River Cottage

Sleeps 20

Stunning Large Self Catering Cottage in the Picturesque Village of Ashford in the Water

Highlights......

  • 8 gorgeous bedrooms, 2 are on the ground floor, 1 of these is a bunk room
  • 7 private bathrooms
  • Sleeps up to 20 guests
  • Dog Friendly
  • Set in a stunning garden setting, right on the banks of the River Wye, enjoy watching the wildlife while sitting in the established manicured gardens. 
  • Village location - take an easy 5-10 minute stroll down the country lane, to arguably the most beautiful village in the Peak District National Park
  • You can enjoy walking to the local village pub, The Bull's Head, or the tea room and  village shop.
  • Conveniently located near to Bakewell, known as the ‘heart’ of the Peak District as well as being near to the stately homes of Chatsworth and Haddon Hall.

Bedrooms and Bathrooms

There are eight fabulous bedrooms in total. We know that groups come in all shapes and sizes and have different requirements so there is a mix of doubles, twins and bunk beds so you can pick and choose your layout to suit up to 20 adult guests. There are 2 ground floor bedrooms with one of these being a bunk bed room.

There is a family bathroom on the first floor with bath and shower attachment over


Cooking and Dining

There is plenty of space to cater for your group with a Range Master double oven with grill and 6 gas hobs plus an additional smaller oven has been added for extra cooking capacity. The kitchen is well stocked with all the equipment and mod cons you need to self cater for large groups. You can enjoy delightful views of the stunning garden and direct access to a  large paved terrace.

To one end of the kitchen there is a lovely informal dining space with built in comfortable bench seating and a separate beamed dining room with plenty of space to dine up to 20 guests.


Living Spaces

After a day exploring The Peaks, you can relax in the beautifully styled sitting room with the warmth of an electric fire creating a cosy atmosphere.  Decorated in neutral decor and filled with gorgeous soft furnishings and comfy sofas. The rich tones of the mahogany finish and solid oak floor provide a lovely place to gather. 

The floor to ceiling windows attract masses of light that flood the room and enjoy views of the garden towards the river and the hills beyond.


Garden and Outdoor Space

Although the house is located on the main road (A6 between Buxton and Bakewell), you’ll find the established and beautifully manicured garden to be a riverside refuge.  Guests often congregate at the edge of the river of an evening, usually with a glass of wine, and enjoy watching the trout and the ducks competing for food.

There is plenty of garden furniture with an extendible table for outdoor dining.  When the weather is kind you could cook outside and use the large BBQ available for use from 01st April through to 31st October, please supply your own charcoal and lighting equipment, so you can eat and drink whilst enjoying some fresh country air, riverside views with dramatic hills as a backdrop.

Property Information

Our standard arrival and departure times are:

  • ​4pm on the day of arrival
  • By 10am on the day of departure 

Please do respect these times as they are in place to allow the housekeeping teams enough time to thoroughly clean the property before and after your stay


  • Please remove dirty or high heeled shoes on entry
  • Please do not bring any candles, tea lights or incense sticks as they are not allowed at the property
  • No fireworks or Chinese lanterns please
  • No smoking or vaping inside the property. Vaping can trigger the fire alarms
  • We ask that any outdoor socialising be brought inside by 10pm, we ask that neighbours and local residents are not disturbed after this time, for more information please see our Noise and Behaviour Policy 
  • No glitter please as even the most eco friendly kind is impossible to remove from the soft furnishings and hard wearing floors
  • No Karaoke machines of any type


If you are looking for a holiday cottage that is accessible for everyone we have a wealth of properties that are suitable for guests with varied access needs. Many of our properties are situated in rural locations, offering peaceful settings that would be suitable for guests with autism & learning difficulties.

  • 2 ground floor bedrooms 1 with en suite​, and the other is a bunk bed room with use of the downstairs toilet with wash basin
  • There is a further downstairs room on a mezzanine floor, with 5 steps up to the bed - with en suite on the lower level
  • The ground floor does not offer complete level access as there are 2 steps down to the dining room
  • There are 13 stone steps down to the property from the parking area
  • Hypo allergenic bedding throughout
  • TV's with subtitles
  • Established flower beds and planting offering beautiful colours and scents throughout the year
  • The garden features a river view so can offer a calm and tranquil setting
  • We are supportive of anyone who needs to bring an assistance dog or guide dog to the property

​​​​Peak Venues have a dedicated Accessibility Champion who will be able to assist you with specific property information, please contact them by email for any further help at hello@peakvenues.co.uk

The Peak District and Surrounding Area

River Cottage is situated on the edge of Ashford-in-the-Water, one of the most scenic and popular villages in the Peak District National Park. You are a few minutes level stroll into the village which is well served with amenities such as a country pub and village store.

