The KAS Excursion to Derbyshire: Peaks, Dales and Stately Homes - June 17-21 2002
For the first time, we are experimenting with a five-day instead of a week-long excursion, thus leaving valuable summer weekends free. Members and friends who have not joined us on previous holidays will be warmly welcomed on this five-day tour, which will have pick-up points throughout Kent. Total cost is £255 per person, half board (including entrance fees to Chatsworth and Lyme Park). Modest single room supplement.
Our hotel is the Ringwood Hall at Brimington, near Chesterfield. The splendour of a fine Georgian Manor House is reflected in the sensitive refurbishment of this hotel. It is set in 29 acres of parkland and gardens, and has 31 individual and traditionally decorated bedrooms, all with en-suite bathrooms.
Each day we will travel through the scenic splendour of the Peak District National Park which, with its pastoral landscapes, sparkling rivers and deep dales, forms the backdrop of this tour.
Amongst other sites, we will visit:
CHATSWORTH, “a mansion fit to satisfy a king”, built in the seventeenth century for the first Duke of Devonshire, with grounds landscaped by Capability Brown.
HARDWICK HALL (NT), built by the notorious Bess of Hardwick during the reign of Elizabeth I, described as “more glass than wall” and “like a huge glass lantern”.
LYME PARK, a magnificent mansion with grounds of over 1,400 acres and beautiful views towards the Pennines. En route we pass through Glossop, with its Victorian mills.
MATLOCK BATH, another spa town and Victorian resort, set in a narrow valley near the grandiosely named Heights of Abraham, which can be ascended by cable car.
KEDLESTON HALL, a fine Palladian mansion.
CRICH, where we will have the option of visiting the open air tramway museum to ride on vintage trams.
CHESTERFIELD, with its parish church famous for its crooked spire, and its busy market.
BUXTON, the former spa and highest town in England, which has fine examples of Georgian architecture, and some lovely public gardens.
For further information contact Joy Saynor, Excursions Secretary at Friars, Shoreham, Sevenoaks, Kent TN14 7TD or telephone 01959 522713.