Your Sunday Escape to the Peak District
Sundays · 12–15 guests · £89, or £69 for members
Book my placeThe Sunday you didn't have to organise
A countryside walk, a long lunch and new people to share it with.
Fancy a day out, but less keen on planning the route, booking the pub and finding someone who's free?
We’ve planned the walk, built in time to explore Castleton and booked the table for Sunday lunch. Your host brings everyone together, so all you need to do is show up and enjoy the day.
People have signed up to PLY
Bringing people together in small groups across the UK
A small group at a similar life stage to you
A country walk at a talking pace
Walk from Hope station through the fields to Castleton, then on past Peak Cavern and up through Cave Dale, coming back down to Hope beneath Lose Hill.
About 6 miles in all, on field paths, tracks and quiet lanes, with one rocky climb up Cave Dale. Most of the walking comes before lunch, with a short stroll back to the station afterwards.
Bring walking boots or sturdy trainers and a waterproof. If the weather turns, we can head to lunch earlier.
Coffee and a wander in Castleton
Narrow lanes, old stone cottages, the stream, and little shops selling Blue John, the purple-banded stone found only in the hills around here.
Look up and Peveril Castle watches from the hill. Look the other way and Mam Tor fills the end of the valley.
We stop for coffee at Three Roofs Café. Just order at the counter, as it isn’t part of your ticket.
A proper Sunday lunch, with good company
After a morning outdoors, settle into the Old Hall Hotel in Hope for a proper Sunday lunch.
Two courses. One table. Plenty to talk about.
Choose two courses from the Sunday menu on the day. A £30 credit for Lunch is included in your booking.
Tell us about any allergies or dietary requirements when you book, and we'll pass them to the kitchen in advance.
Drinks are extra and paid for individually on the day.
How the day runs
- Meet your host
Meet your PLY host and the group at Hope station. You'll already have said hello in the group chat, so there'll be a few familiar names from the start.
- The walk
Head out together for a relaxed walk through the Hope Valley towards Castleton, with time to chat and take in the views along the way.
- Lunch
Round things off with a leisurely lunch at the Old Hall Hotel in Hope, where the conversation can carry on over good food.
- Heading home
After lunch, take a short stroll back to Hope station and say goodbye before heading home.
Your booking will include the meeting time and travel details.
Come on your own. Feel part of the group.
Join 12–15 people aged 45 and over who want a day out and the chance to meet someone new.
Most guests come on their own.
Your PLY host makes the introductions, helps conversations along and keeps the group together on the walk and at lunch.
The group chat opens a week beforehand, giving you a chance to put names to faces before you meet.
It's the care and hosting of a PLY Weekend Away, packed into one Sunday.
Give new connections somewhere to go
A good day out is lovely. Having people to make plans with afterwards is even better.
Keep the conversation going
The group chat stays open, so you can share photos, swap stories and stay in touch.
Meet again over brunch
A reunion brunch within a month gives you another chance to get together.
Find your people again
You'll find your group in Your People on PLY, with first pick of the next Country Escape.
Easy by train from across the North and the Midlands
Your day starts at Hope station, on the Hope Valley line. You can reach it by direct train from Manchester, Stockport or Sheffield, or with one change from Leeds, Nottingham, Derby or Stoke-on-Trent.
Take a direct train from Manchester Piccadilly, calling at Stockport. From Stoke-on-Trent, change at Stockport. We'll send recommended services and meeting details before your day.
Take a direct train from Sheffield, or travel from Leeds with a change at Sheffield. We'll send recommended services so you can plan your journey.
Travel by train to Hope, changing at Sheffield. We'll send recommended services and meeting details before your day.
Use the pay-and-display village car park on Castleton Road in Hope, then walk to the station to meet the group.
Travel and parking are paid for separately. Once your place is confirmed, we'll send the recommended trains, meeting instructions and car park details.
Sundays. 12–15 places. The perfect day out.
For members, everything below included. £89 with a Guest Pass
A small group, all aged 45 and over.
What the day covers
- A small hosted group of 12–15, all aged 45 and over
- Your PLY host, from first hello to last goodbye
- The countryside walk, planned and checked beforehand
- Two courses of Sunday lunch at the Old Hall Hotel, with the lunch credit
- The group chat the week before
- Your full itinerary and travel details in writing
- A shared photo album of the day
What to arrange yourself
- Travel to Hope and any parking
- Drinks, your coffee in Castleton and anything over the lunch credit
- Walking boots or sturdy trainers
- A waterproof and clothing suitable for the weather
Questions, answered
It's natural to feel a little nervous. Most guests come on their own, and your host will welcome you and make the introductions. Walking side by side gives you an easy way to start chatting, without the pressure of walking into a room full of strangers.
You'll need to be comfortable walking about 6 miles on countryside paths, including gravel, grassy ground, quiet lanes and one rocky climb up Cave Dale. We take a relaxed pace, with breaks along the way. Walking boots or sturdy trainers are recommended.
Cave visits aren't included. This day is built around the countryside walk, time in Castleton and Sunday lunch.
Train fares vary by date, route and how far ahead you book. Your rail ticket is separate from the day's price. We'll send recommended services before you travel so you know which trains to look for.
Yes. Park in Hope and meet us at the station. We'll send the meeting time and car park details before your day. We finish back at the station, so you can walk back to your car afterwards.
Lunch includes two courses from the restaurant's Sunday menu, chosen on the day. Share any allergies or dietary requirements when you book so we can discuss them with the kitchen in advance. Drinks are extra.
No, anyone can book. It's £69 for PLY members, or £89 with a Guest Pass. Both include the hosted day and two-course Sunday lunch.
Yes, provided you're both aged 45 and over. Book two places and let us know you're coming together so we can keep you in the same group. You're equally welcome to come on your own.
Let us know as soon as you can. We'll do everything we can to refill your place. If we can, we'll refund your payment less a £15 administration fee. If anything changes on our side, we'll refund you in full.
You'll receive a booking confirmation, followed by a request for your dietary requirements and a mobile number for the day. We'll send your itinerary and travel details a fortnight before, and open the group chat a week before.
"This is the Sunday I keep wishing somebody would organise for me. A beautiful walk, a lovely lunch, and a group of people worth spending the afternoon with."
Karen
Founder, PLY