The Peak District Walking Festival www.visitpeakdistrict.com/walkingfestivals occurs in April, this year between the 19th and the 27th and features over 100 talks and walks in diverse landscapes and historic towns and villages, for all abilities.
There are many Easter events occuring locally with Easter Egg Hunts at Blackbrook house www.blackbrookhouse.com, Easter craft days at Hardwick Hall www.hardwickhallhotel.co.uk , and other Easter Events at Gulliver’s Kingdom www.gulliversfun.co.uk and Alton Towers www.altontowers.com .
Well dressings are celebrated in more than sixty towns and villages throughout Derbyshire and the Peak District, from May through to September. www.welldressing.com. There are Vintage Steam Events, usually starting in June with the popular Belper Vintage Event and finishing in September with the Cromford Steam Rally. The famed Chatsworth House and Gardens holds many events throughout the year www.chatsworth.org/events/index.htm but highly recommended is their country fair at the end of August www.countryfairoffice.co.uk. Crich itself has a fete in July each year with face painting and a grass slide among other attractions for the children, and a beer tent for the adults www.cacn.org. There are many other events running throughout the summer, the dates of these can be accessed through www.visitderbyshire.co.uk/whats_on.html
Gulliver’s Kingdom, Alton Towers, White Post Farm www.whitepostfarmcentre.co.uk and Wonderland www.wonderlandpleasurepark.com have themed Halloween events and the theme parks also promise spectacular fireworks displays. The well known Matlock Bath Illuminations and Venetian Nights take place each year in September and October. At dusk the river bank is transformed into a magical wonderland of coloured lights and illuminated displays and at weekends this concludes with a fireworks display.
The Nottingham goose fair www.nottinghamgoosefair.co.uk starts in Nottingham then comes to the local towns in October and November. There are rides and stalls to suit everyone.
There are many opportunities to get in the festive spirit. Crich Tramway Village and Gulliver’s Kingdom both do “Santa Specials” with roast turkey with all the trimmings and the children can meet Santa. The first weekend in December, there is a lovely Victorian Market in Matlock with many stalls, old fashioned rides for the children, mulled wine and roasted chestnuts. The week before Christmas, soak up the atmosphere in Crich itself, with the two carol services around the tree in the Market Place, directly opposite the cottage.
The January sales is a great time to indulge in a bit of retail therapy and designer outlets McArthur Glen www.mcarthurglen.com, Masson Mills www.massonmills.co.uk and the Peak Shopping Village www.peakvillage.co.uk are conveniently located, as is Derby’s Westfield shopping centre www.westfieldderby.co.uk (its been likened to Meadowhall!)
There really is plenty to do whatever the season but please book early to avoid disappointment.
Highly versatile, the cottage is an ideal base for walkers, cyclists and climbers wanting a more energetic holiday or for those who simply want a relaxing holiday in the countryside.
It is suitable for all ages, for families, friends and couples alike and for those with accessibility problems. Those traveling with young children are welcome to use the high chair, cot, stair gate and a safety guard for the log burner at no additional cost. The property is easy to negotiate and benefits from having a bedroom and a bathroom on the ground floor, a gentle ramp to the front door, wide access through the back door and an even and flat patio area and path leading to it.