Apartment 10 Litton Mill in the heart of the Peaks
The apartment is situated within easy reach of some of the most impressive scenery in the Peak District. There are beautiful walks to suit varying abilities over moorland with imposing crags and edges, or peaceful streams to wander along.
There are various books of walks in the apartment that are available to borrow- but please leave them behind for others to use.
Within the National Park there are also an amazing variety of historic houses belonging to the National Trust.
The Longshaw Estate and High Peak Estate are also great walking areas and frequently have special activities weekends.
Places to eat
• Vanilla Kitchen in Queen Street ,Tideswell does good food, ice creams and coffee etc. tel. 01298 871519
• There are three Fish and chip shops in Tideswell- can recommend one on corner near the bank
• Red Lion in Litton- always full so book. Excellent food and has a gluten free menu-they really understand the concept. Quiz night on Monday.
• The Old Bull's Head at Foollow. Set out of village through Litton and on to main road to Chesterfield. Foollow is just round the big bend. Advisable to book as usually full- unless you eat really early!
• Hassop Hall- for a very special occasion. On A6 to Bakewell tel. 01629 640488
An old manor house with bedrooms above.The ground floor is given over to dining rooms. The furnishings are elegant and it is silver service.
Places of Interest
• Calke Abbey, Ticknall, is a house that has been preserved in time.
• Sudbury Hall and Museum of Childhood, Ashbourne, houses both a stately home used in various films and new this year, the Museum of Childhood.
• Kedddleston Hall, Quarndon, near Derby, is an 18th century house with a beautiful landscaped park. Take the A6 to Quarndon and you will see the National Trust signs.
It is a magnificent Adam building, built as a display of wealth in 1760 for the Curzon family. Of current interest, it was extensively used for the filming of "The Duchess" It contains many works of art in their original positions. Presently costumes from the film are on display around the rooms with many more in Caesar's Hall, along with information on the making of the film. The grounds are laid to open parkland so desired in the eighteenth century, good food is available in what were the kitchens
• Other famous properties close by are Chatsworth, Haddon Hall and Hardwick Hall, all belonging to the Duke of Devonshire. These three properties show the development of the stately home through the centuries.
• Bakewell is nearby and is the home of Bakewell tart. It was bakewell pudding originally and the Original Pudding Shoppe still sells the early version as well as the more modern variety. Market day is Monday
• Buxton is 15 minutes west of Litton. Take the A6. The nearest supermarket is Morrisons which is locatedon the outskirts of the town with parking and petrol. The town centre has several car parks and the High Street has Halifax, Abbey, and Lloyds TSB etc. There are a range of small shops including Marks and Spencer's, Waitrose is in Spring Gardens shopping centre.
At the top of the High Street is The Crescent, similar to the one in Bath. At the end of the Crescent is the Old Hall Hotel where Mary Queen of Scots stayed and looks excellent for clotted cream teas.
Just past the hotel is the Opera House and beautiful Pavilion gardens. The Conservatory surrounding the Opera House is beautiful, with indoor planting. It was planted in the 18th Century as a winter garden and provides shelter summer and winter. The conservatory leads into a coffee lounge and then into a beautiful arts and crafts centre. The whole building was designed as a retreat when taking the Spa waters. The well of St. Anne is just opposite. Behind these buildings is the Tourist Information centre.
The Opera House and the Pavilion gardens have open air concerts and touring theatre.
Just outside Buxton is Poole's Cavern. On the same complex is Go Ape, an experience of zip wires and tree climbing if you are of an adventurous nature.
The caverns were opened to tourists in 1850 when the Duke of Devonshire opened up a tiny entrance. Inside the River Wye flows through the caves and there are hundreds of stalactites. There is a good example of flowstone and the second longest stalactite in England.
Ashford in the Water is off the A6 and is a picturesque village with several pubs and a nice hotel serving cream teas- Riverside House hotel.
