Festive Chatsworth, Peak Rail & Dick Whittington

Make your own way to our hotel in North Derbyshire, where you meet our Tour Manager and enjoy a relaxing evening with dinner.

This morning, we board our coach and head to the city of Nottingham, known for its role in the Robin Hood legend and for the hilltop Nottingham Castle Museum and Art Gallery. Nottingham holds its own Christmas market every year, and you’ll have some free time to explore. From Old Market Square, Nottingham’s shopping streets spread out in every direction. Spacious avenues provide quick, direct routes across the city’s compact centre, allowing you to reach the most distant shops in no time at all. Perhaps visit one of the cities many eateries for lunch, before heading to the Theatre Royal to enjoy an performance of Dick Whittington, starring panto legend Shane Richie – this will be an afternoon of entertainment not to be missed!

After the show, we return by coach to the hotel for dinner this evening.

After a leisurely breakfast at the hotel, we head into the Peak District for a return train journey on the Peak Rail. On board, you will enjoy tea or coffee and mince pies whilst taking in the beautiful rolling scenery.

After our return rail journey, we continue to Chatsworth House. Home to the Dukes of Devonshire for many generations, the land 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. During her lifetime, she married four times and rose to a position of great power and wealth. In 1547, she married William Cavendish, Treasurer of the King’s Chamber – they had eight children and made Chatsworth their home. A later marriage to George Talbot, 6th Earl of Shrewsbury, saw Bess become Countess of Shrewsbury. Over the following generations, the house was transformed into what we see today.

On arrival, enjoy plenty of time to explore the stunning house, before heading to the 105-acre garden to experience the light trail. Every festive season Chatsworth House never fails to impress with its wonderful, themed Christmas display – this year’s being ‘Palace of Advent.’ Let yourself be mesmerised as you walk through beautifully decorated rooms, each one a sight to behold – you truly feel the magic of Christmas here at Chatsworth!

We return to our hotel for dinner this evening.

After breakfast, check out of the hotel and make your way home at leisure.