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Come to Swallow Barn for an idyllic rural retreat in the heart of the Peak
District National Park. A detached 17c stone barn for two, it combines stylish
modern comforts with oak beams and exposed stonework – the perfect mix of old
and new. Set in Chelmorton village, there are wonderful walks from the door and
beautiful countryside to explore in every direction. In the summer you can sit
out on your own private patio and enjoy the peace and tranquillity.
South facing, the property is approached from the road by a tree lined walled
path which leads to a private, flagged patio area with garden furniture. French
windows open into the light and airy kitchen dining/lounge area, with a beamed
ceiling which goes right up to the rafters, wooden floor and comfortable
seating. One corner is occupied by the well-equipped kitchen. An archway leads
through into the bedroom, with comfortable double bed and en-suite shower room.
The accommodation is all in one level and offers everything you need for a
relaxing short break or longer holiday.
Swallow Barn is completely self contained and everything you would expect from a quality 4-star holiday cottage is provided, including:
Please note Swallow Barn is 'no smoking'. One well behaved pet is welcome.
Chelmorton is situated right at the heart of the Peak District National Park and therefore offers the perfect base for exploring the area. It is an ancient Derbyshire village in the 'White Peak' and is renowned for the surrounding narrow strip fields bounded by limestone walls which trace the patterns of medieval farming methods. Today the fields enclose herds of nibbling sheep and grazing cows.
As a Conservation village, not on the way to anywhere, it is peaceful and safe. Very little traffic goes up and down the road and you are just as likely to see sheep being herded up the street or a few hens wandering about. There are no shops in the village, however the Church Inn (which serves good food) is just two minutes walk from Swallow Barn.
All around is the spectacular landscape of the Peak District. The picturesque dales of the rivers Wye, Lathkill, Dove and Derwent are all less than 15 minutes from Chelmorton. Footpaths branch out from the village in every direction and it is possible to have car-free days on foot or bicycle.
Several market towns, including Buxton, Bakewell, Ashbourne and Leek are within easy reach by car or bus, offering traditional shopping as well as a choice of supermarkets.
The Peak District National Park encompasses some of the most breathtaking
scenery in England and draws walkers and outdoor enthusiasts from all over the
world. It became Britain's first National Park in 1951, enabling the rugged
hills and valleys and picturesque towns and villages to be conserved for
everyone to enjoy.
Chelmorton is at the heart of the 'White Peak', a landscape of rolling hills and
limestone dales. To the north, east and west is the 'Dark Peak', large expanses
of heather moorland and outcrops of gritstone. The scenery is spectacular
throughout the National Park whether you are climbing the hills, wandering
through ancient woodlands or strolling along a riverside path.
If you want to learn a little more about the
area the ten 'Peak Experience' guides, downloadable from
www.peak-experience.org.uk will help you uncover the natural and cultural
heritage of the area. There is one for each of the following topics: Food,
Archaeology, Film & Literature, Waterways, Geology, Industrial Heritage,
Churches, Antiques, Wildlife, Myths & Legends.
Market towns
Exploring
the shops around the historic villages and towns of the Peak District is a real
pleasure, with alleyways, courtyards and arcades where the accent is on
individual shops. You'll find a wide selection of products, from crafts to
couture to delis and outdoor clothing. Bakewell, Leek and Ashbourne all have a
wealth of antique shops, ideal for browsing and perhaps the source of a reminder
of your holiday!
The nearest town to Chelmorton is Buxton (6m), where there is a
wide range of shops and supermarkets (Morrisons, Waitrose, Tesco Express). A
former spa town, Buxton boasts a gem of an
opera house, splendid Georgian architecture and lots of places to eat.
The attractive market town of Bakewell is just 8m, where you can stroll by the
River Wye with its 17c arched bridge. Don't miss the Monday
market with over 40 regular stalls or the Farmers' Market on the last Saturday
of the month. A couple of miles outside Bakewell, on the A6 towards Matlock, is
Peak Village factory outlet.
Ashbourne (12m) is a lovely Georgian town, with a medieval market place and a
lots of individual shops selling antiques, fashion and other goods. Wander down
St John's Street past tiny almshouses and the 15c Grammar School to see splendid
15c tombs in St John's Church.
History and Heritage
A
number of fascinating museums offer a glimpse back into the past, including the
Old House Museum in Bakewell. Only 18m away is a UNESCO World Heritage Site
– the
Derwent Valley Mills - birthplace of the Industrial Revolution. Take a ride
on a vintage tram for one old penny at
Crich Tramway Village or a ride in a horse drawn carriage at the
Red House Stables.
Historic Houses, Castles and
Gardens
Derbyshire
boasts a wealth of historic houses, castles and splendid gardens to discover.
Chatsworth, home to the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire is the most well
known stately home, but just over the hill from is another gem – medieval
Haddon Hall.
The National Trust has several grand properties within easy reach including
Sudbury Hall, Kedleston Hall and Hardwick Hall.
English Heritage too has sites to visit – including Peveril Castle dating
from Norman times and magnificent Bolsover Castle.
Caves and Caverns
The
'White Peak' limestone landscape and the legacy of a 17c lead mining industry
have combined to create a number of caves and caverns to explore. Castleton
village is the most popular place to 'go underground' – with several caves and
caverns, including
Speedwell Cavern and
Treak Cliff Cavern. At Buxton,
Poole's Cavern has spectacular stalagmites and has won awards for its
accessibility for all.
Chelmorton is right in the middle of the Peak District National Park and there are countless opportunities for exploring the countryside on foot, bike or horseback using miles of footpaths, bridleways and quiet lanes.
We have a selection of leaflets, brochures and maps at Swallow Barn to help you plan your walks in the Peak District., including several circular ones which are 'straight from the door' and linear ones which you can do one way and return by bus. We are also happy to recommend routes to suit your walking ability (and the weather conditions!).
However if you enjoy planning your walks before you arrive on holiday, here are some suggestions:
Secure
bicycle storage is available for your bikes at Swallow Barn. However if you
prefer to hire your bikes there is a superb cycle hire centre just 4 miles away
at
Parsley Hay on the Tissington Trail – a former railway line that offers
miles of safe, traffic-free cycling.
For mountain bikers the choice of routes is endless - with rough moorland
tracks, routes through woods and fields and a labyrinth of quiet lanes.
If you wish to bring your own horses we can arrange stabling and grazing at a nearby farm. The Pennine Bridleway passes by Chelmorton, offering a superb waymarked route for mountain bikers, horse riders and walkers. Do a stretch of it and then loop back round, using Swallow Barn as your base for a number of days out on the trail.
Tel 01298 85067
www.swallowbarn.com
Derbyshire self catering holiday cottages