Day 1: Travel & Buxton
Morning departure from North Wales and travel to the spa town of Buxton in the Peak District. Enjoy some free time to absorb some of the stunning scenery, magnificent architecture or to do some shopping. We continue to our hotel near Derby for a 3-night stay.
Day 2: Bakewell – Optional Chatsworth House
After breakfast we make our way to the market town of Bakewell. The combination of independent shops, cafes, and its location on the River Wye, makes Bakewell a hugely popular destination. It is also famous for the Bakewell Pudding, the result of a cook misunderstanding a recipe in the 19th century.
Alternatively, take an optional excursion to Chatsworth House (admission extra), home of the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire and one of the country’s grandest stately homes. Marvel at the magnificent art collection, impressive architecture and extensive gardens.
Day 3: Crich Tramway Village
Travel to Crich and to the Tramway Village, a lovingly restored period village that is also home to the National Tramway Museum.
Exhibitions bring to life the history of the tram and visitors can ride on the restored tramways. Other attractions include a workshop and viewing gallery, an old-fashioned sweet shop and a restored public house.
Day 4: Silk Museum and Paradise Mill & Home
After breakfast we make our way to Cheshire and visit The Silk Museum and Paradise Mill which tells the story of Macclesfield’s world-renowned silk industry.
The museum has an internationally significant collection of silk textiles and machinery with a pattern book archive of nearly 1,000 volumes. It also displays the ancient Egyptian artefacts collected by Macclesfield silk heiress, Marianne Brocklehurst.
We take a guided tour of Paradise Mill, a beautifully preserved working silk mill, with 26 restored jacquard looms. It is built in brick with Welsh slate roofs; a visit offers the opportunity to step back in time to Macclesfield in the 1930s. The mill was built in 1860 and was operated by tie manufacturers Cartwright and Sheldon until it closed in 1981.
Afterwards we make the return journey to North Wales.