Just two miles (3.2 km) to the north west of Bakewell and conveniently located on the main A6, River Cottage makes a great base for visiting the most amazing of Peak District treats for you to enjoy - the ancient market town of Bakewell (2 minutes dive), Chatsworth House (10 mins drive), Haddon Hall (10 minutes drive), historic spa town of Buxton (12 minutes) to name just a few.

Alternatively, head off on foot in whatever direction takes your fancy with access to the most incredible walks and dramatic landscape the Peak District has to offer right from your door step. The famous Monsal Head is one of our recommended circular walks from Ashford or you can drive there to enjoy the view in only 3 minutes.


Photo Gallery

How To Find River Cottage

Directions

The address of River Cottage is:

Buxton Road,Ashford-in-the-Water,Derbyshire.DE45 1QP

Approx GPS coordinates of the property are: 53.222239, -1.716592

Use 'What3Words' to find exact location: ///mastering.accusing.areas Download the 'App' here: 'What3Words' 

Directions to River Cottage by car from Bakewell (approx. 5 mins):

  • Follow signs to the A6 (Buxton Road)- continue along this for 1.8 miles.
  • You will go past a right hand turning to Ashford / Ashford-in-the-Water, Chesterfield & Sheffield.
  • Shortly after there will be a smaller turning on your left to Sheldon
  • At this point make your right signal, River Cottage is situated on the corner of the next right-hand side turning.
  • Take the turning and River Cottage will be immediately on your right hand side.
  • You have arrived at River Cottage!

Directions to River Cottage by car from Buxton (approx. 15 minutes):

  • Follow signs to the A6- continue along this for approximately 9 miles.
  • You will come to a sign post on your left saying Ashford /  Ashford-in-the-Water take this left turn and River Cottage is immediately on your right hand-side.
  • You have arrived at River Cottage!

Parking

  • There is off-road parking for approximately 4 cars.
  • Either side of the off-road parking there is roadside swing on/swing off parking for a further 3-4 cars either side.




Floor Plans

To view or download the floorplan for this property click the button below

View the Floor Plans

Virtual Tour

Why not take a closer look. Using state of the art technology we can let you take a walk around the whole of this property.

Please note that some rooms may have been updated with new furnishings and decor since the virtual tour was created

If you're using a phone or a tablet, you may find the tour easier to navigate in a window of its own. Click here to launch.


Guestbook

The following comments are taken straight from the guestbook we keep for River Cottage. Verbatim.

Jones stayed in September '23

anon stayed in September '23

Flatow stayed in June '23

Benton stayed in January '23

Harper stayed in December '22

Ashton stayed in April '22

Greenwood stayed in February '22

Boyes stayed in January '22

Cook stayed in January '22

anonymous stayed in December '21

Wickstead stayed in November '21

Culshaw stayed in October '21

Mcgilloway stayed in September '21

Mrs M Gisbourne stayed in August '21

A Turner stayed in August '21

R Shearer stayed in August '21

anonymous stayed in November '19

Mcdonald stayed in November '19

Scott stayed in August '19

anonymous stayed in May '19

anonymous stayed in December '18

Bardgett stayed in September '18

Anonymous stayed in April '18

Little stayed in January '18

Fowler stayed in December '17

Gallop stayed in September '17

Norton stayed in August '17

Fletcher stayed in July '17

Philp stayed in June '17

Farmanfarmai stayed in June '17

Smith stayed in June '17

Tue stayed in April '17

Sieber stayed in April '17

Oram stayed in March '17

Sign the Guestbook

If you have comments you'd like to leave then please get in touch. We love to hear all feedback - good or bad.

