4 Night Peak District Christmas & New Year Guided Walking Holiday
Spend the festive season in the Peak District and head out on winter walks that take you through historic country estates and dramatic Pennine scenery. And when you’re not busy exploring the wintry landscapes of rural Derbyshire, cosy up in the Peveril of the Peak – our charming country house less than a mile from the famous Dovedale Stepping Stones. We pull out all the stops at this time of year and our houses welcome you with a sprinkling of festive cheer, seasonal food, and plenty of yuletide treats. So wrap up warm and step into Christmas with HF Holidays.
What you’ll love
- Getting into the festive spirit with a guided walking holiday
- A choice of winter walks with our experienced HF Holidays Leaders
- Discovering the stunning landscapes of Peak District on foot
- Staying in the comfort of our charming country house in the Peak District
- Enjoying festive fare and leaving all the organising to us
- A celebration dinner with all the trimmings on Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve
What’s included
- En-suite accommodation in our 3-star 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.
See Dates, Prices & Trip Note tab to check which itinerary is running
You're welcome to check in from 4pm onwards.
Enjoy a complimentary Afternoon Tea on arrival.
Option 1 - Limestone Way and Ashbourne
Distance: 6½ miles (10km)
Ascent: 850 feet (260m)
In summary: Following the Limestone Way from Thorpe, we descend to the historic Coldwall Bridge and continue through Okeover Park to Mapleton. We then ascend to the Tissington Trail and follow this through the tunnel to Ashbourne town centre.
Highlight: Explore Ashbourne 'The Gateway to Dovedale' with its many Tudor and Georgian listed buildings.
Option 2 - Marten Hill and Ashbourne
Distance: 7 miles (11km)
Ascent: 900 feet (280m)
In summary: The walk begins by heading onto Thorpe Pasture and past the iconic peak Thorpe Cloud. We descend its southwestern flank to the River Dove. We follow the river to Coldwall Bridge before picking up the route of option one continuing through Okeover Park and Mapleton onto the Tissington Trail and in to Ashbourne.
Highlight: Wander around Ashbourne's many independent shops, or maybe you would rather kick back and relax in a tea room, you will be spoilt for choice.
Option 3 - Thorpe Cloud and on to Ashbourne
Distance: 9 miles (14.5km)
Ascent: 900 feet (280m)
In summary: An ascent of the iconic Thorpe Cloud is a fantastic way to start our walk and hopefully be rewarded with fantastic views. We then follow the Limestone Way over Marten Hill and on to Mayfield Village and Hanging Bridge. We cross the beautiful River Dove and traverse above Bentley Brook into Ashbourne.
Highlight: Hanging Bridge with its grim history including Bonnie Prince Charlie's retreat in 1745.
Option 1 - Tissington Circular
Distance: 4½ miles (7km)
Ascent: 400 feet (120m)
In summary: We walk to Tissington on grassland, through the gates and along the tree lined Avenue. After time to look round the village the walk returns on the Tissington Trail (former London and North Western railway) to the site of Thorpe station
Highlight: The charming estate village of Tissington, home of the FitzHerbert family for over 500 years.
Option 2 - Dovedale Gorge
Distance: 7 miles (11km)
Ascent: 1,200 feet (360m)
In summary: Beginning with a descent to the famous stepping stones we follow the River Dove to Milldale. Following the zig zag path we then return through pasture land high above the gorge.
Highlight: The famous limestone gorge of Dovedale is just a stone’s throw from our country house with its rock formations, caves and verdant flora.
Option 3 - Dovedale & Tissington
Distance: 9½ miles (15.5km)
Ascent: 1,300 feet (400m)
In summary: Follow the river through the delightful surroundings of Dove Dale to Milldale. Having climbed to the top of Shining Tor our return route takes us via the villages of Alsop-en-le-Dale and Tissington.
Highlight: Tissington is particularly attractive estate village with a fine Jacobean hall built by the FitzHerbert family in 1609. If you visit around Ascension Day you'll see the six well-dressings around the village.
Option 1 - Ilam Park - Festive
Distance: 4½ miles (7.5km)
Ascent: 700 feet (220m)
In summary: We begin at the entrance to the Manifold Valley and follow the river and Victorian Paradise walk into Ilam Park. We then ascend to Blore, before taking the Limestone Way back to the house.
