Ashbourne

Less than two miles away from Birdsgrove House, you’ll find Ashbourne, a market town with a rich history and more than two hundred listed buildings. The cobbled medieval market-place, hidden alleys and yards are a delight to explore. The town also has good shopping and plenty of great pubs and restaurants. The Tissington Trail, which starts just outside Ashbourne, is a very pleasant route to walk or cycle, passing very close to the beautiful villages of Dovedale, Tissington and Hartington. More information on the trail can be found at: www.peakdistrictinformation.com/visits/tisstrail.php. Dovedale Ravine is a bit futher out from Ashbourne but is well worth a visit. As well as taking in some fantastic scenery, you can hop across the river on the quirky Victorian stepping stones and look out for fossilised sea creatures hidden in the limestone. It’s also a popular spot for fishing.

Derby

Derby is less than half an hour’s drive from Birdsgrove House and has all the shopping, culture and nightlife you’d expect to find in a major city. Derby’s three museums have some fascinating exhibits and it also has an exceptionally beautiful cathedral. Kedleston Hall, just outside Derby, is a spectacular 18th century mansion, run by the National Trust. The Hall was used as a set for the film ‘The Duchess‘ and houses an impressive collection of artwork, sculpture and original furnishings. The grounds are also fantastic for picnicking.

Kedleston Hall
near Quarndon, Derby, DE22 5JH
01332 842191 | www.nationaltrust.org.uk/kedleston-hall

Leek

Known as the ‘Queen of the Staffordshire Moorlands’, Leek is a former textile town with a long and fascinating history. Clustered around a stone-cobbled market square, its well-preserved architecture and historical links with the Napoleonic Wars and the Arts and Crafts movement make it a popular destination for an interesting town walk. Highlights include buildings associated with writer, artist and designer William Morris, who came to Leek to study dyeing and printing techniques in the 1870s, plus stained glass designed by Pre-Raphaelite artist Sir Edward Burne-Jones in the Parish Church of St Edward the Confessor. Traditional markets abound, both indoors in the beautifully restored Victorian Butter Market and outdoors in the Market Place, offering everything from general goods, antiques and collectables to fine foods and special ‘Totally Locally’ Sunday markets. And when it comes to wining and dining, you can choose from a tempting selection of cafés, real ale pubs and restaurants

Matlock Bath

The village of Matlock Bath is a popular tourist resort, around 25 minutes’ drive from the house. It’s best known for The Heights of Abraham, a hilltop park reached by a cable car journey across the picturesque Derwent River Valley. Once you’re at the top, the park offers guided tours of its cave systems and has a museum of exciting exhibits on history, geology and paleontology. There’s also a good cafe, picnicking space, and shops selling gems, fossils and gifts.

The Heights of Abraham
Matlock Bath, DE4 3NT
01629 582365 | www.heightsofabraham.com

Uttoxeter

A little market town twenty minutes’ drive from Birdsgrove House, best known for its popular racecourse. Markets are held in the town centre every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, with an extra farmers’ market on the second Saturday of each month.

Uttoxeter Racecourse
Wood Lane, Uttoxeter, Staffordshire, ST14 8BD
01889 562561 | www.uttoxeter-racecourse.co.uk