Offcote Grange Cottage Holidays » Events

Ghost Hunting

Pat — Mon, 17 Feb 2020 15:37:08 +0000

Description

Ghost Hunter Tours head to the Town Hall in Ashbourne to investigate this very haunted location With sightings and strange happenings this location must be on every paranormal fans to do list !!! It has been said that this amazing location is the Most Haunted building in the whole of Ashbourne, you will be investigating here with the GHT team of investigators.

Ashbourne Town hall is in the heart of Ashbourne, this building was built in 1861 and stands on the previous built Talbot Inn. This location is a hidden gem with an array of many rooms. The ballroom here is known for its disembodied voices, on many occasions the door has been seen and heard slamming shut from unforeseen hands. The upper floor kitchen dark tall black figures have been seen, and some have reported seeing figures in the upper floor windows. The main hall is known for its sudden drastic temperature changes, many people feel extremely uncomfortable here alone.

The History of Ashbourne Town Hall

The building is faced with ashlar stone with the over-fussy decorative embellishments typical of the mid-Victorian period.

A purpose-built meeting room was first suggested in 1852, and was combined with a proposal to build a Market Hall. Subscriptions were collected and various premises in the Market place were considered, but the scheme was postponed through lack of sufficient funds. A number of local tradesmen formed a trust to purchase a property in St John’s Street, which was rebuilt as a lecture and meeting room (now St John’s Gallery and Café). The Market or Town Hall went ahead as a separate project and, eventually, another property was purchased in the Market Place and rebuilt as the Market Hall. The stone pediment shows the date 1861 along with the names of the Trustees.

The Hall was built on the site of the Talbot Inn, mentioned in Izaak Walton’s and Charles Cotton’s “The Compleat Angler”. In the book, Piscator Junior and Viator stopped here for a drink on horseback before heading for the River Dove at Milldale; an early form of a “drive through”.

There has been hundreds of reports of strange unexplained happenings within these walls at Ashbourne Town hall. There have numerous

Ghosts at Ashbourne

reports of footsteps coming up and coming down the stairs when noboby is present. Doors heard and seen slamming shut from unforseen hands. The sound of disembodied voices and even childs laughter and singing has been heard. Items have been left in a certain position and staff members upon their return have found these items moved. Sudden and unexpected drastic temperature changes. Dark tall figures are seen. Many believe is location is home to many lost souls

Ghost Hunt At The Haunted Ashbourne Town Hall 22/2/20

Want to book by credit card 07724364333

Want to book on our website https://www.ghost-hunters.me.uk

If you would like group accommodation convenient for Ashbourne and this tour contact us on www.hillsidecroft.co.uk

June Events To Enjoy In Derbyshire

Offcote Grange Team — Thu, 15 Jun 2017 07:56:32 +0000

The summer is finally upon us and it is a great time for family and friends to enjoy the outdoors. Are you ready for an eventful short break away? Well, within the month of June, there are plenty of events within Derbyshire for you to enjoy. Here are some of the events that are waiting for you.

Ashbourne Arts Festival

This exciting festival is the highlight event each year, features from mid-June until July, bringing a crowd of entertainers. This festival of music, theatre, poetry, art, walks and workshops is for all ages, so the whole family can enjoy the festivities, with a fascinating and entertaining two days of international acts.

This exciting mix of entertainment in a rural setting, brings the best performances to the area. Have a look at the acts coming here.

Well Dressings

How else can you enjoy a visit to Derbyshire by marvelling at the hundreds of well dressings that are painstakingly created by hand each year from May to September? This inspiring and incredible art form has been kept alive by groups of dedicated volunteers.

Well dressings are unique to the area with more than 80 towns and villages proudly displaying their floral masterpieces next to wells and water features throughout the spring and summer. Teams of villagers create intricate mosaics using natural materials such as leaves, moss, flower petals and even coffee beans. Watching a well dressing being created is an intriguing and relaxing experience.

Belper Steam and Vintage Event

The Belper Steam and Vintage event is held at the beginning of June. The event was first established in 1989 as part of the Belper Festival Fortnight and has grown into a firm establishment as one of the largest in the county.

