Derbyshire Peaks and Yorkshire Dales

10.00am: We meet in the centre of the Yorkshire city of Sheffield at the Crowne Plaza Royal Victoria hotel on Victoria Station Road. We make our way along the River Don to Kelham Island to meet our local guide for a private tour, learning about the history of the buzzing industrial heart of the city, and visiting the local museum. We have lunch in a restaurant on Kelham Island. After lunch, we drive out into the rolling hills of the Peak District National Park. We check into our B&B accommodation at Rushop Hall, a Georgian farmstead which has been converted into charming ensuite accommodation. We stay here for four nights. Time to settle in before a welcome drink and an in-house dinner matched to delicious wines.

After breakfast, a short drive takes us to the start of our hike in the White Peak. We follow pretty paths through scenic limestone dales, passing old mining sites and charming villages to arrive at Eyam, known for its self-imposed quarantine during the 1665 plague. After exploring the village’s poignant past, we enjoy a picnic lunch of delicious local produce. We climb up to Eyam Moor, where we are rewarded with stunning views of the Derwent Valley, before descending into the quaint village of Grindleford where we have a local ale before returning to Rushop Hall. Dinner tonight in a small village nearby.

(15km/9.3 miles)

Our hike starts at the enchanting Haddon Hall, a stunning medieval manor where we have a private guided tour of the house and gardens. We set off along the pretty Wye River, winding through peaceful woodlands and open fields, before arriving in the historic town of Bakewell, home of the famous Bakewell pudding. After a light lunch, we return to Rushop Hall. Later in the day, we visit the thermal Spa town of Buxton and enjoy a private tour with a local guide. Dinner in an award-winning restaurant in Bakewell this evening.

(10km/6.2 miles)

Our final hike in the Peak District takes us onto the stunning Kinder Scout plateau. We drive to Edale, the starting point for the long-distance Pennine Way hike. From the village, we ascend via Jacob’s Ladder to Kinder Scout’s rugged plateau, a site of the historic 1932 mass trespass for access rights. We explore the highlights of the plateau, crossing the wild moorland to reach Kinder Downfall, the Peak District’s highest waterfall. This is a challenging hike with dramatic landscapes and panoramic views. We enjoy a refreshing beer in a local pub before returning to our accommodation to relax before dinner prepared for us in-house.

(17km/10.5 miles)

We depart the Peak District after breakfast and head towards the Yorkshire Dales. En route, we visit the small Cathedral City of Ripon. Time to visit the famous cathedral before a light lunch in the town. In the afternoon, we make our way to Fountains Abbey, the largest monastic ruin in the country and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Set in a stunning valley, the abbey was founded in 1132 and abruptly closed in 1539 during the Dissolution of the Monasteries ordered by Henry VIII. After the visit, a beautiful drive takes us through the heart of the Dales to Settle. We check into our hotel, the Falcon Manor, and have dinner tonight in the hotel. We stay here for the remaining four nights.

An early start today as we climb the highest of Yorkshire’s three peaks, Whernside (736m). We drive to Ribblehead, from where we head out on a well-trodden trail alongside the spectacular Ribblehead viaduct. We climb steadily, ascending 530 metres, through open moorland with expansive views across the Dales. On a clear day, the view stretches to the Lake District and Morecambe Bay. We descend on stone steps and through farmland to return to Ribblehead for a well-deserved lunch in the pub. We return by van to our hotel, stopping along the way to visit an award-winning local cheesemonger. Dinner this evening in an authentic pizzeria with stunning views of the Dales.

(13.5km/8.3 miles)

We head out from the hotel on foot, passing through Settle to potter around the weekly market and characterful shops. Time for a coffee before we set off on our hike, heading up into the hills above the town to take in the views across the Dales, with the iconic three peaks of Whernside, Pen-y-Ghent, and Ingleborough clearly visible. We enjoy our picnic at a scenic spot overlooking the town before continuing our hike to arrive back at Falcon Manor in the afternoon. Time to relax in the afternoon before dinner in the hotel this evening.

(14km/8.6 miles)

Our final hike, challenging yet rewarding, takes in another of the 3 Peaks, Ingleborough, with a height of 723m. We set out from a small village and climb steadily towards the flat-topped summit, shaped by ancient glacial activity. Just below the summit, there are the remains of an iron age fort. The trail passes several cave openings – this region is home to the longest cave systems in England. From the summit, we take an alternative route to return to the valley. Our final dinner is in a fabulous local pub.

(18km/11.2 miles)

We return to Sheffield train station for 12pm.
For guests who don’t wish to return to Sheffield, there is a good train service from Settle which is on the Leeds-Carlisle line. The Settle to Carlisle train journey is renowned as one of the most scenic rail routes in the United Kingdom. Spanning approximately 72 miles, this historic line traverses the dramatic landscapes of the Yorkshire Dales, offering breathtaking views and a glimpse into the engineering marvels of the Victorian era.