United Kingdom

Derbyshire Dales - Dovedale

Guided Leisure Cycling Holiday

Grade

1
2
3
4
5

Duration

5 days

Prices from

£895 P.P.

OPTIONAL E-BIKE DEPARTURES

We offer this holiday with an e-bike only departure as well as regular trips where you can choose a regular bike or a pedal assist e-bike hire. Our e-bike only departures allow you to experience more on two wheels whilst riding with like-minded Skedaddlers. Confident cyclists will enjoy the boost from a battery for those cheeky climbs and longer distances. With less effort required on the bike, you’ll have more energy at the end of the day for off-the-bike activities. Remember to select your e-bike hire when you book your holiday with us. You may choose to hire an e-bike on a regular trip but bear in mind that the pace will be set to riders without an e-bike.

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With breath-taking views of hills and moorland, intriguing rock formations, and easy access by road and rail, the Peak District is the perfect destination for a cycling holiday; a place that will refresh, relax and challenge you.
Over three rides you will have the opportunity to discover the beauty and history of this charming area, balanced out by relaxing evenings at your accommodation. You will be staying at The Peveril of the Peak, a comfortable country house with a lovely garden, perfect for relaxing with a well-earned pint of local ale.
Old railway lines converted to cycle paths generally make this hilly area a great place to explore by bike. We are treated to a few climbs throughout the week however, so you may want to consider booking onto our E-bike departures if you're looking to enjoy the journey with a group of like-minded e-bikers who'd like a little boost up those cheeky hills! Please see our dates and prices section to see which departures are exclusively for e-bikes.
You can enjoy traffic-free cycling and scenic views from the Tissington Trail and the High Peak Trail, passing through the limestone countryside of the White Peak.
Explore the railways' past life at the old wharfs, engine houses and workshops along the way.
We also follow the Manifold Way, once a narrow gauge railway that takes us through a deep cut limestone valley, with steep wooded slopes and caves aplenty. Elsewhere we'll use quiet country roads with some steeper, rewarding climbs. 
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Holiday Highlights

  • Stay at Peveril of the Peak, a comfortable HF Country House in the Peak District National Park
  • Relax in the heart of the Derbyshire Dales
  • Flit across the famous stepping stones at scenic Dovedale
  • Follow the Tissington, Manifold and High Peak Trails - miles of peaceful off-road cycling
  • Explore the area using the very railroads that shaped it
  • Cycling through the impressive Manifold valley

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Itinerary

Day 1
Arrival Thorpe
  • Meals: Dinner

Today is set aside to allow you to arrive in Thorpe at your convenience. You will meet your leader and the rest of the group, and enjoy a leisurely evening meal at Peveril of the Peak.

Day 2
Tissington Trail and High Peak Trail
30 Miles / 48 Kms Approx.
Ascent: 515 Metres Approx.
  • Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
  • Ascent: 515 Metres Approx.

The Tissington and High Peak Trails are old railway routes that offer miles of traffic-free cycling and form the basis of today’s ride. We start out along the road, meandering through the Derbyshire countryside to the village of Brassington. Here we join the High Peak Trail and head north-west to Parsley Hay and the junction with the Tissington Trail.

Finally, we’ll head south on the Tissington Trail back to Peveril of the Peak.

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Day 3
Manifold Valley
25 Miles / 41 Kms Approx.
Ascent: 685 Metres Approx.
  • Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
  • Ascent: 685 Metres Approx.

This circular ride from Peveril of the Peak takes us through classic limestone country, most notably the impressive Manifold Valley. We’ll start with a hilly outward route, through the villages of Ilam and Wetton to the hamlet of Hulme End. Here we’ll join the Manifold Trail which traces the old narrow gauge Leek and Manifold Railway through the valley.

We follow this delightful traffic-free route beside the Manifold and Hamps rivers to Waterhouses, from where we return to our accommodation via the ruins of the medieval Throwley Hall.

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Day 4
Carsington Water & Wirksworth
26 Miles / 42 Kms Approx.
Ascent: 665 Metres Approx.
  • Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
  • Ascent: 665 Metres Approx.

