TOUR OPTION 1
On this tour, we will travel by coach from Sheffield through the Peak District (recently voted the most beautiful landscape in Britian) to Chatsworth House and Estate.
Chatsworth House is one of the great stately homes of Europe. The main residence of the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire, it has been passed down through 16 generations, since 1549.
The magnificent house was the model for Pemberley in Jane Austen's novel Pride and Prejudice, and has featured in many Hollywood films and television series. However, Chatsworth remains very much a working environment and the house lies at the heart of 140 square km of gardens and working farm and moorland. Flocks of sheep and herds of deer and cattle roam freely in a landscape where every view is stunning.
The current Duke and Duchess encourage guests to explore the extensive gardens, which were landscaped by Launcelot 'Capability' Brown. Find somewhere beautiful to sit and eat your picnic lunch, paddle in the famous Cascade Waterfall, or walk round the lake an admire the 90 metre high Emperor Fountain, created in 1843 to honour a visit from Tsar Nicholas I of Russia.
Inside the house you can view one of the great art collections of the world, built up over the centuries by the Cavendish family - including 4000 years of culture, paintings, furniture, Old Master drawings, neoclassical sculptures, books and other artefacts.
After an afternoon of exploring the house and gardens and, no doubt, picking up a few souvenirs in the gift shops, we have reserved the Burlington Room for a sit-down dinner in style. The food will be locally sourced and reared produce, cooked in house and served with wine from the Chatsworth cellars.
Castleton is a picturesque village, located on the border of the "Dark" (gritstone) and "Light" (limestone) areas of the Peak District. It is one of the most scenic locations in the UK - both above and below ground!
On this tour, you will take the coach through gorgeous scenery to spend the afternoon as you wish in and around Castleton.
For those who feel energetic, there will be a walk guided by our own Colin Angus to the top of Mam Tor for a closer view of the remains of the Iron Age Hill Fort and breathtaking views across whole of the High Peak. It looks challenging, but the Great Ridge Walk is a moderate walk for those of reasonable fitness. We will only need two or three hours, a decent coat and some stout footwear. It is guaranteed to blow the conference cobwebs from our minds.
For those who want a gentler afternoon in the Peak District, Castleton has plenty to keep you occupied.
Climb up the short but steep hill overlooking the village, to the ruins of Peveril Castle - one of the oldest castles in Britain, built by William the Conqueror's son in the 11th Century. From there you will get amazing views over Castleton and the Hope Valley, so don't forget your camera.
If the weather is bad or you could do without climbing hills, then why not head underground where, over the millennia, subterranean rivers and whirlpools have carved out amazing caves from the local limestone and created millions of magical stalactites and stalagmites. These caves are the only place in the world where the beautiful gemstone Blue John occurs, and the mining veins are still visible. Various caverns are open to the public, and offer walking or boat tours for all levels of access.
If you need souvenirs, spend some time browsing the jewellers in Castleton that specialise in Blue John jewellery and trinkets as well as the many quaint gift shops.
And then just relax and have a cream tea (which is food, not a drink!) or pub meal in one of the Derbyshire stone inns, for which the Peak District is famous.
If you don't have the time or inclination to travel too far, then there is a fascinating afternoon right here in Sheffield City Centre.
Formerly a busy industrial area of the city, Kelham island is now a popular urban space and home to five pubs (including the Kelham Island Tavern, twice National Pub of the Year).
Opened in 1982, Kelham Island Museum showcases Sheffield's proud industrial heritage. Here, vistors can learn about the Bessemer converter which made Sheffield famous as a steel city and view the historic River Don Engine, and the largest working steam engine in Europe, which needs to be heard to be believed.