The event has exhibits and attractions for the whole family to enjoy. Enthusiasts will be engrossed in the vintage vehicles, and there are plenty of charity, trade, craft, and jumble stalls to keep everyone happy – including arena events, olde tyme fair, and street entertainers to keep children occupied.

With so much to enjoy this June, come along to Derbyshire with your family and friends, and stay at our award-winning holiday cottages at Offcote Grange and take advantage of our self-catering cottages.

Music and theatre in the Garden , Offcote Grange 28th and 29th June 2025

Pat — Mon, 12 Jun 2017 17:44:28 +0000

The next events here at Offcote Grange for Ashbourne Festival will be Music in the Garden on Sunday 29th June 2025 opens 2pm , time to get a drink event starts 2.30 - an open air event with some shelter and some chairs you may wish to bring your own. – RADIO MURPHY a sensational Irish Folk Band with beer, wine tea, coffee and cakes for sale

and ILLYRIA performing Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austin an open air Theatre production Saturday 28th June 2025. Gates open at 6.00 pm performance starts at 7pm Own picnics, blanket and chairs recommended for Illyria. Free car parking and toilets available for both events . Held at Offcote Grange, Offcote DE6 1JQ.

For full details of Ashbourne Festival and other events and how to obtain tickets visit www.ashbournefestival.org there is also a QR code on this site

Gardens at Offcote Grange

Enjoy a lovely afternoon sitting in our beautiful gardens enjoying a selection of culture and entertainment with refreshments served mid way for the afternoon event. A chance to meet old friends and new with the same interests. We have plenty of safe off road car parking.

A Beautiful Spring Wedding in Derbyshire

Offcote Grange Team — Wed, 29 Mar 2017 13:28:28 +0000

Whether you just got engaged or you are planning your wedding, the beautiful Derbyshire countryside offers you a relaxing atmosphere for you and for your friends and family. You can breathe in the clear fresh air and take in the stunning scenery and know your wedding day will be special.

Here at Offcote Grange, ensuring you have a perfect wedding is our priority, which is why we provide high-quality, luxurious self-catered accommodation and a stunning wedding reception venue. The spring and summer seasons offer lush green scenery with stunning displays of colourful flowers all around. It is a lovely time for your wedding, with nice weather and breathtaking scenery.

Accommodation on Site

With plenty of private off-road car parking, your friends and family are assured stress-free parking on your special day. Our luxury self-catering accommodation provides you with five or six bedroom cottages, ideal for a relaxed stay.Billy’s Bothy is located on the wedding reception venue’s site and can sleep a group between 12 and 16 within six ensuite bedrooms. Just four miles away is Hillside Croft, with five bedrooms that can sleep between 10 to 14 guests.

With a venue site for 70 to 150, you have complete flexibility to create the wedding of your dreams, with some fabulous marquees, tipis, or yurts. We want you to have an experience that you’ll never forget!

Stunning Wedding Photos

With the gorgeous countryside as a backdrop, your wedding photos will be stunning. Your photographer will have a wide variety of shots available, looking across the valley and the lake or in our stunning walled garden, providing you with wonderful memories you can cherish forever. With landscaped gardens filled with flowers and other local flora, planning a spring wedding in Derbyshire is quite a beautiful event.

Regardless of how modern or contemporary your theme is, our venue offers you fantastic opportunities to create your special wedding day. You won’t have to compromise on any detail – simply come around to Offcote Grange, take in the location, and start planning. We will be here on site to plan and advise you.

And Most Importantly…Those Special to You Will Have Fun and Special Memories!

Here at Offcote Grange you will have our self-catering accommodation exclusively for you and your friends and family, enjoying the luxurious surroundings and the panoramic scenery Derbyshire offers. Your friends and family will benefit from a lovely retreat in the countryside while celebrating your special day, feeling the exclusiveness of the event.

With city sounds far away, you are assured a fantastic wedding event and stay in our lovely cottages.