Today we’ll ride out to the scenic reservoir Carsington Water, a popular spot for cycling, sailing and birdwatching. We’ll ride past several wildlife viewing points dotting its shore for a chance to spot a little owl or oystercatcher.

Onwards we go to visit the quirky market town of Wirksworth, a town with an interesting history steeped in lead mining, stone quarrying and textiles. These aspects and more can be explored at the Wirksworth Heritage Centre, a new museum bringing to life the town’s fascinating past including displays highlighting the Woolly Rhino bones found by lead miners down the local “Dream Cave” in 1822, and the lives of local figures such as D.H. Lawrence.

We return via Carsington Water where we can enjoy a scenic picnic before returning to the country house for afternoon tea.

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Day 5
Departure Thorpe
  • Meals: Breakfast

Today we’ll have a leisurely breakfast together, and with plenty of miles in our legs and memories made, you’ll set off on your onward journeys home.

Understanding Profiles

Use these profiles to see:

  • Distance in Km (horizontal axis)
  • Ascent / Descent in metres (vertical axis)

Click 'see gradient' to see:

  • Distance in Km (horizontal axis)
  • % Gradient (vertical axis)

Please check the scales on both graphs, and both axes as they both may differ from day to day.

White vertical lines indicate unpaved sections or slightly rougher terrain. Using both graphs, alongside the grading and terrain information provided, will give you a full picture of how flat, bumpy or steep the climbing on your particular tour is going to be. Please keep in mind this is an indicative guide and GPS units and software produce different statistical information.

Learn More

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The Cycling

Terrain

The White Peak area is hilly, but the majority of the gradients you will be cycling on are reasonably gentle. We will be using a mixture of traffic-free cycle paths and bridleways, as well as quiet country lanes, with some relatively short sections of steep ascent and descent, meaning the ride is most suitable for Hybrid bikes.

We also have e-bikes available on all departures, as well as exclusive e-bike departures, so there’s always the option of a cheeky boost if you need it! Please note that if opting for an e-bike on a standard departure, the pace of the riding will be set by the hybrid riders. If you are interested in riding an electric bike on this holiday please click here for more information.

Dovedale uses a part of the National Cycle Network, a route from the charity, Sustrans, who are working to make it easier for everyone to cycle in the UK. Skedaddle will donate to Sustrans for every mile that you and others ride on this route with us. If you fancy donating more to Sustrans, you can choose to make your own donation for the development of the National Cycle Network when you make a booking with us.

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Leisure Cycling Grade

1
2
3
4
5
Grade 2-3: Gentle/Moderate

Aspects of both our grade 2 and 3 holidays

Suitable for those looking for some cycle friendly routes

Features some modest climbs

Possibly sections of varying terrain (eg. forest tracks, gravel paths etc).

Our grading guidelines have been carefully created based on our many years of cycling experience, as well as customer feedback from our trips. Of course, if you're still struggling to figure out where you fit on the scale, do feel free to give us a quick call and we'll be more than happy to help!

For more information about our grading system click here.

Is this suitable for you?

Holidays that are graded as a 2-3, will have aspects of both our grade 2 and 3 holidays. These tours are still suitable for those perhaps who have recently got into cycling, and offer an array of accessible, cycle friendly routes, cycle paths and quiet roads, however there will be some days / sections where you may have to tackle some ups and downs, the occasional steeper climb and perhaps some varying terrain (forest tracks, gravel paths etc). Suitable for those with a decent level of physical fitness, looking for some leisurely rides with occasional (achievable!) challenges along the way.

For more information about the grading of this holiday in particular, please check out the terrain section which will give you some specifics of what to expect on this tour.

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Dates & Prices

Secure Your Holiday With A Deposit

Book now with a £150 deposit and nothing more to pay until 30 days before departure. Choose a date to start your booking and see all prices, including bike hire and single room supplements.

Select a date to view prices and book
Start Date
End Date
Duration
Price p.p.
Start Date
* 31/03/2025 E-Bike Departure
Return Date
04/04/2025
Duration
5 days
Price
£895.00
Start Date
02/06/2025 Last Spaces
Return Date
06/06/2025
Duration
5 days
Price
£995.00
Start Date
04/08/2025
Return Date
08/08/2025
Duration
5 days
Price
£995.00
*

Late Availability

We want you to know which holidays are coming up soon, so you don’t miss out! If a trip has this symbol beside it, it means you don’t have long to snap up your place.

