Chatsworth House
Chatsworth House
Chatsworth House
Hardwick Hall
Tissington Hall
Tissington Hall
Tissington Hall
Tissington Hall
Guided tour of magnificent Chatsworth House
Elizabethan Hardwick Hall
17th century Jacobean mansion house at Tissington
Kedleston Hall an 18th century mansion
Accompanied by expert Nicholas Merchant
Join Nicholas Merchant, Former Chairman of the Art Fund West Yorkshire Fundraising Committee, who will draw on his expertise in antiques to deliver a convivial weekend exploring the great country houses of Derbyshire and the beauty of the Peak District, complete with illustrative and illuminating lectures.
Based at the New Bath Hotel just outside the Victorian Spa Town of Matlock, this lovely tour visits Chatsworth House, Tissington Hall, Kedleston Hall, Hardwick Hall and Renishaw Hall.
Available Departures |
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| 22 - September - 2024 | £ 975.00 | Travel Info Book Now |
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Provisional Timings |
Day 1: Arrive independently at the New Bath Hotel from 15:00. There will be an cream tea served at 15:30. This evening there will be a welcome reception, private dinner with wine and an introductory talk by Nicholas Merchant - 'The 6th Duke of Devonshire and the building of Chatsworth'.
Day 2: Chatsworth House.
Today we have a full day at the magnificent Chatsworth House. In the morning we will explore Chatsworth’s extensive grounds which will take in the principal features and offer insight into the gardens, landscape and history. After lunch (not included) we will enjoy a guided tour taking in the masterpieces of Chatsworth’s collections, and bringing the house and the history of the Cavendish family, particularly the remarkable Elizabeth Cavendish (Bess of Hardwick), to life. This evening there will be a lecture by Nicholas Merchant – “The Indomitable Bess of Hardwick” followed by dinner in the hotel.
Day 3: Tissington Hall and Kedleston Hall.
This morning we will visit Tissington Hall a beautiful Jacobean mansion in the heart of the Peak District. Built in 1609 by Francis FitzHerbert and inhabited today by Sir Richard FitzHerbert the hall has a rich history dating back to the 11th century and is unique in that it is one of only 300 homes in the country that can boast the fact that the descendants of the original builder still live there 400 years later. Depart for Kedleston Hall where there will be free time for lunch (not included). Kedleston Hall, is a temple to the arts designed by Robert Adam. Commissioned in the 1750s by Nathaniel Curzon, the house is framed by historic parkland and boasts opulent interiors. Tonight, dinner will be in the hotel.
Day 4: Hardwick and Renishaw Hall.
Our first visit of the day is Hardwick Hall, a significant Elizabethan house. Designed by Robert Smythson, the house is an early example of the English Renaissance style and is renowned for its tapestry collection. After lunch (not included) we will visit Renishaw Hall. Built by George Sitwell in 1625, the estate still remains in the hands of the Sitwell family. Enjoy a guided tour of the Hall, and see its spectacular collection of art and furniture. There will also be time to explore the beautiful gardens at your own leisure. Return to the hotel for approximately 17:30
NB: Exact order of excursions may vary according to local conditions and tour manager's discretion
Please note: Post tour extra nights are available at a supplement.
Please note the maximum group size on this tour is 28 passengers.
INCLUDED
NOT INCLUDED
New Bath Hotel, Matlock
The New Bath Hotel is an 18th century property set within 5 acres of landscaped gardens. It is on the border of the Peak District National Park and overlooks Derwent Gorge. The hotel offers a restaurant, bar, health club and spa, outdoor pool and comfortable bedrooms with modern amenities including en-suite bathroom, TV, telephone, wifi, hairdryer and tea/coffee making facilities.
Complimentary car parking is available at the hotel.
Hotel Website
Your Guide
Nicholas Merchant
Nicholas has been a lecturer and group leader for tours in the UK and France for Travel Editions for close to 15 years. Prior to Travel Editions, he ran his own book business, worked for Sotheby’s and was the West Yorkshire representative for the National Art Fund. His knowledge, wit and erudition illuminate any visit and his tours are informative, interesting and, above all, entertaining.
Please note that all our UK tours start and finish at the relevant hotel.
You can normally check in from 3pm onwards but hotels will always be happy to store your luggage if you arrive earlier in the day.
For full details of how to get to the hotel, directions and the nearest train station, please click on the hotel website or call our office for details. These will also be sent automatically with your confirmation.
The welcome reception and first evening dinner / talk will commence at about 7pm - full details will be sent with your joining instructions about 10 days prior to the arrival date.
The hotel was obviously suffering from staff shortage, but my room was clean and comfortable, the food was good and the staff friendly and helpful. There was no lift and quite a lot of stairs to access rooms. Also it was quite chilly during our stay but the heat only came on one time for a few hours, a heated towel rail will only take you so far. Nicholas was a knowledgeable and amusing host, Maddy was very pleasant to talk to, but did not go out of her way to engage with the party and seemed to spend a lot of her time with Nicholas. They also made a point of sitting together at meals rather than mixing with the rest of the party. The visits to the various houses were very good. A little longer time at Tissington and a little less at Kedleston would have been good - but I don't have to work the schedules out!! Overall I would highly recommend the tour.
