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Buxton for Chatsworth House

June 24, 2023

Saturday 24th – Wednesday 28th June 2023

Following many requests to visit Chatsworth House, it was agreed by those interested that it would be impracticable to do the trip in one day and that a short break would be preferred. Chatsworth House lies just a few miles east of the beautiful thermal spa town of Buxton, Derbyshire, and this will be our base for the duration of our stay. Buxton has the highest elevation, at around 1000ft above sea-level, of any market town in England and is described by many as the gateway to the Peak District national Park. Famous for its water it is also home to the Buxton Opera House as well as Poole’s Cavern, a two million year old natural limestone cave. Buxton boasts a wealth of independent shops, cafes, and bars. All within walking distance of the hotel, there is plenty to see, do and keep us entertained during our free-time in the town throughout our break.

Home to the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire, Chatsworth House has been passed down through 16 generations of the Cavendish family. Renowned for the quality of its art, landscape and hospitality, it has evolved through the centuries to reflect the tastes, passions and interests of succeeding generations. Today, Chatsworth contains works of art that span 4000 years, from ancient Roman and Egyptian sculpture, and masterpieces by Rembrandt, Reynolds and Veronese, to work by outstanding modern artists including Lucian Freud, Edmund de Waal and David Nash. During our visit we can explore over 30 rooms including the Painted Hall, State Rooms, Sculpture Gallery and discover its art, history and family. Plus, we will learn how succeeding generations have made their mark on one of Derbyshire’s finest country houses.

The cost of the trip is £675 per person based on two sharing a twin or double room (Sole occupancy supplement of £150). If you wish to book on the trip I will require a non-refundable deposit of £125 per person. The balance will become due about 8 weeks prior to our departure.

Saturday – Our five day trip starts by leaving Dorking at 8am on Saturday 24th June. From here, taking in a comfort stop en- route we will head straight to Buxton where we will spend the remainder of our afternoon getting acquainted with this beautiful town by visiting the Buxton Crescent Experience and having a brief introduction to Buxton from the local tour guides. Having familiarised ourselves a little, we will check in to our hotel, the 4* Lee Wood Hotel. Now in its third generation, the Lee Wood has been run by the same family for 60 years. With each generation having been sent to study hotel management in Switzerland, we are assured a very pleasant stay.

Sunday – Today is at your leisure. Buxton is such a beautiful town that it seemed a shame to come all this way and not have time to explore and enjoy the beauty it has to offer. I am happy to recommend and give you all you need to make the most of your day. Within just a short walk from the hotel you will find the Pavilions Arts Centre with a Café, Gallery and the meeting/performance space, the Octagon Hall, where The Beatles once played. Just outside are the Pavilion Gardens, home to an ornate bandstand which hosts concerts most Sunday afternoons throughout the Summer months, and, of course, the lovely Buxton Opera House designed by renowned theatre architect Frank Matcham. Strolling a little further you can visit Poole’s Cavern. With just 25 steps throughout, it is one of the most accessible caverns the area has to offer. Whilst their exact schedules, are yet to be announced, if anyone would like to visit one of Buxton’s two performance venues on the Sunday evening, when we know what is on, the hotel can offer us two dinner sittings, with one being early, making sure you don’t miss the show.

Monday – On arrival at Chatsworth House, there will be a chance to grab a tea or coffee and view the grounds around the house, for those that choose to, before enjoying a guided tour of the house itself. Once the tour of the house is complete, there will be the opportunity to explore more of the house at our leisure as well as the gardens and of course pay a visit to the gift shop. With three eateries to choose from, there is plenty of option for those that want to grab some lunch. Our visit to Chatsworth concludes, after a short coach transfer, with a stop at the Chatsworth Estate Farm Shop. There will be time to peruse and buy if you wish, or take advantage of the café before we return to our hotel in Buxton.

Tuesday – This morning will be spent at the Crich Tramway Village. Included at the village and in our entry are of course rides on the vintage electric trams as well as all the exhibitions on display, the depot housing restoration works and the George Stephenson Discovery Centre. Overlooking the famous Derwent Valley, Crich Tramway Village is a lovingly restored period village where you can indulge in nostalgia and relax in the reconstructed Red Lion pub or Rita’s Tea Rooms. With a park and walks, you can choose exactly how active you would like to be. After our time at the Crich Tramway village we will take the short journey to the wonderful and picturesque Victorian town of Matlock Bath. Here you have a choice of keeping your feet firmly planted and enjoying the town, or come with us on a cable car ride to the Heights of Abraham. Once we reach the top there is 60 acres to explore including, beautiful vistas, two caverns, where you can enjoy guided tours, walks and eateries. Or do both and take the cable car ride and explore the Heights of Abraham, before returning down at your leisure to spend some time in Matlock Bath.

Wednesday – After a leisurely breakfast, we say goodbye to the Lee Wood Hotel and Buxton and head east to the world famous town of Bakewell. Famed for it’s pudding, as you can imagine, there is more than one place you can buy one! Idyllically situated on the banks of the river Wye, the biggest town in the Peak District National Park’s mellow stone buildings, medieval five-arched stone bridge and quaint courtyards are a magnet for painters, photographers and sightseers alike. Thinly disguised as ‘Lambton’ in Jane Austen’s literary classic Pride and Prejudice, Bakewell is the ideal place for an interesting town walk. Take a stroll through the town and discover scenic buildings, charming courtyards and pretty streets, or feed the ducks during a riverside stroll by the Love Locks Bridge. Having spent around 4 hours in Bakewell, we begin our journey home. With a comfort stop en route, we should arrive back in Dorking for mid-evening.

To Book

Call 07771 793294 & ask for Neil,
or use our contact form to email me.