Your Stay At River Cottage

Our Favourite Places to Eat Nearby

Pubs

  • The Bull, Ashford in the Water - Traditional Robinson small character pub serving great food, less than a 10 minute walk from the property. Lovely cosy fire in the winter months.
  • The Royal Oak, Hurdlow-  Our award winning pub offers open fires, hidden corners, local ales and of course ‘great home-made pub food’ as it should be. Groups welcome - booking advised.
  • The Bull i'th Thorn, Hurdlow - pub and pizzeria, enjoy a selection of made to order oven pizzas in the refurbished spacious room, with a mixture of booth seating and individual tables - or sit in the bar area, still featuring some of the traditional charm from the days of the old coaching inn and enjoy burgers / sandwiches/ grazing boards, pub classics, children's menu and desserts to die for.
  • The Packhorse, Little Longstone - Lovely historic character features in this compact pub – promotes itself with ‘Walkers and Muddy boots welcome.’ It is worth booking a table for a group as it is popular with the locals.
  • The White Lion, Great Longstone - traditional Sunday roasts, hearty homemade pub food, local real ales and a great selection of wines. 
  • Monsal Head Hotel and Stable Bar, Monsal Head - This place has a great viewing area and is a fabulous place to rest and enjoy a pint in the old Stable Barn when walking along the Monsal Trail.
  • The Red Lion at Litton - Nestled on the green in the picturesque village of Litton, The Red Lion is one of a very few unspoilt traditional Peak District pubs. This historic inn combines character & quality in a way that is rare in modern pubs.
  • Devonshire Arms at Beeley - Set on the Chatsworth Estate, The Devonshire Arms is one of those picturesque country inns at the heart of village life. It offers the charm and character of an historic inn with a contemporary twist! The Brasserie is modern, bright and relaxing while the Inn is cosy and inviting.
  • The Bull’s Head, Monyash - A traditional pub located in the heart of Monyash, serving good pub food. Popular with families and walkers.
  • The Bridge Inn, Calver - An idyllic setting next to the river with a great beer garden and serving good traditional pub food and local ales.

Restaurants

  • The Woodyard, Bakewell - Great location by the river in Bakewell for a family friendly Restaurant –  Serves both lunch and dinner.
  • PieDaniels, Bakewell - A fine French restaurant and cafe bar in the heart of Bakewell offering a selection of fine French & English cuisine.
  • Rajas Indian Restaurant, Bakewell -  Indian restaurant located in the Bridge House just on the edge of the famous Bakewell Bridge. They also do take-aways.
  • Riverside House Hotel, Ashford in the Water - A luxury Hotel with a fine dining restaurant, they also offer afternoon tea.

Cafes

  • Aisseford Tea Room, Ashford in the Water - Pretty village tea room with lots of outdoor seating.
  • The Upstairs Café, Bakewell - A nice child –friendly café located in the centre of Bakewell.
  • Lavender Tea Rooms, Bakewell - A lovely quaint tea room, hidden in the corner of Hebden court, the charming décor includes vintage memorabilia and there’s outside seating in the sheltered courtyard. A great place for afternoon tea.
  • Hassop Station Café & Bookshop - A  family friendly cafe with outdoor covered seating and play, with a focus on food, family & fresh air. Enjoy brunch, lunch or afternoon tea on the terrace on the renown Monsal Trail or in the refurbished station building.
  • Hobbs Café, Monsal Head Hotel, Monsal Head - Situated at Monsal Head this cosy café offers great views and serves locally made ice cream.
  • The Old Smithy Café, Monyash - Rustic! Famous for its breakfast featured in the Top 50 Breakfast Book in the country. Character décor, open year round – walkers and bikers welcome. Also serves lunch daily with dinner on certain days.

Fresh Delivered Meals and Take-Aways

  • Sauced Here - fantastic selection of home made prepared meals from local chef/cooks - great for large groups. They also provide a full basket of groceries from local producers that can replace a supermarket delivery
  • Scoff - Delicious, home-cooked food, delivered to you in the Peak District
  • Bakewell Fish and Chip Shop
  • Rajas Indian Restaurant
  • Hope Valley Pizza Co - Take away pizza with free delivery
  • Maazi- Sumptuous Indian meal or buffet delivered to your door. Numerous catering options and can also provide waiting on staff and even take away the washing up.

Our Top 5 Places to Visit Nearby

1. Explore the pretty village of Ashford in the Water

Ashford in the Water is probably one of the most beautiful villages in the Peak District and is famous for its beautiful low arched medieval Sheepwash Bridge. You can easily spend an hour or so exploring the pretty village, it is particularly worth visiting when the well dressing festival is on as the village has 6 wells to dress, making it one of the largest well dressings in the area.

