Bridge, Heritage Railway and Scenic Peaks
We stay at the elegantly decorated Makeney Hall Hotel which is set in 6 acres of landscaped gardens. Originally built as a Victorian country mansion, it retains many charming original period features. This is a relaxed bridge holiday where you can enjoy the interesting excursions and afternoons and evening bridge sessions. Your duplicate Bridge will be available every evening between 7:45pm and 11:15pm. Bridge will also be offered some afternoons between 2:30pm and 4:45pm. The duplicate bridge on the bridge and rail holiday will be Pairs. During your Bridge holiday nothing is obligatory, and you can play in as many, or as few, Bridge sessions as you wish. We don’t forget you are on holiday and our Bridge programmes also allow time to relax and the opportunity for you to explore the surrounding area. **Included excursions** Join us on our visit to Cromford Mills where we enjoy a guided tour along with a light lunch and free time to explore, before a relaxing rail journey on the Ecclesbourne Valley Railway. Our second excursion takes us on a journey through the Peak District to pretty Bakewell, with free time to explore before our visit and included entry to Chatsworth House, home to one of Europe’s most significant art collections and to the fascinating stories of 16 generations of the Cavendish family.
Your Tour Includes
- 5 nights half-board accommodation
- Welcome drink on arrival
- Varied bridge sessions with Masterpoints and prizes awarded
- Services of EBU qualified director
- Tours around Cromford Mills, and the Peak District Bakewell
Barry and Maggie Watts
Barry and Maggie Watts are experienced First for Bridge Hosts who work alongside our Directing Teams to ensure a good quality bridge holiday. They are both retired professionals who have played club bridge for many years as well as organising Bridge and corporate events of various kinds. Barry is an ex-Army Officer and a retired local government officer. He is an established club Director. Maggie is a retired teacher, charity events organiser and is currently the Area Chairman for The Arts Society, an international Arts Charity.
Barry and Maggie aim to ensure that you have the best possible holiday whether you come with a partner, in a group or you come alone. It will be well organised, relaxing and fun. They look forward to meeting you!
Itinerary
To use our NEW itinerary, simply click a day below and a detailed overview will appear.
Overview
Make your own way to the Makeney Hall and meet our bridge director and host before dining and evening bridge.
Includes Dinner
Overview
This morning we will Visit Sir Richard Arkwright’s Crom-ford Mills nestled in the heart of the Derwent Valley. Built in 1771 to house the world’s first successful water-powered cotton spinning mill, Cromford Mills became the birthplace of the modern factory system. Enjoy visit-ing the Northern Gateway to the Derwent Valley Mills UNESCO World Heritage Site. Firstly, we visit the Ark-wright Experience, and then Step back in time with a guided tour and discover how Arkwright used revolution-ary techniques to turn Cromford Mills into an unrivalled, international success and find out about the valley’s global cotton connection. We also enjoy an included lunch with free time to explore further. This afternoon we depart for Wirksworth Station, and a journey on the Ecclesbourne Valley railway. At the quaint station there will be time to explore the little museum before embark-ing on our rail trip. We return to our hotel for dinner and evening bridge
Includes Breakfast
Includes Dinner
Included Highlights
Overview
A day of bridge with our bridge team. There will be a free morning followed by afternoon bridge, dinner and evening bridge.
Includes Breakfast
Includes Lunch
Includes Dinner
Included Highlights
Overview
We enjoy breakfast before heading into the Peak District for a short visit to the charming market town of Bakewell, famous for the Bakewell pudding. This idyllic town, framed by its medieval 5 arched bridge, is the largest in the Peak District National Park and sits on the banks of the River Wye. There will be time to relax and browse before we move on to Chatsworth House. Home to the Dukes of Devonshire for many generations, Chatsworth House was purchased by Elizabeth and William Cavendish in 1549 for £600. This was the home of Elizabeth, Countess of Shrewsbury, better known as Bess of Hardwick, who married 4 times and rose to a position of great power and wealth. In 1547 she married William Cavendish, Treasurer of the King’s Chamber. Together they had eight children and made Chatsworth their home, as it has now been for 16 generations. We enjoy included entry to the house and gardens, with plenty of time to explore at leisure. We return to our hotel for dinner and evening bridge.
Includes Breakfast
Includes Dinner
Included Highlights
Overview
Today you can relax and enjoy your picturesque surroundings or join us for afternoon and evening bridge.
Includes Breakfast
Includes Dinner
Included Highlights
Overview
After breakfast you are free to check out at leisure.
Includes Breakfast
Single Room Supplement from £85.00 (6 days).
Accommodation
You will stay for five nights at the Makeney Hall Hotel.