Went on the 2 day trip 13th and 14th August Anderton Boat Lift & Steam Railway. What I wanted to say, was that it was a great trip! Unfortunately the trip was filled with problems and disappointment. This was our first trip with Caledonian Travel and probably the last! First issues we was aware of the boat lift being broken, but we did not do the boat session until 3.30pm. This meant that the cafe and Museum would be closed when we got back. Considering how hot the weekend was 31 degrees we was shocked to be told this. Why was our session so late and the hottest part of the day? They did in the end keep it open so we could use the toilets(only one on the boat) and get refreshments. But we was made to feel bad making staff stay late when they just wanted to go home. Now let’s get to the boat tour/cruise they only had one large fan at the front in the middle. This meant only the front got the benefit. The commentary was very good, however for children or a school trip. As a teacher assistant I could see this working for children, but it was not aimed at adults. )comments from other people was it was being at school in a history lesson. I was on this trip with my daughter, but it was just too much being out in water in extreme heat, no shade and reflective glass. Now the hotel was a complete miss communication and not suitable! I was not told the hotel was the Princess hotel in Buxton. We received an email with a letter attached which said our hotel was to be changed to holiday inn express in Crewe! So we was shocked it had changed again with no communication. But this did not prepare us for the horror of the actual hotel. It was worn down dirty and tired looking. The lift hardly worked so with any heavy bags you had to carry up to the 3 floor. The staff looked tired and was hard to get their attention. The rooms was dirty, especially the bathroom(which I had to clean before we used it.) The furniture was old and tired and the beds was falling apart. I would not of stayed there another day there it was appalling. The dinner menu, there was no kids menu, and we was restricted to a set menu and made to sit in one area. The walls of the hotel had holes and paper falling off the ceiling. They played the piano until nearly 11pm and the door was not very secure and let a lot of light it. To say we both did not have a good night sleep is a understatement. Caledonian Travel should not use this hotel again and it is certainly not a 4 start hotel, my 10 year old said a 1 star, and I agree! Now we get to today, the steam train was a real disappointment. Firstly our coach did not have tickets booked (they was not expecting us.) There was another coach there which they was allowed to use the majority of the coaches. Us on the other had to squeeze on the back carriage as we was not on their booking. We should of had a great experience and had seats where we could spaced out on the train, not pushed together and be on a over crowded train.This was embarrassing for us never mind David our wonderful coach driver. I must say David made the trip bearable, he communicated and his driving skills are excellent. The next issue was there was not much to see, a lot of green fields and trees, houses, 2 stations. Most of us was expecting great sights which never came. Plus the journey was just about 4miles long, we ended up really hot cramped together wishing we could get off! The only part we did enjoy was being in the town of Bakewell. However that was not what we had booked this trip for! I have gone on various trips with National Holidays and never had an experience like this. Never again!!