Had an interesting few hours at Peak Ales visitor centre at Chatsworth, brewers of Ales and Gin. An interesting talk on the brewing process and history of their business. Plenty to taste and buy.

There is lots to do in the area with Chatsworth House, the Chatsworth farm shop, garden centre and the Richard Whittlestone Art Galley all on the doorstep of the Chatsworth Estate. Owned by the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire, beautiful Chatsworth House is full of treasures, the house and gardens give an amazing day out, it also has a play area, children’s farm and restaurant with something for everyone.

Located just 14 miles from Offcote Grange Cottage Holidays its a great day out for all the family to enjoy and our large 6 bedroom luxury cottage Billys Bothy is the perfect base from which to spend the day exploring this wonderful area

Billys Bothy   located 1 mile from the pretty market town of Ashbourne and  sleeping 12 to 16 with all ensuite bedrooms and fabulous gardens to relax in.    www.offcotegrange.com        stay@offcotegrange.com    0780 8899493

Hillside Croft   Located close to Carsington  Water,  between, Ashbourne, Wirksworth, Belper  sleeping 14 with 5 gorgeous bedrooms, large beautiful gardens www.hillsidecroft.co.uk        stay@hillsidecroft.co.uk    07813 002686

Holidays in the Peak District

It’s easy to understand its popularity. The great thing about taking on a walking holiday is that it offers stunning insights into some of the most charming landscapes in the UK, and offers a heart-healthy, great-value way to spend your holiday. Unless you choose to take part in a guided tour then walks will be free and can take in a wide range of local culture, heritage and landmarks.

Depending on your interests, you can take in reservoirs, hilltops, stately homes, tiny villages, nature trails and many different insights into the forces that built the British way of life. For example, the Kinder Scout, which runs from Hayfield, is remembered as is the route walked during the Mass Trespass of 1932 when walkers stood up for their rights to access the land and enjoy its pleasures. This protest led the way to the universal access rights we enjoy today.

However, the Dales are not to be underestimated. If you are walking then always think about planning your path and make sure you have good shoes, appropriate equipment, a map and a compass at all times.

If you’re looking for accommodation for walkers in the Peak District or surrounding areas, then consider one of our charming cottages with all the delights of the Dales at a maximum 30-minute drive. They also offer easy access to charming trots through Mother Nature’s finest work in the parishes of Atlow, Carsington, Hulland Village, Kirk Ireton or along the River Henmoor.

Contact us now to inquire about your perfect holiday home.

If you’re a bride who is looking for something a little different than simply heading out on the town, we think that you’ll love what we can offer here at Offcote Grange. While we don’t plan your hen night for you – that’s up to you and your bridesmaids to find something you’ll enjoy – we do have cottages which make the perfect base for any plans that you do make!

We Have a Range of Catering Options

If you’re looking for a base where you can indulge in some delicious food, we can help you. Whether you simply need a good hearty meal after a long day out and about with your hens, or you’d prefer a more tailored, themed meal, we’re able to offer a range of delicious foods prepared fresh for you.

Our themed options are extremely popular with hen parties, especially as many groups have a theme in mind anyway. We have something to suit every taste, including our incredibly popular ‘Mad Hatter’s tea party’ in which we put on a fun, evening-style buffet on for everyone.

If you’re a fan of BBQ’s, we have facilities that allow you to host your own. This is perfect for those lazy summer evenings where the nights are longer and when you want to give cooking your own food a go!

We’re even able to make you a cake for your event if ordered in advance – who can say no to a hen party cake?

Alternatively, if you fancy heading out into the local area, there are plenty of pubs and bars which offer delicious meals, too.

We’re in an Ideal Location

For those hens who are looking to head out and get stuck into some adrenaline-pumping activities, we’re in the perfect place.

There’s so much to do in our local area that you’ll never be short of something to keep you and your group entertained for the duration of your stay. From laser tag, quad biking, pony trekking and archery, to being within easy travelling distance of Wild Park Leisure and Go Ape at Buxton, there’s something to suit everyone.

If heading out for a drink or two is something that you’re interested in as well, Ashbourne has a range of bars for you to visit, and Derby and Nottingham also have a fantastic nightlife, which is perfect for those groups who want to let their hair down a little more once night time rolls around.

