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England: Peak District – 6 nights (for Chatsworth)

  • 7 Night Route

    Price: from £925
  • 6 Night Route

    Price: from £850
    for Stanage Edge
  • 6 Night Route

    Price: from £860
    for Chatsworth
  • 4 Night Route

    Price: from £645
  • 3 Night Route

    Price: from £550

From mills to hills – the story of Kinder Scout

Back to Routes
Ascending towards 'Ringing Roger'

Ascending towards 'Ringing Roger'

Crossing Lathkill Dale

Crossing Lathkill Dale

Well maintained footpaths

Well maintained footpaths

Walk to Chatsworth House

Walk to Chatsworth House

Historic bridge at Bakewell (photo: Pixabay)

Historic bridge at Bakewell (photo: Pixabay)

The village of Edensor (photo: Andrew Hill - cc-by-sa/2.0)

The village of Edensor (photo: Andrew Hill - cc-by-sa/2.0)

An evening swim at Hathersage

An evening swim at Hathersage

Stanage Edge and Hathersage (photo: Andrew Hill - cc-by-sa/2.0)

Stanage Edge and Hathersage (photo: Andrew Hill - cc-by-sa/2.0)

Meadows at Edale

Meadows at Edale

Crossing Highlow Brook near Hathersage

Crossing Highlow Brook near Hathersage

Noe Stool and Pym Chair on Kinder Scout (photo: Andy Stephens -cc-by-sa/2.0)

Noe Stool and Pym Chair on Kinder Scout (photo: Andy Stephens -cc-by-sa/2.0)

A curious implement near Hathersage (it's a cheese press)!

A curious implement near Hathersage (it's a cheese press)!

The grave of 'Little John' at Hathersage (photo: Michael Dibb - cc-by-sa/2.0)

The grave of 'Little John' at Hathersage (photo: Michael Dibb - cc-by-sa/2.0)

Mam Tor from Lose Hill (photo: Andrew Tryon - cc-by-sa/2.0)

Mam Tor from Lose Hill (photo: Andrew Tryon - cc-by-sa/2.0)

Sample a Bakewell Pudding! (photos: Jo Turner - cc-by-sa/2.0)

Sample a Bakewell Pudding! (photos: Jo Turner - cc-by-sa/2.0)

A sunny day on Kinder Scout

A sunny day on Kinder Scout

  • 7 Night Route

    Price: from £925
  • 6 Night Route

    Price: from £850
    for Stanage Edge
  • 6 Night Route

    Price: from £860
    for Chatsworth
  • 4 Night Route

    Price: from £645
  • 3 Night Route

    Price: from £550
Price: from £860
Nights: 6
Grade:
Walk: 3¼-5½ hr/day

It passed our test of a good holiday, which is that we could have happily gone back to the beginning and walked it all over again.

Richard Lambley, Redhill, UK - June 2022

We liked how the landscape changed over the days. We did the full route over the 6 days - Kinder Scout on the final day was excellent. We enjoyed having 2 nights at 3 places and doing the circular walks so that you are not moving on every day.

Jeff Picton, Richmond, UK - June 2022

What we most liked was the friendliness and helpfulness of local people we met, including bus and taxi drivers and the staff at Chatsworth. We loved the wide views from Eyam Moor walking down to Bretton Clough, and the wild flower meadows.

Martyn Branford, Saxmundham, UK - June 2022

More independent feedback
England: Peak District - 6 nights (for Chatsworth) - On Foot Holidays

At a glance

6-night option including walk to Chatsworth (excluding Stanage Edge). See 'Prices' tab for what's included.
Suggested route pairing: Yorkshire Dales, Welsh Borders

Dogs permitted, with some alternative accommodations. Be aware that the many stiles on the route make bringing larger dogs impractical, and the boggy conditions on some days may make the going tough for smaller ones!

How much walking?