Why don’t you visit us to see our wedding party venue? You can easily picture your own wedding party in our grounds, alongside your family and friends. Just give Pat or Chris a call on 01335 344795 or 0780 8899493 to arrange a viewing!

Spotlight On: Ashbourne

Offcote Grange Team — Mon, 28 Nov 2016 14:48:29 +0000

Located in the Derbyshire Dales, Ashbourne is a lovely market town surrounded by stunning countryside. It’s known as the ‘gateway to Dovedale’ for being the closest town to Dovedale and for its location near the southern edge of the Peak District. Ashbourne is a great are for hikers and nature lovers, with trails such as the Tissington Trail, on which you can cycle or walk in a traffic-free area.

Santa Special Trains at Midland Railway – Butterly

From 19^th November until late December, Midland Railway – Butterly is running Santa’s grotto during train rides, with a special appearance from the Pinxton Puppets. This event is perfect for families, as the little ones enjoy the festive spirit and the adults receive a miniature bottle of spirits and a mince pie. On the 27^th and 28^th December children will receive an extra Christmas gift aboard the steam locomotive.

Dovedale

Including stunning areas such as Ilam Rock, Dovedale is only four miles away from Ashbourne. You can find caves dating back to 13,000 BCE in the valley of Dovedale, and records show that areas like Thorpe have Scandinavian roots due to Viking settlements around 800 CE. It is easy to see why Dovedale is one of Britain’s most visited sites, with the beautiful surrounding scenery and the River Dove.

Alton Towers

Only 10 miles from Ashbourne, Alton Towers is one of the world’s best theme parks. Including a waterpark and a resort, you are guaranteed a day filled with fun and family-friendly adventures. Located over 500 acres of gorgeous countryside, Alton Towers provide a great short break for the entire family. You can easily get lost in the midst of the dozens of rides, ensuring even the little ones can find something they’ll like.

Peak Wildlife Park

Animal lovers will have a perfect day at Peak Wildlife Park. Known for breeding some of the world’s rarest species of birds, it provides a sanctuary for other animals such as lemurs and wallabies. You can see your favourite exotic and endangered animals up close due to the large walkthroughs, and be informed on the animals you see through the in-depth, interactive keeper talks.

If you’re planning on visiting Derbyshire and these beautiful locations, Offcote Grange provide luxury self-catering cottages; perfect for a holiday! Simply contact us by giving us a call on +44 (0)1335 344795; our friendly team is always happy to help and answer any query you might have!

You can also find us on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest to see our latest news.

Hold the Perfect Corporate Away Day

Offcote Grange Team — Tue, 27 Sep 2016 13:22:27 +0000

Team building exercises offer many benefits to both your business and your employees; it allows people to relate better to each other and, consequently, to become more productive.

So after deciding that you want to take your employees out on an away day to receive the benefits that team building exercises can offer, you then have a very important decision to make: choosing the activities and the venue, as well as the accommodation.

What Do You Want to Do?

Choosing the activities may seem easy, but the truth is that it’s one of the most important decisions you can make when planning a corporate away day. Before choosing an activity, you should always consider what you want to achieve with the team building activities; do you want your employees to start working better as a team? Do you want to see who has leaderships skills?

Because there are many activities you can do together, it’s important to only pick the most relevant ones – those which can help you achieve exactly what you’re looking for.

Where Should You Hold the Event?

The location and venue will depend on which activities you want to participate in. At Offcote Grange we offer the opportunity for in-house team building; providing a cottage to hold private corporate events in. This is ideal for idea collaboration, as you’ll be able to enjoy the tranquillity of your surroundings.

In addition, you’ll find that this space is fully equipped with a projector, screen, whiteboard, flipchart, wireless internet and anything else you need to hold a great corporate away day. Whether you plan on developing your employees’ communication skills or ensure that you simply spend a few days relaxing and doing nothing after a few stressful weeks at work, we have the perfect place for you!

If you’re looking for activities you can hold outside instead, it pays to choose somewhere where you can have access to the outdoors.

