Indulge your tastebuds, on this foodie walking holiday in the National Forest. This 4-night self-guided walking holiday (with an option to extend to 6 nights) is designed for discerning adventurers who relish delicious, fresh food and gentle exploration. It's an opportunity to slow down and savour each step as you explore hidden gems away from the crowds.

From delicious picnics, featuring locally sourced produce, to alfresco fireside dinners amidst community orchards, each meal is a celebration of flavour. Sample some of the home-style Punjabi delights of Mamma Bains, mother to the culinary genius Sat Bains. Feast on a Sunday lunch, hailed as one of the best in the country by a national paper. For the ultimate culinary experience, take the opportunity to treat yourself to dinner at one of the 3 Michelin starred restaurants within half an hour's taxi ride, including the 2* Sat Bains and John's House, which is situated on the family farm.

"We wanted to create a walking holiday that not only showcases the stunning landscapes of the National Forest but also celebrates the incredible local food culture," says Sue Jerham, owner of National Forest E-bike Holidays. "Every meal is an experience, whether you're dining at a cozy pub or enjoying a fireside dinner in a community woodland."

In addition to gastronomic delights, "Hidden Derbyshire" offers something for every interest. Gardeners will love exploring the gardens at Calke Abbey and Melbourne Hall, while history buffs can discover ancient Anglo-Saxon crypts and mediaeval buildings along the way.

"Our walking holiday is a celebration of slow travel, where guests can immerse themselves in the tranquillity of the countryside and delight in the gastronomic delights of the region,” added Sue "We've curated an experience that offers the perfect blend of relaxation, exploration, and indulgence."

Enjoy the finest local produce on your walking holiday, from sweet strawberries to artisan chocolates, as you discover the charm of quaint villages, magnificent stately homes, varied countryside and welcoming, characterful accommodation along the way. Pick your own dessert, as you meander through the National Forest, with cherries, apples, pears, wild raspberries, and nuts all on the seasonal menu. Visit craft breweries nestled amidst breathtaking countryside views, where you can savour precision-brewed beer and wood-fired pizzas, while supporting sustainable practices with the lowest of food miles. And for those who prefer cocktails, indulge in a pre-dinner aperitif from a repertoire of over 100 cocktails at luxurious Breedon Hall.

Make your walking holiday even more special, with some optional foodie experiences, such as chocolate-making with a local chocolatier, just steps from your first night's accommodation or delving into the art of beekeeping with a local apiarist who boasts award-winning honey and slow food accolades.

From the vibrant hues of carpets of bluebells to the breathtaking tapestry of autumnal colours, the National Forest promises a feast for all your senses. Book your luxury self guided walking holiday today and let the feast begin!

A 6-night version of this walking tour is also available.

"We're committed to responsible tourism," adds Sue Jerham. "A percentage from every booking is donated to the National Forest to support its maintenance, ensuring this natural treasure remains for future generations to enjoy.

“We also offer a 5% discount for guests arriving by public transport, as part of our commitment to sustainable tourism.”

"Hidden Derbyshire" is perfect for couples, friends, and anyone seeking a gentle walking holiday with exceptional food and sights. Prices start from £580 per person based on 2 sharing on a B&B basis in an ensuite room, with the option to upgrade to the best room available.

For more information and to book your "Hidden Derbyshire" walking holiday, visit National Forest E-bike Holidays or contact Sue Jerham at 01530 417482 or 07970 907976, email: info@ebikeholiday.co.uk.

ITINERARY

Day 1: Arrive. Your hotel for the first two nights is a luxurious B&B, in a glorious old country house.

We will greet you at a time to suit you and ensure that you are happy with the route details. We will answer any questions you have about the route or other questions about your holiday. We will ensure that you have our emergency mobile contact details, should you need on-road assistance as part of your holiday. Delicious dinner options abound. For a truly indulgent treat, the fabulous 2 Michelin starred restaurant Sat Bains is only 20 minutes' drive away. Closer to home, the traditional village pub, a few steps from your accommodation, offers superb meals, featuring local produce. Alternatively, with notice, your host can create mouthwateringly delicious suppers, using the best of local produce. Choose your pre-dinner aperitif from Charles' book “Charlie and the Cocktail Factory”. His repertoire runs to over 100 cocktails.