Full days: 10½-21km, 3¼-5½ hrs walking
Using shortening options: from no walking (using buses) to 4 hrs

Max. Grade:

From mills to hills - the story of Kinder Scout

An ascent of 2100ft Kinder Scout is an essential rite of passage for anyone who takes their walking seriously. It is here that, in 1932, ramblers from Manchester and Sheffield met in a “mass trespass” to claim their right to leave those smoky conurbations and walk unhindered on open moorland, an act that would lead eventually to the creation of the National Parks – indeed the Peak District was the first to be designated such (in 1951).

Our own route starts in that cradle of water-powered industry, Cromford, where Arkwright set up his first factory in 1771, the earliest proper centre of mass production in Britain, perhaps the world. The buildings are now a museum, and well worth a visit to set the scene for this pilgrimage. From there our walk strikes off into open country to picturesque Bakewell, home to  the famous tarts and puddings, where you can settle down for a two-night stay. A shorter second walk across to the Derwent valley enables you to spend time to visit Chatsworth House, home to the Dukes of Devonshire and a veritable cornucopia of art. The charms of the extensive gardens are equal to those of the house with many water features fed from a lake on the high moor above.

Next day, set off via Eyam, a deceptively picturesque village with bleak history in that it voluntarily cut itself off from the rest of England during an outbreak of bubonic plague in 1665 as an act of self-sacrifice. The bucolic walk over moor and dale to Hathersage brings the walker close to the edge of the “Dark Peak”. You are now properly in the Peak District, and the next walk alongside the Derwent River and into its ‘Win’ and ‘Lose’ hills brings a sense of arrival to your goal.

We have chosen the pretty village of Edale as your home for the final two nights, “base camp” for your assault on Kinder Scout. However, if the weather is poor a lower level walk to Castleton and its Blue John caves is also offered.

Just as in 1932, you can arrive and depart by train (and indeed this is recommended).

Walked by On Foot staff: Simon, Debbie and Emma

Consider pairing with Yorkshire Dales (3 hrs by train and bus) or Welsh Borders (4 hrs by train and taxi) – for more details click here.

REVIEWS: For independent walker reviews submitted to the Association of Independent Tour Operators visit Aito.com.

Route Highlights

  • Kinder Scout
  • Chatsworth House (or perhaps Haddon Hall if you have ‘done’ Chatsworth
  • The plague village of Eyam
  • The Blue John caverns around Castleton

This route features the following characteristics and interests: Villages and farms, Woods, Archaeology, Dog friendly, Drive to route, History

We Recommend

An extra night in Edale to give you the choice of walking Kinder Scout and taking in Mam Tor and Castleton.
For full versions of the route, an extra night in Cromford or Bonsall to allow a visit to Cromford Mills.

How much Walking?

Full days: 10½-21km, 3¼-5½ hrs walking
Using shortening options: from no walking (using buses) to 4 hrs

Some national and local trail marking. Highest point on route 630m. Often boggy underfoot.

Medium-hard: Average Cumulative Uphill Stretches (CUSs) 685m per day.

Medium: CUSs 560m per day using shortening options.

Acrophobia/vertigo warnings: None.

GPS file available for handheld or smartphone App.

Important note: Times given for each day are walking times for an “average” walker and exclude stops. “CUSs” stands for “Cumulative Uphill Stretches” and measures the aggregated ascents in each day, expressed in metres of climb. See “Walk Grading” for more information.

When to go?

The best months to walk: late April, May, June, early July, September, October

Other possible months: late July, August

This route is bookable throughout the spring, summer and autumn, though avoid the summer holidays if possible (but we can always try for you) as the Peaks are a popular destination and the paths will be anything but quiet; summer weekends may necessitate a two night stay in some accommodations.

Start Dates

Recommended
Possible
Unavailable

Weather Chart

 

Itinerary

About the Route

Day 1 - Arrive in Cromford or Bonsall

Arrive and settle in to your accommodation. If staying in Cromford, try to arrive in time to visit Cromford Mills to explore the area's industrial heritage!

