Dear local experts, We’re planning to visit both York and Chatsworth House, and we’re wondering if there’s a good base in between the two that would allow us to visit both without needing to switch hotels.
The alternative, of course, is to stay in two different places — one night in Bakewell, Sheffield, or Chesterfield for Chatsworth, and then move to a different hotel in York. But if there’s a convenient location that minimizes hotel check-ins and check-outs, we’d love to consider it.
Posted by
Lake District, England
9436 posts
I would say it is a day trip from York.
There is an hourly train to Chesterfield which takes 80 minutes, then bus #170 from the railway station which takes 45 minutes.
Or a half hourly train to Sheffield which takes 70 minutes for the hourly bus #218 from the Interchange (next to the station) which also takes 45 minutes.
There is even a third hourly fast train (which takes not much longer) which is a change at Leeds.
And a 4th hourly train as far as Sheffield, change at Leeds, which is all stations Sheffield to Leeds.
Posted by
219 posts
Our daughter and son-in-law live in Sheffield and she works at a museum in Bakewell. Bakewell is a really neat little town and Chatsworth House interesting and the Peak District is spectacular, (especially when the heather is in bloom). Safe travels.
Posted by
Duluth 🛶
9228 posts
Is there any way you can take a few extra days and stay longer in The Peak, then go to York? The Peak District is way more than just Chatsworth, and there are so many wonderful places to see there. If you could spare 3 nights even, you would be able to have a day at Chatsworth and then visit some of the other wonders of The Peak. Then just head up to York .
It would help to know what this is in context with. Can you give us your complete itinerary?
Posted by
OP
15 posts
yes, I am actually looking at the option of skipping Scotland for this trip and use the extra time for Peak District and York. The only reason I didn't think of this option was because we wouldn't want to hike and we are more drawn to cultures than to mountain views, which we have a lot back at home. Given that, is spending more time in Peak District still a good option?
Posted by
Lincolnshire, UK
2609 posts
You could easily spend a day at Chatsworth as there is plenty to do.. The House is stunning and there are extensive gardens to explore.
There's also Haddon Hall which is less well know but equally as nice. It is Tudor so a completely different feel. You also have Hardwick too - home of the famous Beth of Harwick, a contemporary of Elizabeth I and one of the richest women in England. Next to it is the ruined Harwick Old Hall, her previous mansion. If you like ruined castles, there is also Bolsover castle, creation of a horse-mad Cavalier playboy William Cavendish complete with its Riding School...
There are lots of small and pretty villages to explore - Hathrdsage, Castleton (with its caves and ruined Peveril castle), Tidswell, Eyam (the 'plague' village', and many more waiting to be discovered. There's also Buxton, a former spa town. Don't miss Chesterfield with its excellent market and church with a crooked spire (and learn the story behind it). Go to Bakewell and find the old original pudding shop...
Although there's excellent walking in the Peak, there's plenty of other things to do as well....
York also gives acccess to the North York Moors - another really good are to explore....
Posted by
Duluth 🛶
9228 posts
The only reason I didn't think of this option was because we wouldn't want to hike and we are more drawn to cultures than to mountain views, which we have a lot back at home. Given that, is spending more time in Peak District still a good option?
I'm not a hiker and I spent 5 nights in The Peak and loved it. It's one of my favorite areas in England. A lot of my itinerary is covered by wasleys post above, but if you want to check it out, here is my trip report. https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/england/wandering-around-england-in-38-days-march-to-april-2024 Just scroll down (about halfway) to the relevant section.
And FYI, the Peak is not really mountainous. Its scenery is very unique and nothing like the mountains here in the US.