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7 Great Things to do in the Peak District in Autumn

18 September 2023

Even if summer has come to an end there is no reason to stop visiting. Here are some ideas on things to do in the Peak District in autumn.

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Derbyshire is well known for its caves, all of which open throughout the autumn. Try out Poole’s Cavern in Buxton or Speedwell Cavern or Treak Cliff Cavern in the Castleton area.

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Autumn is a great time to go outside and kick up some autumn leaves. The autumn colours at Padley Gorge should be stunning.

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We have several heritage railways local to Derbyshire and the Peak District. Both Peak Rail and Ecclesborne Valley operate at weekends throughout the autumn and winter months

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Both Chatsworth and Haddon Hall are open until Christmas (although open days are limited at Haddon Hall – please check their web site). There are always activities on at Chatsworth over the October half term. The Christmas decorations start to appear from early November and Christmas markets will give you a head start on seasonal shopping.

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Another autumn highlight locally is the Matlock Bath Illuminations every weekend through September and October – think Blackpool Illuminations on water! There are fireworks on some evenings too.

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Learn a new skill. How about improving your photography skill whilst capturing the stunning autumn colours with Guy Badham. Or a navigation training course with Paul from My Guided Walks

We can find some indoor skills for you to learn too, from an introduction to brewing to making Christmas gifts with chocolate.

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The cottages are heated by underfloor heating, which runs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week (365 days a year if necessary!). Whether you are coming back from a day out or whether you have chosen not to venture very far at all, the cottages will always be warm and cosy.

We’d love to see you this autumn. Book a stay now. About our cottages

Our Top 10 Things to Do in the Peak District

1 May 2023

walking in the Peak District — Walking in the Peak District

Several years ago we wrote a post on the top 10 things to do in the Peak District. We have updated it for 2023.

Whether this is your first visit or your 10th, here’s our take on those must-dos whilst you are in the area.

Get outdoors

Take a walk – doesn’t really matter where you start, there is so much gorgeous countryside to take in. We have maps in the cottages and a couple of ideas for walks from the door.
Visit a well dressing – associated in particular with Derbyshire and the Peak District, well dressing is believed to have started following the Great Plague. It is believed that clean well water kept residents safe from the water-borne disease. In thanksgiving, village wells are “dressed” or decorated with pictures constructed using natural materials embedded in a clay filled wood frame.
Visit a cave – Poole’s Cavern in Buxton or one of several in the Hope Valley give an insight to the geology of the area and some of the ancient trades in Derbyshire.
Take to the country lanes for a cycle ride. Use the trails if you want to avoid the hills. Hire an electric bike if you don’t want to do the pedaling!

Try the local specialities

Try a proper Bakewell pudding (from Bakewell of course!) and not to be confused with a Bakewell tart.

Have a pub lunch – lots of great choice. There are recommendations in the cottages (and we can add our two pennyworth too!)

Take in the local attractions

Chatsworth – has it all – historical house, amazing gardens, children’s farmyard and adventure playground and beautiful riverside and woodland walks not to mention restaurants, cafes and a farm shop.
Haddon Hall – beautiful, un-spoilt medieval house and Tudor gardens for contrast with Chatsworth

Heights of Abraham – take a cable car up to the park where you can take in amazing views, visit a cave, learn about the social and geological history of the area

Experience the local culture

Visit the Buxton Opera House for a really wide variety of shows and performances. Buxton Festival is a festival of music, literature and guided walking tours of the town. Along with its fringe festival, it takes place for three weeks each July

Book one of our cottages for a few days to make the most of your visit.

8 Things to do in the Peak District in the rain

14 July 2024

We can probably all agree that the 2024 summer weather is letting us down. There are still things to do in the Peak District in the rain however. Here are some ideas to get you inspired.

1 Explore Caves and Caverns

Go underground to escape the weather. There are fascinating caves to explore in the Hope Valley, Buxton and even Matlock

Poole’s Cavern: Buxton. Rich in stalactite and stalagmite formations, legend and history
Peak Cavern: Located in Castleton, this cave system is known for its impressive entrance and fascinating formations.
Treak Cliff Cavern: Also in Castleton, this cavern is famous for its Blue John stone, a rare mineral unique to the area.
Speedwell Cavern: Take an underground boat ride through this flooded cave system.

