Pubs & restaurants
Tea rooms & cafes
Beautiful walks
Historical buildings
Places to explore
Step out and explore
Close by is the picturesque town of Ashbourne with its independent shops and cafés. Beautiful Bakewell and Buxton are nearby too. Take a stroll on one of the many local routes, wandering through the glorious countryside, making sure to stop and take in those breathtaking views.
If you don’t fancy walking, the Peak District is perfect for a leisurely drive – feel free to ask us for routes or suggestions that will also take in a pub or café lunch. If you are feeling adventurous perhaps a spot of caving or rock-climbing could be right up your street? Craving the thrill of a roller coaster? Why not visit Alton Towers to get that adrenaline fix.
And for the history buffs among you, there is an array of stately homes in the area, of which Chatsworth House is a must see. In addition to the stunning architecture and magnificent gardens for all to enjoy, there’s a farmyard and playground for the little ones.
The possibilities are endless – the only thing left to do is work out how you will fit it all in.
Peak District
Chatsworth House And Gardens
Carsington Water
Ilam Park
Haddon Hall
Alton Towers
There’s something for everyone
Local places to eat & drink
Pubs/restaurants
Wildhive at Callow Hall for that special occasion only 10 minutes’ drive away. Callow Hall is a Victorian country house that has been given an exciting modern refurbishment and has a write up in the Michelin Guide Hotel Selection. For people who live in the area it has fast become the place to go. The secret is out though with glowing comments in the The Times. https://www.wildhive.uk
Duncombe Arms is our closet pub a 5-minute drive away (there are off road walking routes for the summer). The pub has award winning food and we have never been disappointed. If the souffle is available just go ahead and order it https://www.duncombearms.co.uk
Vault is a new modern restaurant in the centre of Ashbourne set up by an enterprising local after the success of the fabulous bar next door The Bank (go there for a pre-dinner cocktail). There are a number of pubs with a similar name that are more traditional pubs so check which one you are booking https://vaultashbourne.squarespace.com
The George at Alstonefield is in the Michelin 2022 guide and is a character pub turned restaurant in the heart of the Peak District in the village of Alstonefield. Lunch menu is small plate style and evenings are taster menus with more traditional Sunday lunch available.
The Okeover Arms is a traditional country pub a ten-minute drive away in the small village at Mapleton. Lots of walks in the vicinity. Indoor and outdoor seating available https://www.okeoverarms.co.uk
The Horseshoes at Long Lane is an award-winning gastropub serving delicious food and fine wine. They have regular tasting evenings and also have outside garden pods for up to eight people https://www.horseshoeslonglane.co.uk
The Royal Oak Hurdlow – if you are up in the peaks for the day you can always get a good wholesome meal here in a traditional pub with lots of choice https://www.peakpub.co.uk
The Yew Tree Ednaston has very good value Sunday lunches and they often can cater for large groups. The Yorkshire puds are rather fab. https://theyewtreeinnednaston.business.site
Cafes
Beaumonts café in Ashbourne is much larger than it looks from outside. Lovely filling menu and a great range of cakes served by a friendly team.
Jack Rabbits Ashbourne open 7 days a week also selling a great range of freshly prepared food.
Prestons Coffee Bar is a bit of a local’s secret. Not a place you would usually expect to find a fantastic coffee spot (it’s attached to a garage on the edge of town) its popularity is due to their delicious hand-crafted coffee, and later in the day – wine, cocktails and snacks. There’s also a large interiors shop where you can inspiration for you next interior design project.
So, if someone sneaks out for petrol and are gone for a while this may explain it.
Hassop Station Café up in the peaks is a large café, situated right next to a cycle hire place with easy access to one of the cycling trails.
Wetton Tea rooms – if you are up at Thor’s cave Wetton tea rooms is hidden behind the church and is only open fri-sun but has great value food and a very good range of cake.
Walks & Cycles
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Local attractions
Chatsworth House
There truly is something for everyone here. The farmyard and playground are perfect for children. The House is magnificent and has an art collection that balances new and modern art exquisitely. The gardens are great for young and old alike with lots of safe easy walking and a unique rock garden with hidden features and tunnels for those that would like a bit of exploring. A maze follows the rock garden – we missed it the first few times! There are also a number of shops, and restaurants. The famous farm shop is a few minutes’ drive away. Keep a look out for the deer herd as you enter the parkland.
Carsington Water
A reservoir near Ashbourne. Walks for all fitness levels and lots of accessible birdlife for the enthusiasts. Very safe for cycling with an 8-mile circular loop. Water sports also available. Two cafes available to keep energy up and crucially for the younger members a good playpark.
