CYCLING TOUR
Zig Zag Tours (late) Summer Camping Festival Sep 25 - 28 2025
After some fruitless Zigging and Zagging trying to book hotels, hostels and even Travel Lodges for our annual summer trip, we have instead decided to go with a Zig Zag mini ‘festival’ in a camping field near the historic village of Hartington in the heart of the Peak District.
We will be staying at Barracks Farm – check out the reviews on Google which are unanimously 5 stars, with previous guests raving about this hidden gem with clean facilities and stunning sunset views in peaceful location. If camping isn’t your thing, then Hartington – with plentiful B&B’s, hotels and a Youth Hostel (in a sublime 17th century manor house) is a 7 minute drive / 12 minute bike ride away. There are also great pubs and coffee shops to keep us going through the weekend.
We will be camping out for 3 nights, 25th – 28th September and it will be a combined cycling and walking trip.
The plan:
Thurs 25th: Cycle from Nottingham to Barracks Farm via Derby, with a guided tour of Derby City Centre led by a local historian / expert. We want to know more about Derby; its incredible contribution to science and industry C18/C19 and what can be done to save some of its most important historic buildings which are now crumbling (or being set on fire!). Its a long ride but you can meet us directly at the campsite in time for dinner if that's easier.
Fri 26th : A bike ride taking in some of the lesser trodden paths of the Peak District, closer to the Staffordshire border (locals keep telling us the hills close to Leek are like being in the foothills of the Alps but without tourists). This day is just about an adventure looking for Alpine trails of the East Mids.
Sat 25th : A bike ride / walk (weather depending) soaking up the glorious Peak District quieter trails. We will cover the Marquis of Hartington (later 8th Duke of Devonshire), who was Leader of the Opposition from 1875-1880 when Gladstone went off in a mardy for a few years - bit of a niche tour, but we will be eating, drinking and being merry in the town from which he (and every heir to the Devonshire Dukedom) took his name, so why not?
Sun 26th : A short walk in the morning for those who still have the energy and then home after lunch, or if you are cycling back to Nottingham or Cromford to get the train back, we will leave in the morning.
We are keeping things simple this year, so its pay for your own accommodation and food (there is no booking required for the campsite), but we just ask £45 for the price of the tours and we will provide some light camping refreshments too.
BOOKINGS & ENQUIRES
If you are interested in booking or have any questions, please get in touch via email at info@zigzag.tours.
To pay for the tours please use bank transfer.
Anthony Hopwood trading as Zigzag.tours
79229161
04-00-04