Highlight: Enjoy the panorama from Blore church over the limestone plateau and Dove Dale.
Option 2 - Wetton to Dovedale
Distance: 7.5 miles (12km)
Ascent: 1000 feet (330m)
In summary: The walk starts in the village of Wetton, crossing fields to reach the lofty Castern Hall. From here we follow the route of the Manifold into Ilam Park before ascending to the hamlet of Blore and follow the Limestone Way on our return to the country house.
Highlight: Beautiful Ilam Park with its Hall, church and gardens. We can see the River Manifold as it emerges from its underground route.
Option 3 - Wetton Hill to Dovedale
Distance: 9 miles (14.5 km)
Ascent: 1,300ft (400m)
In summary: Starting on the other side of Wetton Hill, you'll pass through the village of Wetton, continuing above the Manifold Valley to Ilam. Then back via the Blore church.
Highlight: Look out for the disappearing river - the Manifold often flows underground between Wetton Mill and Ilam.
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast before making your way home.
See Dates, Prices & Trip Note tab to check which itinerary is running
Enjoy a complimentary cream tea on arrival, served from 4.30pm.
Option 1 - Limestone Way and Ashbourne
Distance: 6½ miles (10km)
Ascent: 850 feet (260m)
In summary: Following the Limestone Way from Thorpe, we descend to the historic Coldwall Bridge and continue through Okeover Park to Mapleton. We then ascend to the Tissington Trail and follow this through the tunnel to Ashbourne town centre.
Highlight: Explore Ashbourne 'The Gateway to Dovedale' with its many Tudor and Georgian listed buildings.
Option 2 - Marten Hill and Ashbourne
Distance: 7 miles (11km)
Ascent: 900 feet (280m)
In summary: The walk begins by heading onto Thorpe Pasture and past the iconic peak Thorpe Cloud. We descend its southwestern flank to the River Dove. We follow the river to Coldwall Bridge before picking up the route of option one continuing through Okeover Park and Mapleton onto the Tissington Trail and in to Ashbourne.
Highlight: Wander around Ashbourne's many independent shops, or maybe you would rather kick back and relax in a tea room, you will be spoilt for choice.
Option 3 - Thorpe Cloud and on to Ashbourne
Distance: 9 miles (14.5km)
Ascent: 900 feet (280m)
In summary: An ascent of the iconic Thorpe Cloud is a fantastic way to start our walk and hopefully be rewarded with fantastic views. We then follow the Limestone Way over Marten Hill and on to Mayfield Village and Hanging Bridge. We cross the beautiful River Dove and traverse above Bentley Brook into Ashbourne.
Highlight: Hanging Bridge with its grim history including Bonnie Prince Charlie's retreat in 1745.
Option 1 - Tissington Circular
Distance: 4½ miles (7km)
Ascent: 400 feet (120m)
In summary: We walk to Tissington on grassland, through the gates and along the tree lined Avenue. After time to look round the village the walk returns on the Tissington Trail (former London and North Western railway) to the site of Thorpe station
Highlight: The charming estate village of Tissington, home of the FitzHerbert family for over 500 years.
Option 2 - Dovedale Gorge
Distance: 7 miles (11km)
Ascent: 1,200 feet (360m)
In summary: Beginning with a descent to the famous stepping stones we follow the River Dove to Milldale. Following the zig zag path we then return through pasture land high above the gorge.
Highlight: The famous limestone gorge of Dovedale is just a stone’s throw from our country house with its rock formations, caves and verdant flora.
Option 3 - Dovedale & Tissington
Distance: 9½ miles (15.5km)
Ascent: 1,300 feet (400m)
In summary: Follow the river through the delightful surroundings of Dove Dale to Milldale. Having climbed to the top of Shining Tor our return route takes us via the villages of Alsop-en-le-Dale and Tissington.
Highlight: Tissington is particularly attractive estate village with a fine Jacobean hall built by the FitzHerbert family in 1609. If you visit around Ascension Day you'll see the six well-dressings around the village.