Day 2: Discover Melbourne's Charms Begin your day with a delightful breakfast showcasing locally sourced produce and freshly laid eggs from the B&B's own hens. Fuel up for a scenic 6-mile circular walk through stunning countryside, leading you to the picturesque town of Melbourne, namesake for the city of Melbourne, Australia. Once known as the centre of the English market garden industry, Melbourne boasted over 150 market gardens within its parish. Travel agent Thomas Cook was initially employed by one of the market gardens. A handful still remain and the town still has a strong reputation for fabulous local produce, with several fabulous farm shops, a delicatessen and weekly market, as well as homemade preserves often available from several honesty boxes. Wander through the town's charming streets lined with independent shops and cafes tucked away in hidden courtyards. We recommend a stop at the cosy Tea at 3 cafe for a well-deserved coffee and homemade cake. Look out for the old almshouses, close to the village square. These were funded by Thomas Cook. Garden lovers will love exploring Melbourne Hall Gardens, once the residence of former Prime Minister Lord Melbourne, and marvel at its spectacular grounds laid out in 1704 by the Rt. Hon. Thomas Coke. Indulge in an informal early dinner at the Brewhouse nestled within the Hall's picturesque courtyard stables. Savour delicious sharing boards and pinsa while sampling home-style Punjabi delights from Mamma Bains, mother to culinary genius Sat Bains. Conclude your day with a leisurely walk back to Breedon, passing by the ancient Breedon Church renowned for its unique Anglo Saxon carvings dating back to the 8th to 10th centuries.

Day 3: Staunton Harold Hall and Calke Abbey A delightful 8-mile walk through serene countryside, woodlands, and a nature reserve brings you to Staunton Harold Hall. Explore the hall's charming courtyard filled with artisan craft workshops, as well as a lovely cafe and deli. Pick up a picnic to savour, whilst watching the hidden oak noon column shine a beam of light into its shadow at true noon, or sit under a tree by one of the lakes surrounding the hall. From here, your walk takes you through old National Trust woodland. The boxes you will see in the woodland are for the rare hazel dormice, which have recently been reintroduced into the woods. Conveniently, your route now brings you directly to the Milking Parlour craft brewery. Surrounded by fields, the brewery courtyard pub sits in the old milking parlour, on National Trust land. It is a popular place with cyclists and walkers. The brewer is German trained, so expect precision brewed beer, using traditional methods. The Milking Parlour also offers mouthwatering, wood fired pizzas. Lamb and beef for the pizzas come from the neighbouring farm, who use the waste hops as animal feed. End your day with a visit to National Trust owned Calke Abbey. Calke Abbey is described as the unstately home and is well worth a visit. The gardens and orchards are full of wonderful produce, much of which is available for sale from an honesty box in one of the potting sheds. In season, look out for mouthwatering figs, strawberries and even peaches from the glass houses – perfect picnic snacks for hungry explorers! From here, your walk takes you through the magnificent grounds of Calke, to the little village of Ticknall and the Staff of Life pub. This simple, comfortable pub is always a favourite with guests, who rave about the warm welcome and great traditional pub food. For an alternative dining experience, book a fireside dinner experience served in a nearby community woodland and featuring local vegetarian produce. It's the perfect opportunity to learn more about the creation of a thriving orchard and woodland part of the National Forest and the stories of the area.

Day 4: Ancient Repton Today's walk takes you through a local vineyard and pick your own farm. In early summer the sweet smell of strawberries will ensure you know that you are on the right path! Stop off to pick your own fresh dessert – they really are too delicious to walk past! You will see the vineyards on the gentle slopes surrounding the farm. Tonight's hotel is the luxurious Boot Inn, in Repton village. The village is home to the famous Repton School and is perfect for a late afternoon wander. Repton was the centre of the ancient kingdom of Mercia. We recommend a visit to the church in the centre of the village, where you will find an Anglo-Saxon crypt. It is one of the oldest and most important examples of Anglo-Saxon architecture to survive intact. Sir John Betjeman described it as "holy air encased in stone”. It was constructed in the first half of the 8th century and is built over a spring. It was converted into a mausoleum and was the final resting place of 3 Mercian Kings. The Boot at Repton is a firm favourite with guests. The restaurant was recently named by the Guardian as one of the best places in the country for Sunday Lunch. Expect fabulous food and beer, brewed to their recipe, as well as an excellent wine list. Coeliacs will be delighted by the thirst-quenching gluten free beer. The sunny courtyard is perfect for an early evening drink before enjoying a delicious dinner. Just what you need after a day's exploring!

