Steve’s been telling us about the Peak District for years. Since I’ve known him, really. He went to school in the Sheffield area, twenty years ago now. Jordan was even born there. It’s one of his special places. In Zurich, we hopped on a plane and landed at Heathrow to then rent a car and drive north to Derbyshire to spend five quiet days there. (That was a long travel day. There are things I’d repeat and things I’d definitely not repeat. That was too much travel in one day for the little kids. Rhymes-with Shmeve did not communicate how far Peak District was from London. We’ve forgiven him. Only recently.) Add to that, once we left Italy, we no longer had working phones so we were mostly following maps (how antiquated!) and road signs. Steve managed to stay on his side of the road most of the time.
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Peak District is so completely serene. I find something so wonderful about looking at places that, you know, have looked the same year after year. That, if you didn’t know it was 2015, you could believe it was 100 years earlier. That’s the Peak District. What we were seeing was what Jane Austen saw too (I’ll have to keep interjecting with Jane Austen because, she’s Steve’s favorite, and because this was Jane Austen country through and through; I half-expected to see Mr. Darcy there.). From our kitchen window in Bamford, you could see for miles. The greenest fields, separated by winding manmade stone walls, forming a grid-like pattern wherever you look. The only other thing breaking up the green was all the farm life. Cows, sheep, they’re everywhere. Every morning you could watch the cows pass by in a line in the field across the street. They had an Eeyore like way about their walk. “Ho hum, back to work we go,” as they ambled along day after day. Yes, we always narrate for animals.
We went to Chatsworth House twice because it’s that great. The playground is amazing (one of the best ever, and great for all ages), the grounds, the cascading water steps, the maze, the petting zoo. There is so much to see there, a day isn’t even enough time. The Duke and Duchess of Derbyshire still live there! (Fun fact and, yes, Jane Austen related: Chatsworth House is Pemberley in the Keira Knightley version of P&P.)
Another day we visited Castleton, which I loved. I wanted to sit and eat a scone and drink some tea and take it all in. Castleton is adorable. The pubs and their low ceilings and fireplaces lit and roaring… oh! England is lovely. And the people?! They are so friendly. We said that over and over again.
The nice thing about Peak District is that you don’t have to do a whole lot to see the beauty of it. Simply going for a drive is beautiful. The fields are all around. We didn’t get to take many of the footpaths, but in a future visit, I’d love to hike all over the Peak District by footpath!
While we were there I ate some great fish and chips as well as meat pie (that was my favorite). Sort of like a shepherd’s pie/chicken pot pie. That sort of comfort food is so up my alley.
So, is the Peak District on your radar? I don’t think it’s high on people’s lists, but it should be. Serenity is inevitable there, and who doesn’t need some of that. Bakewell, Castleton, Chatsworth House (among other famous old estates). Go!
These pictures are beautiful. Thanks for sharing:)
Totally agree, there's something magical about the Lakes District! Can't wait to go back.
What a beautiful place!!! xoxo
Melissa | So About What I Said
It's on my radar now 🙂 thanks for the recommendations Bridget! Stunning photos!
OH my heart! Did you go to Jane's house? It was one of my favorite stops on my England tour over ten years ago (makes me feel so old). And Chatsworth?! I am obsessed with Deborah Mitford, the late duchess, and SHE is the one who made that place so awesome. (Read her books! She's a wonderful old dame.) Oh, I would love to spend some time there with my family. It is for sure on my radar and my list. Thanks for the beautiful misty pictures, too. They fit perfectly! I'm glad *someone* finally got forgiven for the travel time. 🙂
It's high on my list. I have tried talking my husband into a Jane Austen tour. I am a little obsessed and would so love to "see" the novels in person. He thought I was joking. One day though!
Beautiful pictures. I remember you wrote about reading and / or watching Pride and Prejudice a while ago (as in years, I fear..) which encouraged me to read it myself for the first time – it was such a delight, now I'm very fond of Peak District myself, I hope to visit it one day. Now even more. Like Wengen. Or London. You (both) did such a great job with all these beautiful posts, thank you.
Ohhhh I would love to go to see that! That version of P&P is my fav and seeing it in pictures like is absolutely amazing!
I can't believe the people still live there – in that huge castle? OMG! But this place is stunning. Thanks you so much for pictures
Anna
Oh, wow. I was up in the area for a few days last Christmas, but the days were so short and the jetlag was so real that we didn't meander over there. But, jeez. How beautiful.
Be still, my P&P / Darcy loving heart!! I sense a P&P watching session coming tonight!
okay well add that to my list. dreamy.
I'm a huge fan of the Kiera knightly P&P and now I totally want to visit too! I can see what you mean about not realizing it's 2015 when there!
So beautiful. My husband and I had a one day layover in England and loved it so much! This will definitely go on our list of places to go when we make it there again!
Ok that last pic is totally pulling a Kiera Knightly P&P dvd menu vibe. Amiright?! 😉
Gorgeous pictures – I definitely will be going there! 🙂
Gorgeous, gorgeous, GORGEOUS photos. As a Jane Austen and P&P lover (esp. the Keira Knightley version) I am majorly fan-girling over here. I must get back to England.
I'm English… and my husband and I visited the Peak District togther for the first time earlier this year.( I had been before when our daugher was at Uni in Sheffield) We spend a wonderful summer day at Chatsworth, wandering around the house and grounds. There, on a sunny afternoon, an outdoor orchestra was practising for a summer "Proms Concert" that evening. We and many others sat/lay on the slope behind the house and listened to many "Promish" pieces of music. My husband cried at Elgar's " Nimrod" (played by the marching forces bands on Rememberance Sunday here) I got a lump in my throat at a fantastic tenor singing "Bring Him Home" from the musical "Les Miserables" And then we were treated to the theme from Star Wars! And many many more. You know those days when you are conciously deeply happy? This was one of them: our 25 wedding anniversary treat. And I'm glad you think we are all friendly! Come back any time!
These photos are stunning. I'd love to be able to visit some day. Peaceful trips like this are what I enjoy most.
xx
Jenny // Mish Mosh Makeup
DYING! These are so dreamy!!!
I love your baby sling! What brand is it?
These pictures are beautiful! Looks like such a lovely place 🙂
I love the Peak District, I go walking there nearly every week: I've never been inside Chatsworth House though.
I have really enjoyed your posts Bridget, really really have:) I am from Yorkshire originally so I would have to say I agree the peak district is amazing:) What a wonderful experience you have had together as a family. p.s Rome is my fave place on earth!!! 🙂 xxxxxx