Nestled on the edge of the Peak District in the Derbyshire Dales Greenaces cottage Is close to Wirksworth and near to Matlock Bath, Matlock , Ashbourne and Carsington water surrounded by natural beauty.

 Outdoor activities for people of all ages and interests are accessible right outside your door with public transport nearby. The area offers superb walking and we can offer advice on a wide range of walks from the cottage which are suitable for all abilities.

•  Walking, Cycling and Mountain biking, Climbing, Birdwatching

and much much more...

Refreshments....

Two excellent local country pubs can be found within easy walking distance in Middleton.

• Nelson Arms- At the top of the Village Derbyshires only 'Arts pub' offers a variety of quality real ales in a quirky traditional family friendly pub atmosphere.along with regular music sessions. 
• Rising Sun offers log fires and a varied menu, is walker friendly and has occasional live music.

​

One mile down the road In Wirksworth you will find a variety of characterful shops and places to while away some time or enjoy some local fare.

We recommend visiting  Explore Wirksworth  to find more information on events as well as refreshments and tourist information etc..

For a few personal highlights in Wirksworth follow these links

• Featherstar In the Red lion  a brilliant quirky pub with a national reputation. Superb craft ales and regular music  
• Hope and Anchor Fully refurbished they now offer a full menu and takeaway service. 
• Le Mistral Superb dining with a French twist. To be recommended. May be takeaway only during Covid  
• Royal Oak A fine traditional pub.

Slightly further afield ​

• The Boat Inn in Cromford can be recommended offering great pub food and regular live music. 
• Along the High Peak Trail, you can also find the Knockerdown Inn or the Miners Arms at Carsington just a few miles away.
• If you like a curry you will find a basic takeaway in Wirksworth Wirksworth Balti . We can also recommend the Maazi in Matlock  and the  Spice Matlock ( both also deliver to Greenacres if you prefer to eat at home).  

What to do........

There are many holiday ideas within reach and a full information pack is available on request to help you plan your days.

We are also happy to share our local knowledge with you if you would like more ideas suitable for all ages.

Recommended Local ideas

A few local ideas for your visit are listed here with links to their websites  

•  High Peak Trail (access under the bridge at the end of the cottage garden)  
•  From the cottage it's a short walk (or ride!) up the incline to Middleton Top Visitors centre and cycle hire and it's working beam engine. From there the  trail offers 17 miles of superb off road cycling and walking taking you to Parsley Hey (cycle hire and refreshments) near Hartington. There are linked routes offering a further 13 miles on the Tissington Trail Trail towards Ashbourne.
• A short walk down the Trail from the cottage takes you to Black Rocks and then finally to the High Peak Junction  (refreshments) on the Cromford Canal .
• The Monsal Trail is a superb cycle and walking route from nearby Bakewelll.
• The Manifold Valley Trail Found near to Hartington is another great cycle and walking trail with a visit to Thors cave to be recommended.​​
• Carsington Water

​ Cycle hire, Restaurant, Watersports Birdwatching and Fishing. 

Nearby Carsington Water provides a number of watersport activities, interesting walks and bridle paths as well as some excellent bird watching. 

•  National Stone Centre                  

Only 1/2 mile away from the cottage ( 'a stones throw?') explains the history of stone and how it was formed. You will also find a delightful cafe with superb views over the Wirksworth. 

• Derbyshire Eco Centre 

Offers a range of Eco focussed information and courses throughout the year.

• Wirksworth Heritage Centre

The fascinating and ancient town of Wirksworth is less than one mile away and offers a variety of restaurants, pubs, cafes and shops including one in its splendid Heritage Centret. It is one of the oldest towns in this area of the Peak District and has many fine old buildings with picturesque alleys and craftsmen's yards. 

• Wirksworth Festival                          

The excellent and popular arts festival usually held in September should not be missed. 

• Crich Tramway Museum

We can recommend a days visit to Crich Tramway Museum with its Tram rides, walks, museums and more. It's only 5.5miles away across the valley and tickets can be reused all year so many visitors visit more than once.

•  Ecclesbourne Valley Railway (Wirksworth)      

The Ecclesbourne Valley is one of Derbyshire’s most lovely and unspoilt valleys, stretching from the northern outskirts of Derby, at Duffield, to Wirksworth. The railway operates passenger services on the line between Wirksworth and Duffield mainly using heritage diesel railcars, with some steam hauled services. 

