The Butler’s Quarters

"In historic hall grounds within walking distance of Carsington’s wide water – cottages of style with fine facilities"

Deep in the Derbyshire Dales, Hopton Hall sits at the hub of 30 acres of grounds where its courtyard of listed stables has been transformed and refurbished to create these four very comfortable, individually styled holiday cottages. Designed to retain many original features, they enjoy shared use of a range of facilities, including an indoor heated swimming-pool. Two of the properties have their own private gardens, whilst the grounds include an area of woodland for visitors’ use, a paddock with a seating area (ideal for barbecues and picnics), football and volleyball nets, and a children’s play area with swings, slide and climbing frame. Horse riding, clay pigeon shooting and golf available locally. At nearby Carsington Water, sailing, windsurfing, canoeing and fishing can all be enjoyed, with further local fishing available on the Derwent and Wye rivers.
Surrounded by excellent walking country, Hopton Hall was built in its present form by Anthony Gell in 1575; additions were made in 1768 by Sir John Gell, who was also responsible for building the famous and unique bowed ribbon wall. Oliver Cromwell, Mary Queen of Scots and (more recently) Princess Anne have all stayed at the Hall, whose splendid and historic 3-acre gardens can be viewed by arrangement.
Wirksworth (1½ miles) is the ‘Snowfield’ of George Eliot’s Adam Bede and has an oddly tilting marketplace. Other main centres of the Dales are Ashbourne, Bakewell and the popular inland resort of Matlock – all with good shops and a choice of restaurants and inns. North-west of Matlock is a stretch of moorland which conveys an exhilarating impression of being on top of the world: this is Stanton Moor, where there is delightful walking along sandy paths amongst the heather. About the same distance from the cottages, but in complete contrast, is Dove Dale: here a deep and wooded gorge surprises the walker at every turn. The Tissington and High Peak Trails are also fine scenic routes through breathtaking countryside, where visitors can enjoy picnics, pony-trekking and cycling. This is the White Peak end of the National Park: among the limestone hills, quiet villages bask in lush valleys.
Extravagant Chatsworth House is worth a leisurely visit for the artistry of its construction and its great collections; its grounds are equally satisfying. Haddon Hall, essentially a medieval manor house, is built to a more human scale, and has been called the most perfect house in England. Eighteen miles away is Alton Towers, the popular theme park, which will excite children of all ages, and unnerve some of their parents.

• Elec incl
• Parking
• Shops 1½ miles
• TV
• Video
• DVD
• Shared payphone
• Auto wm/tumble dryer
• D/washer
• M/wave
• Cot
• H/chair
• Shared cobbled courtyard with furniture
• Barbecue
• Shared use of indoor heated swimming-pool (9.30am to 7pm)
• Paddock with barbecue area and children’s swings, slide, climbing frame, football nets and volleyball net
• Resident beauty therapist avail on request with owner
• Duvets with linen and towels

INDOOR AND OUTDOOR FACILITIES

• Indoor heated swimming-pool open daily (9.30am to 7pm) all year round
  
• Woodland area for visitors’ use
• Paddock with barbecue area and children’s play equipment
• Horse riding, clay shooting, fishing and cycle hire available locally

This superb property maintains many original features and beams, and enjoys its own garden with furniture and barbecue. Sitting-room with wood-burning stove, door to garden and archway to modern fitted kitchen with dining area. Utility. Shower room/W.C. Wide staircase to first floor: Double bedroom with en-suite shower room/W.C. Double bedroom. Twin-bedded room. Two single bedrooms. Two bathroom/W.C.s.

• Full oil CH incl
• Wood-burning stove – logs incl
• Fridge/freezer
• Garden
• Friday to
  Friday