A quick jaunt

Last weekend on our way back from Cheshire, we detoured through the Peak District. Any excuse to get in a quick visit and we'll be there. It would have been rude not to! We thought it would be good to have lunch and a little wander around Bakewell as a mid trip pit stop. It had been raining all morning in Cheshire, so we weren't expect the glorious beauty that was to seen in the High Peak. The snow covered landscape was truly spectacular. Boy oh boy how I love this part of the UK. By the time we got to Bakewell, there was no snow to be seen. We had lunch in the Bakewell Pudding Shop - two breakfasts with the best Oatcakes and then we had a wander around the shops before heading back for Norfolk. The route home took us passed Chatsworth and Calver, a completely added bonus - so I caught a glimpse of the house and got to purchase a few lovely Easter things from the Derbyshire Craft Centre. It might not have been a very long visit, but it was completely and utterly worth it.

Christmas at Chatsworth

I love the Peak District. I love Chatsworth. I love Christmas. Put all these things together and it's a thing of wonder and dreams. Whilst we were in the Peak District last weekend we went to Christmas at Chatsworth and it was spectacular! Each room so beautifully done - so wintery, sparkly and simply amazing. There aren't going to be many words with this post as I'm under the weather with a heavy dose of Flu, but I did want to do a quick post to remind me of our lovely festive time courtesy of the Duke of Devonshire!

Christmas in the Peaks

I was very fortunate to be taken to the Peak District this weekend for a quick jaunt around our favourite places. I little bit of shopping, a little outdoors appreciation and some us time. After leaving Norwich early on Saturday, our first port of call was Bakewell for some lunch. There was only one place that we wanted to go - the Boy was rather fancying a decent Breakfast with Oatcakes and boy it didn't disappoint. I kept it seasonal with a Turkey and Cranberry Panini. I loved the little Christmas Trees on each of the tables. After lunch we bought  several Bakewell Puddings and some Oatcakes and we then had a wander around enjoying the shops and festive decorations.

We then headed around the corner to Calver Bridge to the Derbyshire Craft Shop. We were quite impressed back in September and their seasonal display didn't disappoint! Inside was a joy and we purchased a few more Christmas gifts and some decorations.

After the shopping it was time for something else, so we went over to the Hope Valley. I think this area is our very favourite in the Peak District. This sign always makes me smile as I wish that it really is a footpath to hope - wouldn't that be wonderful! 

We had a wander around Castleton, complete with Hot Chocolate, which was much needed in the cold. Castleton did look lovely with lots of Christmas Trees, sparkly lights and inviting shop windows. I simply adore Castleton. It's a must on every trip we take to the Peak District. I love that it seems like it's guarded by Peveril Castle up on high over the town. Another bonus to Castleton is Winnats Pass which always blows my mind. It makes me feel so small as the limestone pinnacles tower above you.

We then had a short stop around the Mam Tor and the Great Ridge - I love the landscape here, especially with the sprinkle of snow in the distance. We didn't see a soul whilst we were up there and it beyond quiet. So serene and the perfect antidote to the Christmas madness.

We stayed the night at a friends and South Yorkshire - it was so good to see them and their rather delightful 2 year old daughter, who really is exceptionally cute.

Day Four

Our last morning waking up in the Tent saw Bright Blue skies and an autumnal crispness in the air. The tent was still pretty wet from the last few days, so we thought we would leave it where it was for the time being and go for a walk. Considering the days weather, there was only one place we were ever going to go...

Back to our beloved Stanage Edge. To walk up here is a complete joy and we spent entire morning there walking, climbing the rocks, and sitting enjoying the views. Taking in every last minute.

This photo of my Husband has to be my favourite of the holiday. He looks like he is on top of the world and I do think we was terribly brave sitting up there. I will treasure this image for a very very long time.

 Eventually though we knew we would have to leave one of the best places in England as our tummies were rumbling and we did have to head home at some point.

On our way to lunch, we did a quick stop at the Derbyshire Craft Centre at Calver Bridge. Look at this wonderfully seasonal window display. It was such a treat of a shop with lots and lots of things that I like to purchase. But I was very restrained and bought a ceramic Pear and a couple of autumnal mushrooms for our  autumn mantelpiece. 

We decided to have one last visit to Bakewell with the hope that the Lavender Tea Rooms would be open, which they were! I love love love this tearoom - the menu is fabulous and they serve their tea in mismatched china - completely delightful. I had the Club Sandwich and my Mr had another English Breakfast. We sat outside despite the slight chilliness to the air and I adore the fact that they provide blankets for the seats outside.

Before heading back to the camp site, we picked up a Bakewell Pudding, well it would be rude not to have, to have once we got home to Norfolk. And very nice it was too! Thankfully the tent was dry when we got back to the campsite and we were all packed up and ready to hit the road in just an hour.

It may have been camping, only for four days of which two were quite miserable weather wise, but I wouldn't have swapped this time for anything. It was a remarkable holiday and I can't wait to go camping again!

Day Three

We started our third day at the Bookshop in Brierlow Bar. It's not only England's largest bargain bookstore, also the highest at over 1,000 feet. We whiled away some time looking through the shelves, flicking through pages whilst the rain came down outside. I do enjoy spending time in bookshops and love how me and the boy never ever look at the same sections! When the rain didn't desist, we realised we were going to have to find something out of the elements to entertain us.