Day 2 - Cromford or Bonsall to Bakewell

Enjoy a walk across typical limestone country – close cropped grass, lichen-ed stones, low trees and bushes, and all with intense colours in the autumn. From Cromford you ascend to the village of Bonsall (unless staying there) before striking out across the fields to the attractive villages of Winster and Youlgreave (with its fine church), into and out of half-hidden Lathkill Dale, before a gentle descent to bustling Bakewell. (Medium hard: 5½ hrs walking (allow 7¼ hrs), 21 km (13 miles), CUS 900m)

Alternative: Take a local taxi to Bonsall, Winster (saving 2¼ hrs) or Youlgreave (saving 3¾ hrs); or take the bus from Cromford all the way to Bakewell.

Day 3 - Bakewell to Chatsworth circuit

A pleasant circuit through the woods and fields to the estate village of Edensor and your goal of Chatsworth House, before a return initially alongside the River Derwent and back to Bakewell. (Easy medium: 3¼ hrs walking (allow 4¼ hrs plus time to visit the House and its fabulous art collection), 11km, CUS 265m)

Alternative: Stay in Bakewell and explore the town’s charms, or use the local bus services to travel to/from Chatsworth or to explore to Haddon Hall (if you’ve ‘done’ Chatsworth).

Day 4 - Bakewell to Hathersage

A fine walk taking in the villages of Stoney Middleton (famous for its well-dressing) and Eyam, both inextricably linked through the Plague, as well as moor, river and field. (Medium hard: 5 hrs walking (allow 6¾ hrs, but make time also for visiting Eyam museum), 18¾ km (11½ miles), CUS 750m)

Alternative: Take the bus to Stoney Middleton (saving 2¼ hrs) or Eyam (saving 2¾ hrs), or even all the way to Hathersage.

Day 5 - Hathersage to Edale

A day for wide views and peak bagging, should you so wish, with two possibilities – Win and Lose (yes!), or a shortening lower level river walk option, missing ‘Win’. (Hard: 5 hrs walking (allow 6¾ hrs), 18¾ km (11½ miles), CUSs 845m)

Alternative: Shortening option via Brough (saves 1 hour, nearly 5 km and the Win Hill ascent!); or take a bus to Hope (saving 3 hrs) and walk on from there; or take the train from Hathersage all the way to Edale.

Day 6 - Kinder Scout circuit

Attempt this day only in good weather – check the forecast for Kinder Scout itself, and look at the top … if there is mist on the top, don’t assume that it will disappear as the sun comes out in the valley below. If the weather is fine, though, this is an exhilarating and thrilling day – and you’re unlikely to be alone on the top. (Hard: 4½ hrs walking (allow 6 hrs), 13 km (8 miles), CUSs 650m)

Alternative: If the weather is poor, stay in Edale or do our circuit to Castleton and back via Mam Tor, taking refuge in the caverns en route! (Medium: 3½ hrs walking (allow 4¾ hrs), 10¾ km (6½ miles), CUSs 660m)

Depart for home

An easy walk to the train station at Edale for your onward journey.  But why not add an extra night to explore further the district’s delights?

Travel Information

This route is easily accessible by train, the recommended method.

ARRIVING BY TRAIN
For 6-night versions or longer, a train to Cromford is the obvious way to arrive at the route if staying in Cromford from other parts of the UK, followed by a 20 min level walk.  If staying in Bonsall, a train to Matlock is best, unless you’re arriving late in the day, in which case a train to Chesterfield and taxi from there is recommended. (We cannot pre-book the taxi, but can suggest possible companies.)

For shorter options starting at Hathersage, the station there is a short walk from our accommodation.

At the end the station at Edale (Manchester to Sheffield line) is within walking distance of your accommodation.

Nearest railway stations:
Start: Cromford (if staying there), Matlock (if staying in Bonsall); Hathersage for shorter options
Finish: Edale

Sample journeys by rail:
To Cromford (start): London St Pancras ~2 hrs, Edinburgh 5 hrs, Manchester 2½ hrs
From Edale (end): London Euston or St Pancras 3¼ hrs, Edinburgh 4½ hrs, Manchester 45 minutes.

