Welcome to the Gilbert & Sullivan Festival 2025 at the exquisite Buxton Opera House. We have top-priced seats in the Dress Circle to see the National Company’s performance of Iolanthe! We also explore the Peak District National Park and travel by heritage train through Staffordshire’s hidden valley.
Day 1 We travel north toward Derby, making suitable refreshment stops along the way. We arrive at our hotel late afternoon.
Day 2 Our visit today is Chatsworth House, located in the heart of the Peak District and home of the Duke & Duchess of Devonshire. You can admire the splendour of the house and its wonderful works of art and explore over 105 acres of garden discovering water features, giant sculptures and beautiful flowers.
Day 3 This morning we begin with a visit to the award-winning Trentham Gardens, featuring the Italian Garden by Tom Stuart-Smith, and the Floral Labyrinth and Rivers of Grass by Piet Oudolf and vast wildflower and woodland meadow. This afternoon we have a journey on the Churnet Valley Railway, joining the train at Froghall and enjoying a round trip on the line through Staffordshire’s hidden valley.
Day 4 We travel to the elegant spa town of Buxton, where you have time to stroll among the Georgian and Victorian buildings or the Pavilion Gardens and get some lunch. Then we take our seats in the Dress Circle in Buxton Opera House for the National Gilbert & Sullivan Opera Company’s matinee performance of Iolanthe.
Day 5 Leaving our hotel after breakfast, we travel southwards, with suitable refreshment stops, arriving in the local area early evening.
Our modern four-star hotel is located in Mickleover, near Derby. The hotel has two bars, and leisure facilities including indoor swimming pool, steam room, sauna and gym. Bedrooms have TV, telephone, WiFi, ironing facilities, hairdryer and hospitality tray. The hotel has a lift.
