As part of our Green Traveller's Guide to the Peak District, Florence Fortnam picks out a selection of characterful places to stay, including B&Bs, hotels, self-catering and campsites in this glorious National Park in central England.
Whether you want five-star luxury, a cosy cottage, or prefer sleeping under canvas, everyone comes to the Peak District for one reason, and that’s to absorb the beautiful scenery and landscape, admire the breath-taking views and to get out and about in the great outdoors then to a log fire, some homemade cake perhaps, or sink into a comfy sofa. Campers can bed down under a starry sky, surrounded by utter peace and quiet. All the places we have selected have been awarded the Peak District Environmental Quality Mark, which highlights owners who are committed to conserving the natural environment that you have come to enjoy.
Google map: shows the location and details of all the places to stay, local food and drink, nearby visitor attractions and activities in our Green Travel Guide to The Peak District:
Green = Places to stay Blue = Local food & drink Yellow = Attractions Purple = Activities
Places to stay in The Peak District
Hoe Grange
Luxurious self-catering log cabins, a gypsy caravan, and gorgeous glamping pods with stunning views from your pillow. Explore the Peak District countryside, watch the wildlife, unwind under the stars in the Swedish log-fired hot tub or relax in the sauna. Our reviewer Florence Fortnam says "Hoe Grange is an inspiring place, where traditional Peak District farming rubs shoulders with cutting-edge green technology. David and Felicity are leading the way on the green accommodation scene and have tons of awards to their name. You couldn’t be better placed for an activity break, and everyone is catered for – including the horse. And at the end of a long day in the outdoors, it’s heaven to abandon your muddy wellies at the door retreat to the comfort of your super cosy cabin." hoegrangeholidays.co.uk
Wheeldon Trees Farm Holiday Cottages
Choose from a range of beautiful cottages in a quiet, relaxed location amidst the Peak District's stunning scenery - at Wheeldon Trees every comfort is provided & the friendly hosts, Martin & Deborah will ensure your stay is everything you hope for. Locally sourced produce is used as much as possible; including milk from a nearby dairy, local artisan cakes, and the Derbyshire Breakfast Basket includes homemade jam and eggs from the owners’ chickens. To encourage guests to arrive by low carbon transport alternatives, discounts are offered to guests who choose to arrive by public transport or by bike and the owners are happy to collect guests in their hybrid car from nearby train and bus stations. Guests are refunded for the costs of local bus journeys during their stay and on-site cycle hire in available, as well as secure bike storage. Our reviewer Florence Fortnam says: "Behind every great place to stay are owners who work tirelessly to make it all happen. Martin and Deborah swapped the London rat race for this patch of Derbyshire and have created much more than simply a place to rest your head at night. Quietly green and incredibly relaxed, it’s a perfect place for an activity-packed family holiday or a relaxing getaway for two." wheeldontreesfarm.co.uk
Beechenhill Farm
Award winning self catering accommodation and eco wedding venue on an organic dairy farm. Order local produce when you book and it will be ready and waiting for your arrival. Wood-fired hot tub and barrel sauna add extra fun to the stay. Our reviewer Rhiannon Batten says: "As with her paintings, Sue has the B&B business down to a fine art. For a relaxing weekend in a family-run, farmhouse setting, with access to glorious National Park scenery literally on the doorstep, Beechenhill is hard to beat. Not least because the welcome here is so heartfelt." beechenhill.co.uk
Underleigh House B&B Tucked down a private lane amidst glorious Peak District scenery is this delightful, multi-award winning B&B, run by Vivienne and Philip. Charming bedrooms have valley views, and breakfasts of locally-sourced produce and homemade breads are delicious. Vivienne and Philip are dedicated to protecting the environment and encourage guests to reduce their own carbon footprint wherever possible. Great walks start from the door.