Review by Smith who travelled 01-October-2023
Review by Anonymous who travelled 02-October-2022
Travel Editions feedback:
In 2023 we are using a new hotel: The New Bath Hotel in Matlock The hotel is an 18th century property set within 5 acres of landscaped gardens. It is on the border of the Peak District National Park and overlooks Derwent Gorge. The hotel offers a restaurant, bar, health club and spa and comfortable bedrooms with modern amenities. https://newbathhotelandspa.com
Review by Anonymous who travelled 02-October-2022
Great tour. Chatsworth the highlight. Very concerned when cancelling Bolsover because of rain was considered but sense prevailed Great idea to have place cards to record meal selection. Toaster was only fixed on morning 7 despite complaints (too slow/burnt immediately/too slow)
Review by West who travelled 02-October-2022
Room at Old Hall Hotel was clean and comfortable. Meals were OK although quality of service at times left something to be desired. Coach for the tours was comfortable and spacious. Travel Editions very helpful in arranging extra nights in Buxton before and after the actual tour. Altogether, pretty good value for money.
Review by Bristow who travelled 02-October-2022
Very enjoyable, much content
Review by Anonymous who travelled 02-October-2022
We visited some lovely places and the local guides were very good so really saw very little of our tour manager during the day. He did however have a talk the evening before so we knew what we were about to see. The Old Hall had a shortage of staff, and was a little disorganised. However our room was clean and we do quite like it there.
Review by Rawlinson who travelled 19-September-2021
A wonderful few days
Review by Field who travelled 19-September-2021
Another well organised and enjoyable tour with Travel Editions!
Review by Hocombe who travelled 19-September-2021
Review by Anonymous who travelled 19-September-2021
Review by Anonymous who travelled 19-September-2021
Thoroughly enjoyed our tour of the stately homes of Derbyshire although it was a shame that we didn't get a guided tour around Chatsworth due to covid! The only grouse we have concerns the hotel and the meals. The staff were all very pleasant but there weren't enough of them. Consequently breakfast was extremely chaotic with only two people trying to serve and sort things out in the kitchen. On one night we had to wait an age for dinner to be served. We also think it would be a good idea if the presentations could be done after dinner as we don't like eating too late in the evening especially when it's a three course meal although in our case we never eat desserts.
Review by Anonymous who travelled 19-September-2021
Review by Anonymous who travelled 04-August-2019
Very good tour, if I had one criticism it would be the quality of the evening meals in the hotel which was pretty average. Some people felt ill after eating one particular dessert.
Review by Allen who travelled 04-August-2019
We had a wonderful holiday and a few small glitches with timing didn’t spoil the overall experience which was extremely positive. The hotel was very comfortable and the staff were very friendly though the food was a little hit and miss. Nicholas was a very relaxed tour guide and Rose, our coach driver, was delightful. The guides round the stately homes were excellent apart from Bolsover Castle where the staff seemed very reluctant to give us audio guides. We had an excellent experience everywhere else.
Review by Anonymous who travelled 04-August-2019
we have been on many travel editions tours over the years and have enjoyed them all - this was our second tour guided by Nicholas and as usual we enjoyed his lectures, his wit and his knowledge so very much - the tour around the stately homes of Derbyshire was excellent and as usual well spaced out - I would also like to give praise to our coach driver Rose - she was an amazing careful and considerate driver - driving us as if we were her family - thank you to Travel Editions for arranging yet another wonderful trip we will be back.
Review by Gray who travelled 04-August-2019
Review by who travelled 05-August-2018
Well planned & enjoyable despite the weather! It was really good to have private tours of both Chatsworth & Hardwick before the houses opened to the general public & the guides there were excellent. (Not like Bolsover Castle where they were obviously more used to school children!) Nicholas' lectures were instructive & entertaining.
Review by Ellis who travelled 06-August-2017
Nicholas gave two introductory lectures which prepared us very well for what we were going to see. The guides were very good apart from the one at Bolsover, who was hopeless. It was pitched at kindergarten level. Coach driver , Rose, was a positive asset.
Review by who travelled 06-August-2017
All good except slow service at the dinner table.Description of details of trips not full enough in brochure.
Review by Mrs Maureen Garth who travelled 11-September-2016
We had the most privileged visits to Chatsworth and Hardwick Hall, before they opened to the public, excellent guides to all the houses, just about the right level of information for the group - I enjoyed it immensely.
Review by Mrs Sandra Burrell who travelled 11-September-2016
Derbyshire and its great houses looked superb in the very fine weather and everyone on the tour, probably including Nicholas, had a fine time. However, the hotel was not as good as it should be. The charming staff needed more numbers, especially when serving meals and I had to report a poorly draining washbasin.
Review by Dr Peter Thornton who travelled 11-September-2016
All the guides were excellent. Coach driver was very helpful.The hotel on the last evening was a disappointment.