Day 5: Riverside Walk to Breedon Your final day begins with a tranquil walk along the banks of the River Trent, past the ancient sandstone caves of Anchor Church. This was previously thought to have been formed into a folly and been the home of a hermit. Recent investigations by archaeologists now suggest that the cave house actually dates back 1200 years and may have been used by Eardwulf, a deposed Anglo Saxon king of Northumbria. The river inlet by the caves is a popular place for a wild swim on summer days. It's the perfect place to relax, whilst looking out for the flash of a kingfisher. Rejoining the woodland, in early summer you will find delicious cherries to pick, along the way, whilst autumn walkers can sample the delicious apples. Look out for the ancient Viking burial mounds, as you walk through Heath Wood. Enjoy a waterside walk on the edge of Melbourne, before heading across old parkland and back to your start point in Breedon.

~ENDS~

National Forest E-bike Holidays is an award winning, family business, based in the UK's National Forest. We initially established the business to offer gentle E-Bike holidays in the region. Following customer demand, we added walking holidays to our portfolio, a natural addition in a region with miles of beautiful easy walking countryside. We live locally and specialise in offering a bespoke personalised service to every guest. We meet every guest personally and move their luggage daily between hotels. We're experts in the local area and personalise holidays to suit individual guest requirements. And of course, we're on hand should a guest need a helping hand during their holiday.

We're proud to encourage responsible tourism and are the current holders of the Visit England Silver Award for ethical, responsible and sustainable tourism. We have also attained Green Tourism's Gold status.

Located in the National Forest – We are centrally located in the UK's National Forest. The region is easily reached by both train and car, saving guests' precious travel time and hassle. Much of the route follows the National Forest Way, one of the newest long distance paths in the UK. Covering 200 square miles, the National Forest is spread over the counties of Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Staffordshire. Much of the region had previously been scarred by coal mining and quarrying. The ambitious creation of the National Forest in the early 1990's has transformed the landscape, with the planting of over 9 million trees. Today there are more than 400 woodland areas to discover – both ancient and more recent plantings. Many miles of quiet tracks have been developed throughout the Forest, offering a peaceful landscape to explore and admire the regeneration. 

About the National Forest

The National Forest covers 200 square miles of the counties of Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Staffordshire. Its creation began in the early 1990s, a radical vision to bring the benefits of trees, woodland and multi-use forestry to lowland England, where thousands of people live and work.  

The Forest provides a national demonstration of the value of the natural environment to drive regeneration and showcase policy and practice, research and development in the heart of the country. 

It was the first broadleaf forest to be created at scale in England for 1,000 years and is now seen as one of the boldest environmentally led regeneration initiatives in the country. It has transformed a post-industrial Midlands landscape – scarred by coal mining and heavy industry - from black to green. 

Year by year, the National Forest has been steadily turning what was once one of the least wooded areas of England into a multi-purpose, sustainable forest. Nine million trees have been planted so far. Forest cover has increased from 6% to 22%, approaching double the national average for woodland cover. The aim is to reach around a third forest cover.   

Trees have been the catalyst for change and transformation. The National Forest is a positive response to the climate crisis and is putting in place the building blocks to deliver mitigation and adaptation to climate change. Through partnerships the NFC is working to create wildlife habitats, reduce flooding, improve air quality, store carbon and create space for outdoor education, supporting the health and wellbeing of communities and enabling Forest-related businesses to thrive.

The National Forest Company (charity no: 1166563) leads the creation of the National Forest, working in partnership with landowners, local authorities, businesses and its communities. It has strong support from government, politicians and the public, and continues to be supported by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.