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The market town of Bakewell is just three miles away and retains a number of
country traditions which make it a fascinating place to visit. This is the home
of the famous Bakewell pudding shop, and there is a lovely church, the New
House Museum and lovely walks along the river bank.
From Bakewell you can explore the delightful villages and small
towns of the area. Tideswell is
famous for its church, known as the Cathedral of the Peak, the 'Plague Village'
of Eyam is close by and it is just a
short drive to the village of Castleton and its spectacular
caverns.
The spa towns of Buxton and Matlockare nearby - offering a wide range of attractions from
the cable cars and spectacular scenery of Matlock Bath to the Opera Festival
held annually at the Buxton Opera House. The Opera House has a full programme
of plays and concerts throughout the year.
Derbyshire is famous for a range of magnificent stately homes,
such as Chatsworth House with
its deer park and ornate gardens or the quieter charm of
Haddon Hall which is only a few
miles beyond Bakewell. Both are just a few minutes drive from The Old Hay
Barn.
Other stately homes within range include
Hardwick Hall, a grand
Elizabethan house, the Palladian mansion of
Kedleston and
Calke Abbey filled with the
collected paraphernalia of generations and kept by the National Trust in an
unrestored state.
You can walk from the door of The Old Hay Barn along Monsal Dale
or go along the River Wye to Millers Dale alongside the river and via the track of the
former Midland Railway line with its viaducts and tunnels.
Lathkill Dale is ten minutes
away by car and offers superb scenery as well as evidence of Derbyshires lead
mining past. More strenuous walking is available on
Kinder Scout and around
Edale.
As well as being a great walking area, the Peak District offers
facilities for a wide range of outdoor pursuits from
rock climbing to pot-holing
to mountain biking to hang
gliding. There are several cycle trails following the tracks of former railway
lines along which you can explore the countryside free from traffic where cycle
hire is available or explore the open uplands for which the Peak District is
renowned.
For a very different experience you might visit
Carsington Water which offers
water sports and cycle hire facilities as well as having a visitors centre with
shops, a cafe and restaurant.
Our local restaurant, the Monsal Head/Stables Bar provides
delicious home cooked food at reasonable prices. In addition there are many
other excellent eateries to choose from in nearby Ashford in the Water, Wardlow
and Bakewell.
We look forward to welcoming you into our home and hope
to make your stay a pleasant one! |
