Country Pubs

• ​The Knockerdown Inn |  a short walk from the cottages accessed from the gate on site - relaxed atmosphere overlooking Carsington Water. Serving pies, steaks, burgers and lots more. A perfect place to unwind after a day exploring. Dog friendly.
• The Red Lion | Hognaston,  a couple of minutes drive - 17th century inn located in a small village offering hearty pub favourites, local ales, roaring open fires and overlooks Carsington Water.

• The Miners Arms | Carsington - 11 minutes drive away. Welcoming, families, walkers, dog lovers, and offering good traditional locally sourced food.
• The Black Swan | Idridgehay, a 15 minute drive away.  Serving the pub classics, alongside great gastro choices and pizzas. 
• The Cock Inn |  Muggington, 15 minutes away. Featuring dishes from around the world alongside the more traditional steaks and burgers, this is a great place to stop and get something to eat. 
• The Olde Gate Inn |  Brassington, 15 minutes away. Dog Friendly pub, offering sandwiches, traditional pub food and a Sunday Menu. Opened for lunches and evening meals.
• The Green Man - Ashbourne, 8 minutes away. Modern and Traditional pub food. Bar snacks or small plates are available if you are not needing a hearty meal.

Restaurants

• Mainsail Restaurant | Carsington Water, short walk from the cottages, enjoy the wonderful views of Carsington as you tuck into breakfasts, lunch and dinner, offering daily special boards
• The Lighthouse Restaurant | Ashbourne, 8 minutes away. The menu is dictated by the seasons and the local produce. Featured in the Michelin and Good Food Guide, this is a great place to experience the classics.
• The Basement Thai Restaurant | - Ashbourne, 8 minutes away. Opened for lunch and evening meals, offering authentic Thai dishes in an inviting location.
• The Lamplight | Ashbourne, 8 minutes away - family run in the centre of the market town of Ashbourne. British / French cuisine with seasonal choices. Can be hired for up to 50 people with prior bookings.
• Maazi | Matlock, 20 minute drive, authentic Indian cuisine and know locally as one of the best in the county. All the classic dishes you would expect and much more. eat in restaurant and also a takeaway service too.
• Fischers | Baslow, 30 minutes drive - celebrating that special occasion then it is worth a slightly longer trip out to this outstanding  (Derbyshire's only) Michelin fine dining restaurant. Amazing attention to detail and fantastic imaginative British cuisine. Booking is essential though.

​Cafes

• Herberts Fine English Tea Room | - Tissington, serving a selection of teas, coffees, light lunches, cakes and handmade scones.
• Cafe Impromptu | Ashbourne, wide selection of homemade food, breakfasts, with Barista style coffee, and seasonal specials, located in the heart of the town
• The Sour Cow | Wirksworth, 8 minutes away - serving fresh food, English and American breakfasts, waffles and much, much more.
• Cafe in the Park | Matlock, 20 minute drive - set in the beautiful surroundings of Hall Leys Park, this cafe offers hearty breakfasts, luxurious cakes, delicious main meals, sandwiches and a vast array of drinks available too. A perfect spot to relax after a day exploring the surrounding area.
• The Fountain Tea Room | Bonsall, 15 minute drive - with open countryside around you ready to explore this quaint tearoom is the perfect pit-stop to either start your day or finish there for a well deserved snack and drink. Open for breakfasts, drinks, cakes, sandwiches, jacket potatoes plus toasties.
• Cocoa Cafe | Belper, 20 minute drive, in the heart of the town this artisan cafe offers chilli nachos, salads, cakes and the most ultimate hot chocolate. They also supply handmade chocolates a perfect treat to take back home.

​Fresh Delivered Meals and Take Aways

• Scoff |  Delicious, home-cooked food, delivered to your cottages.
• The Basement Thai | Ashbourne, authentic Thai dishes, open for lunch and dinner. Collection only
• Golden Hill Chinese | Ashbourne, Chinese food at its best - call to place and order, collection only.
• Star Anise Indian | Ashbourne, Traditional Indian cuisine with all the usual favourites. Can order online or via phone - please check if they will deliver to the cottages.
• Wirksworth Fish Bar | Wirksworth, delicious fish and chips and all the trimmings
• Bellinis | Matlock, Pizzeria and grill, offering pizzas, burgers, kebabs, fried chicken, wraps plus desserts.
• Thailand No 1 | Matlock, authentic Thai cuisine, fresh and inviting favourites with vegetarian options too. 

It is always best to check the websites for any seasonal opening times as some places do shut early  or close over the winter months.

