The Little Cottage offers holiday cottage self-catering accommodation in the delightful village of Ashford in the Water, Derbyshire, close to the old market town of Bakewell in the heart of the Peak District National Park.

Ashford in the Water is situated on the banks of the River Wye, close to Monsal Dale, in the centre of some excellent walking country and well placed for visiting all the major attractions of the area.

Ashford was an important river crossing point even in the Iron Age, when there was a ford here. Across this ford ran The Portway, an Iron Age route from the Derby area to the hill fort of Mam Tor, in the Hope Valley.

There is now a bridge, known as Sheepwash Bridge, at the ford. The bridge dates from the mid 17th century and it marks the point where until quite recently the sheep were washed annually to rid them of ticks.

Ashford is famous for its annual well-dressing, which takes place annually in late May or early June. It is one of the most lavish of the local well-dressing festivals, with 6 wells.

Close by lies Monsal Head, one of the most spectacular viewpoints of the Peak, with its former railway viaduct spanning Monsal Dale. There are excellent walking and cycling routes here and along the former railway line. To the south, Dovedale and Lathkill Dale also offer excellent, relatively gentle walking.

A little further afield, Kinder Scout is the pinnacle of hills in the Peak District - a magnet for serious walkers. This is usually approached via Edale, a 30 minute drive from Ashford.

If you are interested in grand houses then Chatsworth House and Park and Haddon Hall are within 15 minutes by road. Both are well worth a visit. Further afield lie other great houses - such as Hardwick Hall and Lyme Hall and Park.

For more sightseeing or for walking, cycling or fishing then the Ladybower and Derwent Dams are within a 30 minute drive via Bamford.

There are some fine local towns. The picturesque market town of Bakewell is within 5 minutes by car – don’t leave here without a traditional Pudding.

The magnificent spa town of Buxton, with its Georgian Crescent and fine Opera House is within 20 minutes by car journey. There is a festival here every year in July.

Also not far away is Eyam - the Plague village, which went into voluntary quarantine in 1665 when the Plague was inadvertently introduced from London via some second-hand clothes. There is a small museum and you can walk around the village following markers of the Plague.

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