Click here for a link to further information on Ashford in the Water.

2. Cycle or Walk the Monsal Trail

With the Monsal Trail so close by it would be rude not to take the opportunity to cycle/walk along this old Midland Railway line which runs from Bakewell right up to Blackwell Mill, in Chee Dale. The trail offers 8.5 miles of traffic free and mud free cycling/walking and with the recently reopened tunnels offers one of the most spectacular leisure routes in Britain for cycling, walking and horse riding. The nearest cycle hire is at Hassop station which is a great place to stop for a bite to eat or for a coffee and piece of homemade cake! There is also a lovely little gift shop and book shop and a children’s play area. If walking it is also worth leaving the trail and dropping down in to Monsal Dale itself to enjoy walking along down by the river.

Click here for a link to cycle hire at Hassop Station or here for more information on the Monsal Trail.

3. Take a tour around the Thornbridge Brewery

This award winning brewery is just down the road from the property and for any real ale lover taking a tour of this state-of-the art brewery is not to be missed. There is a large Tap room to sit and enjoy the local ales or a glass of wine whilst waiting for your freshly made to order pizza which is served daily. Furnished with rustic tables and comfy sofas and chairs this is a great place to unwind after a day exploring the Peaks, plus it's dog friendly too.

Click here for a link to Thornbridge Brewery.

4. Spend a day exploring the historic market town of Bakewell

Bakewell is the largest town within the Peak District National Park and is a hub of activity. Market day is on a Monday and as well as a large range of stalls there is also an agricultural market which is definitely worth a look around as it offers a great insight into today's farming community. The town also hosts a craft and gift fair every weekend in the Brigade town hall. The Bakewell Old House Museum occupies one of the oldest buildings in Bakewell and dates back to 1543, it provides a fascinating glimpse into the towns past and is very interesting and informative with lots to appeal to all ages.Obviously no trip to Bakewell would be complete without sampling an original Bakewell pudding. The Old Original Bakewell Pudding Shop claims to have the old original recipe and still makes the puddings by hand from the secret recipe.

Click here for a link to further information on Bakewell.

5.Chatsworth House and Park

No visit to the Peak District would be complete without visiting the fabulous Chatsworth House. At Chatsworth there is something to do for every member of the family. The Farmyard and Adventure playground is a brilliant day out for children of all ages - with animal handling, milking demonstrations and daily activities, plus a woodland adventure playground with slides, trampolines and more!Then there is obviously the house itself, steeped with history it’s one of Britain’s greatest stately homes and has been passed down through 16 generations of the Cavendish family. The gardens are equally as impressive as the house, over 100 acres and as well and the beautiful flowers and plants, there are giant water features and sculptures dotted around. Again suitable for all the family, with the maze, the garden trails, and the famous water cascade to keep the little ones occupied.

Click here for a link to Chatsworth House and Park.

Key Facts

What To Expect At River Cottage

A basic weekend supply of the following (as there are no staff on site if you run out you will have to replace):

  • Hand soap
  • Loo rolls 1 on the holder and 1 spare in each bathroom or en suite
  • Bin bags
  • Washing up liquid
  • Cling film & kitchen foil
  • Dishwasher tablets
  •  4 x tea towels
  • 1 x dish cloth
  • Basic cleaning materials
  • Utilities - electric, gas, heating and hot water


Useful Information

  • 2 x high chairs (if requested)
  • 2 x Travel Cots-  if you have forgotten to request a cot these are stored in the cupboard in bedroom 4.  We provide basic travel cot's that comply with BSI. Please note that due to health and safety reasons, you will need to bring cot linen and any extra padding you require over and above the lightly padded standard base that is supplied by the manufacturer.
  • 5 x hair dryers
  • Fresh linen with beds made up upon arrival
  • Fresh towels - Bath towel for each guest & hand towels in the bathrooms
  • Iron & ironing board and indoor clothes drying rack.
  • Hoover and mop
  • Washing machine and separate tumble dryer
  • Sonos 5 smart speaker
  • 6 x TV’s located throughout the property. All of the TV’s have Freeview, the largest TV which is a SMART TV is located in the sitting room.
  • Books and board games
  • Free Wi-fi
  • Christmas - throughout December the property will have a Christmas Tree decorated with a set of lights


Cooking and Dining

For any kitchen items that are absolutely vital for your stay, please check with us before your visit to ensure that they are at the property (as things do sometimes get broken).

