Catherine Smith has visits galore lined up for this busy tour of the Peak District National Park
The Potting Shed
Firework season can be a stressful time for pet owners in the UK and like many others, we now opt to go away at the beginning of November to try to avoid the worst of it. If you are looking for somewhere remote, with plenty of things nearby to do with your pooch, then The Potting Shed in the peaceful, farming village of Wormhill is the perfect escape. The two-bedroom property comprises an open plan lounge/diner with a cosy wood burner and French doors leading out to the pretty, secure garden (dogs are allowed on the furniture with the use of supplied throws). Both bedrooms and the kitchen offer stunning views over the rolling hills of the Peak District. The bathroom has a large bath and separate shower cubicle and there is a separate utility room for coats and muddy boots. It is possibly the most well-equipped holiday property I have ever stayed in, with everything you might require for your stay from a coffee machine to hair straighteners. The village of Wormhill itself is steeped in history, it is thought to have been originally called Wolfhill due to the abundance of wolves that once frequented the nearby woodland. On a more desolate note, it is believed the last wolf in the UK was killed here. These days it is a sleepy little hamlet complete with a village green and an original set of stocks, providing access to footpaths to some of the dales’ most beautiful trails, including Millers Dale, Chee Dale and Monks Dale to name but a few.
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The Garden at the Potting Shed
Our first dog friendly adventure sees us at Lyme, a National Trust property 15 miles from Wormhill, just over the border in Cheshire. Having 1400 acres of gardens, woodland and moors, there is certainly plenty to explore. At this time of the year dogs are allowed off lead in some areas of the grounds, although it’s worth bearing in mind that there is a herd of red deer. There is also a year-round dog walking area in Knightslow Wood if your dogs are that keen. There is a dog friendly cafe, second-hand bookshop and gift shop and, if you do get the opportunity, the house itself is well worth a visit (we took it in turns). You can easily spend an entire day at Lyme.
The Living Room
The day after, we visited Castleton via the stunning, winding road of Winnats Pass, taking in its breathtaking limestone gorges and rolling hills. The beauty of visiting off-season means that we miss all the crowds on this normally popular route. Castleton is arguably one of the most beautiful villages in the Peak District. It boasts the remains of Peveril Castle, which date back to Norman times, four caverns available to visit, as well as being the only place in the world where the semi-precious stone Blue John can be found. Dogs are allowed in many of Castleton’s shops, including the pretty Old Apothecary, a haven for gift shopping. As steps can be a little challenging with Rufus (he can only take them at a run) we opt to visit one of the caverns with the least steps, Peak Cavern. It is known locally as The Devil’s Arse due to its tendency to blow loud raspberries after flooding. The entrance to Peak Cavern is awe inspiring and in fact it has the largest natural cave entrance in the UK as well as a rich history, including being utilised as a former home to a community of rope-makers. Visits to the cavern are tour-guided so be sure to check their websites for tour times or book your tickets in advance. With a year-round temperature of 8 to 9C it can feel chilly in the caves so afterwards we warm up with a nice brew and a chip butty in the welcoming Blueberry Cafe adjacent to the visitor centre.
Peveril Castle Ruins
The following day we take a walk around Wormhill village before heading to the nearby town of Buxton, famous for its natural thermal spas and splendid Georgian and Victorian buildings. The town is incredibly dog friendly with dogs welcomed in many of the shops as well as the visitor centre which is situated in the Grade II listed pump room. Adjacent to this resides the natural spring of St Ann’s Well where you can sample the town’s warm thermal mineral water. You can also buy glass bottles to fill if you wish to take some away with you. If you have a penchant for good coffee and books, then a visit to the dog friendly High Peak Books, just a three-mile drive from Buxton, is a must. A great selection of brand-new paperbacks start at just £2.99 and a welcoming, quirky cafe make it a popular spot. So be prepared to queue for a table. The next day we cross the border to Sheffield to visit Lady Cannings Plantation providing woodland walks on the edge of the Peak Park, the colours of which are spectacular at this time of year. From here we drive to the pretty village of Hathersage said to have been the inspiration for many of the locations in Charlotte Bronte’s famous novel Jane Eyre. We park in the centre and take a short walk up the muddy hill to the village churchyard to see the grave that is reputedly that of Little John,one of Robin Hood’s Merry Band. Afterwards we enjoy lunch at the Colemans Deli, a family run establishment serving a selection of sandwiches, salads and hot dishes. We opt for the smashed avocado on toast. We spend our penultimate day at Eyam village, which found fame during the Black Death of 1665 and 1666. Following an outbreak of the plague, the villagers decided to isolate themselves to stop its spread. Sadly, many lost their lives. There are a number of walks that take in the historic points of interest around the village with stunning views along the way. The Affogata Coffee shop located next to the craft centre is dog friendly and provides a welcome respite from the autumn drizzle. On the way home we take a detour to the Toll Bar Fish & Chip shop in Stoney Middleton. Not only have they been serving excellent fish and chips to take away from this quaint former toll bar since 1926, but it is the only Grade II listed chip shop in the country.
Wormhill Village
We spend our last day in Bakewell, another picturesque town that offers walks along the river Wye. In Bakewell many shops welcome your four-legged friends and Rufus is delighted to find many also have a selection of free dog treats on offer. There are also many cafes and pubs that welcome dogs. But, of course, a visit to Bakewell would not be complete without sampling a slice of its world-famous Bakewell pudding. We buy one to take home to serve We buy one to take home to serve warm for our supper that evening. I can confidently confirm, it was a sliceof beautiful, buttery, almond delight.
FACT FILE
The Potting Shed
ADDRESS – Wormhill, Buxton, Derbyshire, SK17 8SJ
PRICE From £527 per week, this two bedroom property sleeps four and accepts up to three dogs, cost of £20 per dog per week
WEBSITE holidaycottages.co.uk
LOCAL INTEREST
The Spa town of Buxton
The Market Town of Bakewell
Castleton
Chatsworth House
Mam Tor
PLACES TO EAT
High Peak Book Store and Cafe, Buxton
The Blueberry Cafe, Castleton
Toll Bar Fish & Chips, Stoney Middleton (take away only)
