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Although only three nights in an upmarket hotel in the lovely village of Ashford-on-the-Water we really packed in an enormous amount over the four full days. For me after dinner on the first evening when we ventured out again looking for Nightjar, Woodcock & Snipe was the most special. Although we heard all three in a short space of time, we also saw Woodcock circling in great arcs with Nightjar also taking flight. On the drive back a Barn Owl on a post seemed unphased by the head lights, after a while hovering just above and back from the post a bit, really incredible to see how fast the wings move, then after diving down to collect it's dinner flew off across the road in front of us. Amazing to have such a prolonged view of this bird and so close. Lots of other highlights too many to mention, Wood Warblers, Redstarts, Pied Flycatchers, etc. Naturetrek is a reliable and professional wildlife adventure specialist company. I have always found them to be well organised, informative, relaxed and friendly. They pay a lot of attention to detail yet are able to view the whole picture so that the tour package runs smoothly. Pre-departure information is excellent with guides being extremely knowledgeable and willing to share their knowledge freely.
J.B. Midlothian, May 24
Tour Itinerary and Reports
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The Peak District in Spring
Tour Code: GBR67A 4-day exploration of the stunning Peak District National Park, focusing on the best of England’s upland wildlife in spring.
£950 (land only)
Highlights
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Summary
Britain’s oldest national park, the Peak District, is home to some of England’s most stunning scenery and iconic upland wildlife. Its varied landscapes and habitats support a rich diversity of species, many of which have become rare, or even disappeared, in much of the rest of the country. On this tour, we’ll search the wooded valleys, thriving wetlands and open moorlands of the Peak District for their fascinating birds, including a number of special spring migrants, as well as plenty of other wildlife. During the tour we’ll be based in the lovely village of Hathersage, in the beautiful and historic Derwent Valley.
- View stunning landscapes and classic upland wildlife.
- Look for Ring Ouzel, Pied Flycatcher, Redstart, Tree Pipit, Whinchat & other summer visitors.
- Bittern, Avocet & other wetland birds in the Dearne Valley.
- Red Grouse, Dunlin & Golden Plover on the moors.
- Mammals could include Red Deer and Mountain Hare.
- Learn about the area’s fascinating history, including links to the Dambusters’ raid.
- Led by expert local naturalist Matthew Capper.
Grading
Grade B. The distances covered are up to around 3km at a time, and approximately 8 kilometres maximum each day, all taken at a steady pace. Please note however, that the terrain on the moorland walks is particularly rocky and uneven and is therefore only suitable for confident walkers.
The Peak District is one of England’s most scenic and wildlife-rich regions, as well as being the UK’s oldest national park. Its rolling hills, wetlands and wooded valleys are home to a fascinating variety of birds, mammals and other natural history and on this exciting new short break we will explore these iconic upland landscapes in depth.
Our tour will begin in the pretty village of Hathersage – in the valley of the River Derwent – where we will stay for three nights in the comfortable George Hotel. After an introductory talk and an early dinner, we will set out in search of Nightjar, and, with luck, perhaps Long-eared Owl. The following day we will visit the National Trust’s Longshaw Estate, where Pied and Spotted Flycatchers, Redstarts, Tree Pipits and a host of other summer migrants will be proclaiming their territories in the oak woodlands. In the afternoon we will move to the spectacular Upper Derwent Valley, where we will look for such birds as Siskin, Dipper and Common Crossbill. While here, we will also learn about the area’s human history and links to the famous wartime Dambusters’ raid. Early the next morning, we will offer an optional dawn chorus walk, during which we will hope to find Ring Ouzel, Whinchat and Pied Flycatcher. We will then spend the rest of the day at a series of RSPB reserves in the Dearne Valley, where Bittern, Avocet and a variety of waders and wildfowl breed. Once part of one of Europe’s most polluted industrial wastelands, we will hear the remarkable story of how these reserves were transformed into nationally important habitats for wildlife.
Our final day will be dedicated to the Peak District’s picturesque moors, and the classic upland species that they support, amongst them Northern Wheatear, Whinchat, Ring Ouzel and Red Grouse, alongside such breeding waders as Dunlin and Golden Plover. We will also hope to see Merlin, whilst mammals could include Red Deer or some of England’s only Mountain Hares. The tour will be led by local naturalist Matthew Capper, who spent eight years with the Peak District Ranger Service and 10 years as RSPB site manager for the Dearne Valley. His superb local expertise will ensure an unforgettable experience and a highly enjoyable tour.
Outline Itinerary
What's Included?
- Accommodation:
We stay at the George Hotel, Hathersage, where all rooms are en-suite.
- Food:
Breakfast and dinner are included in the tour cost; lunches are not. We will have breakfast at our hotel each morning, and dinner will either be back at the hotel or at a local pub in Hathersage. We will stop at a local tea room or pub most days for lunch, though there should also be the opportunity for anyone that wishes to stop at a shop to pick up a sandwich if preferred.
Reviews
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Matthew's knowledge of where to find Ring Ouzels, as well as the Dambusters raid, and of general environmental issues (particularly regarding the moorlands), made the trip for me. The visits to the Derwent Moors and the Dearne Valley were also highlights.