Whitehouse Barn Holiday Cottages The perfect place to come back to after a day's exploration. 1400m up, overlooked by buzzards and sky larks, Whitehouse Farm's homely cottages for two are lovingly decorated with eco paints, vintage/reclaimed/homemade furnishings and Whitehouse pottery. Guests are greeted with fantastic views, flowers from the bee friendly garden, homelaid eggs and resident collie, Scout. whitehousebarncottages.co.uk
Losehill House Hotel & Spa The Peak District's best-kept secret? Losehill House is an arts and crafts gem, a beautiful 4 star hotel set down a leafy lane, surrounded by some of the best walking in the country, with stunning views overlooking Win Hill. Rooms are supremely comfortable (some are dog-friendly for guests bringing their four-legged friends). The friendly staff are justly proud of their award winning Orangery Restaurant, which uses only local, seasonal produce (their website goes into exceptional detail about the provenance of their produce). A great base for exploring the rolling hills and sweeping moorlands, or the nearby atmospheric towns of this beautiful part of the county. losehillhouse.co.uk
Yorkshire Bridge Inn A popular place to stay, this award-winning inn offers 14 cosy bedrooms, a very warm welcome on arrival, fantastic food year-round, and fabulous scenery and great walks from the door. The en-suite bedrooms (some have four-posters) are prettily decorated. The inn also has five luxury apartments over the road for longer stays. Endless walking and cycling routes start from the inn, and guests will enjoy strolling aroud the resevoirs - the Ladyblower Reservoir of 'Dambusters' fame is close. yorkshire-bridge.co.uk
East Lodge Country House Hotel A hotel with a low environmental impact, East Lodge excels in local sourcing, including using product from its own garden. Significant steps have been taken to reduce this hotel’s environmental impact, including LED lighting throughout and a state of the art kitchen with high quality/low energy commercial refrigeration. East Lodge excels in local sourcing, including produce from their own kitchen gardens. Investing in staff to ensure that each guest receives a warm welcome and personal service is also a strength East Lodge prides itself on. eastlodge.com
Foxtwood Cottages A fantastic collection of 7 cottages nestled in the Churnet Valley, part of the beautiful Staffordshire Peak District. Wander the labyrinth of footpaths through picturesque woodlands and meadows and admire the views over Caldon Canal. Jump on a train to Stoke-on-Trent and from there take a bus to Kingsley which is about 1 mile away from Foxtwood Cottages, by prior arrangement you can be collected from the bus stop. foxtwood.co.uk
Secret Cloud House Holidays Enjoy the great outdoors with luxurious yet eco-conscious attention to detail in these luxury yurts and tipis with stunning views, wood fired hot tubs, essential oil sauna and 'Shepherds Rest' treatment room. The yurts: Foxglove, Blackberry, Rosehip and Elderflower and Bilberry Lodge (a Scandinavian inspired quirky, wooden cabin) have been thoughtfully decorated with subtle hints of the hedgerow colours and embellished with little touches of luxury - Egyptian cotton bedding, gorgeously snug featherdown duvets and pillows, fluffy towels, toiletries handmade with love in Derbyshire, Staffordshire wool blankets to keep you snug and a hamper of delicious local food on arrival to create the perfect Staffordshire breakfast. If you are searching for a peaceful, relaxing break in beautiful countryside with an endless array of exhilarating activities on your doorstep - then look no further. Our reviewer Lucy Symons says "What could be nicer than sitting in a wood burning hot tub with a glass of wine under the stars after a hearty day walking or cycling through the Peak District?". secretcloudhouseholidays.co.uk
Church Farm Holiday Cottages Cosy, well-equipped, eco-friendly cottages at the head of a beautiful, quiet dale. Walk from the door on to numerous trails and footpaths. Our reviewer Liz Granirer says: "At Church Farm Holiday Cottages, the upside-down arrangements – bedrooms downstairs, living areas upstairs – mean you get to enjoy the farmyard views by day. The open-plan kitchens have everything you need to cook full-blown family meals, there’s plenty of comfortable seating, wi-fi, a DVD player and TV, and highchair and cot available. Dogs welcome (but do let them know first!). Being green has obviously always been a way of life for Christine and Chris." churchfarmholidaycottages.co.uk
Sladen Lodge Contemporary Lodge for up to 16 guests, ideal either as holiday accommodation or a unique corporate retreat. Situated at the edge of the village of Hathersage it is easily accessible by public transport (train or bus) with shops, pubs and restaurants just a short walk away. Homemade locally sourced catering available for corporate guests on request. With both a large sunny south-facing patio commanding panoramic views of the Hope Valley and a range of great walks straight from the door, it is an ideal place to either sit and enjoy, or get out and explore the glorious Peak District. sladenlodge.co.uk
My Country Houses My Country Houses Ltd offer two historic holiday homes, Elton Old Hall c1668 and Portland House c1870, owned and run with great attention to detail by Martin and Juliet Harrop. Elton Old Hall c1668 is a 5 star self-catering property for up to 14 guests in a 17th century Grade II listed manor house in the heart of the Peak District National Park. Working closely with local craftsman, Martin and Juliet spent two years restoring the original layout and historic features with the addition of modern comforts and amenities. Guests can enjoy exclusive use of a beautifully and sympathetically restored Hall with stunning walks straight from the doorstep. Portland House c1870 is a 5 star rated property sleeping up to 24 guests situated with the "most complete location" on the edge of historic Matlock Bath. Lovingly restored to its former Gentleman's residence grandeur and purposely renovated to be as energy efficient as possible without compromising on quality. mycountryhouses.co.uk
