Stones and explored Ilam, our medium-level walk ascends to Blore and takes a high-level route before descending through the grassy expanse of Okeover Park. From there, we’ll follow the River Dove and Limestone Way back to the house.
Option 4 - Okeover Park & Tissington Trail
Our harder-level walk takes the same route as the medium option, with an additional ascent after visiting Okeover Park.
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast before making your way home.
The Peveril of the Peak
The Peveril of the Peak, named after Sir Walter Scott’s novel, stands proudly in the Peak District countryside, close to the village of Thorpe. Backed by the cone of Thorpe Cloud, which guards the entrance to Dovedale Gorge and the famous stepping stones at the entrance to the gorge, it’s an ideal base for people hoping to explore the Derbyshire countryside. Surrounded by extensive grounds and rolling countryside, it’s a picturesque retreat with 46 rooms, large shared spaces and a pleasant bar. Stride out from the house to find Dovedale’s wooded ravine, cave-like Dove Holes and of course stepping stones. Upstream lie the heights nicknamed the Dovedale Castle and the Twelve Apostles, best viewed from the grassy spur called Lovers’ Leap. While the Peak bit of the area name refers to small English hills rather than great summits, there’s superb walking to be had on the Roaches and the gritstone escarpment of Stanage Edge, while Chatsworth, Tissington and Bakewell make attractive places to explore too.
Need to know
Important Covid-19 steps we have taken for guest safety: Please Read
As we slowly reopen in the wake of the Coronavirus lockdown, our country house stays are set to be organised a little differently; extra steps have been taken to keep our guests, house teams and leaders safe while we return to action. We ask all our guests to respect the measures put in place.
Initially the overall capacity of the houses has been reduced. Guests must wear face coverings in public spaces. To adhere to social distancing guidelines, we have taken the necessary steps to space out furniture and seating in public areas. In addition, a one-way system will be in place around the house. Adequate signage will be displayed to support the direction of travel to be followed by guests and house teams.
As a temporary measure, we will not be servicing rooms during a stay. Extra tea, coffee, milk, and toiletries will be made available on request for all guests. It is recommended that guests bring their own toiletries for the duration of their stay. We have removed all non-essential and reusable items from our rooms for the meantime including cushions, hairdryers, bathrobes, bed throws, and printed materials to reduce the number of items that need to be disinfected. Hairdryers will be available on request. Clean towels will be available on request. We will though be increasing the frequency of cleaning in our public areas providing particular attention to frequently touched items including door handles and handrails.
For now, there is no cream tea on arrival day. We have also adapted our food offering to remove all buffets and open food items. Different sittings may be required for breakfast and dinner due to the occupancy and size of the house. Picnic lunches will now be pre-ordered the night before from an order form in the room. The bar in each country house will be open, and we will be offering a table service for drinks. At this time there is no, or only a very limited, evening social programme available. Outdoor swimming pools at those houses that have them will re-open throughout August, except at Freshwater Bay House, where the pool will remain closed for 2020. Indoor swimming pools will remain closed.
For more information and to see all the steps taken, visit our page on how house stays will be adapted.
Rooms
Tea & coffee-making facilities, TV, Hairdryer, Toiletries, Wi-Fi
Stay in the smartly presented rooms in the main house. With 46 rooms, Peveril of the Peak has plenty of space and there’s a range of Good and Better Rooms to choose from. Room 2 on the ground floor (accessible via 7 steps down from reception) is spacious and attractively styled with a door opening on to the grounds while the Chatsworth Room has a four-poster bed to recline on.
All ‘Good’ rooms are ensuite and furnished to a high standard. There are also several ‘Better’ Rooms that are either larger or have a desirable view, a more luxurious mattress and larger televisions – upgrade your stay for just an extra £15-20 per person per night. You can choose a specific room for an extra £30 per room, subject to availability. Upgrade supplements still apply.
Facilities
Free Wi-Fi, boot room and drying room, extensive garden, lounge, bar, ballroom, library and board games to borrow
After a day delving into the Dovedale Gorge or exploring the Peak District, return to the house. Relax on the patio with a coffee or cold drink and soak up the wide-ranging countryside views. Take a turn through the garden and look out for the small canon on one of the lawns. Make your way inside to sit comfortably in the lounge where there’s a stash of wood and a log burner for those colder days or snag a seat in the bar with your fellow guests and sip a great local ale by the large windows.
Food & Drink
As at all our country houses, holidays are full board, from afternoon tea served as a welcome treat through that evening’s meal to a hearty breakfast on the day of departure. Lunch is a chance to stock up on our famous picnic snacks. Food at Peveril of the Peak is varied and tasty and has a strong emphasis on ingredients from the area and seasonal produce. Once a week the dining room hosts a Local Food Night, when, over a sociable evening, you might try a five-course feast of regional flavours that might include venison sausage and Derbyshire oatcake, roast rump of Chatsworth lamb and a homemade Bakewell tart with a scoop of decadent Peak Dairy cherry Bakewell ice cream.
Accessibility
For accessibility and assistance information, please contact our expert team on 020 3974 8865
Getting to The Peveril of the Peak
Find out more about this location including travel details and room types.
More InformationWhat to Bring
“There’s no such thing as bad weather, just the wrong type of clothing!” goes the adage. Come prepared for all eventualities and you’ll walk in comfort as well as safety. Britain’s famous for its changeable weather, so here’s our advice on what to wear and bring.
Essentials
- Waterproof walking boots providing ankle support and good grip.
- A waterproof jacket and over-trousers
- Gloves and a warm hat (it can be chilly at any time of the year)
- Rucksack
- Water bottle (at least 1 litre capacity)
- A small torch (everywhere in winter, year round in mountains)
- Sun hat and sunscreen
Denim jeans and waterproof capes are not suitable on any walks.
Recommended
- Several layers of clothing, which can be added or removed
- Specialist walking socks to avoid blisters.
- A first aid kit inc plasters– your leader’s first aid kit doesn’t contain any medication
- Sit mat (insulated pad to sit on when you stop for a break)
You might also want
- Walking poles, particularly useful for descents.
- Insect repellent
- Flask for hot drinks
- Rigid lunch box
- Gaiters
- Blister kit (eg Compeed) just in case
- Waterproof rucksack liner
Guest Reviews
All holidays are subject to availability. Prices are subject to change.
Prices based on two people sharing. Supplements may apply.
Non-member fee: £20 per person.
Holiday Prices
| Date (Start - End) | Nights | Itinerary | Price | Status | Trip Notes | Book | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | |||||||
|
23 Jul -
30 Jul
|
7 | Guided Family Walks | £999 | Available | Trip Notes | Enquire | |
7 nights from £999pp
Under 18s GO FREE
...or call 020 3974 8865
For group bookings of 10+ people click here
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