UK Road Trip
Peak District – Derwent View
First stop on my trip was Matlock in Derbyshire on the edge of the Peak District National Park. The former spa resort of Matlock Bath where we stayed lies immediately south of the town with a promenade beside the Derwent just right for a stretch of the legs after the 150mile drive. We booked an apartment via TC for 3-night stay overlooking the river. The weather was sunny and warm perfect for morning coffee on the balcony. There were also plenty of local coffee shops to choose from, our favourite was Fig Coffee on North Parade opposite Matlock Bath station. We also visited some of the local pubs, after our days exploring, we had a riverside drink on the terrace at The Midland and a lovely evening at Rose Cottage chatting to the locals and enjoying some homemade pies. Next morning, we set off to explore the town of Bakewell, just 9 miles away via a scenic drive over the dales. The town centre was similar to Matlock with lots of independent shops and local cafes and plenty of opportunities to sample the traditional Bakewell Tart. You can send a Bakewell tart or pudding gift from here to anywhere around the world. We spent the rest of the day visiting Chatsworth House & Garden a few miles from Bakewell. The house is home to the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire and set in an impressive 105-acre garden so there’s plenty to explore. We did a tour of the state rooms and then wandered around the various sections of the gardens and ended with a cream tea picnic on the lawn. We ended our visit with a trip to the estate shop where we purchased some excellent local produce for dinner.
Our minibreak in the Peak District was soon over and I was on my way to catch up with a friend 200 miles north, just across the border in Dumfries. It was my first visit to the Scottish town with the River Nith running through and impressive old red mill buildings on the riverside. As my friend had only recently moved there, we explored the town’s history at the local museum which also has a viewing tower. The town is surrounded by countryside and we also enjoyed lunch and a walk in Loch Arthur a few miles away. Next stop on my road trip was a visit to another seasonnaire friend who now lives in Norfolk. The drive was 350 miles long with the added pressure of a petrol panic, but I made it eventually. We enjoyed a catch up over dinner at a local pub Bird in Hand where I chose some local Norfolk pork belly. A quick shopping expedition and coffee followed by a late September barbecue lunch and I was off again to my final destination.
Cambridgeshire – Avenue Farm
For the last stop of my road trip, I wanted a retreat where I could switch off and recharge after my whirlwind tour of the country. I was a bit apprehensive about staying in a shepherd’s hut and the facilities being basic, but I was super impressed with the comfort and little touches to make my stay perfect. The fridge was filled with local produce for breakfast and I stocked up with a few treats for afternoon tea at the local community shop a few minutes’ walk away. I sat in the evening sun and watched the stars come out with my Sky View app. Next morning was terribly rainy and windy but I set off on a run around the local P walk which was approx. 4.5km Back at the warm hut, the hot shower and cooked breakfast set me up for a day of journaling about my trip and catch up on some reading for my book clubs. I was sad to leave the peaceful field and beautiful sunrises and will be looking at another shepherd’s hut stay somewhere soon.
At Travel Counsellors we work with a wide range of UK suppliers who have a selection of accommodation types. If you’d like more freedom than a hotel stay offers, let me help you source a unique stay at a cottage, shepherds hut, glamping pod or even a double decker bus for your next UK staycation. With my guidance, your UK getaway will be everything you need from travel, just a little closer to home than you may have thought.