Option 1 - Ilam Park - Festive
Distance: 4½ miles (7.5km)
Ascent: 700 feet (220m)
In summary: We begin at the entrance to the Manifold Valley and follow the river and Victorian Paradise walk into Ilam Park. We then ascend to Blore, before taking the Limestone Way back to the house.
Highlight: Enjoy the panorama from Blore church over the limestone plateau and Dove Dale.
Option 2 - Wetton to Dovedale
Distance: 7.5 miles (12km)
Ascent: 1000 feet (330m)
In summary: The walk starts in the village of Wetton, crossing fields to reach the lofty Castern Hall. From here we follow the route of the Manifold into Ilam Park before ascending to the hamlet of Blore and follow the Limestone Way on our return to the country house.
Highlight: Beautiful Ilam Park with its Hall, church and gardens. We can see the River Manifold as it emerges from its underground route.
Option 3 - Wetton Hill to Dovedale
Distance: 9 miles (14.5 km)
Ascent: 1,300ft (400m)
In summary: Starting on the other side of Wetton Hill, you'll pass through the village of Wetton, continuing above the Manifold Valley to Ilam. Then back via the Blore church.
Highlight: Look out for the disappearing river - the Manifold often flows underground between Wetton Mill and Ilam.
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast before making your way home.
The Peveril of the Peak
For those easily seduced by the charm of the Peak District, this characterful country house is a dealbreaker. Set in the tiny village of Thorpe, you’ll be less than a mile from the famous Dovedale Stepping Stones – a series of 16 limestone-capped stones that were laid out in the 19th century to allow for a safe crossing over the River Dove. There’s plenty of big-name attractions nearby, most fabulously the Twelve Apostles that is best viewed from the limestone promontory known as Lover’s Leap. And there’s no shortage of walking thrills, either, especially around the Roaches and the impressive Stanage Edge. Equally fabulous is the cone-shaped Thorpe Cloud, a limestone hill on the southern end of Dovedale and along the rolling green hills of the Staffordshire/Derbyshire border.
Rooms
Designed with your comfort in mind, The Peveril of the Peak has 46 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, and comfortable mattresses.
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, and comfortable mattresses.
We love: Room 2 on the ground floor for its extra space (it also has a door opening on to the grounds). Also lovely is the Chatsworth Room for its four-poster bed.
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.
Check in & check out
You are welcome to check in from 4:00pm at the earliest. 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.
On the day of departure, we kindly ask all guests to check out by 10:00am. You’ll be asked to settle your bill prior to leaving. You may, of course, make a charitable donation to our HF Holidays Pathways Fund if you wish. Please note that we only accept card payments.
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, the HF Holidays Big Pub Quiz held after dinner on Wednesdays is a weekly staple. Your HF Holidays Leader may be around for tips on guided and self-guided walking routes as well as visit-worthy local attractions.
Walks talks
Our HF Holidays Leaders host guided walking information briefings before dinner on arrival days. This is followed by a group Walks Talk for information on the following day’s walking delights (held before dinner every evening). Self-guided walking guests are, of course, welcome.
The walking day
Prior to setting off on 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.
Food & drink
Led by experienced chefs, we serve a wide range of dishes made with fresh and seasonal ingredients. We always aim to source the best produce available and use home-grown herbs and vegetables from our own gardens whenever possible. Additionally, we have a licensed bar with beers, soft drinks, and a superb selection of spirits. Full-board comes as standard and includes a cream tea on arrival and a hearty breakfast on departure day.
HF Holidays understands the importance of managing allergens effectively to ensure food is safe for guests with food allergies. Whilst we are always able to confidently inform guests which allergens are present in our ingredients and dishes, we are unable to guarantee absolute freedom from the 14 main allergens in our kitchens. Vegetarian and vegan menu choices are available. If you have allergies, food intolerances, or any special dietary requirements, please inform our reservation team at the time of booking.
Accessibility
For accessibility and assistance information, please contact our expert team on 020 3974 8865 or view the accessibility information online for The Peveril of the Peak
Getting to The Peveril of the Peak
Find out more about this location including travel details and room types.
More InformationAddress
The Peveril of the Peak
Thorpe
Dovedale
Ashbourne
Derbyshire DE6 2AW
Tel: +44 (0)1335 350396
By train
The nearest stations are Derby or Buxton.