We’re Well Equipped

Believe it or not, we’re more than capable of holding your entire hen party in one of our cottages. Whether it’s taking part in some in-cottage activities such as life drawing, painting, cocktail mixing or even butlers in the buff, to taking a relaxing dip in our hot tubs at both Billy’s Bothy and Hillside Croft – if you simply want a base for your entire celebration, we’re your perfect choice.

There’s even the option of hosting a pamper party for those hens who simply want a relaxing weekend away from the boys – believe us, you won’t want to leave once you’ve undergone Glo Pamper’s massages!

If you’d like to book one of our comfortable, spacious cottages for your hen party, make sure to get in touch with us today – we’ll be more than happy to help you have the perfect weekend, no matter how you plan to spend it!

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.

When it comes to your annual family holiday, you’ve probably got yourself into a pretty decent routine. Keep your kids out of the way and entertained whilst you pack up your car. Get the kids in the car, and fit the rest of your luggage around them; snug as a bug in a rug.
There are always those little things you need to make sure you do before you jet off to the stunning, relaxing Derbyshire countryside. And of course, without a doubt, every holiday you end up forgetting something.

Turn off the electrics

There’s always that one bedroom light or bedside lamp which finds itself left on throughout your holiday, wasting electricity and causing a potential fire hazard in your home. The trick is to check, check and check again that all of your lights and electrical equipment, not on a timer are securely turned off before you lock the front door.

Got Pets?

Pets have always been the turning point of a holiday. Do you take them with you or leave them behind? Can you take them with you? Who will look after them? The trick is to plan ahead. Ask if your friendly, trusting neighbour would mind looking after your pet for you while you’re gone. If not, dropping your pet off at a family member’s house or a kennel a couple of days before you leave can save you a lot of hassle on the day of your departure.

Neighbours are good, good friends

Your neighbours, believe it or not, can be your best friends (or at least very trusting). If you’re expecting deliveries while you’re away, ask if it’s okay to drop a key in at your neighbour’s house. That way you won’t return to a house flooded with post!

Don’t forget the kids!

You may want to leave them behind sometimes, but trust us, it’s best if you don’t! Count your kids as you leave the house and again once you’re all in the car. It may sound silly but children have a tendency to wander off when nobody’s watching them!

Double check your unpacked belongings

It’s easy to remember clothing, wash bags and toys. It’s a little harder, when organising your family, to remember everybody’s coats, beach shoes, electrical chargers and those all important sunglasses!
Before you leave the house don’t forget to double check everything. That way you can be absolutely certain you’re all packed and set for a fun filled, relaxing holiday in the rolling Derbyshire countryside!

Our picturesque cottages are perfectly suitable for the entire family and are situated in perfect distance from stunning family attractions. If you’re interested in visiting Derbyshire and would like to know more about our family friendly holiday cottages in the Peak District, contact us today on 01335 344795.

Alternatively, if you’d like to keep up to date with the latest news and events, you can follow us on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Pinterest!

Try you hand at painting

Here at Offcote Grange Cottage Holidays we can offer you the chance to dabble at painting and drawing. Located in a peaceful rural location in central Derbyshire our self catering cottages have oustanding views and are surrounded by nature and items of interest.We can supply you with the use of paper, paints and pencils for just a small fee per person. If you are here with friends or family and wish to try your hand at painting as an individual or as a group with no pressure other than creative encouragment then please ask for details.

For a taste of a painting holiday in Derbyshire , we have in our garden, overlooking the lake a ‘globe’ for you to peacefully sit in and have a go at painting. Paints are there all year long, just ask and we will ensure you have all you need to create. There are fabulous views, with our expanding family of moorhens on the pond, the guest ducks and heron, with our donkeys peacefully grazing- peace and tranquility in beautiful surroundings.

We were then taken along the roads on an hour long very leisurely trip back to Castleton with delicious home made lemon drizzle cake and ginger beer on route. A delight. We are pleased to offer guests at our accommodation either the chance of the Trit Trot Experience or a group adventure around the Castleton area with the Shire Horse experience. Our visitors can contact me for details on 0780 8899493.

Our cottages are beautifully positioned amongst scenic and peaceful surroundings, just edging the Peak District National Park, perfect for walking the many beautiful Derbyshire Dales,or traversing the many walks from or close to the cottages. There are some fabulous walks and some of these are featured on our website to enable you to plan your days adventures in advance. Come and join one of the many charity walks around Carsington Water.