The Cow Shed, Wormhill, Buxton, Peak District

Set in the heart of the Peak District National Park, and just a stone’s throw from the spa town of Buxton, Bakewell and Chatsworth House, The Cow Shed offers the perfect place to relax and unwind and enjoy the beautiful British countryside. The Cow Shed sleeps two, plus a cot on request, and is the idea base for walkers, cyclists, horse riders and people who want to get away to the country. There are scores of walks to suit everyone and dogs are very welcome. Set in the heart of the Peak District National Park, just a stone’s throw from the spa town of Buxton and the popular village of Tideswell, The Cow Shed offers the perfect place to relax and unwind and enjoy the amazing British countryside. As the name suggests, the stone building was originally a cow shed and has been carefully converted to create a light, open-plan living space which is warm and cosy in the winter months and cool and airy in summer. Close to Bakewell and places of interest including the spectacular Chatsworth House and Eyam, the famous plague village, the Cow Shed is also within easy striking distance of the jewels of the Peak District including Castleton, renowned for its dramatic caves one of which, The Devil’s Arse, is owned by the Queen. The Cow Shed sleeps two, plus a cot on request, and is the idea base for walkers, cyclists, horse riders and people who want to escape the hustle bustle of daily life. Just 200 yards from the Pennine Bridleway, there are scores of paths and trails to suit everyone from those who enjoy a short amble to the pub, to those who want to tackle hiking challenges such as Kinder Scout in nearby Edale. There’s a secure garage to store your bike and you can even bring your horse on holiday with you if you like – there are two stables and a private paddock for guest use on request. The nearest shop is three miles away and the nearest pub, the Angler’s Rest is just 1.5 miles away in Miller’s Dale – it’s downhill there but uphill home! The Cow Shed is all on the ground floor with 2 steps up to the living area from the entrance door. There is a bathroom with shower. It has oil-fired central heating and that and the electricity, bed linen and towels are all included in the hire of the property. It is equipped with a smart TV, electric cooker, microwave, Netflix and WiFi. There is a lawned area with seating as well as seating outside of the front of the building to catch the last of the evening sun. Please note, the grounds are extensive but not enclosed and we do have free range chickens. There’s unlimited parking and the building is strictly non-smoking. You have complete access to the Cow Shed accommodation which is all on the ground floor level. There is an upstairs accessed by an external staircase but it is not used and is closed off. No-one will be up there during your stay! Usually the key will be in the door for your arrival and I live in the main house across the courtyard. I tend to leave you to your own devices (after all this is your break away!) but if you have any problems or questions, I am around or you can call or text me. There are lots of lovely places of interest for you to visit all year round. It really does depend on what you enjoy doing from challenging walks to cosy pubs and shopping experiences, with everything in between but here are ten of our favourite experiences: 1. Chatsworth House, gardens, farms shop, shops, restaurant adventure farm and the grounds. It’s a truly spectacular family-owned stately home and highly success business. Don’t miss the amazing produce shop in Pilsley and the gardens and grounds. It’s open at Christmas when the house is dressed for the festive period and then from Easter through to Autumn. 2. The local farmers’ markets. The area is positively bursting with then. The Bakewell one is huge but keep your eyes open for the smaller ones. 3. Castleton – a lovely village that’s home to the Blue John Mines with a ruined castle on top of the hill. There are lots of great pubs and tea rooms but it is a tourist mecca so go early. 4. Buxton Opera House – an amazing building with an incredibly diverse programme. Check out what’s on. You can usually get last minute tickets. 5. Fischer’s at Baslow Hall. Michelin-starred restaurant in Baslow just 15 minutes away. Pricey but amazing. 6. Edale – a walker’s paradise but can get very busy. Jacob’s Ladder is our favourite climb. 7. The Monsal trail – a great trail for experienced walkers or for just a stroll. It’s flat, enclosed and well maintained. There’s a great pub at the Monsal Head if you make it that far. 8. Enjoy fish and chips at Matlock Bath. With its arcades, rock and ice cream shops its reminiscent of the seaside. The Heights of Abraham is great fun and there’s a large shopping centre in a converted mill. 9. Walk up to Solomon’s Temple in Buxton and perhaps visit Poole’s Cavern. There is a bus that runs through the village and takes you to Buxton but there is just one return trip a day and to get the most out of your stay at the Cow Shed we would recommend that you have a car. Here at the Cow Shed we are very happy to be open and enjoying welcoming guests but we are still conscious of everyone staying safe. The Cow Shed is a standalone building with plenty of space around it and a garden to the rear and open space to the front. The key will be in the door on your arrival and you will easily be able to social distance. It’s quiet area so the walks and places aren’t very busy, and everyone is happy to share the space. You can expect a very warm welcome in Peak District. Everything is now open. Chatsworth House is open and also has an amazing farm shop in Pilsley and there’s a fabulous garden centre which is open and sells lots of lovely things aside from plants. (Website hidden by Airbnb) Lyme Park is now open and a great place to visit. You need to book tickets in advance, even for the car park. (Website hidden by Airbnb) There are scores of wonderful garden centres in the area. There is a great one in Darley Dale – Forest Garden Centre (Website hidden by Airbnb) the one at Chatsworth (Website hidden by Airbnb) , an amazing nursery at Kettleshulme (only open at the weekends) for the plantsperson only – there are no frills and it’s on a steep incline. (Website hidden by Airbnb) Caslleton is a lovely local village and the ruined castle and pubs are well worth a visit. There are walks a plenty. Edale is an excellent starting point and favourite walks are Mam Tor and Jacob’s Ladder. For the hardcore walker there is Kinder Scout. This should only be done in good weather with proper equipment. Maps are in the Cow Shed. There are lots of lovely walks straight from The Cow Shed, from 20-minute strolls to all day treks. The towns of Buxton, Bakewell, Ashbourne, Matlock and Matlock Bath are all open with lovely shops and places to eat and drink. The village of Eyam where the black plague famously ended, is great for a walk round and a bite to eat and a hike up to Solomon’s Temple in Buxton will blow any cobwebs. The views up there are incredible. Both the Tissington trail and Monsal trail are lovely walking and bike riding trails and you can also hire a bike if you fancy from (Website hidden by Airbnb) to ride the Monsal trail. There’s also a café there doing takeaway drinks and food. There are lots of supermarkets as you would expect and plenty of takeaways. We even have a couple who will deliver to Wormhill. All the details are in the guest book. Recent guests even managed to do some kayaking! (Website hidden by Airbnb) So, there’s lots to do and a warm welcome awaits. We hope you are safe and well and are looking forward to your stay. Just a reminder - The Cow Shed is open plan and all on one level but there are two stone steps up to the living level. The grounds are extensive but they are not enclosed. It is on a non-working farm but there are three horses in the rear field and Bagshawe Arms Farm is home to a Labrador, three cats including an inquisitive Siamese called Elvis and his kitten sidekick Cilla, and five free-spirited hens included one with a limp which she’s had from hatching and doesn’t bother her at all!