2 Visit Historic Houses and Museums

While the gardens of our beautiful stately homes may not be so appealing, the interiors are well worth a visit and can be a complete contrast to each other

Chatsworth House: One of the most famous stately homes in England, with extensive art collections and beautiful interiors. If you like ‘bling’ Chatsworth is definitely worth a visit
Haddon Hall: A well-preserved medieval manor house with stunning architecture. Not so much ostentatiousness here but a fascinating insight into life in the Tudor period

3 Indoor Activities. Museums and Attractions

The Heights of Abraham: While the cable car might be less appealing in the rain, the indoor exhibitions and caverns are still worth a visit.
Bakewell Old House Museum: Learn about the history of the town and its inhabitants.
Matlock Bath Aquarium and Exhibitions: Features a wide variety of fish, holograms, and a petrifying well.
Buxton Museum and Art Gallery: Sadly closed at the moment following structural issues discovered in the building. We hope the collection will find a new home soon.

4 Leisure and Entertainment

Buxton Opera House: Check out the schedule for live performances, including plays, concerts, and comedy shows.
Cinemas in the area: There are cinemas in towns like Buxton, Wirksworth and Chesterfield where you can catch the latest films and a few older ones.

5 Shopping and Cafés

Local markets and shops: Explore the unique shops and markets in towns like Bakewell, Buxton, and Ashbourne.
Tea rooms and cafés: Enjoy a warm drink and local treats in the many cozy tea rooms and cafés scattered throughout the Peak District.

6 Wellness and Spas

Thermal Baths at The Cresent, Buxton: Relax and unwind at the spa facilities in Buxton, known for its natural thermal waters.
The Devonshire Spa, Buxton: Within the fantastic dome building, this is the perfect place to recharge, relax and revitalise

7 Indoor Sports and Recreation

Swimming Pools and Leisure Centers: Buxton and Bakewell have indoor swimming pools and leisure centers. Hathersage has an outdoor heated pool – who cares if it’s raining – you’ll be getting wet anyway!
Indoor Climbing Centers: Perfect for an active day indoors, with options like The Foundry Climbing Centre in Sheffield.

8 Arts and Crafts

Craft Workshops: Join a pottery, painting, or craft workshop in one of the local studios or community centers.
Galleries and Exhibitions: Visit art galleries showcasing local artists and craftsmen. Pavilion Gardens is just one

We hope that you’ll still consider the Peak District for a long or short break, regardless of the weather. And if we get some sunshine and can get outdoors what a great bonus!

The 7 Wonders of the Peak

13 January 2024

Thomas Hobbes, a 17th century philosopher first mentioned 7 wonders of the Peak in his book, De Mirabilibus Pecci: Being The Wonders of the Peak in Darby-shire

St Ann’s Well, Buxton
The Ebbing and Flowing Well, Tideswell
Poole’s Cavern, Buxton
The Devil’s Arse, Castleton
Chatsworth House
Mam Tor, Hope Valley
Eldon Hole, near Castleton

There are two on this list I had never heard of so time to investigate:

The Ebbing and Flowing Well in Tideswell – the well would naturally swell up and down with spring water, sometimes overflowing. The phenomenon stopped and the well has subsequently lost its place on the 7 wonders list

Eldon Hole – is a chasm 55m deep which makes it the deepest pothole in Derbyshire (although I think the local council are trying to beat the record through their lack of road maintenance lately!) It’s not clear why the Hole lost its place on the 7 wonders list but perhaps it’s because the hillside has subsequently been quarried and is deemed not safe or desirable to visit.

The modern list of the 7 wonders of the Peak includes:

For the sharp-eyed, you’ll have noticed that St Ann’s Well no longer appears which I think is a tragedy. The well in Buxton (close to the Cresent) holds historical and cultural significance, playing a crucial role in the town’s identity. The water takes 5,000 years to seep through the hillsides and is renowned for its mineral content. The well has been a focal point for health seekers since the 18th century, attracting visitors seeking the purported healing properties of its waters and is the raison d’etre for the town. This is the very same water bottled and sold as Buxton Mineral Water. A 16th century Act of Parliament rules that a free supply must be available to the town’s residents (and visitors!)

I’m tempted to swap out Kinder Scout in St Ann’s Well’s favour, however, Kinder Scout is of incredible ecological importance, harboring a unique ecosystem of plant and animal life. Beyond its natural allure, Kinder Scout also holds historical significance as the birthplace of the mass trespass movement in 1932, advocating for public access to open land.

So there is only one thing for it – we have to have 8 Wonders of the Peak!

Everything you wanted to know about Derbyshire Oatcakes

21 July 2023

Because of the climate and poor soils, it has been much easier to grow oats in Derbyshire than wheat. Oats and oatmeal replaced wheat in much of the bakery before the age of transportation. Derbyshire oatcakes are not like the Scottish version, however, which are dry digestive sized biscuits. The Derbyshire oatcake is more like a cross between a pancake and a warm flour tortilla wrap. It’s generally made with 50% oatmeal with all its associated health benefits.