We headed to Castleton and went to Treak Cliff Cavern. Treak Cliff Hill is the only place in the world where Blue John Stone occurs naturally. As I have mentioned before, I do love Blue John Stone, so thought it was only right to actually go and see where is came from. Well, what I wasn't expecting was a personal tour - it was just me and my husband! The tour guide was amazing and told us so much about the mining cavern and the natural cave beyond. It was so beautiful in there - from the fossils, to the Blue John and then the stalactites and stalagmites. Simple beautiful.

Now I must confess to being a little scared of Caves - something slightly unnerving about them, a thing from my childhood. But every time I have been in one as an adult I have enjoyed it, if I could avoid my mind thinking how far below ground we are. Anyway, I admitted this to our tour guide and when we were in the natural cave, he asked if I wanted to test myself and how scared I really was of caves. I nervously agreed, wondering what he might do! Then he turned off all the lights! And you know what, it really wasn't bad at all! I survived another cave!

It was a great tour and such a beautiful place to visit. We were also give two pieces of Blue John Stone by our Tour guide to take home from their spoil pile which was very lovely and one of the pieces is massive!

On our way down out of the cavern we were greeted by a line of sheep which did make me smile - it was like they were waiting for the next tour!

Then it was time for lunch - we went to The Three Roofs in Castleton which we know serves good Coffee but now we know they do very good food too. A tuna sandwich for me and a BLT for the boy.

After lunch, despite the weather we were desperate for a walk so we went to find the Ox Stones. It was eerily misty walking across Burbage Moor. I felt like I was in Wuthering Heights, just with Jeans and Walking Boots! We eventually found the Stones which are truly amazing shapes due to the wind erosion. We spent an age up on the Moor enjoying the sheer solitude watching the rain clouds in the distance. We climbed the Stones, hide in the crevices from each other and just enjoyed being outside. Burbage Moor is definitely a great place to walk around.

After we came down from the Moor, we felt we really wanted to walk a little more, so we headed to Stanton Moor with the aim of finding the Nine Ladies Standing Stone Circle.

Boy did we take an age to find them - Stanton Moor is so vast. But find them we did. The Nine Ladies are a small early Bronze Age stone circle traditionally believed to depict nine ladies turned to stone as a penalty for dancing on Sunday. The moor contains at least 70 barrows as well as stone circles, ancient enclosures and standing stones - such a great place to walk. We were up there for about 3 hours in the end.

Just as were we leaving the Moor, the sun had started to set which made the sky such an amazing colour. We headed back to the campsite with weary feet but a lot of satisfaction for how far we had walked that day. We fell asleep very quickly that night!

Day Two

We awoke fairly early on our first full day in the Peak District after having a good nights sleep. It rained throughout the night and it was really quite marvellous listening to the rain on the tent. We were fortunately snug as bugs inside the tent. As it was quite damp out we thought we would go for breakfast out and so we jumped in the car and got on the road.

We headed straight for Bakewell as we wanted to go to one of our favourite Tea Rooms, The Lavender Rooms, which unfortunately were shut. So we headed around the corner to The Original Bakewell Pudding Shop where we indulged in a Bacon Roll for me and the Big Bakewell Breakfast for the Boy, which included a most delicious Oatcake. We had a wander around Bakewell too while we were there, dipping in and out of shops and just enjoying a meander.

After Bakewell we went to Chatsworth. I adore the approach to the Estate - the magnificence of the house astounds me every time. This holiday we decided to not go around the house and gardens as we are planning on going back for their Christmas in December. We just love seeing the house, visiting the shop and looking out for the Deer.

For the first time we went to the Chatsworth Farm Shop which was amazing - filled with wonderful produce. It all looked so yummy. We were very good and just bought two Cherry and Sultana Scones for later in the day, but we also bought the most wonderfully soft sheepskin rug - it's one of the most tactile thing that we have ever bought! 

Then it was time for a walk - off to Stanage Edge we went. It really is my favourite spot in the Peak District. The skies might have been darkening, but we just didn't care, we just want to be at there. The Ridge is about 4 miles long and around 450 meters at it's highest point. The exposed cliff was certainly being battered by the wind whilst we were up there, but it was completely invigorating. At the bottom of the grit stone escarpment lay several huge Mill Stones. We spent quite a while up there until the rain came lashing down so we quickly headed for the car!

Next up, Castleton - we wanted a hot drink and knew a good Cafe there. I also like looking at the various Blue John Stone jewellery shops. Last time we were there my good Husband bought be a lovely Blue John Necklace which I do wear quite often. But it doesn't stop me looking! Blue John is a semi previous mineral, a form of Flourite which has bands of purple blue and yellow. What makes it particularly special is that it's only found in Castleton.

Whilst we were in Castleton we saw this lovely sign in a Tea Room window. It did make me really smile.

Whilst in Castleton, we went up Winnats Pass. The road winds through a cleft, surrounded by towering limestone pinnacles. The height of the towering crags and the vibrancy of the green astounds me. It's amazing what natures can create and leaves for us to enjoy and marvel at.

Winnats pass, a photo by kev747 on Flickr.

We finished the day driving Snakes Pass between Lady Bower Reservoir and Glossop. It's an amazing road which passes over the Pennines between the moorland of Kinder Scout and Bleaklow. You can see little waterfalls along the road, the heather and hills - oh it is remarkable. We then went for Fish and Chips in Longnor before spending the evening in he Manifold Inn keeping warm by the fire. We eventually retired to the camp site and the sky was so clear and it was so dark that stars were so bright it was extraordinary. We spent quite a while staring up at the sky, enjoying the peaceful night.