📍 United Kingdom

MIDLANDS AND PEAK DISTRICT: INDUSTRY MEETS WILD STONE

Granite peaks rising abruptly, valleys sheltering stone villages, windswept moors. The Midlands, England's industrial heart.

≈ 11
Days
579
Km
9
Stops
📖 6 min read 🔄 Last updated: 2026-01-17

Explore industrial and rural England. Visit Birmingham, hike through Edale landscapes, wander through Buxton, explore Ludlow and its markets, then discover the valleys where industry gave way to calm.

Your day-by-day itinerary

1
Day

Birmingham

urban culture industrial giant

Birmingham - Photo 1Birmingham - Photo 2
2 photos
Day 1
🔍

Discover

1
Journey from London to Birmingham, England's second city.
2
Renovated canal quarter, more waterways than Venice.
3
Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, Pre-Raphaelite collection.
🎯

Activities

→
Boat trip on the historic canals.
→
Visit of the Jewellery Quarter district and workshops.
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 55.4 km
Travel time: 55min
2
Day

Ironbridge

industrial revolution birthplace heritage

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9 photos
Day 2
🔍

Discover

1
Route to Ironbridge, birthplace of the industrial revolution.
2
Cast iron bridge from 1779, first metal bridge. (UNESCO).
3
Museums of the Ironbridge Gorge.
🎯

Activities

→
Visit to the iron industry museum.
→
Exploration of the Victorian village of Blists Hill.
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 42.9 km
Travel time: 1h26
3
Day

Ludlow

medieval market square timber

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6 photos
Day 3
🔍

Discover

1
Shrewsbury, medieval Tudor town.
2
Ludlow, fortified gastronomic town.
3
Medieval castle of Ludlow.
🎯

Activities

→
Renowned gastronomic market of Ludlow.
→
Dining in a starred restaurant or gastropub.
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 146.8 km
Travel time: 2h27
4
Day

Buxton

spa town crescents verdant

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4 photos
Day 4
🔍

Discover

1
Buxton, elegant Georgian spa town.
2
Opera House Pavilion and gardens.
3
Castleton, village of spectacular caves.
🎯

Activities

→
Visit to Poole's Cavern, natural limestone cave.
→
Tasting Buxton mineral water.
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 16.9 km
Travel time: 34min
5
Day

Castleton

cavern village limestone landscape

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6 photos
Day 5
🔍

Discover

1
Blue John Cavern, unique semi-precious stone mine.
2
Peveril Castle, Norman ruins overlooking the valley.
3
Edale, hikers' village starting point of the Pennine Way.
🎯

Activities

→
Underground exploration of caverns.
→
Hike to Mam Tor, the shivering mountain.
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 4.9 km
Travel time: 10min
6
Day

Edale

moorland hiking windswept peaks

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6 photos
Day 6
🔍

Discover

1
Edale Valley surrounded by Dark Peak summits.
2
Route to Bakewell via Chatsworth Estate.
3
Chatsworth House, palace of the Dukes of Devonshire.
🎯

Activities

→
Walk to the rocky edges with panoramas.
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Visit of the house and art collections.
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 25.1 km
Travel time: 50min
7
Day

Bakewell

market town derbyshire charm

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9 photos
Day 7
🔍

Discover

1
Landscaped gardens and fountains of Chatsworth.
2
Bakewell, picturesque market town.
3
Haddon Hall, perfectly preserved medieval manor.
🎯

Activities

→
Walk in the gardens and farm.
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Shopping in the artisan shops of Bakewell.
8
Day

Bakewell

market town derbyshire charm

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9 photos
Day 8
🔍

Discover

1
White Peak villages in limestone.
2
Route to Nottingham, Robin Hood's city.
3
Nottingham Castle and underground caves.
🎯

Activities

→
Visit to the Monday market (if Monday).
→
Guided tour of the medieval caves.
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 58.6 km
Travel time: 59min
9
Day

Nottingham

medieval castle sherwood forest

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4 photos
Day 9
🔍

Discover

1
Lace Market district, former lace industry.
2
Sherwood Forest, Robin Hood's legendary forest.
3
Major Oak, giant thousand-year-old oak tree.
🎯

Activities

→
Exploration of Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem, England's oldest pub (1189).
→
Hiking in Sherwood Forest.
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 228.2 km
Travel time: 2h51
10
Day

London

southern gateway connections hub

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6 photos
Day 10
🔍

Discover

1
Return to London via the M1 motorway.
2
Major Oak, giant thousand-year-old oak tree.
3
Return to London via the M1 motorway.
🎯

Activities

→
Visit to the visitor center and Robin Hood exhibitions.
→
Visit to the visitor center and Robin Hood exhibitions.

🗺️ Itinerary map

🗺️ Nearby itineraries

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🛡️ Travel advice - United Kingdom

Check official recommendations

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❓ Frequently asked questions

What weather should you expect?

Summer (June-August): Warmest weather, longest daylight, peak tourist season, highest prices, festival season, ideal for all regions.

Spring (April-May): Mild weather, blooming gardens, fewer crowds, moderate prices, excellent for countryside, comfortable temperatures.

Fall (September-October): Pleasant weather, autumn colors, fewer crowds, good value, comfortable for sightseeing, cozy pub atmosphere.

Winter (November-March): Cold temperatures, shortest days, Christmas markets, lowest prices, indoor attractions, cozy cultural experiences.

How many days should I plan?

We believe you will enjoy this itinerary best by dedicating between 9 and 13 days. The next step will allow you to adjust the duration of your stay.

What to discover in United Kingdom?

Rich history with royal heritage, diverse cultures, and iconic landmarks from London to Edinburgh. Experience pub culture, literary heritage, and beautiful countryside. The country offers excellent transportation with cultural depth and historical significance. United Kingdom provides cultural richness with historical importance and modern amenities in compact island nation.