Due to the location of Offcote Grange’s cottages, you’ll have the opportunity to explore nature with your employees by going on walks, attend events in the area and have fun in Alton Towers Theme Park. We’re even situated near Wild Park which has a variety of exciting activities for you to get involved with! We believe that team bonding is extremely important for a company’s success, so we strive to provide our guests with plenty of opportunities to do so!

Where Should You Stay?

The accommodation is also something that shouldn’t be overlooked or left to the last minute when planning a corporate away day. You need a base in which to relax and unwind after a full day of team building activities, since you and your employees are probably going to be exhausted – in a good way!

Our luxury retreat cottage for private corporate events is perfect for this, as we can offer an amazing evening of relaxation with a sauna, hot tub, full-size snooker table and many other fun, stress-free activities in our premises. The perfect ending to a perfect day!

When it comes to food, we provide catering at our cottages, so you don’t have to worry about cooking. However, if that is something you’re looking forward to, we also have self-catering cottages on offer. There are also plenty of local pubs and restaurants nearby if you prefer to eat out.

We endeavour to provide everything you need to enjoy an outstanding away day and leave feeling satisfied that your goals were achieved, so please don’t hesitate to contact us today on 01335 344795 to learn more about what we can do for you and your business.

3 Reasons Your Team Needs a Team Building Exercise

Offcote Grange Team — Wed, 10 Aug 2016 11:06:21 +0000

If you’ve ever worked in a company with departments of people who work together on a regular basis, you’ve probably already heard mutterings of planning a team building day. Team building may seem like a quick and easy way to try and make people get along, but there’s definitely more to it than that.

Besides, even the most tight-knit of teams can benefit from attending a team building event – whether it’s a day out paintballing or quad biking, it’s all a bit of fun which can really boost your team’s morale.

So, why should you consider taking your team on a team building exercise?

It Keeps People Motivated

You might not currently feel like your team needs any kind of boost to their motivation, but there’s nothing wrong with giving them a little helping hand to feel inspired and motivated to continue doing their best.

Team building is a great way to give your team a sense of confidence and increased commitment, especially when they succeed in a task which is designed specifically to get them to do well by working together. When a team feels confident, they will also feel like they can trust each other – which is ultimately one of the best things to motivate a team as a whole.

Improves Their Productivity

Teams thrive when everyone is on the same page with their work. This often means that productivity is affected when teams aren’t working well together; either as a whole or even where just one person feels unproductive.

By attending a team building exercise, your team will learn how much productivity can affect the working environment. As everyone will have to pull their weight in order to succeed, there is less time spent worrying about what may need to get done - they’ll be focussing more on what exactly needs to be done in that moment in order for them to be able to succeed.

This also means that in order to get ahead, team members must play to their strengths – and everyone works much better when they are able to contribute something to their team’s success.

It Helps People Be Creative

More often than not, there’s more than one way to solve a problem; it’s just figuring out which way is best using the resources that you have.

This is one of the main aspects of why team building is so effective; you figure out the best way to achieve a goal using the people around you and playing to their strengths. The more imagination, the more creative the solution will become, and the more creative the solution, the more satisfying it will be when the team succeeds using a method which other teams may not have used before.

Team building is a great excuse for taking teams out of the working environment while bolstering their teamwork skills and encourage their motivation and productivity.

If you’re looking for a comfortable, spacious base in Derbyshire for your team building away days which has links to a plethora of activities nearby, feel free to get in touch with us here at Offcote Grange today – we’ll be more than happy to help you and your fellow team mates in any way we can.

Your Perfect Summer Wedding Stay

Offcote Grange Team — Mon, 18 Apr 2016 16:13:09 +0000

Summer is getting closer and that usually means a busy wedding industry. The warm, sunny days are always sure to brighten everyone’s spirits. England looks beautiful in the summer with the flowers, which will give you the perfect background for photos.

Choosing your wedding location can be a tiring process, but it’s worth finding the perfect place for your loved ones to gather to celebrate your special day. England has some of the world’s most stunning views, sure to give you memories that last a lifetime.