Whats Included Tick

A) Shared twin (or double) room (single room may be available on request, for a supplement)

B) Full tour service including guides and a back-up vehicle carrying spares, snacks and extra equipment not needed on your bike

C) At least one leader qualified in First Aid

D) Full-board including picnic lunch and en route refreshments

E) GPX files available on request

F) Secure bike storage and bike wash facilities

G) Group train station collections / drop-offs on scheduled arrival and departure days

H) Financial Protection through ABTOT

What's not Included Cross

A) Bike and helmet rental (available if required)

B) Travel or flight costs or charges for travelling with your bike (if applicable)

C) Meals not stated in the itinerary

D) Single room (available if required)

E) Travel insurance

F) Personal clothing and equipment

G) Personal expenditure (souvenirs, bar bills, hotel facilities etc)

H) Entrance fees to cultural or historical sites and visitor centres

I) Other optional activities

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Private Departures

Private Departures

Are you keen to only travel with your family or friends? Struggling to find the right date? Well, we can organise a private departure for this tour and tailor aspects to suit your group's specific needs. Contact our friendly team and we'll help you turn your dream into reality.

The Essentials

Travel Options

Your destination is Peveril of the Peak in Thorpe. If you intend to drive we will provide directions. Parking is available at the accommodation where vehicles can be left at the owners risk.

If you prefer to travel by train, the most convenient station is Derby. Group train station transfers are included in the holiday price and there will be a Skedaddle transfer at 16.30 from Derby train station to Thorpe.

On the departure day, there will be a Skedaddle transfer from Thorpe to Derby train station at 09.30. Please do not book any return trains from Derby prior to 11.00.

Please check with us before making any travel arrangements to make sure we have reached the minimum number required to guarantee your holiday and to ensure your arrangements fit with our scheduled transfers and logistics.

Please note If you make alternative travel arrangements, which fall outside of the planned train station transfers, there may be an additional charge for individual transfers.

If you are travelling to the UK from overseas and are not a British or Irish national, you will need to apply for either an ETA or a visa depending on your nationality. Please check the relevant state department or foreign office guidance for your country or you can find more information here

Accommodation

On this holiday, you will be based at an HF Country House. HF Holidays run a number of Country Houses around the UK, which are all within National Parks or National Landscapes, and which offer the perfect comfortable environment to return to after a day out on two wheels.

HF’s Country House in the Derbyshire Dales, The Peveril of the Peak, occupies a wonderful position in the village of Thorpe, less than a mile from the famous stepping stones at the entrance to the Dove Dale gorge. Named after the novel by Sir Walter Scott, it offers excellent facilities in a beautiful setting.

On the ground floor there is a large reception area and lounge, a newly refurbished dining room and a bar.

The Peveril of the Peak has large grounds with an attractive patio and garden, perfect for relaxing in with a post-ride tipple!

Bike Hire

If you would like to rent a bike we have both hybrid and electric bikes available.

On our standard departure, you will have the choice between a hybrid bike (generally Giant Roam (male frame) or Liv Rove (female frame) with a wide gear range suitable for the route and terrain, semi-slick tyres, hydraulic disc brakes and a relaxed riding position), or an electric bike (generally Giant E+ pedal assist bikes with batteries suitable for the daily distances and hydraulic disc brakes). E-bikes come with step through frames as standard but some cross bar frames may be available if preferred. Please let us know if you have a preference.

If booking onto one of our e-bike departures, only e-bikes will be available.

If you choose to bring your own e-bike, please contact us so we can discuss the bike specification and ensure it is suitable for the tour.

A rack and two panniers, and one bottle cage are provided with all our rental bikes, along with an emergency repair kit in a seat-post bag containing a puncture repair kit, a multi-tool, a spare innertube and a bike pump.

We are also able to provide helmets, if you’d like one to be provided, please request this at the time of booking.

You are welcome to bring along your own saddles, or own pedals if renting a hybrid bike, but please let us know if advance if you plan to do so.

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