Visit the Centre of It All

From the National Portrait Gallery to the Joseph Wright exhibition get to the centre of a cultural adventure in the Peak District and Derbyshire and Derby city centre all in just 90 minutes from London.

Kickstart your adventure from London St Pancras with East Midlands Rail through to Derby. Explore the Museum of Making in Derby City, capturing 300 years of Derby’s history with an old Toyota car hanging high in the atrium, just one piece on display in the contemporary building celebrating the rich history of innovation. From Spring 2026 make sure to visit the Joeseph Wright – from the shadows exhibit that is coming home after its time in London at the National Portrait Gallery.

After exploring the city hop on to the Derwent Valley line and continue your adventure to the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage site by getting off in Matlock where you can grab a quick bite to eat in Crown Square packed with a range of independent shops, cafes and pubs sure to fuel the next stop on your journey. Next stop is only 3 minutes on the train get to the centre of the UNESCO site with Cromford Mills, known as the birthplace for the modern factory system and in more recent pop culture Cromford Railway Station was featured on the Oasis’ single artwork for ‘Some Might Say!’. Loving the Valley views? Make sure to take a stroll along the Cromford Canal with 5 miles of towpath it’s the perfect walk for wildlife lovers. Spend the night in a cosy cottage from an old carpenter’s workshop to a characterful cottage, Carpenter’s Cottage it’s a great way to immerse yourself in the Peak District’s heritage. 

Once you get off the train in Chesterfield hop onto the bus or a taxi and head to set, at Haddon Hall for their Behind the Scenes Film tour. For all the Jane Eyre fans out there, the Hall and Estate have featured in the screen credits for all three film versions of the novel as well as Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice to name a few. The Hall and estate itself has over 900 years of history waiting to be uncovered. Then enjoy a gourmet getaway with Fischer’s Baslow Hall as you forage for your lunch before tucking in to the gooey centre.

Stay the night in Baslow at Cavendish Hotel as your base to a new day discovering Jane Austen’s Derbyshire. Make sure during your stay you have time to tuck in at the chef’s table with a perfectly curated seasonal taster menu at the hotel. No trip to the Peak District inspired by Jane would be complete without a visit to Chatsworth House, which is only a short bus ride away. Believed to be the inspiration of Mr Dary’s Pemberly after visiting Bakewell. Don’t forget to try the famous Bakewell pudding from The Old Original Bakewell Pudding Shop right in the heart of the charming market town. While you tuck into the timeless classic dessert be sure to explore the traditional and independent shops in Bakewell before heading on to your next adventure.