Things to do around Churchdale Farm

Churchdale

Churchdale Farm was formerly part of the Chatsworth estate and is now a working sheep farm. It is tucked down a private tarmac drive and is a haven of rural peace. It was originally the home farm for Churchdale Hall. Click here for Multimap. The hall was lived in by the Dukes of Devonshire until the mid 1950's when they returned to Chatsworth. The Monsal Trail is at the end of the drive and it offers gentle walks to Monsal Head and Bakewell, wild flowers in profusion and safe cycle riding for the children.

Monsal Head

Monsal Head, only two and a half miles north west of Churchdale is a famous beauty spot with a magnificent view down Monsal Dale and the Wye valley. The position is at a spot where the Wye, on its passage eastwards to meet the Derwent, encounters a band of harder rock and is forced to make a sharp turn eastwards and carve its way through a high ridge of limestone. The view is spectacular, with the river far below, winding through a steep-sided valley with many rocky outcrops. The route of the former Midland Railway makes its way along Monsal Dale and is carried by a viaduct over the river and into a tunnel which goes right beneath Monsal Head. This is now part of the Monsal Trail, a popular route with walkers. The viaduct is now an accepted feature of the landscape, but when the railway was built in the 1870s, Ruskin campaigned against the damage done to this unique environment, simply 'so that any fool from Bakewell can be in Buxton by lunchtime'.

Ashford-in-the-Water

Ashford is a sleepy little village lying on the River Wye, just upstream of Bakewell. It has a long history, and from the Iron Age or earlier was one of the major crossing points on the Wye. The river and the bridge across it are major features of Ashford. Sheepwash bridge, which is said to be the most photographed bridge in England dates from the 17th century and has a pen next to it for the purpose of washing sheep, a practice which continued until quite recently. Ashford has an annual well-dressing which is usually the first weekend of June, Ashford has a small, but very high quality general store. A pub, the Bull's Head, is a few yards down the attractive main street from the 2-star Ashford Hotel, at the Eastern end of the village. Further West, near the church is the Riverside Country House Hotel, which has a first class restaurant.

More info on Ashford-in-the-water

Chatsworth

Chatsworth House and it's park are one of the outstanding tourist attractions of England. As the home of the Dukes of Devonshire for over 350 years the gardens and park were laid out by the most famous English landscape architect of all time, "Capability" Brown. They still retain the almost magical views which he conceived so long ago. Chatsworth has many attractions for all ages. The house itself contains one of the finest art collections in private hands. There is a childrens' farm containing all kinds of animals where the children can watch the cows being milked and other farming activities and an adventure play ground. The gardens cover an area of over 150 acres and are truly magnificent. In front of the House the River Derwent flows through the most wonderful parkland which is all open to the public. Further afield from the House public footpaths cris-cross the surrounding heather clad moors which give breathtaking views of the Peak National Park.

Chatsworth web site

Haddon Hall

Haddon Hall is the finest example of a mediaeval manor house currently in existence in England. The hall has been in the ownership of the Dukes of Rutland since the time of Queen Elizabeth I and overlooks the River Wye just south of Bakewell. The Rutlands used the hall very little in the 18th and 19th centuries, so it was almost unaltered since the end of the 16th century when the 9th Duke realised its importance and began restoration in the 1920s. The house is in a beautiful situation and is very well preserved - even down to kitchens straight from the 17th century. It also has some beautiful gardens. Haddon Hall is open every day from 1 April to the end of September, from 11.00 am to 5.00 pm, and Monday to Thursday in October, 11.00am to 5.00pm.

Haddon Hall web site

Activities
Fishing: Day tickets for fishing on the river Wye for Brown and Rainbow trout are available from the Peacock Hotel at Rowsley only 5 miles from Churchdale. Email: peacock@rowsley.com

Cycling: The Monsal Trail at the bottom of our drive and the Tissington Trail about 10 miles away are the routes of old railway lines and provide completely safe, off road cycling with bycicle hire avialable on the Tissington Trail and at Bakewell Station. Both provide wonderful views of the Peak District stone wall countryside. More information and cycle hire can be found here: www.peakdistrict.gov.uk/cycle

Within 5 miles of Churchdale are:

Chatsworth www.chatsworth.org
Haddon Hall www.haddonhall.co.uk
Monsal Trail and Viaduct www.cressbrook.co.uk/visits/monsaltrail.php
Caudwells Mill www.cressbrook.co.uk/visits/caudwell.php
Toys of Yesteryear Exhibition www.toysofyesteryear.co.uk
Bakewell www.cressbrook.co.uk/towns/bakewell.php
Old House Museum, Bakewell www.oldhousemuseum.org.uk
Peak Village Outlet Centre www.peakvillage.co.uk
Chatsworth Farm Yard www.chatsworth.org/whattodo/farmyard.htm
Lathkill Dale www.cressbrook.co.uk/features/lathkill.php
Magpie Mine www.cressbrook.co.uk/visits/magpie.php

Within 15 miles of Churchdale:

Gullivers Kingdom www.gulliversfun.co.uk
Heights of Abraham www.heights-of-abraham.co.uk
Crich Tramway Museum www.tramway.co.uk
Red House Stables www.workingcarriages.com
Blue John Cavern www.bluejohn-cavern.co.uk
Devils Arse Cavern www.devilsarse.com
Pooles Cavern www.poolescavern.co.uk
Speedwell Cavern www.speedwellcavern.co.uk
Buxton www.visitbuxton.co.uk
Eyam Hall www.eyamhall.com
Tissington Hall www.tissington-hall.com
Renishaw Hall www.sitwell.co.uk
Hardwick Hall www.cressbrook.co.uk/visits/hardwick.php
Bolsover Castle www.derbyshireuk.net/bolsover_castle.html

Churchdale Farm
Ashford-in-the-Water, Bakewell, Derbyshire, DE45 1NX
Telephone: 01629 640 269
Fax: 01629 640 608
E Mail: info@churchdaleholidays.co.uk