Derby Cottage

Such a lovely cottage in an idyllic setting. So much to do and many places to eat. Icing on the cake, it is doggy friendly a must for us! Thank you we have had a great stay!

Moor Cottage

Relaxing week in a cosy cottage. Ideal location to see the beautiful countryside of the peaks

The Peaks have so many wonderful places to visit that we can’t exactly fit them all into one list. However, for your convenience, we’ve compiled the 10 best places to visit in the Peak District that are within a 30 minute drive of our luxury holiday cottages. That way, you can make the most of your trip without burning through all your petrol! Aren’t we thoughtful?

The Pavilion Gardens

This lovely little venue is a sight for sore eyes… or any eyes, really. The grounds are beautifully kept and host a wide range of flora, trees and plants, as well as stunning natural water features. There is even a cute little train that slowly makes its way around the gardens.

A perfect day out for couples or families with young children, the Buxton Pavilion Gardens are a definite must-see. Be sure to check out the gift shop before you leave to get a souvenir of your visit.

• Drive time from Endmoor Farm: 13 minutes
• Drive time from Farditch Farm: 10 minutes

Haddon Hall

Haddon Hall in Bakewell is a wonderful example of a Tudor period stately home. The house has been kept in excellent condition thanks to generous donations and it has been open to the public for hundreds of years. Fun fact: The stunning grounds have starred in at least 3 renditions of Jane Eyre in TV and film over the years and it is also an exceedingly popular wedding venue due to its good looks.

Book one of their garden or house tours to see this gorgeous manor home for yourself. You definitely won’t regret it.

• Drive from Endmoor Farm: 24 minutes
• Drive from Farditch Farm: 25 minutes

Poole’s Cavern & Buxton Country Park

Poole’s Cavern and Country Park in Buxton is a great place to visit for the adventurers amongst you. The Cavern is an ancient, limestone cave that offers visitors the chance to explore a huge underground realm. With the walls and ceilings lined with crystal stalactites, the caves also make for great photo opportunities, and there are many interactive exhibits along the way for kids to enjoy.

Once you’re done exploring, you can go above ground and

enjoy the lovely country park area. There is a small café and picnic spot for you go have a nice lunch and see the large woodland sculptures that are dotted around.

• Drive from Endmoor Farm: 12 minutes
• Drive from Farditch Farm: 9 minutes

Chatsworth House

Chatsworth House is a regal manor that is home to the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire. It is famous for both its exquisite art and its gardens. Inside, there are over 30 rooms to explore and admire, plus tours are available where you can learn about the history and heritage of this beautiful stately home.

Stepping outside, you will be met by the 105-acre garden grounds of the Chatsworth estate. Here, you can enjoy the Victorian rock garden, the maze, an abundance of calming water features and masterful sculptures, the farmyard, and many more hidden surprises.

• Drive from Endmoor Farm: 23 minutes
• Drive from Farditch Farm: 23 minutes

Buxton Opera House & Cinema

For some great entertainment, check out the Buxton Opera House and its sister company, Buxton Cinema at The Pavilion Arts Centre. The opera house features some incredible live performances and you can even have a backstage tour of the venue.

As for the cinema, regular viewings of films both new and old are available daily, and you can look forward to new releases every week. The cinema is inclusive to everyone and it even has special screenings that are family-friendly and autism-friendly.

• Drive from Endmoor Farm: 13 minutes
• Drive from Farditch Farm: 10 minutes

The Donkey Sanctuary

Although this one is just a 10-minute walk from Endmoor Farm, it is still well worth driving for those staying at our Farditch Farm complex. The Donkey Sanctuary is an adorable, kid-friendly venue that you simply must check out, especially for the animal lovers amongst you. It is one of the only 6 Donkey Sanctuary venues in the UK and houses mules which have been rescued from horrible living conditions.

The sanctuary hosts many fun events, such as fairs, vet days and donkey hide-and-seek trails, and you can also adopt one of the dinky little donkeys if you fancy. Just try not to let them steal your heart!

• Drive from Endmoor Farm: 2 minutes
• Drive from Farditch Farm: 6 minutes

Cratcliffe Bouldering

If you like climbing 232m high vertical rock faces, then Cratcliffe is for you! The popular bouldering spot is a great day out for those who like to get their hearts racing. There are 213 climbs available in the area and some of them have some pretty amusing names, like ‘Eggs is Eggs’, ‘The Blob’ and my personal favourite, ‘Brian’s Private Arête’.

Another crag to check out whilst you’re there is Robin Hood’s Stride, a much smaller, more manageable climb. Great for beginners and youngsters.

• Drive from Endmoor Farm: 17 minutes
• Drive from Farditch Farm: 23 minutes

Mam Tor

Mam Tor is a hill near Castleton. The surrounding area is perfect for a lovely walk, with the added benefit of jaw-dropping views. The summit of this hill is also the highest point in the Peak District.

If you want to take the circular walk, then the entire 3-mile route will take you around 2 hours. It is also dog friendly, so you can bring the whole family along to enjoy a breath of fresh air, and snap some great photos along the way.

