Sunday: Arrival
Check in to the New Bath Hotel, Matlock Bath in the afternoon. Later, we enjoy a welcome drink reception hosted by our tour manager.
Monday: Tissington Hall & Tissington Well Dressing
Our first visit takes us to the impressive Tissington Hall in the south of Derbyshire.
Built in 1609, during the reign of James I, the house has been the home of the FitzHerbert family since its construction. A fine example of Jacobean-period architecture blended with more contemporary landscaping, the hall’s terraced gardens were laid out in 1913 and offer lovely views over the surrounding countryside, while the interiors contain wonderful original panelling and a collection of more than 3,000 books in a spectacular library. Our guided tour outlines the fascinating story of the house and allying estate over the last 400 years.
We then have free time in Tissington village where we have the opportunity to see the elaborate decorations of Tissington’s annual Well Dressing, a centuries-old tradition which takes place in the village every year on the eve of Ascension Day. Here, the local community decorate the six wells across Tissington using only natural materials such as flower petals, coffee beans and a unique type of colourful clay that is constructed solely for the use in these decorations. The resulting images are both an example of delightful festive ingenuity and a wonderful display of community spirit.
Tuesday: Thornbridge Hall & Haddon Hall
This morning we travel to Thornbridge Hall, a stunning Grade II listed country house in the Derbyshire Dales. Inside we discover the exquisite rooms of this wonderfully-preserved stately home such as the music room, the great hall and the carriage house, as well as discover the development of the new Thornbridge Brewery which resides on the estate. The crowning jewel of Thornbridge is its wonderful collection of gardens including an Italian garden, Koi pond, scented terrace and orangery, many of which have undergone restorative works over the last few years. After our guided tour we are treated to lunch here.
Later, we enjoy a visit to Haddon Hall, one of the best-preserved examples of a fortified medieval manor house and described as ‘the most perfect house to survive from the middle ages’. The Hall dates back to the 11th century, where it was one of 162 manors that comprised the Honour of Peverel that stretched across the region. Developments and additions to the house continued through the centuries and in 2020 the medieval parkland on the grounds acquired funding to be restored to its 14th-century state as a woodland pasture, in order to provide a unique view of early English life. On our guided tour we enjoy the sumptuous highlights of the house and grounds, including the Banqueting Hall complete with minstrels’ gallery, the oak-panelled Tudor Long Gallery and the 17th-century kitchens.
Wednesday: Chatsworth House & Renishaw Hall
Our day starts with a visit to the spectacular Chatsworth House where we enjoy a guided tour. Though it has been home to the Cavendish family since 1549, Chatsworth’s origins stretch back to the 11th century, when a version of the estate is mentioned in the Domesday Book. The developments over the next few centuries transformed Chatsworth into one of the finest and most storied houses in England. We take in the many highlights of the house such as the state apartments, the vast collection of art and the spectacular Cascade House, an extravagant water feature built in the 1st Duke’s Garden in 1696.
Our last visit takes us to Renishaw Hall, the home of the Sitwell family since its construction in the 17th century, where we are treated to guided tour and a delicious cream tea. Said to have been the inspiration for the setting of D.H. Lawrence’s novel, Lady Chatterley’s Lover, Renishaw’s captivating surroundings and fascinating history reveal themselves around every corner. From the stunning collection of art and furniture, the treasure trove of heirlooms littered in every room and the fabulous 19th-century Italianate gardens, which are a particular passion of the current owner Alexandra Sitwell, there is a wealth of history to discover in this house’s storied grounds.
Thursday: Departure
After breakfast, check out of the hotel for the journey home.
Please note: the itinerary order is subject to change and guided tours are subject to availability.
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