Advantages of a Summer Wedding

The outdoors offers beautiful scenery as the weather is delightfully sunny in the summer. The weather tends to be more consistent and the average temperature is likely to be high, which will allow you to wear the wedding dress of your dreams.

With enough notice, you have more chances of a big guest turnout in the summer than you do in any other season. If you schedule it in the middle of summer it’s more likely that couples with children can attend, as school will be out.

Think about all the bright colours you can have in your wedding, and how they will shine under the sun. You can make gorgeous colour combinations of bright pinks and blues, and they will easily look the part. The local flowers will also be in bloom, and they will make your bouquet stand out.

You will also save more money with a summer wedding. If you love warm beaches you are more likely to have nice weather in the summer, which will let you stay closer and not spend as much on plane tickets. If you want to visit another country, summer will give you more options to choose from that will still allow you to keep to your budget.

Before the Wedding

The Peak District and the Derbyshire Dales are stunning places to have a party with your closest friends and loved ones. Our luxury, 5 star self-catering cottages are located just outside Ashbourne, and it’s the perfect place for a hen party. With 6 all ensuite bedrooms a large lounge and lots of fantastic gardens to enjoy.

You can accommodate 12-16 guests in the picturesque heart of England, enjoying the last days of single life in the best possible comfort. You can choose pampering options like massages and nail treatments, or even a relaxing sauna or hot tub dip. The cottages have BBQs for a nice meal during your fun-filled stay.

The Big Day

Here at Offcote Grange we want you to have an amazing, memorable big day. We have 5 star luxury accommodation with five or six bedrooms, all ensuite to make yourselves beautiful and providing the best self-catering accommodation for your guests and family to stay before and during the wedding.

Our wedding venues are two luxurious locations on the same site ,with gorgeous landscaped gardens for beautiful photos of your wedding. One site fits around 90 guests and the other around 150 to 200,guests, and they are completely flexible to allow you to create and celebrate the wedding you’ve always dreamed of.

If you have any questions about how you can book our beautiful, luxurious cottages in the stunning Peak District and the Derbyshire Dales, you can contact us on 01335 344795 and our friendly team will happily help you.

When to Visit Derbyshire: A Month by Month Activity Guide (Part 2)

Offcote Grange Team — Tue, 15 Mar 2016 13:30:19 +0000

We’ve already helped you plan your visit to Derbyshire in Part 1, and we haven’t forgotten that the second half of 2016 brings as many fun events for the whole family. If you like to plan your vacations in advance, here’s some of the things you can do and the places you can visit in Derbyshire from July to December.

July

With beautiful sunny days around, July brings you into the full swing of summer. With your children out of school, you can enjoy a family outing surrounded by nature and summer’s warm weather.

The Belper River Gardens is the perfect place for a row in the River Derwent, with fantastic nature views of the gardens, and of the Belper Mill.

August

August is a particularly beautiful time of the year to walk through Derbyshire, as the moorlands and the rocky outcrops are covered in heather.

If you love taking walks, Derbyshire and the Peak District have beautiful, unforgettable views. You may choose to do a guided tour with Sally Mosley or venture out on your own. Stay with us while you enjoy the fresh air, and make the most out of your walks.

September

With summer almost over but bringing warm days, many weddings still take place in the area. Derbyshire’s beautiful surroundings make it a preferred place to create long lasting memories surrounded by family and friends.

Before the Big Day, you will probably have a hen party planned. Offcote Grange has luxury cottages for hen parties, with pampering options like massages. We also offer accommodation for groups of guests arriving for your wedding.

October

Halloween is usually a big event every year. If you want to spend the day differently, Alton Towers is the perfect choice for thrill seekers. Scare yourself by going on the rollercoaster you’ve always wanted to try, or by going to their annual Scarefest where you can enjoy Halloween by going through mazes, looking out for hidden pumpkins and skeletons, or simply enjoy delicious themed food.

Our 5-star self-catering holiday cottages near the park are perfect for an overnight stay to make the most out of your trip. Stay at Billy’s Bothy or at Hillside Croft to recover from your daytime exploring.

