The taste of autumn across northern England
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As northern England settles into autumn, the Peak District and Yorkshire reveal a different side of Britain. Vineyards harvest their grapes, gastropubs become even more inviting with crackling fires and seasonal menus, while historic estates showcase local food traditions with a modern twist. From Derbyshire’s rolling dales to Yorkshire’s misty moorlands, food and landscape become intertwined on this foodie journey.
Peak District
Amber Valley Vineyards, Wessington
Set on the edge of the Peak District, around an hour’s drive from Sheffield, Amber Valley Vineyards is a family-run estate producing award-winning English wines alongside cider made from apples grown in its own orchard. Clients can join guided vineyard tours and tastings led by the owner (between May and early October), learning about the challenges of growing wine in Derbyshire. Private group tours for up to 35 people are available upon request.
Getting there: The nearest major international airport is Manchester Airport, approximately one hour by car (35 miles / 56 km) from the vineyard.
The Blind Bull, Little Hucklow, Buxton
The Blind Bull is a classic Peak District pub with plenty of character. Occupying the site of one of England’s oldest inns, this beautifully restored 12th-century coaching inn offers a fine dining experience in the picturesque village of Little Hucklow. Clients can enjoy hearty pub classics by the roaring fire in the relaxed downstairs dining room or enjoy more refined dining in the upstairs space with open-plan kitchen. Seasonal menus showcase ingredients sourced from local farms and suppliers, while the surrounding countryside provides easy access to the National Park’s scenic walking routes. Following an 18-month rebuild, accommodation is available in The Old Piggery, offering five boutique bedrooms, and The Barn, a self-catering cottage.
Getting there: The nearest major international airport is Manchester Airport, approximately 45 minutes by car (25 miles / 40 km) from Little Hucklow near Buxton.
The Ashford Arms, Ashford-in-the-Water
In the village of Ashford-in-the-Water near Bakewell, The Ashford Arms brings together boutique accommodation and a menu rooted in Peak District produce. This restored 17th-century coaching inn serves hearty seasonal dishes with a modern twist and a hint of global flair, all shaped by a sustainable field to fork ethos. Nine bedrooms offer your clients a convenient base to extend their stay and explore the village’s medieval bridges and historic cottages.
Getting there: The nearest major international airport is Manchester Airport, approximately one hour by car (35 miles / 56 km) from Ashford-in-the-Water.
The Duncombe Arms, Ellastone
Located in the village of Ellastone, on the southern edge of the Peak District, The Duncombe Arms specialises in refined British cooking rooted in seasonal local ingredients. Your clients can enjoy menus showcasing produce from nearby farms, including locally reared beef and lamb from the Staffordshire Moorlands, while autumn and winter bring dishes featuring local game. Crackling fires and a traditional village setting create an especially cosy atmosphere during the autumn months. Alongside its rustic-chic dining room, clients can stay in ten boutique bedrooms at Walnut House or choose self-catering in The Old Barn (sleeping five to six) and the cosy Garden Cottage.
Getting there: The nearest major international airport is Manchester Airport, around one hour and 15 minutes by car (55 to 60 miles / 90 to 95 km) depending on traffic.
Wildhive Callow Hall, Ashbourne
Set within 35 acres (14 hectares) of woodland, meadows and gardens near Ashbourne, Wildhive Callow Hall offers a contemporary take on the classic country-house stay. Guests can choose between 15 elegant rooms in the Victorian manor, one-bedroom woodland hives and two-bedroom treehouses. The Garden Room restaurant focuses on seasonal British produce, while walking and cycling routes begin on the doorstep. In the Coach House, clients will find a fully equipped gym fitted with Technogym machines, as well as a yoga studio and sauna. A diverse programme includes dining experiences, workshops and seasonal events.
Getting there: From Manchester Airport, Wildhive Callow Hall in Ashbourne is approximately one hour and 15 minutes by car (around 55 miles / 90 km).
Peak District Pub Tour, Bakewell
Discover the Peak District pint by pint with a guided pub tour through some of the region’s most scenic villages, including Bakewell, Baslow and Alstonefield. Travelling by minibus, groups (up to 36 people) visit hand-picked pubs with plenty of character. Your clients can choose from a range of tours, including the Southern Dales or Derwent Valley and Eastern Moors. They can expect roaring fires in winter, beer gardens during the summer months, and stories shared by their guide along the way no matter the season. Add meals or tailor the route to suit the group.
Getting there: The nearest major international airport Manchester Airport. From there, it’s a one and a half to two-hour drive to Bakewell. Alternatively, take a direct train from Manchester Airport to Sheffield and then continue by taxi from Sheffield to Bakewell (around 45 to 60 minutes).
Chatsworth House
As your clients walk through the grand gates of Chatsworth House, they will step onto the set of Pride and Prejudice, The Duchess, and even Peaky Blinders. This is also where generations of the Cavendish family have lived for more than 500 years. The art collection is world-class, with Rembrandt masterpieces and Joshua Reynolds portraits rubbing shoulders in gilded rooms. The 105-acre gardens are no less stunning – think cascading fountains, sculpture walks and a maze to get lost in. Dining at Chatsworth is part of the experience, with a choice of estate restaurants and cafés serving seasonal dishes made with produce from the Chatsworth Estate and its Farm Shop – from elegant sit-down meals to relaxed bites with garden views.
Getting there: The nearest major international airport is Manchester Airport, approximately one hour by car (40 miles / 64 km) from Chatsworth House.