Check National Rail for train times and routes.
By taxi
From Buxton railway station a taxi takes approximately 35 minutes.
From Derby railway station the 18-mile journey takes approximately 40 minutes.
For pricing, please contact Ashbourne Taxis directly.
Ashbourne Taxis
You can pre-book a taxi from our recommended company, Ashbourne Taxis*. We recommend booking your taxi at least seven days in advance by contacting:
Tel: +44 (0)1335 345198 / +44 (0)7398 783706
Email: ashbourne-taxis@hotmail.co.uk
A return journey can be arranged on your behalf by the HF Holidays House Manager at The Peveril of the Peak.
*Ashbourne Taxis is not owned or managed by HF Holidays.
By bus
There is a bus service as far as Ashbourne, about three miles from The Peveril of the Peak. You’ll need to take a taxi from Ashbourne, taking around 10 minutes, or use the Derbyshire Connect Service (telephone +44 (0)1335 342951).
From Buxton you can use the 442 service or from Derby catch the SWI service.
Check online for up-to-date bus times.
By car
From the south
Leave the M1 at junction 24 and head to Ashbourne via the A50 and A515. Continue north on the A515 towards Buxton. One mile north of Ashbourne turn left, signposted to Thorpe, Dovedale, and Ilam. After a further two miles the road bends sharply left by the Old Dog pub. The Peveril of the Peak is at the bottom of the hill.
From Buxton
Take the A515 south towards Ashbourne. After 17 miles turn right at the crossroads following signs to Thorpe. After one mile turn right by the Old Dog pub. You’ll find The Peveril of the Peak at the bottom of the hill.
From the west
Leave the M6 at junction 15 and head via the A50, Cheadle (A521), and Oakamoor (A5417) to the A52. At the junction of the A52 and the A523 take the minor road signposted to Ilam. After 1.5 miles turn left and descend the hill. Cross the bridge at Ilam, turn right, and follow the road through Dovedale and Thorpe village. The Peveril of the Peak is on the left-hand side at the end of the village.
By air
The nearest airport is East Midlands Airport.
We recommend pre-booking a taxi direct to The Peveril of the Peak, which is about 30 minutes away.
From London Luton Airport you’ll need to take the shuttle bus to Luton Airport Parkway station, then catch the train to Derby with one change at Leicester.
From Manchester International Airport there are trains every hour to Buxton with one change at Manchester Piccadilly. Allow one hour 40 minutes to Buxton.
Flying to London Heathrow Airport is another option but you’ll need to allow three hours to reach Derby. From Heathrow first take the Piccadilly line to London St Pancras. From here take a train direct to Derby.
National Rail has up-to-date train information.
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
Recommended
- Several base layers (long-sleeve or short-sleeve)
- Cushioned walking socks to avoid blisters
- First aid kit, including plasters and insect repellent
- Sit mat
- Waterproof pouch for valuables
- Rubbish bag (remember to always leave no trace)
- Wallet/purse
- Camera
- First-aid kit
The Peveril of the Peak Calendar
- Guided Walking
- Self-Guided Walking
- Special Interests
- Unavailable to Book
Guest reviews
All holidays are subject to availability. Supplements may apply.
Non-member fee: £30 per person.
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 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | ||||||||
|
23 Dec - 27 Dec 2024 4 nights |
Christmas Single from £1,035 Double from £1,035 pp |
from £1,035 pp |
from £1,035 |
Trip Notes
|
Book Now | |||
|
30 Dec 2024 - 03 Jan 2025 4 nights |
New Year Single from £939 Double from £939 pp |
from £939 pp |
from £939 |
Trip Notes
|
Book Now | |||
| 2025 | ||||||||
|
23 Dec - 27 Dec 2025 4 nights |
Christmas Single from £1,085 Double from £1,085 pp |
from £1,085 pp |
from £1,085 |
Trip Notes
|
Book Now | |||
|
30 Dec 2025 - 03 Jan 2026 4 nights |
New Year Single from £979 Double from £979 pp |
from £979 pp |
from £979 |
Trip Notes
|
Book Now | |||
62Kg of CO₂e
Average carbon footprint per person Learn More