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Peak District Cottages - Things to Do

Here are some of the 'things to do' we have enjoyed during or time in the Derbyshire peak District. Most of these attractions, walks and houses are less than 30 minutes from our Peak District cottages, some are only a few minutes away.

Peak District Scenery

The Scenery from our peak district cottages is stunning. Here is a short video of some of the scenery you might see in spring/summer:

Peak district Walks

Of course there are 100's of walks in the Peak District National Park. We have only just begun to explore a fraction of these walks. The footpath between Over Haddon and Sheldon is our nearest walk (about 100yards from our peak district cottages). Lathkill Dale (one of the prettiest in the peak district) is only about 1 Mile away and can be clearly seen from the cottages. The Monsal, Tissington and High Peak 'Trails' (old railway lines converted to footpaths) are only a few minutes away. The spectacular Dovedale stepping stones are 10-15 minutes away. For the more hardy walker Kinder Scout can easily be reached within 20-30 mins.

Peak District Stately Homes

There are a number of large houses in the area and easy reach of our peak district cottages. The most famous and biggest is Chatsworth House which is only a few miles away (in fact we can see their Hunting Lodge from our back fields).; The next nearest house is Haddon Hall which is just a few miles outside Bakewell. The large national trust property of Hardwick Hall is just of the M1 at Chesterfield and is about 30 mins away

Dams and Reservoirs in the peak district

There are a number of dams and reservoirs in the area the best and most famous is Derwent Dam. This is part of the Ladybower Reservoir complex but is by far the most stunning dam. It is the Dam used by the 'Dambusters' to train on prior to their attack on the German dams. It was also used for filming the Dambuster film.

Other reservoirs include Carsington water which is just south of our peak district cottages down near Ashbourne.

Peak District Towns

Our nearest town is of course Bakewell. We are just 2 miles outside of Bakewell so do most of our day to day shopping there. With its 13 tea shops, boutique type shops and numerous out door shops it is an idea town to spend an afternoon.

Buxton is only 15-20 minutes away. This once thriving Spa town is undergoing a major revival and is well worth a visit.

Matlock is again only about 15-20 minutes away from our cottages. Although we don't visit Matlock as often as the other nearby towns there is a few interesting shops and a large Sainsbury.

Chesterfield, famous for its bent spire, is our nearest large town and where Shirley tends to go for 'big' shops. It takes about 20 Mins from our peak district cottages.

Leek is an old town that is famous for its antique shops and is about 30mins away

Ashbourne is a beautiful old town that has a number of Deli type shops and an old feel to the place. It is unfortunately spoilt by the main road running through it. Ashbourne is about 20-30 mins from our peak district cottages.

Peak District Museums

There are a number of fascinating museums within easy reach of our peak district cottages. The most notable being the Bakewell museum. However the small museum at Eyme, the mining museum at Matlock Bath and the main museum in Buxton are all fascinating and well worth a visit. In addition of course the Critch Tram Museum is only about 30 minutes away and well worth a days visit.