Carsington Water

Ideally located on your doorstep and a must for all ages. A place that can be easily visited for the whole day, offering fabulous walks / cycle tracks around the reservoirs, ideal for all ages with the differing routes. Take in the exhibition about the wonderful world of water, a real hands on experience. For those willing to get a bit wet there are plenty of water sports on offer - however booking would be preferred. A fabulous cafe to enjoy those sweet treats and a well earned drink. Children's play area to let off some steam if not already tired from a fun filled day already!

Crich Tram Museum

You don't have to be  a Tram enthusiast to enjoy this museum.  Why not take a ride on the trams, running regularly along the full track taking in the beautiful surroundings. Dogs are also allowed on the trams on the lower deck only. Or try the walk on the sculpture trail, a beautiful woodland walk offering a range of things to see along your way- peep into tunnels, hide in shelters, or take a picnic and enjoy  the views across the Derwent Valley.

Chatsworth House and Edensor Village

A fabulous day out for all the family. Take a tour around the house and marvel in the 25 exquisite rooms open to the public and take in the history of the Cavendish family. Explore the 105 acre grounds that have been lovingly sculptured and maintained over decades, get lost in the maze, paddle in the cascade, and head into the wooden forest to see what can be found. Should a house visit not be needed on your trip then there is a fantastic Children's Farmyard and adventure play area too. Depending on the time of year visited there will be baby animals to enjoy, but any time of year you will see the Shire horses, rare breed chicken and pigs and cheeky goats! From the farmyard you can either follow the paths or take the secret tunnel (kids only) up to the adventure playground. Collect water from the stream using an Archimedes screw, dig in the large sand pit or climb, slide and jump across the many activities to enjoy. The nearby village of Edensor has to be one of the prettiest villages, with striking houses ranging from Tudor to Swiss cottages.  A perfect village to wander around and admire and why not pop into the popular tea shop is in the heart of the village too.

Gulliver's Kingdom

Based in Matlock Bath, this is a perfect attraction for families with small children, ideal for ages 2-13 years. A wide range of rides to enjoy and things to see, including the log flume, Western World, Pirates play area with pirate ship, Drop Tower,  Dino Falls or climb high on the Crows Nest Quest. Why not take a picnic to enjoy or there is a cafe to have a well deserved rest.

Tissington & The Tissington Trail

Famed for being the birth place of the traditional well dressings that the Peak District is now known for. The village welcomes thousands of visitors each May to take in this ancient tradition of dressing wells that are dotted throughout the village. In the heart of this pretty village is Tissington Hall, a Jacobean house dating back to 1609 open from April to August for visitors to enjoy. One of the most photographed shots in the village is the idyllic pond a perfect spot to sit and watch the world go by. For the more adventurous why not try The Tissington Trail, 13 miles of traffic free trail for cyclists and walkers. Running from Ashbourne to Parsley Hay - where it then joins to the High Peak Trail. Immerse yourself in the stunning scenery, if you do not have bikes to bring then these can be hired at Parsley Hay or The Bike Barn in Ashbourne.

Dove Dale & Thorpe Cloud

If walking is more your thing then you must visit Dove Dale, known for the picturesque stepping stones, that hundreds of visitors come to cross every year. Take in the natural splendour of the limestone valley and River Dove. You are also able to hike to the impressive Thorpe's Cloud, a steep ascent but greeted with stunning views when at the top. Thorpe Cloud is an isolated limestone hill with its highest point being at 287 metres. The whole area is stunning and offers plenty woodland walks and wildlife to enjoy.

Indoor Heated Swimming Pool

Guests can enjoy a heated indoor swimming pool which is open all year round with the exception of early closure on Christmas & New Years Eve and CLOSED on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day.

It measures 34ft long x 15ft wide x 3ft to 5ft 9in deep and is kept at a pleasant 30 degrees, making it perfect for budding water babies and very appealing for grown-ups. Easy access with walk in steps in the shallow area of the pool.

All cottage bookings include free use of the swimming pool facilities.

The swimming pool opens at 8.30 am and closes at 6.30 pm. (Early Closure on Christmas & New Years Eve). Unisex changing rooms with showers and toilets are available opposite the entrance to the swimming pool.

Laundry Room

There is a laundry room that offers 2 x washing machines and 1 x tumble dryer which is communal for all guests to be able to use. The machines are coin operated and do accept £1 coins.

Cycling

Knockerdown Cottages are the perfect location to bring your bikes and explore this beautiful area. They can provide a secure undercover cycle rack and a bike maintenance unit- enabling you to pump up your tyres or check your bike over before heading out for the day.

Additional Space to Hire

Knockerdown Cottages have a large room called the Brackendale that can be hired for that special occasion- with a capacity to seat 100 guests. This room has a fully equipped kitchen, W/C's and opens onto a terrace and the meadow so offering a fantastic setting for a birthday / wedding / social celebration.