A.P. Twickenham, May 23
Dates & Prices
2025
Tour Leader: Matthew Capper
Matthew was born in Stamford and grew up with Rutland Water on his doorstep, where he volunteered during his teenage years and developed his lifelong interest in birds and other wildlife. After a Geography degree at Sheffield University, he settled in the Peak District and was soon involved in bird of prey protection, the National Park Ranger Service and the local birding scene. Matthew began working for the RSPB in 2006 and managed projects across the north of England, spent time as an Area Conservation Manager and 10 years as Senior Site Manager at RSPB Old Moor in Yorkshire. Passionate about connecting people with nature, he has led walks, activities and delivered talks for many different organisations. Having previously served on the board of trustees, Matthew became the Head of Public Engagement and Communications for the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust in 2019.
2026
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Among our programme is a significant range of short breaks, designed specially for those wishing to enjoy some of Europe’s top natural history highlights at the best time of year. All of these holidays have the bonus of being short-haul and supported by like-minded wildlife enthusiasts.
Naturetrek Short Break Wildlife Tours
Short breaks are becoming increasingly popular and in response to the high demand for this type of holiday we are continuing to increase our programme both within the UK and abroad. Most of our short breaks are within Europe, for convenience of travel.
For some of our mini-breaks there is an option to travel by plane or train, and we offer a choice of duration and type of break, from a weekend’s birdwatching in the Somerset Levels to a 6-day whale watching tour in the Azores.
A selection of our UK short breaks:
- A winter bird watching break in Norfolk
- An autumn holiday to enjoy the Red Deer rut in Ardnamurchan, Scotland
- A wildlife weekend in the New Forest
A selection of our overseas short breaks:
- In Spain we look for the world’s rarest cat, the Iberian Lynx
- Wolves on the plains in rural northern Spain
- An exploration of La Brenne’s exceptionally rich butterfly-life in northern France
Our specialist recommends...
"We offer two superb short breaks to the lovely island of Madeira in search of whales, dolphins and seabirds. It’s hard to beat our Just Brown Bears trip for families, while if you fancy something off the beaten track, try Estonia in Early Spring for some excellent spring birdwatching."
Paul Stanbury - Operations Manager
Birding Tours Led by Expert Naturalists
The majority of our wildlife tours focus primarily on birds, allowing us to offer a huge choice of bird holidays. On most of our birdwatching tours we aim to see a wide variety of species, while taking time to enjoy other wildlife as well as cultural highlights and architecture.
Naturetrek Birdwatching Tours
We have one of the largest selections of professionally organised, small group birdwatching holidays around the world and all of our birdwatching tours are accompanied by at least one professional ornithologist leader with detailed knowledge of the area.
The majority of our bird tours have a relaxed, flexible approach which allows more time for photography, detailed wildlife exploration, leisure time and the region’s people, culture, history and architecture, while allowing the group to see a wide range of bird species.
Here is a small selection of our many bird holidays:
- Southern Morocco – an exploration of the birdlife in Morocco’s southern deserts, oases and mountains
- The Camargue in Spring – a short break to enjoy the spring birds of the Rhône Delta and Camargue wetland
- Wallcreepers & Cranes in Northern Spain – a 2-centre holiday focusing on Lammergeier, Wallcreepers, raptors, Cranes, bustards, sandgrouse and more!
- Madeira & Desertas Islands – A Seabird Extravaganza! – a short break focusing on special breeding seabirds, including a night on the remote Destertas Islands
- Peru – Macaws & Machu Picchu – searches for boobies, macaws and Inca Terns
- Spain & Morocco: Birding on Two Continents! – watch the spectacular spring bird migration from both sides of the Straits of Gibraltar
Our Bargain Birdwatching Selection
Our Bargain Bird Tours are intensive birdwatching holidays suitable for the serious birder. They are led by expert English-speaking local guides (and not accompanied from the UK by a tour leader). You can expect a higher-paced tour and to spend long hours in the field.
Our specialist recommends...
Byron Palacios - Tour Leader
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Flight-free Wildlife Holidays
At Naturetrek we make full use of the Eurostar rail service through the channel tunnel, and of the ferry routes between England’s south coast and France and Spain, to offer a range of ‘flightless’ wildlife holidays in Belgium, Holland, France and Spain. In addition, we also offer the widest selection of wildlife holidays within the UK, none of which require a flight to participate in. Therefore, if you prefer not to fly, for whatever reason, we have a range of varied and exciting wildlife holidays for you to choose from, and we are committed to regularly adding more.
It is also the case that many of our other holidays within Europe are also accessible by rail. Generally, where there’s a will, there’s a way, and we’d be pleased to offer advice to anybody who wishes to join any of our tours within Europe by a means other than flying!
Our specialist recommends...
Kerrie Porteous - Operations Manager
Prefer to Travel in a Private Group?
For any interested natural history club or society, we can arrange for a private departure of this tour.
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Why Naturetrek?
At Naturetrek we craft expertly-guided group and tailor-made wildlife holidays and cruises to all seven continents. On one of our holidays, you can be assured that our passionate team will enable you to experience and enjoy the best of the world's wildlife and natural spectacles in as comfortable and rewarding a manner as possible, caring as best we can for the environment in the process. We are proud to provide:
- The widest choice of wildlife holidays worldwide
- Tours managed and led by naturalists, for naturalists
- Outstanding value and exceptional customer service
Furthermore, as a Naturetrek client, our office team are always to on hand to help you – so if you have any queries about your holiday, whether before or after you have booked, we will be delighted to answer them on the phone. Please just give our team a call!
