Round The World and other travels

August 2008 : The Peak District

This short trip was a return to one of my old haunts - a most attractive and perhaps not too well known corner of the UK. Being mainly in Derbyshire yet on Manchester's doorstep, it somehow straddles East and West, and stretches from what's generally recognised as the North (of England!), down towards the Midlands. The landscape is similarly varied, ranging from dramatic to gently rolling, from heather-clad moorland to green and pastoral.

Chatsworth

Situated in pleasant countryside near Bakewell, Chatsworth House is - in my opinion - one of Britain's finest stately homes. The extensive gardens are magnificent and visitor facilities are excellent. Since my one previous visit, a number of modern sculptures have - no doubt controversially - been introduced into the gardens.

National Tramway Museum, Crich

The tiny village of Crich is home to the National Tramway Museum, one of the country's best transport museums. Glasgow's old trams are particularly well represented in the collection.

Buxton

Buxton is probably the biggest settlement in the region. A former spa resort, I'd say it's achieving only mixed success in preserving its former glories. On the plus side, the Pavilion and its gardens are genuinely attractive, and the town is the unexpected home of a lovely little opera house! On the negative side, there is a Bath-style crescent that could be one of town's most attractive features, but isn't, while the main shopping street, like countless other examples throughout the length and breadth of Britain, presents a poor appearance.

Based at :-

Hilton (MAN Airport)

Palace, Buxton

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