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map showing location of tourDerbyshire Dales self guided walking holidays

Set in the ‘White Peak’ area of the Peak District National Park, the Derbyshire Dales offer a wonderful diversity of scenery - tranquil wooded river valleys, high limestone pasture, spectacular limestone gorges and picturesque villages. The diversity, together with the generally excellent underfoot conditions, makes the Derbyshire Dales a superb base for a relaxing walking holiday.

One of our walks will visit Dovedale (made famous by Izaak Walton, the ‘father of angling’) where the sparkling river Dove twists and turns as it passes through narrow wooded gorges and below limestone pinnacles, and every corner reveals new delights. Other walks will visit the lesser-known, but equally beautiful, countryside of the Manifold Valley, Beresford Dale, Wolfescote Dale and Cressbrook Dale where wild orchids put on a splendid display in season.

Dovedale

Picture: Dovedale

The Derbyshire Dales are dotted with attractive stone-built villages, many of which are famous for the tradition of ‘well dressing’ where delicate tableaux are crafted from flower petals. Depending upon the grade and length of holiday chosen, the villages visited are likely to include Ashford-in-the Water, Ilam, Biggin, Youlgreave, Monyash, Foolow and the famous 'plague village' of Eyam.

Bed & Breakfast option

Your holiday in the Derbyshire Dales will be based at a comfortable family-run guest house in the village of Thorpe in Dovedale. Your room will have ensuite facilities (private bathroom) and you will have a choice of continental or full English breakfast. Thorpe has an inn which serves food in the evening and there is a hotel restaurant on the edge of the village. Inns in the surrounding villages offer a variety of menu and the town of Ashbourne is just four miles away.

Dinner, Bed & Breakfast option

Your holiday in the Derbyshire Dales will be based at the Izaak Walton Hotel [RAC/AA***], a beautiful 17th century hotel, which is superbly located in picturesque countryside of Dovedale. The Izaak Walton Hotel offers extremely comfortable accommodation, and the restaurant has been awarded an AA Rosette for the high standard of its cuisine and service. The peaceful landscaped gardens which surround the hotel are a particularly relaxing feature. All bedrooms have ensuite facilities.