Review by Mr Francis Bailey who travelled 07-August-2016
On a general point I think Travel Editions do not pay enough attention to people arriving by train. No one in their right minds travels by train on Sundays due to the proliferation of engineering work as well as fewer trains. This and my next tour to Durham involves travel on Sunday. Quite a few on the tour came by train.
Review by Mrs Gretel Jones who travelled 07-August-2016
Excellent tour all round
Review by Mrs S Cook who travelled 07-August-2016
Another very enjoyable holiday with Travel Editions
Review by Mrs Audrey Griffiths who travelled 07-August-2016
This was a well organised short break that delivered everything I expected. Our guide lecturer was very impressive and gave us a great deal of serious information with a light touch. The hotel was comfortable and the staff were friendly and helpful. The only disappointing element was dinner: on our first two evenings at the Old Hall Hotel the main courses served were, in my opinion, well below the standard one would expect in a four-star establishment.
Review by Mrs Olwen Rowlands who travelled 13-September-2015
Review by who travelled 13-September-2015
Review by who travelled 13-September-2015
Tour manager was outstanding and we did some amazing things - walked on the roof at Hardwick Hall! Hotel and food were good but we did have to pay for parking - it was not complimentary as advised in your information.
Review by Dr Lynne Ridler Wall who travelled 13-September-2015
Palace Hotel was ok. The food was a different matter . The breakfasts were good but evening meals were very hit and miss ! strange combinations of food something green on the plate would have been nice and the gravy was rationed.We thought that some of the food was not top quality and consequently it would not improve it however it was cooked. The waiting staff worked hard and were polite and helpful but at times seemed bewildered by the set up .This hotel was not what we have come to expect from Travel Editions, however this experience would probably not put us off going on holiday with you again .This was our fourth holiday with your company One final point Nicholas Merchant was superb throughout likewise John the coach driver .
Review by Mr William Davies who travelled 10-August-2014
Travel Editions feedback:
Thank you for your very fair comments with regards to the hotel and we are working hard on finding a replacement for the 2015 season. This hotel has worked well for us in the past but it seems that teh management have taken their eye off the ball this year. IWe are glad you enjoyed the tour overall.
Hotel disappointing. Room OK, service OK but food poor and 4 star hotel should have a wine waiter - one shouldn't have to buy one's own wine from the bar, where there was only one brand of gin available.
Review by Mr Martin Robinson who travelled 10-August-2014
Travel Editions feedback:
Very sorry the service at the hotel didn't match the level you would have received at teh Stately homes all those years ago!
We found the hotel was fit for the purpose as a package holiday venue and would particularly praise the friendly professionalism of all the staff. Having early access to some houses was a great advantage.
Review by Mrs Margaret Singleton who travelled 10-August-2014
We really did enjoy our time in Derbyshire. Nicholas Merchant was an excellent guide and looked after all of our needs in a very efficient manner. He was always helpful and really did make our trips our very relaxing and informative. He was always approachable and very knowledgable. The only part of the holiday that we feel it necessary to criticise is the Palace Hotel. The hotel only had one lift, which meant that when we came back to the hotel, there was always a queue for the lift and the actual buttons to be pressed for the floor requested were terribly old and caused the lift to only read the first button passed. i.e., if at the ground floor someone happened to press for the 3rd floor first and then others tried to press 2nd or 1st floors, the lift would only read the first button pressed and go straight up to the top floor. I think, for safety reasons, a hotel of this size ought to have 2 or 3 lifts. During the 3 days when we were dining with the group, Sunday, Monday and Tuesday evenings, the service by the waitresses was sufficient but after the group had left the hotel on the Wednesday afternoon, we decided to entertain a friend to dinner and found that we had to wait ages to be served both for taking the initial order and for each course thereafter. I think there were only 2 waitresses serving in the entire restaurant. The breakfasts at The Buxton Palace Hotel were always excellent and the choices wonderful with really freshly cooked and non-greasy foods. The had witness, Sarah, was excellent and always greeted us with a cheery smile at any time of day or night. My husband is 82 years of age and he found great difficulty getting in and out of the bath because there were no grabs either on the sides of the bath or on the wall higher up. He would not use the shower instead of bathing because, again, there were no grabs anywhere on the wall of the shower, which was within the bath. Surely, with bathrooms the size of the one we had in room 318, there would be room to install a walk-in shower within the space between the end of the bath and the wall. This would be much safer for anyone to use, rather than for them to have to step up and over the side of the bath and stand on the non-slip mat (which again is rather an antiquated method.) Both Garth and myself would definitely consider travelling with Travel Editions again some time in the future. BERYL MARCHANT-FLINT
Review by Mrs Beryl Flint who travelled 29-June-2014
Review by Dr Anthony Heyes who travelled 29-June-2014
Review by Mr Pierre Thomas who travelled 29-June-2014
Hotel a little aged, needs up-grading soon. Guide/courier Ok, apart from difficulty counting passengers! Getting personal guided house tours sans public brilliant
Review by Mr David Ryder who travelled 29-June-2014
