Walkers Paradise: Keen walkers need not get back in the car once you have unloaded and parked up.
The Monsal trail (old railway line turned walkpath) runs through the valley. Local walks take in the 5 Dales walk, Monksdale, Cressbrook Vale, and the Limestone Way to name but a few.
Further afield are Chatsworth grounds, Edale (20 min drive) and the Penine Way in the High Peaks.
From Castleton you can do a circular walk to Mam Tor with stunning views in all directions. Ladybower Reservoir offers beautiful low and high level walks.
For cyclists there are many paths suitable for cycling, full details are available in the cottage information book, and cycles can be hired at Ladybower and other locations.
Local Attractions: Haddon Hall, the location 'Thornfield Hall', in the recent BBC 1 serialisation of 'Jane Eyre' is six miles from the cottage, and open to visitors April to October. (Check their website for opening times.)
Other nearby local attractions include Alton Towers, The Blue John Cavern, Eyam (the plague village), Bakewell (home of the famous tarts), and the splendour of Chatsworth House. The National Tramways Museum, steam railways and many other reminders of the industrial age make for fascinating days out. Cressbrook is at the centre of the Well Dressing Villages, this ancient pagan rite adopted by Christianity is celebrated in the area from June to September. Well dressing is a beautiful and delicate folk-art creating pictures made of flower petals to adorn the wells. The Cressbrook Silver Band, the oldest in the Country, performs regularly both in Cressbrook and adjacent villages.
Parking Facilities, Eating and Drinking: The house is accessed by a narrow lane and you can drive to front door to unload. Parking is available at the entrance to the lane (30 yards) in an off road car park. Alternative parking on the road in front of the cottage garden. All parking is free.
The villagers own the local club, and welcome visitors. There are many local pubs and restaurants in the vicinity for relaxing after a hard days walking, should you be able to leave the view from the patio.
The nearby pub in Litton serves good pub food and very drinkable wines by the glass as well as the local ales. You can walk to the pub (1mile on the flat)
Excellent food and wines are served all day at the Monsal Head (1.5m) where you can get anything anytime, from burgers to a gourmet meal from 11AM till 9PM, in the Stables, which is casual and cheerful with log fire in winter, or more formal dining in the resturant, which can be booked. With views rival ours in Cressbrook, it gets v busy in summer on weekends at peak times.
