Walk the Peak District

Welcome to the Peak District! Your adventure begins with a 2pm welcome meeting at the accommodation, where you’ll meet your local leader and fellow travellers. After the meeting, kick things off with a walk through the Hope Valley to Bamford village. Castleton is the picture of a quintessentially England country town, with its slate grey old stone houses, countless pubs off the winding main road, and rolling green surrounds backed by steep hills on three sides, including the famous Mam Tor. Bamford is the highest remaining village in the Derwent Valley, with many of its neighbours submerged in the mid-20th century by the construction of two reservoirs. Reward yourself for completing your first walk with a drink in a local pub in Bamford. Take your tastebuds on an intrepid adventure with what couldn’t be a more appropriate brew on tap – beers from Intrepid Brewing Co. Afterwards, there is the option for return to Castleton by foot, or perhaps stay at the pub for dinner and catch a taxi back this evening.

Fuel up with breakfast this morning to get ready for a full day of walking to Bakewell, known as the heart of the Peak District. Jump on the local bus to travel a few miles east to Hathersage for the start of your walk. Local legend says this hilly village is home to the grave of Robin Hood’s right-hand man Little John. Make your way along the banks of the River Derwent, passing farms, woods, beautiful cottages, old sawmills and the tumbledown remains of chapels. Stop for a refresh in Grindleford and grab a tea in a shop that supports, and is run by, the local community. There’s even delicious ice cream made in the Hope Valley. Continue to Bakewell and pass Edensor, a picturesque village that was moved to improve the view for the resident Duke of nearby Chatsworth House. Bakewell’s history lies in the failed efforts of a local Duke to transform a remote market village into a spa town to outdo his local rival in Buxton, but today it's famous for its sweet treats. Explore the town and be sure to try a bite in the original shop of the Bakewell Pudding. The tart may be more well known, but the slippery, almond-flavoured dessert – accidentally invented in the 18th century and made to a top-secret recipe – is the real drawcard. Jump in a taxi back to Castleton for a free evening. (B)

Get ready to give your camera a workout – this may just be the most scenic walk of your journey. Today you’ll take on the Stanage Edge walk, a circuit route that begins in the historic village of Hathersage and loops through the Dark Peak area of the Peak District. Pass by Little John’s Grave and St Michael’s Church, crossing fields and farmhouses before arriving at North Lees Hall – once visited by Charlotte Bronte, this historic building is the inspiration for Thornfield Manor in her novel Jane Eyre. From here, continue to Stanage Edge, a three-mile-long gritstone escarpment running between Sheffield and the High Peak – there are some seriously stunning views from up here! Hidden away in the escarpment lies Robin Hood’s Cave – if you’re lucky enough to find it, you’ll be rewarded with impressive views over the peaks. Complete the final leg of your walk back to Hathersage, where you may like to put your feet up in one of the village’s cosy pubs. (B)

Hop back on the bus to Hathersage this morning after breakfast for the start of a walk in Longshaw Estate. Once used for shooting by the Duke of Rutland, the estate of moorland and woodland is now managed by the National Trust. Make your way through rhododendron bushes, past moss-covered barns and grazing sheep, over babbling brooks, boulders weathered into natural sculptures, and along the heather and gorse flanked packhorse trails which once connected Sheffield to the salt wells of Cheshire. There is the opportunity to join your leader for an optional lunch after the walk before returning to your accommodation in the afternoon. (B)

There’s time for one more beautiful walk before your adventure draws to a close. Starting and finishing in Castleton, this morning’s walk takes you to the summit of the Mam Tor hill, one of the Peak District’s most iconic natural features. Pass by Treak Cliff and Blue John Cavern, then follow the stepped path up to the Mam Tor’s summit where you’ll be rewarded with a magnificent final view of the Peak District. Descend back down to Castleton and return to your accommodation, where on arrival your adventure will come to an end around midday. (B)