Itineraries For Groups In the Peak District's Border Country

10 am - Arrive at Chesterfield to find one of the largest open-air markets in the country (Monday, Friday, Saturday, Flea Market Thursday). Just the place for bargain hunting, but if you're tired of shopping, take a walk up High Street to see the amazing Crooked Spire. Enjoy lunch at one of the many town centre pubs, restaurants and tea rooms. Free coach parking available by prior arrangement.
Tel: Chesterfield Tourist Information Centre 01246 345777/8

1.30 pm - Travel along the M1 to junction 28, where you will find McArthurGlen Outlet, another source of bargains. The Outlet offers top brands and designer labels at substantially reduced rates. Food court on site.
Tel: 01773 545000

10.30 am - Renishaw Hall Gardens. These remarkable Italian gardens were first created nearly 200 years ago by the Sitwell Family. Today you can enjoy the separate garden rooms, woodland trails and sculpture park. Changing displays from April through to September.
Tel: 01246 432310

12.15 pm - Hardwick Hall Garden. A classic aromatic herb garden containing a wide selection of plants which were used for medication as well as for cooking. Spectacular colours from Easter to October. You will have time to have lunch in the restaurant, set in the former kitchen.
Tel: 01246 850430

3 pm - Your next stop is the Herb Garden at Hardstoft. You have time to explore all 4 of the display gardens - the Main Garden has a mix of herbs and flowering plants, the Lavendar Garden speaks for itself, the Physic Garden has rare medicinal plants and the Pot Pourri Garden specialises in plants for cutting and drying.
Tel: 01246 854268

Depending on the time of the year, you could include a visit to a nearby well dressing where springs and wells are decorated with pictures made from growing things - petals, leaves, berries... Alternatively you could include a visit to one of the many local private gardens that participate in the National Open Gardens Scheme.

Contact Chesterfield Tourist Information Centre (Tel: 01246 345777/8)

10 am - Arrive at Bolsover Castle; Despite its name this is an elegant 17th Century mansion, built by Elizabeth Cavendish's youngest son, Charles, and completed by her grandson, William. Audio tours tell the story of the Castle and its owners. English Heritage property.
Tel: 01246 822844

11.15 am - Hardwick Hall, more glass than wall. Elizabeth's 4th marriage to the Earl of Shrewsbury made her almost as rich as the Queen. It allowed her to build Hardwick Hall, which displays the Elizabethan fascination with symmetry and glass. Lunch can be arranged in the former kitchens.
Tel: 01246 850430

3 pm - Chatsworth. Elizabeth's 2nd husband, Sir William Cavendish, bought the house and estate of Chatsworth in 1549. Little remains of Elizabeth's house but, today, Chatsworth is world famous as the Palace of the Peak.
Tel: 01246 582204

10 am - Take a slow, winding route through the countryside taking in such sites as Barlow, Cutthorpe and Old Brampton. Stop for a short walk around Linacre Reservoirs.

11.30 am - Head south to the village of Ashover which was used in the filming of the television series Peak Practice. The village claims to be the home of many ghosts and perhaps a Blue Badge guided walk would help you to find one. Lunch at one of the village pubs.

1.30 pm - Continue south and west through the Peak District to Matlock then turn north-west for Bakewell where you can sample a real Bakewell pudding.

4.00 pm -Return to Chesterfield via Chatsworth estate.
Tel: Chesterfield Tourist Information Centre 01246 345777/8