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A warm welcome to the spectacular scenery of the Manifold Valley, Dovedale and the luxurious self catering cottages of Swainsley Farm.
We are located in an elevated position looking south down the beautiful Manifold River which flows through spectacular crags and wooded valleys before joining the Dove several miles downstream. Guests staying at Swainsley Farm self catering cottages have amazing panoramic views of the Peak District National Park in all directions with wonderful walking straight from the door!
The idyllic and private location of our self catering cottages is along a tree lined drive leading from the quiet lane between Butterton and Hulme End. Swainsley Farm is sheltered by the majestic limestone dome of Ecton Hill which was part of Chatsworth and the Duke of Devonshire’s holdings.
It is an area of outstanding natural beauty with lush tranquil dales and wild romantic highlands. In the 19th century Swainsley Farm became part of Sir Thomas Wardle’s estate and had many distinguished visitors including Mark Twain and Baden Powell. Today, we are a smallholding of 12 ˝ acres with three self catering cottages in an area rich in birds, wildlife and flowers.
Great care has been taken to convert traditional 18th century farm buildings into three high quality self catering cottages. With beamed ceilings and many original features they provide the homely comforts of a bygone age with modern essentials such as well equipped kitchens and bathrooms. Each is spacious with coordinated furnishings, ideal for a holiday at any time of year.
Externally, the self catering cottages have some of the finest views in the Derbyshire Dales, Staffordshire Moorlands and Peak District National Park. Visitors can relax and enjoy this stunning scenery from a sunny courtyard and small paddocks which have garden furniture, picnic tables and barbecues.
The area is steeped in history, there are many National Trust properties, great houses and magnificent gardens. Some of the best cycling in the Peak District is available on the Manifold Trail running below Swainsley Farm (also suitable for wheelchair users and mums with push chairs). Riding, trekking and fishing are all available locally, while the more adventurous can try their hand at rock climbing, caving, sailing, canoeing and hang gliding. The less adventurous may just want to stroll through fields, walk along the banks of the Manifold River or visit some of our pretty villages with their lovely old churches and ancient inns. Village shops are close-by and there are some wonderful places to eat. There are a number of golf courses nearby.
The ancient market towns of Buxton, Bakewell, Ashbourne and Leek are within 10 or 12 miles. All have regular markets, good shops, cafes and antique centres. There are many family attractions close by including Alton Towers, Matlock Bath and Chatsworth. The Potteries has the factory shops of Wedgwood, Royal Doulton, Spode and others.
The international sporting and concert venues of Manchester, Sheffield, Derby and Stoke-on-Trent are easily assessable for a great day out.
Our three self catering cottages sleep from 2 to 7 people and can be booked individually or in any combination to take up to 14 people.
If you want to pamper yourself we can arrange for holistic and beauty therapists for that extra special treat.
There are so many things to see and do near our cottages in the Peak district that visitors to Swainsley Farm will wonder how on earth they will fit it all in. Perhaps that's why so many guests come back year after year!
Situated in an elevated position with amazing panoramic views overlooking the river Manifold, fantastic walking and cycling can be enjoyed straight out from the front door of your cottage. Fishing, pony trekking, water sports and cycle hire are all also available locally.
The Manifold River flows through spectacular crags and wooded valleys before joining the River Dove several miles downstream of Swainsley. The Manifold Trail is easily accessible from Swainsley Farm and gives wheelchair users (and mums with pushchairs) easy access to wonderful scenery, offering gentle walks with wild flowers in proliferation and safe cycle riding for children.
For the more adventurous the area has excellent facilities for rock climbing (The Roaches), canoeing, caving and hang gliding.
Located 3/4 mile from the pretty village of Butterton guests can easily enjoy shops and pubs in the village and also the hamlet of Hulme End (1 1/2 miles along the Manifold Trail). Other renowned traditional pubs are to be found in the village of Warslow (3/4 mile across the fields!).
There are many National trust properties close by (such as: Sudbury Hall, Lyme Park, Kedleston Hall, Tatton Park, Biddulph Grange and Little Morton Hall) and many other great houses and magnificent gardens.
Elegant Chatsworth House and Park is 4 miles east of Bakewell while Buxton, a spa town founded in 79 AD by the Romans has its Opera House and landscaped gardens.
Bakewell, home of the famous almond flavoured tart, lies on the banks of the River Wye. Two miles south the medieval manor of Haddon Hall (described as the most perfect house in England) can be found with its beautiful gardens.
Swainsley Farm is only 10 miles from the world famous Alton Towers theme park, and Matlock Bath.
The Potteries is only about a 20 minute drive from Swainsley Farm and has many family attractions, cinemas, and factory shops as well as Wedgwood, Royal Doulton and Spode visitor centres.
Tel 01298 84530
www.swainsleyfarm.co.uk
Staffordshire self catering holiday cottages