Derbyshire: active family holidays and romantic country house hotels

In the East Midlands and substantially dominated by the Peak District National Park, Derbyshire encompasses the southern part of the Pennines and the River Trent as well as history dating back to the Bronze Age.

Its varied landscapes make for a captivating backdrop to holidays, while towns and cities have a vibrant buzz to them, and a character stemming from a diverse background that includes the Industrial Revolution and the Golden Age of Steam.  Visit Chatsworth House while you’re in the area – owned by the Duke of Devonshire and the famed setting for Pride and Prejudice – before staying the the very same grounds at The Cavendish at Baslow, or stop off at Derby cathedral and visit the surrounding museums.  In the market towns of Bakewell and Buxton sample their famous tarts and drink the mineral water, or hike on adventures through the craggy hills and sweeping dales.

Go horse riding, fishing, or simply settle in at one of the area’s cosy pubs as you explore the area, or for those looking for somewhere really special to get married, explore the options in this warm, welcoming and unpretentious part of the the UK.

Hospitality is an intrinsic part of visiting this area, and the likes of The Peacock at Rowsley, a 17th century manor house where wild trout dart through the water and the gardens are perfectly kept, exemplifies the best of the location.  Bed and breakfasts including Underleigh House are a charming resting stop for walkers and hikers, and for those looking for complete relaxation, Losehill House, a spa hotel at the end of a leafy lane atop the Hope Valley, are hard to beat.