Hello! I'm traveling to Birmingham next month (September) with my niece who will be studying there for the year. After she begins classes, I will have two days, to see some the countryside before flying back home from LHR. My goal would be to leave Birmingham Tuesday afternoon via train, visit Chatsworth all day Wednesday, depart Thursday via train back to LHR for my flight at 1400. Is this a realistic idea? I appreciate your insight!
Posted by
Chicago
662 posts
Where will you stay Wednesday night?
If you stay, for instance, in Sheffield, then it's probably doable if you're
out of there early. Train to London 2-2.5 hrs. Connect to Elizabeth Line
and to Heathrow (guessing) 90 minutes. Need to be at airport 3 hours
before flight. So that means leaving around 7am for the airport. But
this is a risk tolerance question for all the things that can go wrong.
Obviously, if you go back to Sheffield and take the train to London on
Wednesday night, then it's no problem.
Posted by
Sidney, BC, Canada
993 posts
Personally I’d head back LHR on Wednesday after the visit to Chatsworth and stay at one of the airport hotels so I can have a less stressful pre-flight morning.
Posted by
Twin Cities, Minnesota
2013 posts
Where are you taking a train to on Tuesday afternoon? Also, just curious, how are you getting to Chatsworth from wherever you are staying Tues evening?
Also, I agree with others, I'd stay at a hotel near the airport the night before your flight. I've done that a couple times and it really lowered my stress level.
Posted by
Lake District, England
8131 posts
If you stay in Chesterfield overnight on Tuesday you can take the Peak Sightseer Open Top Bus to Chatsworth at 0842, 0912, 1012 and 1102- https://www.stagecoachbus.com/promos-and-offers/yorkshire/peak-sightseer
That has 3 evening return services to Chesterfield for train to London that evening- at 1652, 1752 and 1822.
OR stay in Sheffield, and use the TM Travel normal bus service #218 to and from Chatsworth- https://www.tmtravel.co.uk/timetables/peakline-218/
Going down from Sheffield to Heathrow on the Thursday is full of risk.
Posted by
OP
6 posts
I haven't picked a route from Birmingham to Chesterfield/Sheffield yet, but I do know I'd like to stay at the Cavendish Hotel on Tuesday evening - bit of a splurge, but it's on my bucket list (is it worth the price?). A quick Google search shows a bus stop walking distance to the hotel. The next step would be planning the bus/train route back to London on Wednesday afternoon which, in all honesty, is a bit overwhelming, so I'm grateful for your suggestions.
Posted by
Lake District, England
8131 posts
To the Cavendish the Bus #170 leaves from Chesterfield Railway Station at 50 minutes past each hour until 1550, then 1705, 1805, 1855, 1955, 2055, 2155 and 2255 for the 30 minute ride to Baslow (Nether End)- your stop.
Returns on the Wednesday are at 1410, 1520, 1610, 1735, 1754 and then hourly to 2254
From Sheffield Interchange (next to the Railway Station) you want the #257 on each hour to 1700 then 1830 but that takes 1 hour 20 minutes to get there.
Returns are at 5 minutes past each hour (except 1605) until 1805.
Direct trains from Birmingham to Chesterfield, taking 1 hour are at 1203, 1603 and 1703, with other 1 change trains at Derby at 1309, 1418 and 1503.
Trains from Chesterfield to London St Pancras run every 30 minutes taking about 2 hours.
I can't comment on the hotel- it is way beyond my price bracket (I would stay at the Ibis in Chesterfield, and have) but if it's on your bucket list then go for it. I'm just cheap.
Posted by
Houston, TX
53 posts
I love this idea! I went to another of Bess of Hardwick's homes - Hardwick Hall - in June (flew into Manchester, spent the afternoon touring the house and grounds before going onwards to a spa hotel near Birmingham). Is there any way you can change your flight to depart from Manchester? I changed my arrival from LHR to MAN about 2 weeks ahead and received money back in the form of a voucher for future travel. You may be able to stay another night in the peak district and have a quicker journey to an airport.