The Derbyshire Dales

The rippling waters of the River Dove cut through a steep sided limestone gorge. Strips of broad-leaved woodland line the banks. Suddenly you emerge into grassland with sweeping views and dry stone walls, descending gently to the village of Ilam, with its ancient cross and tidy, flower filled gardens.

From the hotel, you can ascend the rocky precipice of the Heights of Abraham on wooded paths above the Derwent Gorge. Other days we may wander through the deer park opposite Chatsworth House, take in the panoramic views from Harborough Rocks or follow the river Lathkill from stream to flowing river.

We will explore part of the canal system and see how it connected to the High Peak railway. We will also walk on part of the High Peak Trail, built on this old railway line which closed in 1967 and encounter Britain’s industrial heritage, all directly from our hotel at Matlock Bath.

The limestone White Peak area of the southern Peak District is an ideal base for a holiday at this moderate walking grade. You will be surrounded by beautiful limestone crags, valleys, streams and rivers. Panoramic views over fascinating countryside will be your reward to be enjoyed from the local high points you will reach.

On the last day, slightly further afield, we will be walking in the area known as the Black Peak and meet up with the Gritstone Edge, some would say a harsher landscape; which also holds the secrets of the plague village of Eyam.

The rugged beauty of this area is overwhelming and makes it a wonderful place to walk: rolling hills, tranquil dales, gorges, magnificent rock formations, evidence of a history which changed the world and some beautiful towns of honey coloured stone.