The area is excellent for walking with the barn being an ideal base to explore the Peak District, with footpaths leading directly from your door.  Alternatively there is plenty of sightseeing and shopping in the nearby market towns of Ashbourne, Bakewell, Buxton, Derby and Nottingham.  The area is rich in stately homes and gardens notably Chatsworth House, Haddon Hall, Kedleston, Hardwick and Tissington Hall are all within half an hour's drive away.  There are also caverns, mines, museums, gardens, antiques and boutiques and plenty of good restaurants and pubs.  For the more adventurous why not enjoy a family day out at Alton Towers Theme Park or Gullivers Kingdom.  Information on things to do and places to go throughout the Derbyshire Dales and Peak District is available in the cottage.

Chatsworth House and Garden -  Open 13th March 2011, parkland, farm shop, stables shops and restaurant open all year round.

 

The ancestral home of the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire is deservedly known as the 'Palace of the Peak'.  Recently featured in the film 'Pride and Prejudice', Chatsworth is one of Britain's most popular stately homes.  Chatsworth also has 105 acres of gardens and a world famous gravity fed water fountain.  Added attractions for the younger generation are farmyard and adventure playground and huge yew maze. 

 

 

Haddon Hall                                                                                                          Terraced rose gardens surround Haddon Hall, a fortified manor house dating from the 12th Century, overlooking the River Wye.  Often used for costume dramas.  Haddon is one of the best examples of a medieval hall in the country, with its main banqueting hall and tapestry belonging to Henry VIII and stunning long gallery.  Open weekends in April, May to September daily, Christmas 10th - 18th December 2011 daily.

 

Tissington Hall

Home to the Fitzherbert family for almost 500 years, a Jacobean manor house set in the pretty estate village of Tissington.  Tearooms and garden nursery plant sales nearby. 

One of the finest and most unchanged examples of Elizabethan architecture in England.  Here you can see Europe's finest collection of 16th and 17th century tapestries and embroidery.

 

Red House Stables and Working Carriage Museum

 

Established in 1946, Red House Stables and Working Carriage Museum has one of the finest collections of original horse drawn vehicles and equipment in Britain and regularly supplies carriages for the film industry. 

 

 

Kedleston Hall

National Trust property, home of the Curzon family, the magnificent state rooms are home to a stunning collection of paintings and furniture.  The extensive surrounding parkland is notable for its series of lakes and cascades, fishing pavilion and bridge.

Eyam Hall

 

 

A family manor house with courtyard cafe and craft workshops set in the village of Eyam - famous for its connection with the Black Death.

 

 

 

 

Renishaw Hall

Home to the Sitwell family since the early 17th century and set in acres of stunning gardens and woodland.

Gullivers Kingdom, Matlock Bath Opens 2nd April 2011

 

A family theme park providing fun for all ages.  Over 35 rides and attractions, from log flumes to cycle monorails. 

The Heights of Abraham, Matlock Bath Open 26th March to 30th October 2011 daily

                                              

Cable car rides across the Derwent Valley to the 60 metre summit, two show caverns, picnic and play areas.

 

 

Crich Tramway Village Open weekends in March, 2nd April to 30th October daily, weekends from 3rd - 18th December 2011

Step aboard a vintage tram and travel back in time along a recreated village street complete with working pub.  A fun packed day for all the family with children's playground, tearooms, shops, woodland walk and sculpture trail.

 

Carsington Water

It's action all the way at this water sports enthusiast centre, canoes, sailing dinghies and sailboards are available for hire.  Tuition is available.  Cycles are also available for hire.  Visitor Centre, Restaurant, Shops and Children's indoor and outdoor play areas.