  • Crockery and cutlery enough for the maximum allowance of guests
  • Wine glasses - at least 20
  • Pint Pots- plenty
  • Water Glasses- plenty
  • Prosecco glasses - 20
  • Pans consisting of 2 large, 3 medium and 3 small two handled ones. 2 one handled pan, 4 x large frying pans, 1 x medium and 1 x small frying pan
  • Colander
  • 3 large, 2 medium, 2 small baking trays
  • Yorkshire Pudding tray x 2
  • Ceramic oval serving platter x 2
  • Large and Medium Flan Dish
  • Medium Cake Tins x 2
  • Glass Salad Bowl / 2 large wooden salad bowls
  • Large Plastic Pitchers x 2
  • Large Glass Lasagne dish
  • Pizza trays x 2
  • Wooden Chopping Boards x 5
  • Plastic Chopping Boards x 8
  • Double oven with grill, 6 gas hobs. Also a further smaller oven.
  • 1 x microwave
  • Nespresso Pixie coffee machine (guests will need to bring their own pods - takes the original Nespresso capsules).
  • Large fridge and separate freezer, there is also a drinks fridge located in the dining room.
  • 2 x Double toasters
  • 3 x Cafetieres
  • 2 x Kettles
  • 2 x Dishwashers
  • Kitchen scales
  • Kitchen Diner seating for 5/6 guests
  • 2 long refectory tables and benches in the dining room, and a further 4 chairs. Dining for up to 20 guests.

Parking

  • There is parking for 4 cars on the drive
  • A further 4-5 cars can be parked either side of the drive on the road side as there are pull in spaces
  • For reasons of both safety and property insurance, under no circumstances should you use the domestic plug sockets in the property to charge an electric vehicle. Our domestic supply in the property does not have the capacity or set up to support EV charging. Please use this link, that you may find helpful, for the nearby local charging stations. 


Outdoor Space

  • ​Manicured gardens with trees and hedges as boundaries
  • Enclosed, secure garden
  • Flagged patio area with outdoor seating that can comfortably seat 14
  • Further small patio area overlooking the river
  • Lawn area
  • Raised pond - with mesh over for safety
  • Fast flowing river located at the bottom of the garden- there is a secure fence separating it from the garden
  • Small secluded courtyard to the far side of the garden - ideal for a quiet reading spot
  • Outside tap
  • BBQ- charcoal - available between the 1st April to 31st October, please supply your own charcoal and lighting equipment


Property Quirks

  • ​There are around 13 stone steps down from the parking area to the garden - so may not be ideal for guests with restricted mobility issues
  • Bedroom 2 has a raised platform with double mattress (3ft from the floor accessed via steps with low ceiling height) great for children ideally- the en suite for this room is on the lower level and shown on the virtual tour - The virtual tour shows Bedroom 1 also has access but you cannot now access this en suite from Bedroom 1
  • There is a fast flowing river at the bottom of the garden. For those with young children you can rest assured that the garden has been made safe and secure with a 1.1mtr fence but we do advise that you must never leave your young children unsupervised or climb the fence
  • There is a safety grate above the pond which is not secured but is too heavy for a single person to lift. Guests are encouraged to feed the fish using the fish food left by the pond, but please do not climb or stand on the mesh
  • As the range cooker hobs are gas, please be mindful that the cooker handles can be reached by small hands
  • The large windows on the first floor hallway are securely locked and cannot be opened
  • Several stone steps around the garden so please be careful
  • Bedroom 1 does have it's en suite located in a quirky cupboard hideaway
  • The stone steps to the lower seating area near the river are narrow so please do not leave your children unsupervised and please watch your step!


Dogs

  • ​We allow 2 dogs at the property and charge £30 per dog for the duration of their stay
  • We ask that dogs are kept off the furniture and out of all bedrooms
  • Please do not leave dogs unattended in the property or garden at any time
  • Please clear any dog litter from the garden 


Wi-Fi

Wi-Fi is provided free of charge, however, as the Peak District is in a beautiful rural area sometimes there may be intermittent signal which is beyond our control.  We also hope you appreciate that we cannot guarantee Wi-Fi is there are technical issues in the area


Availability

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