Ilam Hall
A national trust site that is currently used a youth hostel. Very scenic views with a café available and an excellent base for a number of iconic walks in the area.
Haddon Hall
A stately home with a very grand Tudor Hall and Elizabethan gardens. It has been the backdrop for Jane Eyre, Pride and Prejudice and Mary Queen of Scots. Combine with a trip to Bakewell for a pudding.
Ensana Buxton Crescent
A beautiful spa in the recently renovated Buxton Crescent Hotel with a range of thermal waters and comprehensive spa packages.
Alton Towers
A large theme park with entertainment for all ages for those who are fond of daredevil rides.
Shopping
There are lots of fabulous independent shops in the Peak District. Please take the chance to have a good look around in Ashbourne, Bakewell and Buxton. Here are some of our favourites especially for food…
Denstone Farm Shop
Situated about a ten-minute drive away this is a large independent farm shop that also has a great gift selection and a very good café.
Nigel’s the Butcher
Located in Ashbourne has an excellent locally sourced meat selections from BBQ to large beef joints for that special occasion. We have to put a word in for a favourite – minted lamb steaks available all year round.
Fresh Choice
Based in Ashbourne is a family run grocer that always has a great range of fruit, veg and some chilled goods. You will often manage to get locally grown specials here – the mixed mushroom trays are fantastic.
The Cheddar Gorge
This is, in our opinion, the best place to go for a huge range of cheese including local produce. They also have a great range of cakes, bread and in the back everything from muesli to marshmallows that you can get exactly how much you want from the dispensers to save waste.
House of Beer
Situated in Ashbourne has a huge range of local beers and lots of gin too. Well worth a trip for supplies.
Hulme’s Fishmonger
Also based in Ashbourne, has an excellent range of fish. Very popular with locals so get there early
The Olde Sweet Shoppe
This is highly recommended by Harry (aged 7) for any visit to Ashbourne. Pretty much every sweet you could ask for and a useful stopover for the reluctant shopper.
The Bookhound
A new independent children’s bookstore. A little shop with a large range. Again, gets on Harry’s recommended list for an Ashbourne trip.
The Village Stores Hartington
If you’re out and about in the Peak District and caught short on supplies for the day this shop in the centre of the village will see you through with tasty treats.
Ideal for kids
Chatsworth House
A must for all ages. The farmyard and playground are great for children so make sure you book them tickets. There are animals to see and feed and the playground is excellent. The extensive gardens are lovely to look around for the adults and kids can run all over. There are rocks to hide behind and a maze too. The house is also open and is a must see for everyone especially in the Christmas season. There are shops and places to eat on site.
Carsington Water
Something for everyone who likes outdoors. There is a good play park and safe areas to walk from a short potter around Stones Island to the full circular walk around Carsington which is nine miles. Everything is off road so also great for cycling and there are watersports.
Peak Wildlife Park
A small zoo that is lovely for young children. Easy to walk around and the feeding times for the various animals is displayed at the start. A lot of the enclosures are walk through – the lemurs are fun. There is a well run café and a play area and a shop where is hard to get through without a purchase…
Thornbridge Hall
Has a lovely grassy area for tots to run around with a paddling area and hook a duck, while adults take advanatge of the beautfiul garden and the café. Its very close to Monsal Head which has spectacular views.
Ilam Hall
Very picturesque for the adults with easy walking trails and a café and areas for kids to run round. The office often has a trail for the little ones to do. Combine with a trip to the Stepping Stones at Dovedale for beautiful views and a little adventure.
Alton Towers
A large theme park suitable for all ages and just 15 minutes drive away with over 40 rides and attractions. It has 10 roller coasters for the brave, a water park and a high ropes course.
Height of Abraham and Gullivers Kingdom
Take the Cable car up for views over the Matlock region and there are caves to explore at the top. Gullivers Kingdom is a theme park aimed at children aged 3-13.
Ashbourne Park
Has a good park with a small playground , a new Play Village for young children, Sticky Fingers does paint-a-pot and there is a swimming pool. If you are in Buxton there is a larger playpark there.
Various Trails
There are various trails on old railway lines across the area – great for cycling and walking. The closest one is Tissington trail and there is bike hire at Ashbourne. If you go to Tissington itself there is a fab café in the beautiful village.
The National Stone Centre
This was an unxpected hit with our niece and nephew aged 8 and 10. It doesnt look much from the car park however provided more entertainment than expected. There was a trail to walk round (ask in the shop about trail competition/ maps depending on season), stones to build with, a tiny play area while adults take advantage of the lovely café which no one seems to know is there. There is a tiny museum and all importent rocks to buy. Biazzre highlight was panning for gold. Had to extract an adult in the end!