• Drive from Endmoor Farm: 28 minutes
• Drive from Farditch Farm: 25 minutes

High Peak Bookstore and Café

After a long day of exploring, why not sit back and relax with a book and some cake? The High Peak Bookstore and Café has a huge collection of books to suit everyone’s tastes and they are always introducing new titles. The bookstore also has a dedicated children’s room. Better yet, dogs are also welcome – yes, really!

In the café, you can find a wide selection of food and drink, most of which is made on site. It truly is a book lover’s heaven.

• Drive from Endmoor Farm: 5 minutes
• Drive from Farditch Farm: 2 minutes

Buxton Museum and Art Gallery

The Buxton Museum and Art Gallery is a wonderful place to visit for a dose of Derbyshire. The art gallery has exhibits from artists both new and old, with many local artists holding their own exhibits where you can purchase a piece of their portfolios.

The museum itself has a heavy focus on the Peak District and you can find a plethora of interesting archaeological, geological and historical artefacts from around the area. What’s more, you can also look forward to one of the many family-friendly events that the venue hosts. Most are free and will entertain the kids for hours.

• Drive from Endmoor Farm: 12 minutes
• Drive from Farditch Farm: 9 minutes

 

With any luck, this list of the best places to visit when driving through the Peak District will make sure you don’t have a moment of boredom at our luxury holiday cottages or caravan site. We can’t wait to see you!

To get you in the festive mood, check out the Chatsworth House Christmas markets this year. They commence on November 16th and run until December 4th. During the event, there will be over 100 market stalls selling various gifts and delicious food and drink. A live brass band and carol singers will be playing outside, and you can also explore the house itself after its Christmas makeover!

Christmas at Chatsworth

Chatsworth House is a truly spectacular place to visit during the Christmas period. The historic building turns into a winter wonderland, complete with twinkling lights, garlands, tinsel, and of course, a fantastic tree. Hundreds of baubles and streams of lights and tinsel cover the tree’s surface and it takes centre stage in the main hall. During this period, storytellers will roam the halls, enchanting visitors with a selection of favourite tales.   

Have a walk around the stunning countryside stately home and admire the works of art and decorations before heading outside to the market stalls. There, you can expect an impressive display of trees, fairy lights and festive décor. The market stalls themselves, the traditional wooden huts that we all know and love, help to set the mood. Why not get an early start on your Christmas shopping and purchase some of the lovely products on offer? With so many vendors, you are sure to find a gift for even the fussiest of family members, and maybe pick up a few goodies for yourself.

After all that shopping, you can have a warm glass of mulled wine or a nice, German beer from the outdoor bar and sample some of the tasty food available. You will find all of the traditional Christmas market food, so why not treat yourself? You can also experience the art of wreath making at the floral workshops, along with demonstrations.

There really is something for everyone at the Chatsworth Christmas markets. Come along for a great day out.

Stay a while longer

If you just aren’t content with having only one day to discover all that the Chatsworth Christmas markets have to offer, then book a stay into one of our luxury holiday cottages. You’ll be able to enjoy the bustling market stalls and then head on back to luxurious, countryside accommodation to recharge your batteries. If you’d rather continue with the festivities, then our cottages can act as a perfect venue for a cozy  gathering for family and friends, getting you nicely into the Christmas spirit.

Endmoor Farm is a complex of 6 holiday cottages, 3 with 2 bedrooms and 3 with 1 bedroom. Ideal for couples and families looking for a pre-Christmas break, Endmoor Farm is situated in the quiet town of Monyash. All the cottages are dog friendly and there is an enclosed outside area that is perfect for letting the dog stretch its legs.

Our Farditch Farm cottages are the perfect venue for a cosy, family gathering to really get into the festive spirit. They sleep up to 26 people and we also allow dogs (and they stay for free!). Check out our latest offers for your pre-Christmas break and take full advantage of our amazing discounts.

Redhurst Cottage

Excellent, great for family get together. The Church Inn gets an ‘excellent’ too!

Moor Cottage

Here we are again!

Derby Cottage

Really nice week in a very nice cottage with great weather!!!

Caxterway Cottage

Wonderful accommodation, great for a ‘stomers’ walking group weekend away. The Church Inn has great atmosphere and food. Ashford in the water walk on the monsal trail very good. Great scenery, comfortable rooms, well equipped kitchen. Table great for board games when raining and in an evening.

Tagg Cottage

Wonderful week, lovely cottage. Good location for exploring

The Peak District and the surrounding areas are places of incredible views, varied wildlife and interesting historical landmarks. But did you know they also have great traditional food? We’ve put together 10 of the best foods invented in the Peak District that you simply must try.

Bakewell Pudding

Originating from cook books as far back as the 1830s, the Bakewell Pudding is the predecessor of the Bakewell Tart. It’s not quite as pretty as its next-generation counterpart, but what is lacks in looks, it more than makes up for in taste.

The traditional pudding recipe consists of a flaky pastry base with a layer of sieved jam. On top, there is an egg/almond paste filling. This ultra-sweet desert is sure to leave you wanting more. If you would like to try the famous food, then head on down to The Old Original Bakewell Pudding Shop.