We suggest thetrainline.com for times, ticket booking and other information.

ARRIVING BY CAR
For 6-or 7-night versions we recommend leaving your car at the start of the route (no formal parking arrangements, but Rugby Club car park suggested as near Cromford station, pay locally, or if staying at Oakhill, park at our accommodation there), then train back at the end (2½ hrs) or taxi (1 hr).

For 3- and 4-night versions cars can be left on-street in Hathersage (no secure parking available but it’s a quiet town), returning by train (15 minute journey).

Pre-bookable taxi prices can be found in “Prices”.

ARRIVING BY AIR
The best airports for international flights are the London airports or Manchester, followed by a train to the start (see above).

Flight information can change rapidly and not all flights run daily. Please do check directly with the airlines’ websites or Skyscanner (see below) before finalising any booking with us. Do not book your flights until we have confirmed that we have provisionally reserved accommodation for you.

For up-to-date schedules and flights from all airports check Skyscanner.

 

Getting to the start of the walk

Full transfer advice, including timetables, is provided in your Walkers’ Pack. Contact us if you would like additional pre-booking information.

Where You'll Stay

Our standard accommodation on this route is a mix of friendly B&Bs and inns; the upgrades offer a little taste of luxury (and will add around £300 pp to a 7 night holiday price).  All are very happy welcoming walkers, although please don’t be offended if asked to remove muddy boots on arrival!

Bonsall – The Fountain (B&B)

Night 1

Bonsall – The Fountain (B&B)

Tea room with lovely rooms over (and large modern bathrooms!)

Cromford – Oakhill (B&B)

Night 1 (Upgrade)

Cromford – Oakhill (B&B)

Grade 2 listed country house built by the Arkwright family, in lovely setting, with excellent restaurant.

Bakewell – Avenue House (B&B)

Night 2 & 3

Bakewell – Avenue House (B&B)

Lovely B&B, well converted from a Victorian house.

Bakewell – H Boutique Hotel (B&B)

Night 2 & 3 (Upgrade)

Bakewell – H Boutique Hotel (B&B)

Modern, spotlessly clean hotel with good sized and well furnished rooms.

Hathersage – Little John Hotel (B&B)

Night 4

Hathersage – Little John Hotel (B&B)

Friendly, no nonsense pub, popular with locals. Refurbished 2021.

Hathersage – The George (B&B)

Night 4 (Upgrade)

Hathersage – The George (B&B)

Refurbished (2021) 500-year-old building mixing contemporary styling and old features. Excellent food and drink. CURRENTLY CLOSED DUE TO FLOODING (Jan 2024)

Edale – The Rambler Inn (B&B)

Night 5 & 6

Edale – The Rambler Inn (B&B)

Friendly accommodation with good beer and pub food. Very popular with walkers.

Prices

Price: from £860 for 6 nights

Total 6 nights in double/twin room, all breakfasts, luggage transfers between all hotels on walking route; full Walkers’ Pack with route directions, maps, transfer and background information; local telephone support.

All prices are per person unless otherwise indicated, and are based on a standard booking in May. Prices may vary seasonally and a fixed price will be given to you before you commit.

Single Room Supplement (SRS): From £370
Lone Traveller Additional Supplement (LTAS): From £175
Maximum party size: 8

 

Add Ons

Upgrade accommodation possible on some nights: Contact On Foot Holidays
Extra nights in any hotel: Contact On Foot Holidays

Taxi from Matlock Town station to Bonsall: Call us for details of local taxis to book

Sending Walkers’ Packs to addresses outside the UK:  £20-£60 (per pack, location dependent)

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Richard Tucker

Our local team

Richard Tucker

Richard Tucker and his wife Laetitia are lifelong enthusiastic walkers, and in recent years they have enjoyed On Foot walks on the continent and in the UK. As importantly, though, they have explored the footpaths and trails, meadows, hills and moorland of the Peak District over many years, and have worked with our staff team to create a route comprising the best the region has to offer.

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