“There is no finer county in England than Derbyshire” - Jane Austen

The Peak District boasts some of the most spectacular and rewarding walking in the UK. Well marked paths and easy-to-walk cycle tracks make the Peak District accessible to all standard of walkers and cyclists.

The Georgian spa town of Buxton, famous for its waters since Roman times and with a spectacular thermal spa, and the charming market towns of Bakewell, Ashbourne and Leek are all right on the doorstep.

Jane Austen was so taken with the spectacular Derbyshire home the Duke of Devonshire that she used it as inspiration for Mr Darcy’s country seat of Pemberley. It is no less impressive today, with a wonderful art collection, extensive gardens, hedge maze and farmyard . Open from mid March to early January with Country fairs, exhibitions, garden tours and a spectacular Christmas season, you can also enjoy walks in the Winter landscape and a curated selection of talks, tours and workshops.

As well as Chatsworth, explore Haddon Hall, Kedleston Hall, Hardwick Hall, Calke Abbey, and the parks and gardens of Ilam, Biddulph Grange and Lyme Park.

Visit Alton Towers for thrilling roller coaster rides or take the cable car to the Heights of Abraham at Matlock; Explore Poole's Cavern, or the delve into the Blue John Mines at Castleton for a spectacular day out.

Enjoy art courses from painting to printmaking, drawing to sculpture at Bullclough School of Art. or try your hand at pottery at the World of Wedgewood or the Gladstone Pottery Museum at nearby Stoke-on-Trent.