You can make them (see a recipe below) or simply buy them cold from the local butcher or baker.

How long do Derbyshire Oatcakes stay fresh?

They stay fresh for about 10 days in a bag in the fridge.

Can you freeze Derbyshire Oatcakes?

Yes, put a sheet of clingfilm between each one so that you can take them out individually – they become a very handy resource to have in the freezer.

How do you reheat Derbyshire Oatcakes?

Medium grill or fry for 4 mins, turning them halfway through

What can I put on a Derbyshire Oatcake?

You can put pretty much anything savoury or sweet onto an oatcake, roll it, wrap it or leave it open. Traditionally oatcakes were served as part of an English breakfast.

They are a great way to use up leftovers, especially if they contain some sauce such as curry.

The simplest thing to do with them would be to grate some cheese and add fried onions and mushrooms. You could also try spinach or peppers, hummus or perhaps some tinned salmon. Wrap gently and tuck in!.

How many calories are in a Derbyshire Oatcake?

There are approximately 175 calories per oatcake

Recipe

120g fine oatmeal (or use quaker oats and grind finely)
120g plain flour
1 packet (7g) dried yeast
1 tsp sugar
1 tsp salt
500ml warm milk and water mix (50% of each)

1) Dissolve the yeast in the warm milk and water
2) Mix in the other ingredients and leave for at least 2 hours or even overnight
3) Pour on to a hot griddle to get an oatcake of about 6-7 inches

Visit Derbyshire

Come to Derbyshire and try them for yourself. Book a cottage with us Stay a minimum of 3 nights and get £50 off PLUS some oatcakes for you to try whilst you stay with us. Promocode: OATCAKE

For some of the best places to try Derbyshire oatcakes then check out this post from Lovely Local Indie

Quirky facts about Derbyshire’s Caves

15 May 2023

One of the most popular things to do during a stay in Derbyshire or the Peak District is a visit to one of the numerous caverns we have in the area. Discover some quirky facts about Derbyshire’s caves.

From north to south (with one thrown in for luck);

Blue John Cavern and Treak Cliff Cavern, Castleton

The only two mines in the world where you can find the semi precious Derbyshire Blue John mineral. The stone is a kind of flourite with yellow and blue crystalline bands running through it.

The mineral is still mined in small quantities and you can have a go at polishing your own piece of Blue John stone.

Don’t put your piece of blue John in the oven though as the blue colour will disappear!

Speedwell Cavern, Castleton

Speedwell Cavern came to be because of the lead mining that took place here.

The entrance to the cave was some way from the excavation area and, due to the flooding in the mine, the journey was made by boat, which still happens for the visitor today

Despite sizeable investment, the mine was never very successful as a source of lead but due to the quirky means of travelling in the cave, it’s always been popular with tourists.

Peak Cavern, Castleton

Peak Cavern is the largest cave system in the Peak District and is almost all entirely natural.

The cave was inhabited by ropemaking cave dwellers until the early 20th century. Up to 40 families in two rows of cottages in the cave entrance. There were also stables, an inn and three small shops – wow!

Ropes were made in the enormous mouth to the cave (the largest cave opening in Britain) and you can see a demonstration of this on a visit, The ropes were made for; lead miners; as window sashes, tow ropes for barges, bell ropes and the odd hangman’s noose too!

Traditionally every bride in the village was given a rope, a washing line, on her wedding day

Poole’s Cavern, Buxton

Lead was also mined at Poole’s cavern in Buxton but the supplies were dwindling. The town was a popular visitor destination during Victorian times and earlier due to the spa waters and the visitors were quite keen to look around the cave. You can still see the Victorian turnstile that allowed visitors to enter the cave and the neighbouring country park

Heights of Abraham

The Heights of Abraham must be one of the oldest tourist attractions in the country. It opened its doors to visitors in the 1780s. There are two caves at the site. At one, Rutland Cave, you can experience what leading mining in the 17th century might have been like, the atmosphere, the sights and the sounds.

and the one thrown in, Cresswell Crags

Cresswell Crags caves were inhabited by prehistoric man. We know that because tools have been found at the site. What the archaeologists have never found, however, are human bones. What did the humans that were there use the caves for? We’ll never know for sure but it looks like the caves were used by travellers on hunting trips, perhaps they could be thought of as the first self-catering accommodation!