• Steeple Grange light railway 

A delightful narrow guage raiulway running from Steeple Grange (a short walk past the Stone Centre)  up into Middleton.station.  

• Bakewell and Chatsworth

​The pretty market town of Bakewell with many shops, bars, restaurants and cafes is a short drive away as is Chatsworth house,park and gardens -  the stately home of the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire. 

•  Haddon Hall

​Can be found  just outside Bakewell and is well worth a visit to appreciate the fabulous gardens and historic building.

•   Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage site                             

 Historic Cromford and the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage site.

•  Heights of Abraham

​Offers a cable car ride up to a panoramic visitors centre and underground mine visits.  

•  Gullivers Kingdom

​​​A theme park in nearby Matlock Bath for those wanting all sort of rides and adventures. 

• Alton Towers

For those seeking rather bigger thrills then Alton Towers is only 15miles away (a 30 minute car drive).

• Matlock Farm Park

​A great day out just the other side of Matlock.  Perfect for younger  or just anyone who like animals.

• Leys Park Matlock

A brilliant traditional park with boats, train rides and a great water play area ideal for younger viisitors.

• Matlock Bath

​With its uniques riverside promenade and gardens, our seaside resort without the sea! 

• Rock climbing

Ask if you need any advice on local crags.

A few more ideas within reach

Houses museums and Gardens

• Sudbury Hall and the Musuem of Childhood
• Thornbridge Hall Gardens - Bakewell
• Tissington Hall and Village - Nr. Ashbourne
• Sheffield Industrial Museum Trust
• Renishaw Hall & Gardens nr Sheffield
• Strutts North Mill Belper - Industrial Heritage Musuem
• Shugborough Estate - nr Stafford
• Wollaton Hall Nottingham. House & Natural History Museum
• Biddulph Grange Gardens nr Stoke on Trent - Delightful gardens
• Calke Abbey nr Derby - the un-stately home and gardens
• Hardwick Hall nr Chesterfield
• Old House Musem Bakewell-16th Century
• Doroth Clove Garden - Market Drayton
• Derby Museums
• Newstead Abbey Notts - Home of Lord Byron
• Cascades Gardens - Bonsall (walking distance!)
• Bolsover Castle - 17th Century
• Melbourne Hall and Gardens - Melbourne
• Cresswell Crags - Worksop - Award winning museum
• Clumber Park Notts
• National Memorial Arboretum - Burton on Trent

Steam and Heritage

• Midland Railway Butterly Ripley - Heritage steam trailway
• Heage Windmill nr Belper- Working windmill
• Peak Rail - Stream trains Matlock to Rowsley
• Papplewick Pumping Station. Notts. Victorian water works

Activities

• Go Ape High Buxton - High wire adventures
• Conkers - Adventure and Discovery
• Mount Cook adventure centre - down the trail from the cottage
• Monsal Trail Cycle Hire Hassop nr Bakewell. Recommended ride
• National Space Centre - Leicester. Worth a visit
• Stanedge Golf Club
• Peak District Cycling and Hire
• Peak District national Park visitor information
• Cromford canal Boat Trips inc. horse drawn days
• Jodrell Bank Discovery Centre - Macclesfield
• Manifold Trail Cycle Hire - Brown End Farm
• Acclimbatize - Local climbing and outdoor activity tuition 

Animals

• White Post farm Mansfield- Farm attractions
• Monkey Forest - Walk with Monkeys. Trentham
• Peak Wildlife Park . Nr Leek
• Twycross Conservation Zoo - Twycross

Food

• Hartington Cheese Shop - Cheese shop in a lovely village

Shopping

• John Smedley, Lea - Fine knitwear
• Chesterfield open market - One of the largest in England
• Peak shopping village  On the way to Chatsworth
• Scarthin Book Shop Cromford - One of the worlds best
• High Peak Independant Bookstore nr Buxton. - Another good one
• Chatsworth Estate farm Shop and cafe

Crafts

• Baslow working pottery and studio - Baslow
• David Mellor Design Museum and Cutlery factory - Hathersage
• Denby Pottery Visitor centre - Denby
• Royal Crown Derby Visitor Centre - Derby
• Wedgewood Visitor Centre - Stoke on Trent

Caverns and Mines

• Treak cliff Cavern Castleton- Home of Blue John stone
• Blue John Cavern - Castleton 
• Pooles Cavern & Buxton Country Park - Buxton
• Peak District Mining Museum and Temple Mine 

If you find anything you would like to share with others please let us know and we will add it to this list. Thanks