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Catered Cottage things to do nearby |
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Tel: 07754994199 |
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Rose Cottage, Potters Hill, Wheatcroft Nr. Matlock, Derbyshire, DE45PH.
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This magnificent place of natural beauty justifies its reputation. The Dale contains perhaps the tallest free-standing pillars in the Peak as well as the famous Thor's Cave. A walk along the river is a must do day out. Length
of the return walk from Rowsley to Chatsworth House is approximately
four miles. The
Peak District National Park, established in 1951 was the first of its
kind in Britain. The southern part of the park, the White Peak district,
bares the imprint of man over the centuries. Bronze Age stone circles
dot the landscape along with lead and lime quarries and the much-loved
patchwork of silver grey drystone walls. Nestling
alongside the banks of the river Derwent to the south east of the Peak
Park, is truly impressive sight, the so called "Palace of the Peak'
otherwise know as Chatsworth House.
Behind the house rises a wooded valley and stretching as far as
the eye can see from the bank is 1000-acre parkland where cows, sheep
and deer roam. The grounds were designed by that great innovator of
english landscape 'Capability' Brown. Formal gardens designed by Paxton
lie to the east of the house. A very-pleasant day can be had exploring the house, garden and environs. Depending on the traveller, several options are open. There are two car parks, one close to the house and the other lie south. From the latter, a pleasant stroll along the banks @of the Derwent takes you to the house. A more adventurous option, recommended for a glimpse of the Peak District beyond, is to start at Rowsley, a small village about five miles north of Matlock on the A6. The Village itself is well worth exploring, having an old working mill which produces fine flour. Turn right at the Peacock Hotel and then right again under stone bridge to follow a yellow way marked path through farmland. The route follows the bank of the River Derwent before crossing further inland. -After three quarters of an hour the village of Carlton Lees will be reached. This collection of grey stone buildings is arm estate of the Duke of Devonshire. You are now within striking distance of the park itself. Continue along the road to the first car park and the entrance to the grounds. Freedom
to roam at will through the estate has been granted by the Duke of
Devonshire throughout the year. The first glimpse of the house rising up
from the side of the river as you continue along its course is a
magnificent sight. The original house at Chatsworth was built in 1552 by
Bess of Hardwick a grand old lady of Derbyshire who had four husbands
each one richer than the last. The house as it stands today is the
result of many modifications. The first Duke of Devonshire (1640-1707)
had so much fun in reconstructing the south face he began on the rest. The house and formal gardens are now run by a charitable trust and are open to the public. A small entrance fee is charged with student discount available. Entrance to the park grounds is free and people are encouraged to wonder at will, for in the words of the Duke of Devonshire, a place of this size 'needs people to bring it to life'. It's a great day out. The house and formal gardens are open from the end of March to the beginning of November. The park is open throughout the year. Cromford
Canal (5 minutes from Rose Cottage) The 200th birthday
of the opening of Cromford Canal was celebrated in October 1994. The
canals were conceived when it became necessary to develop a better means
of transport than traditional packhorses and mules. It was originally
envisaged as the first step in a canal system to link the east Midlands
with Manchester and by-pass the Trent and Mersey Canal. Constructed by
William Jessop and Benjamin Outram, partners in the (then) new Butterley
Company, it was completed in 1794. Fourteen and a half miles long, the
canal joined Cromford with Erewash Canal at Langley Mill. The canal has a
very rich and diverse wildlife throughout its 5-mile length as it runs
through the very attractive Derwent Valley. The railway
stations at Cromford, Whatstandwell and Ambergate are only a few minutes
walk away from the canal. People using public transport wishing to gain
access to the canal can do so at Cromford Warf. High Peak Junction,
whandwell bridge, Crich
Chase or Ambergate. For people using cars there is a car park at
Cromford Warf and at the High Peak Junction on the Cromford to Lea road. Leawood
Pumphouse
Built in 1849 to
pump water from the river to the Canal. It has been extensively restored
by volunteers and is run,, in steam on various weekends during the
summer. (For dates contact the Visitor Centres). Several circular
walks cross over or use the canal path taking in Some of the beautiful
surrounding countryside. ' If you would like to know more about these walks,
contact the Visitor Centre at High Peak Junction and Middleton Top. Tel:
Wirksworth 823204/822831. For further information about the nature
reserve contact:
www.bgs.ac.uk/foundation-web/BlackRock.html 10 mins from Catered Cottage – free car park and no entrance fee. It is possible to climb or take a stroll around the back of this very special rock, either way you arrive at the top of it giving you the most spectacular view of the surrounding area. It is situated on a walk that takes you to Cromford Canal from Wirksworth. This is an ideal activity for families who want to spend an hour or two and don't want to go too far from the Cottage.
15 minutes from Catered Cottage – some free parking & no entrance fee. This is a credit to the tourist business in this country – a wonderful setting for walking, climbing (day courses) biking (bikes for hire), sailing (courses available) kayaking, and windsurfing, and best of all, observing the wildlife from wooden huts based around the edge of the water. There are great facilities at the centre including restaurant & café and a presentation of the building of the reservoir – the website is well worth a visit so you can make the best of your time. High Peak Trail17.5 mile route which runs from Cromford to Hurdlow. There are, information centres along the although the centre at Middleton Top is the one nearest Matlock which is open most days from 10.00 am - 6.00, PM. Driving towards Cromford it is signpost off the B5036. As well as being an information centre you can also hire bicycles from here. Large and small wheeled cycles, children's cycles, cycles with baby seats, tandems and tricycles could also possibly be arranged. Telephone in advance on 01629 823204.
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