Chatsworth Heights

On this page you can choose the adventure road trip best suited to what you like to do and where you’d like to go.
Soon we’ll be handing you the keys with the map and a hamper of your choice and you’ll be on your way

This trip begins at the gateway to the Staffordshire Moorlands with a short tootle through the heart of The Potteries alongside the River Trent before crossing the Trent & Mersey Canal and heading off towards the historic market town of Leek.

From here you are out on the open country roads climbing steeply up to meet Blackshaw Moors as the drive really starts to stun on the approach to The Winking Man which will appear on the left, be sure not to miss this unique natural wonder.

Immediately after the Winking Man Pub you will turn right and pass through the sleepy village of Longnor. The twists and turns of Crowdecote really bring the best out of the mini as the drive just continues to get better and better.

The next en route treat has to be Tagg Lane Ice Cream Parlour offering the very best Jersey Gelato, waffles and milkshakes before the final push onto Chatsworth House.

Here at Chatsworth House you can relax upon a sprawling 105 acre site this magnificent Stately Home offers a rich tapestry of history, artefacts and architecture to take in. The gardens which are the result of 500 years of ‘careful cultivation’ really are a sight to behold.

It is the perfect setting to throw out that blanket onto the grass and tuck into the romance of a well packed picnic fresh from the basket.
(If you would like, feel free to add one of our popular travel hampers to this booking)

After such an action packed day it;s time to follow the map home or you can choose to retire to one of our recommended hotels for the night.
En route back we head to Matlock to experience the popular Heights of Abraham attraction. From Cable Cars to underground caverns, Victoria Prospect Tower, Tinkers Shaft and stunning view points.

There really is so much to do here and in Matlock itself, famous for its motorcycle meets and heritage.
With a second adventure filled day behind you its time to jump back into the Mini and wind your way back through the hills with miles of smiles to Trentham Shopping Village where you can relax in one of the many cafes and restaurants while pondering your next Retro Mini Hire road trip.

On this road trip, you can expect to travel on

– Country roads
– ‘A’ roads
– Village driving

Leek – Longnor – Monyash – Bakewell – Chatsworth – Matlock – Cromford – Worksworth – Ashbourne – & many more

Let us prepare one of our carefully created hampers for your journey.

– Retro Hamper
– Cream Tea Hamper
– Vegan Hamper
– Luxury Artisan Hamper

 
 
 
  Excellent  
    
 Based on 34 reviews 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
2024-04-19
 
 
  
Amazing day driving all over the Peak District
Had our picnic which she provided by the river in Bakewell
Clotted cream to jam radio 10:1
Amazing!!?!!
Nothing was too much trouble for them
Thanks for an awesome
Road trip
  
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
2024-04-09
 
 
  
We hired the mini out for 3 days and what can I say except what a beautiful car, me and the mrs both fell in love with it. The car was perfect for our wedding. She is well maintained and looked after by the owners, who are also some of the most nicest people you will ever meet, you can tell it’s not just a car to them, but their pride and joy.  I really recommend to anyone  who is thinking of hiring the mini, you will not be disappointed( only when you give it back and wishing you kept her longer)
  
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
2023-11-27
 
 
  
Where to even start! We had the best time in Matilda in our road trip! We couldn’t have asked for better! Bex and Allan were so amazing right from the get go. From explaining everything about Matilda, showing us exactly how to drive her and what was what, right down to going through the whole route with us before we set off. They also sent us recommendations on places to visit and food etc, we really couldn’t have asked for more. This trip was a surprise birthday present for my husband and Bex helped to organise it all with me and he absolutely loved it. Not to mention how amazing the Christmas Hamper was aswell! We travelled up from south wales to experience the Derbyshire Dales in Matilda and it’s honestly the only way to do it! I’d highly recommend Retro Mini Hire, we had the best weekend! Couldn’t fault a thing!
  
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
2023-10-24
 
 
  
This was amazing! Bex was lovely, she made every effort to make sure we felt special and enjoyed the day, including a vegan picnic. Matilda is stunning and wonderful to drive. This was a birthday present and I couldn't recommend it enough. Thank you for such a wonderful day.
  
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
2023-10-21
 
 
  
Thank you so much Bex.
Matilda was the real star of our son and daughter-in-law’s wedding.
We followed them on the drive to the reception and it was great to see so many people waving and smiling at them. It truly made their day.
  
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
2023-08-10
 
 
  
Fantastic! Booked a one day road trip for husband’s 40th. Wonderful day and Bex went above and beyond to make it special, even letting us change dates at the last minute due to an injury. Genuine 5 star service, thanks!
  
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
2023-07-23
 
 
  
Many thanks for the use of your mini for our wedding day, I honestly didn’t expect the response it got from everyone and all the looks it got on the journey to the hotel!

Everyone loves the car and thinks it’s amazing, it’s a real credit to you and also it drives and sounds absolutely amazing!

All the younger kids that was at the wedding didn’t believe it was a real car, they all thought it was a toy car with it been so small compared to modern cars! They was all pretending to drive it and beeping the horn, thinking they was driving down to the Mac Donald’s drive through for a happy meal 😂

Everything from booking the car to the car been delivered was absolutely seamless and perfect, I cannot recommend Bex and the car enough for any occasion!

Thank you once again from the now Mr and Mrs Bonney 😊
  
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
2023-07-04
 
 
  
Nothing other than 5 stars! All of the reviews say similar things and I couldn't agree more. This isn't like booking something through an impersonal corporate gift buying site where you get a gift voucher to print off. The attention to detail from Bex is so refreshing to see, from the initial enquiry to collecting the car, the whole experience was first class!

The Mini itself is very well maintained and drives great. We covered just under 100 miles in the Peak District and didn't want to give it back.

A great gift, we would highly recommend this company and the experience of retro mini hire.

Look no further! Keep up the great work Bex, your energy you put in to your business makes all the difference and is clear to see.
  
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
2023-07-04
 
 
  
We booked the weekend Mini hire with Retro Mini Hire and what an absolute amazing experience from start to finish.

We had the most amazing, relaxed weekend driving around the Peak District. Stopping where we wanted to and taking in the sights.

Communication was great from beginning, at the time of booking, to the moment we returned the car.

Such friendly service.

The picnic hamper and retro mini playlist were also an added bonus too!
  
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
2023-06-28
 
 
  
What can I say. From the moment I booked this trip I have been impressed with the hard work done by Bex & Alan today bring the experience to us. We chose a trip in the peak District, unfortunately the weather wasn't our friend but that took nothing away from the day. Matilda is a great car, I struggled to get used to Her (my fault not the car!). It's a Mini Cooper of course & I'm no giant not am I mini. Matilda is well kept & a real pleasure to be trusted with somthing special to Bex & Alan. We loved the chance to see places we've never been & recommend the John Mellor museum en route, the retro sweet hamper went down well too. Anyway suffice to say I would jump at the chance to do it  again, just less pies in the weeks before the trip. Keep up the great work guys, hopefully see you in November, but We'll see your socials regularly. Ta Ta for now.