getting to Chatsworth
 

Can someone recommend the fastest way to get to Chatsworth from Oxford? My thought was to take the train to Chesterfield and then a bus to Chatwsorth (it seems it leaves every hour on :05 from Chesterfield to Oxford), at some place called New Beetwell Street to Chatsworth farm shop. However, the train tickets are quite expensive, around 35 pounds. Is there a cheaper way that is also 1 stop with a good bus connection?

This would be for next Friday or Saturday. Maybe I should plan for another time farther in advance so I can get a better fare.

topping

While your there make sure you visit Bakewell and the Sinclair china shop... a little shop o ut of the Dickens days upstairs..charming and the people are really lovely, especially Christian Sinclair who I had the pleasure of meeting sevral years agol.

We were just in the UK in Sept. We really wanted to see Chatsworth but we were in London and all I could find was a very expensive day tour through Evan Evans, I think. Did just find this one http://www.bestvaluetours.co.uk/chat...ay-trip-ee.htm. Still runs?

If the tour daph linked looks OK to you, I'd contact them to see if they'd work out a reduction if you were to join them in Chesterfield. It really would make for a long day for you to travel to London just to catch a train back north.

I know you are a student - but how old are you? I ask because this might be one time it would make sense for you to rent a car for a day. There is a lot to see near Chatsworth (Hardwicke Hall, Bakewell, the Peak Dist. etc) and w/ a car you could get to a lot more sites a lot easier if you could drive.

What's your hurry? Chatsworth's not going to disappear.

There are a few direct coaches a day from Oxford to Chesterfield, taking 4- 5 hours (see National Express site). It's a sod of a journey by road. £21-£25 with an under 27 card. Buses to Chatsworth leave from the Beetwell St bus station (where the coach arrives), about 500 yds from Chesterfield railway station.

The cheapest way to do this though is to book the lowest-priced train fare: about £8 each way if you buy a pair of singles. To do this you must book weeks in advance (play with fare options at the National Rail site to see how this works).

With the greatest of respect to other posters, your quad cred will sink below zero if it ever gets out you took a coach tour, and they'll still be talking about it in 50 years' time. Chatsworth's just a less tasteless version of bloody Blenheim. Harwicke Hall's had much more effect on this country's history, and the countryside around Chatsworth is stunning. It's sheer vandalism to visit it without spending a day walking it.

So book a train ticket for early spring, giving yourself time to see the area properly. Take your bike with you.

Thanks for all the tips. I am a student; I'm 23, but to be honest I don't feel comfortable renting a car, especially in the UK with the driving on a different side than what I'd be used to. I think I'll look at doing what flanner suggested and to book for later on in the year.

Just a note in case you want to search for more info: it's Hardwick Hall, not Hardwicke.

http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main...-hardwickhall/