Around Churchdale

Derwent Cottage Churchdale Farm is the perfect location for a holiday in the heart of the Peak District. We are hidden away down our own long private drive in peace and tranquillity. Our farm was formerly part of the Chatsworth Estate and is only 5 miles from Chatsworth House itself. After dinner, take a stroll down the drive and watch the lambs at lambing time or listen to the 27 different varieties of birds that we have at Churchdale.

Wake up in the morning to the sounds of the countryside and walk the mile through the fields to Ashford-in-the-Water, one of the prettiest villages in the Peak District. Buy your papers and provisions at the award winning village shop and admire the picturesque 'Sheepwash Bridge', said to be the most photographed bridge in England.

Stepping Stones at Dovedale For longer walks, the famous Monsal Trail is at the end of our drive. It provides wonderful wild flowers and gentle walks to Bakewell and Monsal Head - a dramatic Derbyshire viewpoint. Be 'green' and leave your car at the cottage and spend the day walking or cycling from the door. The old tunnel at Monsal Head has recently been re-opened and you will are able to go all the way on the Trail to Buxton .

When you have exercised enough, relax and enjoy a glass of wine on the cottage lawn, or during the winter months relax in front of a log fire.

The Environment

The countryside, our animals and the wildlife have always been very important to us. We have been delighted to receive the Gold Award from the Green Tourism Business Scheme.

In 2010 Churchdale Farm was awarded the Peak District National Park Environmental Quality Mark for conservation and best environmental practice.

Download a copy of our Environmental Policy here.

Transport

Trains - The nearest main line train station is Chesterfield where there are regular trains from St Pancras Station, London. It is then about a half hour taxi ride to Churchdale roughly costing £25. There is also a station in Buxton where the trains take about 1 hour to Manchester.

The nearest bus stop to Churchdale is in Ashford-in-the Water, 1 mile away. The services are run by Hulleys of Baslow, 01246 582246 and transpeak, www.trentbarton.co.uk.

Cycle Hire is available from Hassop Station, www.monsaltrail.co.uk

Further information on Public Transport can be found on www.Visitpeakdistrict.com/peakconnections

If you wish to arrive by train we will let you have details of local taxis and also advise you about hiring a bike for the duration of your holiday. A Welcome Pack of provisions can be purchased from and delivered to the cottage by our local village shop Ibbotsons of Ashford.

Latest News Around Churchdale.

Derwent Cottage featured in an article in the Travel Section of the Independent Newspaper on 28 September. The article was about weekend walking holidays and the proximity of Churchdale Farm to the Monsal Trail.

The Monsal Trail Tunnel has now re-opened. On April 2nd Hassop Station, a pleasant 1 mile walk along the Monsal Trail opened a Bicycle Hire Store. www.monsaltrail.co.uk

Peak District Premier Cottages Privilege Scheme

We are a member of the Premier Cottages Owner Co-operative. We have recently started a new scheme to give our guests a little extra when they visit us. We have linked up with Hassop Station, Haddon Hall and many other places to offer a discount to our guests at these locations. Have a look at the Peak District Premier Cottages Facebook page where there are full details of the scheme and regular updates.

We have had a good lambing session and the lambs are now in the field.

We have a new border collie puppy, called Tally.