Six days in Yorkshire and Derbyshire
 

Hello, we have received an invitation to join friends at Chatsworth House in Bakewell, Derbyshire in the second week of September.
My husband and I plan to take the ferry from mainland Europe to Newcastle-upon-Tyne and from there drive South taking a few days. We are not familiar with that part of the UK so all advice re. places to visit, to stay and to eat is most welcome.

The few places to visit we have on our list are: Durham, the Yorkshire Sculpture Park near Wakefield and (presumably on our way back North) the city of York.

In an earlier life we were keen walkers but unfortunately recent back problems are preventing us from taking long hikes. We would like to sample some of either the Yorkshire Moors (will the heather still bloom around that time of year I wonder) or the Yorkshire Dales. All information or suggestions welcome.
Finally, Bakewell is in the middle of the Peak District. Aside from Chatsworth here are many historic houses to visit as I understand. Here too all suggestions, tips and trics from my Fodorite friends are much appreciated.

If Durham isn't essential consider the ferry to Hull instead. It is an easy drive from Hull to York, and to Derbyshire.
With only 6 days, some of which presumably are spent in Bakewell I think Hull is probably a better starting port.
Newcastle is great if you are heading north, but Rotterdam Hull is in my experience an easier crossing. The ports are better organised for car traffic than Ijmuiden and Newcastle. Although we no longer buy meals onboard it has been our experience that the food is better on the Hull crossing too.

Before heading south, do allocate at least a day to see some of Hadrian's wall. Even though you aren't able to do long walks, there is a lot of excellent shorter walks you can do in the area. For lots of ideas have a look here:
http://www.silvertraveladvisor.com/f...the-south-tyne

From Housesteads, one of the best forts on the wall, it is an easy walk to the west to the remains of Housesteads mile castle.
Alternativey park at Cawfields Crag picnic site just north of Haltwhistle and there is a very esay walk east along the wall to the next road crossing at Shiled on the Wall. The walk along the Haltwhistle Burn is also recommended.

Allen Banks also have a lot of good footpaths through the woods - all the information you need is in the article quoted.

For accommodation, we can recommend Hall Meadows in Haltwhistle.
http://www.accommodationinhaltwhistle.co.uk/

From Haltwhistle head for Durham. You have a choice of driving to Alston and then down either Weardale or Teesdale (stop at High Force waterfall) before cutting across to Durham. The other alternative is to drive up Allendale and through Rookhope before picking up the road down Weardale. Either of these will show you some of the best scenery in the North of England.

If you are interested in stately homes, Raby Castle near Staindrop is worth a visit.
http://wasleys.org.uk/eleanor/statel...aby/index.html


When in Durham, don't miss the lovely Crook Hall Gardens.
http://crookhallgardens.co.uk/

As well as Chatsworth in the Peak District, we can recommend Haddon Hall which is a lovely unspoilt fortified medieval manor house. It isn't as grand as the show piece of Chatsworth but is well worth visiting.
http://wasleys.org.uk/eleanor/statel...don/index.html

You'll arrive in North Shields then head south.

Some random suggestions include
Castle Howard, near York
Lincoln Cathedral
Ripon Cathedral
Beamish Museum
The heather flowers more in mid August across the North York Moors
and don't overlook the fine city of Newcastle upon Tyne with its elegant Georgian and early Victorian buildings. Grey Street is one of the finest streets in England.

Near Bakewell and one of the most atmospheric house of many dozens I've visited, Haddon Hall.

My short blog: http://www.travelgumbo.com/blog/gumb...yshire-england

House website: http://www.haddonhall.co.uk


And Hardwick Hall, fascinating and also nearby:

http://www.travelgumbo.com/blog/gumb...yshire-england

http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/hardwick/

Derbyshire -- don't see that come up much. We lived in Derby for 3 years and documented many of the experiences here:

ukfrey.blogspot.com

Sculpture Garden:
http://ukfrey.blogspot.com/2012/03/y...-national.html

Walking around Chatsworth:
http://ukfrey.blogspot.com/2013/04/w...hatsworth.html

Walking around Bakewell:
http://ukfrey.blogspot.com/2011/06/w...thers-day.html

Haddon and Hardwick:
http://ukfrey.blogspot.com/2012/09/b...-hardwick.html

Bolsover Castle and Old Hardwick
http://ukfrey.blogspot.com/2012/01/b...-old-hall.html

plenty more, particularly Peak District walks if you decide you are up for it; see the index on the main page of the blog

No one has mentioned Eyam yet, the plague village in Derbyshire. Read about the sad story here:
http://www.eyam-museum.org.uk/
http://www.beautifulbritain.co.uk/ht...about/eyam.htm

Wander round the village, find Mompesson's well and the Riley Graves. Visit the church with its Anglo-Saxon cross in the churchyard and lovly stained glass window commmorating the plague.
http://wasleys.org.uk/eleanor/church...yam/index.html

There is also Eyam Hall too.
http://wasleys.org.uk/eleanor/statel...yam/index.html

I like the Sculpture park a lot (great waking in the grounds as well as well placed pieces close to the main buildings, the museum is free but the car park is high (just pay it :-) ).

There are two other sites in the area. The Hepworth. http://www.hepworthwakefield.org/ and the Henry Moore https://www.henry-moore.org/hmi (which is attached to the Leeds Art Gallery.

In many other countries these 3 would be buried in visitors but you will find that (unless the Hepworth has school trips) that these places are empty.

Parking in Leeds is a little complicated as is the mini Loop (which is a clockwise running) ring road, so you need to trust your GPS, find a multi-storey CP near the museum and walk. (more advice available)

Look up Morgana ( a fodorite) and read up her advice on York and the Dales/Moors. Though I suspect she'll be along in a tad.

Can't add much to the excellent suggestions you have here, other than be sure to allow time for the grounds at Chatsworth.

Over the years, the family has integrated sculpture and achitectural features (water cascade, for ex.) and the blend of the old and the new makes you feel you are touring a home, albeit a very grand one, rather than a house/museum.

Within the house, the family portraits of the 20th-21st C. are by noted artists, Lucien Freud for example.

Eyam too:
http://ukfrey.blogspot.com/2012/05/t...day-blast.html

Bookmarking

Bilbo, I'm on an extended road trip through the Canadian Rockies, very limited wifi . I'll leave any Yorkshire advice in your more than capable hands for the time being!

Thank you all for your very helpful advise and great suggestions. I had a problem with my browser and was not able to log in, hence the delay in replying.

I guess that mid September will be a trifle too late to see the moors in bloom but nevertheless I do look forward to this trip. Thanks again!