Haddon Hall, Bakewell
Often described as one of England’s most complete medieval manor houses, Haddon Hall offers a striking backdrop for a food and heritage escape (open on selected dates between March and October). The estate’s gardens and historic interiors have appeared in numerous film and television productions including Mary Queen of Scots, The Other Boleyn Girl, and The Princess Bride. Dining at Haddon Hall centres on its estate restaurant, with menus focusing on simple, well-executed seasonal cooking inspired by Derbyshire produce. Clients can enjoy a relaxed lunch or traditional afternoon tea with river views in the restaurant housed in the refurbished 17th century stable block adjacent to the hall.
Getting there: The nearest major international airport is Manchester Airport, approximately one hour by car (35 miles / 56 km) from Haddon Hall near Bakewell.
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Information for the travel trade
Visit Peak District and Derbyshire:https://visitpeakdistrict.com/
Yorkshire
Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Garden, North Yorkshire
Discover the haunting beauty of Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Garden, a UNESCO World Heritage Site managed by the National Trust. The site combines the ruins of a 12th-century Cistercian monastery with the landscaped water gardens of Studley Royal. It has doubled for eerie fantasy worlds in The Witcher and apocalyptic London in 28 Days Later. Clients can explore the vast abbey church, cloisters and chapter house, then stroll past ornamental lakes, follies and cascades. For a deep-dive into the history of the site, clients can also book a guided tour.
Getting there: The nearest major international airport is Manchester Airport. From there, take a train to Leeds or Harrogate and continue by train or taxi via Ripon to Fountains Abbey, or opt for a direct taxi transfer of around one and a half to two hours.
Whitby Distillery, Whitby
Raise a glass to local flavours at Whitby Distillery. Producing award-winning gins inspired by local botanicals, the distillery is housed in a historic building overlooking the harbour. Guided one-hour tours explain the distillation process and the sourcing of ingredients such as heather, sugar kelp and moorland honey. Tastings are included, and the shop sells special editions, gift sets and merchandise.
Getting there: The nearest major international airport is Manchester Airport. From there, take a train to York or Middlesbrough and then continue by train to Whitby on the Esk Valley line. A direct taxi transfer takes around two and a half to three and a half hours depending on traffic.
Angel at Hetton, Yorkshire Dales
Holding a Michelin star and 5 AA Rosettes while retaining the relaxed character of a traditional village inn, The Angel at Hetton is another star in Yorkshire’s growing food scene. Chef-owner Michael Wignall creates menus shaped by ingredients sourced from local farmers, growers and producers. Clients can choose between a five and ten course tasting dinner complemented by carefully chosen wines from celebrated vineyards as well as bottles from around the world. 16 elegant guest rooms allow clients to extend the experience overnight.
Getting there: The nearest major international airport is Manchester Airport. From there, travel by train to Skipton or Leeds and continue by taxi through the Dales to Hetton. A direct taxi transfer from the airport takes around one and a half to two hours.
RHS Harlow Carr, Harrogate
Discover a piece of outdoor heaven at the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Harlow Carr comprising formal gardens, wildflower meadows and woodland walks. Themed borders highlight plants in every season, while the kitchen garden supplies produce to the on-site Harrogate Arms Café. Indulge in afternoon tea at Betty’s Cafe, which also serves a range of handmade cakes and breads. Follow garden trails and look out for seasonal events such as the annual Glow event (dates for 2026 to be announced soon) which turns the gardens into an illuminated wonderland. The plant centre offers species seen on the grounds, while the Plant Library and exhibitions can provide inspiration for your clients’ own gardens back home.
Getting there: The most convenient major international airport is Manchester Airport. From there, take a train to Leeds and then continue to Harrogate by train or taxi. A direct taxi transfer from the airport takes around one and a half to two hours.
Route YC
Hit the open road with Route YC, a self-drive coastal adventure linking Yorkshire’s hidden coves, fishing villages, and seaside towns, combining food, drink, culture and landscape. From Scarborough to Staithes, the route winds along stretches of the Yorkshire Heritage Coast, past nature reserves, clifftop trails and heritage landmarks such as Whitby Abbey, and seafood stops like The North Star in Flamborough. Clients can choose different routes including the Whitby Route, offering moorland scenery and marine history, or the Scarborough Route for thrill-seekers wanting to try watersports activities. An online planner helps with navigation, while themed itineraries like the coastal arts trail add to the wealth of things to do along the route.
Getting there: The nearest major international airport is Manchester Airport. From there, take a train to Leeds or York and continue by train and taxi to the coast (typically Whitby or Scarborough, depending on your clients’ Route YC base). A direct taxi transfer can take around two and a half to three hours.
North Yorkshire Moors Railway
Running between Pickering and Whitby, the North Yorkshire Moors Railway is a heritage line with numerous screen credits – including Harry Potter (Goathland starred as Hogsmeade), Downton Abbey, Mission: Impossible, and Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny. Clients can ride restored steam and heritage diesel trains through heather moorland, autumn forests and valleys. Special food and drinks events include Pullman dining trains,Whiskey Tastings and Autumn Murder Mystery dinners. Tickets can be bought for a single trip or hop-on-hop-off travel (Day Rover) along the route.
Getting there: The nearest international airport for reaching Pickering is Manchester Airport. From there, visitors can take a train to York and continue by rail to Malton before a short 25-minute taxi ride to Pickering, or opt for a direct transfer from the airport, which takes around two and a half hours.
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To weave this into an itinerary, the most convenient gateway is Manchester Airport for the Peak District and Yorkshire. From Manchester, the southern Peak District can be reached in 30 to 60 minutes (15 to 40 miles / 24 to 64 km). Continuing north into Yorkshire takes approximately one and a half to two and a half hours (70 to 120 miles / 110 to 190 km) depending on the destination.
Welcome to Yorkshire: https://www.yorkshire.com/
