Day 10 - The Peak District

A mostly overcast, but dry day as we toured around the Peak District. After breakfast, we climbed in the car and headed north to view the "peaks.". We'd allotted about 2 hours to do this and planned to eat in Castleton; however, the scenery just wasn't all that great and we were in Castleton after only 45 minutes. This was a neat little town located in rolling hills on the border between the "dark" and "white" peaks. The difference is due to the rock underground. White is limestone and gritstone is dark.

We decided to climb up to Peveril Castle, one of England's earliest Norman fortresses. The keep within the fortress was built on orders from Henry II in 1176. As we started climbing, we quickly noted this was a far harder climb than Arthur's Seat or York Minster! The incline was quite great, but the view from the top, was spectacular. Most of the keep is still intact although much of the exterior limestone has peeled away. As we went back down the hill we decided to stop in Bakewell for lunch (home of Bakewell Pudding).

As we drove to Bakewell, Alaine read in her guide book that the Peak District is not called that for its peaks, but instead in honor of an Anglo-Saxon tribe that lived in the area, the Pecsaetans. We were disappointed as we'd hope for craggy mountain views. Upon arriving in Bakewell we discovered this town was packed with people. After trying to get a table at three restaurants, we finally got seated at the original (this is debated) Bakewell Pudding restaurant. Our lunch was great, but our pudding took forever to arrive and when it did, it was mediocre at best. I can say I've had this pudding and won't need to have it again. After finally getting out off Bakewell (did I mention it was packed?), we headed to Haddon Hall.

Haddon Hall is a medieval manor house that has been left intact. In other words, the house is presented without any changes (except electricity, water, etc) as it was in the 12th - 17th centuries. I've never visited a house that had done this and I must say it was fabulous. The house and floorboards are uneven and you can see traffic patterns of the nobility and the staff. The gardens at this house weren't as big as Chatsworth (yesterday), but we're better quality. Impressively, the kitchen still has all the original wood counters on which meals were prepared. Cuts, dings, and nicks are evident and you can just tell these folks ate well. After we marveled at the house and grounds, we stopped at the cafe for afternoon tea and scones.

We decided to make it a short day since we've been pushing pretty hard for 10 days, so we headed back to the hotel. Tomorrow we arrive in Cambridge we're I'll attend Evensong at King's College. Their choir is world-renowned and I can't wait to hear them live.

Cheers from the land of Jubilee!