Bakewell Tart

The Bakewell Tart is quite possibly the most famous food item from the Peak District. It consists of a shortcrust pastry shell, jam, frangipane, and a top layer of flaked almonds – no cherries or icing here! (Sorry, Mr. Kipling)

The Bakewell Tart is a variation of the Bakewell Pudding. Funnily enough, there is no evidence that the tart recipe even came from Bakewell! It still makes the list because the majority of people believe that the recipe really is from there, and many shops in the area claim to have the original recipe, such as The Bakewell Tart Shop.

Buxton Pudding

The Buxton Pudding almost resembles the modern day crumble, put with a twist; a thin layer of jam in the middle. The history of this recipe is quite an exciting one, as it actually a heritage recipe dating back to the reign of Queen Victoria.

The recipe was found in an attic inside an old cook book. Upon reading it, the people who uncovered the recipe tried making it for themselves. Unfortunately, it was not quite to their tastes, so they did a bit of adapting. The Buxton Pudding was thus reborn! Today, you can purchase this almost-forgotten food from The Original Buxton Pudding Company.

Ashbourne Gingerbread

Apparently, the recipe for Ashbourne Gingerbread came from a French prisoner of the Napoleonic wars. The Frenchman later decided to make the town his home and pass on his great gingerbread recipe to a local baker. What makes this particular gingerbread so unique, however, is both its simplicity and its inclusion of treacle in the recipe.

You can have a taste of the recipe – which is still made in the very same way today – at the Ashbourne Gingerbread Shop. The shop has been around since 1492 and so is an historical site in the small town.

Hartington Stilton Cheese

Everybody’s favourite blue cheese. But did you know that it is actually illegal to sell cheese as Stilton unless it comes from one of 3 counties? These include Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire. This fun fact makes Stilton a historic cheese in Peak District dairy farming. Definitely one to have on your cheese board during a visit!

The Hartington Stilton Cheese creation comes from Hartington Cheese Shop, one of the only 6 Blue Stilton cheese makers in the world, who are also the smallest, the longest-running, and the only one in Derbyshire. That’s a lot of titles for one little cheese factory.

The local cheese makers have won multiple awards for their Stilton creation, which has only been around since 2014, and so you simply must try it the next time you’re in the Peak District.

Derbyshire Oatcakes

Derbyshire Oatcakes are different to what most people think of when they hear the name. This variety resembles a more savoury pancake, as opposed to the crumbly, Scottish biscuit variety of the cakes.

Back in the day, local farmers grew oats instead of wheat during the winter due to the crop’s hardiness. Housewives would then bake an oat/water mixture to create what we know today as oatcakes. If this recipe sounds a little too bland for you, then you can spice it up by adding milk, salt, pepper, and topping with cheese.

However, if you’re not keen on making one yourself, then you could always buy one. The Staffordshire Oatcakes Shop offers a cosy, quaint vibe to eat your oatcakes in, and they even have pre-mixed bags available to buy and take home with you!

Sage Derby Cheese

Marbled and bright green in colour, this odd-looking little cheese is the product of sage leaves infusing with the cheese curd during production. It was originally made for special occasions such as Christmas or harvest time.

The cheese first popped up in Derby during the 17th century and is still just as popular today. You’ll most likely have some Sage Derby on your cheese board if you’re down around the Peak District. However, if you fancy bringing some home for everyone to try, then you can purchase a block or two from the Hartington Cheese Shop.

Melandra Loaf

This recipe was published in a receipt book by the Derbyshire Federation of Women’s Institutes back in 1974. It claimed to be associated with the Roman Fort at Glossop, ‘Melandra’, but the ingredients within the loaf would not have been available during Roman times.

Nevertheless, this fruity bread is certainly one to try for those with a sweet tooth. You can try some of this iconic loaf at The Old Bakery in Youlgrave, where it is a popular breakfast dish.

Tharf Cake

These traditional Derbyshire biscuits are quite similar to the modern day flapjack. Thick, soft, and made with wheat flour, oatmeal, butter, dark sugar and fruit, tharf cakes have been a Halloween treat since the 1870s.

The biscuits are not very popular today and are honestly almost impossible to buy. However, the one place where you can still get them is in Bakewell. Check out the Tindalls of Tideswell bakery to try some of these traditional biscuits for yourself.

Lumpy Tums

 

Adorable by name, delicious by nature. Lumpy Tums are a traditional breakfast dish which is made by boiling lumps of wetted oatmeal in a pot. Once removed, they would usually be eaten with warm milk for a soothing, winter morning meal.

These were just one of the creative oat recipes made by the people of Derbyshire back in the day. Lumpy Tums would have been a poor person’s breakfast that was incredibly popular back then. There is even a song about them!

Unfortunately, you cannot buy these anywhere nowadays. You can still make them at home fairly easily if you would like to try them.

 

We hope you enjoyed reading about some of the best foods invented in the Peak District. If you’d like to try some authentic local food, why not check out our luxury holiday cottages or caravan site?

We’re right in the middle of the Peaks and in a great location to visit the mouth-watering local eateries. We’re also right near the Hartington Cheese Shop, so you won’t have to travel far to try the innovative Stilton.