The moment Richard Brackenbury first visited the Peak District as a child, marked the start of a lifelong love affair with the area. Here, Richard explains how he is sharing his unique insights and experiences from his hundreds of visits to the county
I can vividly remember my parents taking me to the Peak District at a very early age; they had been students in Sheffield after the war and loved the area, and were keen to introduce me to it, too. I was instantly captivated and that was the moment that sparked a lifelong attraction to the Peak District and Derbyshire. My first independent walking trip was as a 15-year-old, staying at Ravenstor Youth Hostel, but I’ve walked the area all of my life, and for the last ten years, visited every week.
‘Nothing beats the breathtaking scenery, the amazing walks, interesting places, buildings, villages and their pubs, packed full of culture, history, intrigue and atmosphere.
‘Whilst I live in Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and the Peak District have always had a pull for me. I must have visited the area hundreds of times, and I had a burning desire to find a way of sharing my knowledge and experiences, and some of the many secrets I had uncovered, with those who have a similar passion for walking and culture.
‘And so the idea of a business specialising in short break cultural and walking tours and holidays, including to the Peaks and Derbyshire, was born – but with a twist. The tour business I launched earlier this year – Brackenbury’s Britain – is focussed on creating bespoke personal and personalised walking and touring experiences. We do have a growing portfolio of standard walking tours and cultural breaks, but our team relishes the chance to create a bespoke tour that meets the cultural or destination cravings of people who, like me, have a passion for the great outdoors and all things cultural.
‘We know that for busy people, the opportunity to indulge a cultural or walking longing often occurs at short notice, and if someone is grabbing a weekend away at the last minute or travelling to the area on business, we like nothing more than being spontaneous and quickly organising a walking tour. My ambition for Brackenbury’s Britain is to create bespoke tours that match each individual’s particular interests, whether it be for culture, music, local history, historic buildings, churches, or simply beautiful destinations in the great outdoors across the county.
‘Whilst I am running the business in my spare time away from my job as a senior partner in a law firm, I have the support of an extensive team of hand-picked tour guides and advisers that includes architects, archaeologists, historians and musicians, all of whom I know and work closely with, and most of them are personal friends as well. All our tours are conducted by professionals who have the skills, knowledge and expertise to ensure a rewarding and enjoyable holiday or short break.
‘We are fully accredited by ABTOT – The Association of Bonded Travel Organisers Trust – and can organise every aspect of a tour, including accommodation in hotels that I know from personal experience offer a warmth of welcome and quality of experience.’
For more information visit www.brackenburysbritain.co.uk or call 0115 940 1338.