November

November brings cooler days, but there are still plenty of sunny days to enjoy in Derbyshire. Any history lover will want to visit Perevil Castle, located above Castleton and bordered by Cavedale. This is a must see for the spectacular views of the surrounding area that you can see from the Castle.

December

The cold might be settling in, but December brings more than just the winter and thick sweaters. Christmas Markets are a yearly delight and highly anticipated. The Victorian Matlock Christmas Weekend and Markets are in the top four biggest and most popular Christmas Events in the East Midlands.

This free event is perfect for a family weekend and for a stay at a one of our large cottages in Derbyshire or the Peak District. The market is full of stalls with delicious food, and plenty of entertainment for the children, with rides and spectacular fireworks.

Give us a call on 01335 344 795 and book a luxury cottage for your trip, whether you’re travelling alone or with your loved ones. Our variety of accommodation will allow you to enjoy Derbyshire and its surrounding beauty at your own pace.

When to Visit Derbyshire: A Month by Month Activity Guide (Part 1)

Offcote Grange Team — Thu, 14 Jan 2016 12:20:09 +0000

Did you know that our brilliant self-catering cottages, Billy’s Bothy and Hillside Croft are open all year round? This means that you could be enjoying our stunning Derbyshire holiday accommodation at any time throughout the whole of 2016.

It’s lucky then that the area, in which Offcote Grange is situated, has a fantastic variety of things to see and do throughout the whole year. This includes a whole host of things to enjoy, whether it’s the coldest day of winter or the warmest day of summer.

Whether you’re planning on visiting us soon or you’re holiday isn’t until the end of the year, we have put together a guide to the best event or activity not to missed each month.

January

It might be cold outside but there is still plenty to see and do around Derbyshire this month. For those visiting towards the end of this month, there are plenty of theatre shows to look out for.

We suggest; The Snowman at the Theatre Royal, The Legend of King Arthur at the Guildhall or The Complete Works of Shakespeare at Buxton Opera House.

February

February means Valentine’s Day, and there is nowhere better to spend it than in the Peak District. The stunning scenery means that it’s the perfect place for a romantic getaway with the special person in your life.

We suggest taking a walk through one of the many nature walks. With miles and miles to explore, you can take along a picnic and enjoy a romantic dinner surrounded by nature.

March

Easter is in March this year, so you can expect lots of Easter related activities taking place around the area this month.

Take the children to the popular Cadbury’s Easter Egg Hunt at Sudbury Hall. No booking is necessary – just a thirst for lots of chocolate goodness!

April

We love April for several reasons. The weather is definitely starting to warm up, everyone is in a happy mood and we can start to see summer just around the corner. It’s a lovely time to visit Derbyshire – there are lots of spring based activities to be enjoyed at this time of year.

We think a trip to Matlock Farm Park is a must. The farm is located within a 600 acre working farm, with lots of activities for everyone to enjoy. There is a good selection of animals to see, which includes meerkats, goats and baby lambs!

May

Take a peek back into the rich history of Derbyshire this month and take part in one of the many history tours that take place around the county.

We suggest a tour of Derby’s Cathedral Quarter. This gives you the opportunity to learn captivating facts about Derby’s most historical area. The tour only lasts for 45 minutes!

June

June is often referred to as the very beginning of summer – one of the most popular months for couples or groups of friends to come and visit Derbyshire. A lot of people like to come in June, as it’s before the rush of the summer holidays so is quieter than July and August.

We suggest visiting Gullivers Kingdom. With over 60 rides different, attractions and shows, it’s the perfect day out. With the children still in school, it should be easier to get on the rides during the week!

Please keep checking back for the rest of our monthly guide – July to December.

Whenever you’re planning your trip to the wonderful county of Derbyshire, please don’t hesitate to contact us right away to book high quality accommodation.

Our luxury self catering cottages provide you with the perfect base for exploring everything that the area has to offer and then somewhere cosy to return to in the evening.

Just give us a call on 01335 344 795 and we will be happy to help.