wrenwood

Our trip in September is getting closer!

After 3 days at Yew Tree Cottage in Turkdean we will head towards Chatsworth to stay for two days.
(recommendations appreciated!)

Any suggestions of villages, castles, gardens to see on the way north?

flanneruk

"Any suggestions of villages, castles, gardens to see on the way north?"

Unless you've a very specific interest, the short answer is No. You can go via Stratford and/or Warwick if you like. You can divert for the site of major battles like Bosworth. You could go through Lichfield, where the cathedral was founded by St Chad, the patron saint of crooked politicians (he really was made bishop as a result of a disputed election, and his feast day in 2004 really was on Super Tuesday. Didn't do much dangling though).

But why? The Cotswolds are lovely, the Derbyshire Dales are lovely and it's at least a 3 hr drive through just about the unloveliest part of Britain to get between them. I'd just put my foot down (though not till I'd got off the A429, which is a nest of those pestiferous speed cameras) and get to Bakewell or Basworth as fast as possible. Then use as much of your two days as possible walking (far more impressive, if less cosy, than in the Cotswolds)

But if you do have an interest, say, in industrial archaeology come back, since there's a lot of third-division pleasures along the route. Few up here with the first-division stuff at either end though.

wrenwood

Thanks Flanneruk, I guess this is why I hadn't found much to do on the way up there!

I was hoping for a few charming villages or stops on the way up, but maybe your idea to just get up there makes sense.

I was thinking about going to see the Major Oak in Sherwood forest, maybe we'll go there first, then concentrate on Chatsworth, Haddon Hall and Tatton Park

Underhill

How about adding "Hardwick Hall, more glass than wall."

janisj

Yes - Hardwick Hall for sure. But it is practically next door to Chatsworth - probably less than 15 mlies, so really isn't a stop enroute.

If you don't get up to Warwick during your Cotswold stay, then spend the morning and through lunch time/mid afternoon there. Visit the Castle, St Mary's, and the Lord Leycester Hospital then hit the road straight up north.

If you have visited Warwick before then - just get north ASAP.

wrenwood

I'm actually getting excited about this leg of our trip now! The area sounds quite charming, in addition to the 3 Estate Houses I'm looking forward to a little history visiting "The Plague Village" Eyam.

B&B rates are pretty reasonable, anyone ever stayed at Grendon Guest House or Underleigh House? Both have received good reviews on Trip Advisor.

Any other suggestions of places to see, villages to see, places to eat or stay?