Tom's & Douglas' Barns Two 5 star holiday cottages for two in a conservation area within the Peak District National Park. Both beautifully converted barns effectively incorporate the best of the old with the best of the new. tomsbarn.co.uk
Blakelow Farm Cottages A collection of 5 star self-catering holiday cottages set on the 200-year old Blakelow farm with spectacular views out to Chatsworth House. Sleeping between 1 and 4 people, the cottages are luxurious but comely, genteel yet chic, offering log burning stoves, large stone fireplaces, private terraces and wonderfully appointed bedrooms. Both cyclist and walker friendly, there's a great range of walks available right from the doorstep, plus the likes of Carsington Water reservoir and the historic market town of Bakewell only a short distance away. Guests are encouraged to make suggestions on what else the business could do environmentally and to log sightings of wildlife in the grounds. With some produce coming from the farm itself, this truly is a place where food miles are at a minimum! blakelowcottages.co.uk
The Nightingale Centre A venue with a difference! Whether you want to hold a conference or outdoor pursuits weekend for friends, get married or have family reunion, this holiday and conference centre provides a relaxed and informal setting for all types of large get togethers. The 30 bedrooms are simply decorated, and there's a library, children's play area, sports field, table tennis and spacious gardens. The owners are passionate about offering home cooked food, with locally-sourced ingredients including produce from their own vegetable patch. It's location on the boundary of the Dark and White Peaks means it’s a great base for walkers to explore the beautiful and varied Peak District landscape, as well as being close to many attractions. thenightingalecentre.org.uk
Dove Valley Centre Sustainably converted 18th century barns providing stylish, self-contained cottages sleeping 5 & 7, together sleeping 12. Studio & camping for larger groups - great for parties and workshops. In a secluded setting on an environmentally managed farm. dovevalleycentre.co.uk
Fernyford Barn Fully equipped self-catering barns surrounded by a family-run working Upland stock farm with Swaledale sheep and Belted Galloway cattle, with land managed in an environmentally sensitive way. The house itself combines traditional features wit modern furnishings to create a wonderfully cosy country atmosphere. Feel free to relax in the garden and patio area, and tuck in to some of the farm's own sausage, bacon, eggs and honey. fernyford.co.uk
Old Post Office Barn A wonderfully restored Roaches red gritstone barn offering cosy self-catering accommodation for 3 people and a dog in Upper Hulme, a beautiful area of the National Park. While this may be an ideal place to come and relax, there's plenty of opportunity for bird and wildlife watchers. Owners Sheila and Barry are also keen climbers and walkers, with plenty of information for anyone looking to explore the surrounding moorland area of the Peak District National Park. Just down the road is Ye Olde Rock Inn, which offers a fantastic range of real ales. post-office-barn.co.uk
April Cottage A 200 year old self catering cottage in the centre of Youlgrave, with three pubs and two shops on the doorstep offering local produce. Accommodation is provided for three people in twin and single rooms with central heating and an open fire. Walks into Lathkill and Bradford Dale start nearby. Next door, Woodturning at Christmas Cottage is the ideal place to get gifts and souvenirs with the environment in mind. whitepeakcottage.co.uk
YHA Castleton Losehill Hall This magnificent Victorian gothic mansion with cobbled mews has recently been compeltely refurbished. Surrounded by 27 acres of parkland in the heart of the Peak District National Park, there are beautiful gardens, woodland and streams to explore within the grounds, with one of the peak’s most charming villages just moments away. You're well placed for family adventures. Walkers and those with children will love the spectacular Winnats Pass, Peveril Castle and Mam Tor close by, and there's superb climbing, running and cycling. Scramble up Cave Dale for a great view of Peveril Castle and the village of Castleton. There are also caverns, castles, shops and beautiful scenery to explore in Castleton. History buffs will love fossil hunting, too. yha.org.uk/hostel/yha-castleton-losehill-hall
YHA Hathersage Plumb in the middle of pretty Hathersage with walking, cycling and climbing opportunities aplenty, this YHA is a great base for an activity holiday. There's a games room and books to borrow for rainy days, too. Chatsworth House is close by. yha.org.uk/hostel/yha-hathersage
YHA Ilam Hall A characterful 17th-century Gothic mansion surrounded by 84 acres of National Trust-owned parkland. Endless walking and cycling, and fantastic limestone gorge scenery on your doorstep. Pretty Ilam is worth exploring, too. yha.org.uk/hostel/yha-ilam-hall
YHA National Forest Located at the Conkers visitor centre, this is a great base for budget, family-friendly breaks. There are walking and cycling routes galore, and a lovely café on site. Archery, birds of prey handling and llama trekking nearby. yha.org.uk/hostel/yha-national-forest
YHA Edale Not only is this YHA one of the highest residences in the Peak District (fab views on all sides), but they run a great range of family-friendly activity breaks: have a go at archery, caving, canoeing and abseiling. Cycling and walking trails abound. yha.org.uk/hostel/yha-edale-activity-centre
YHA Ravenstor With 60 acres of National Trust parkland, you've got stunning views across the Derbyshire Dales from every window. Bring the brood for an action-packed activity holiday: endless walking and cycling routes, and historic homes and gardens nearby. yha.org.uk/hostel/yha-ravenstor
YHA Eyam This tiny turreted castle perched on a hillside above the historic village of Eyam was built in 1887 and opened as a hostel in 1972. Superb location with great views, restaurant onsite and family-friendly activities on your doorstep. yha.org.uk/hostel/yha-eyam
Dewsnaps Farm Holiday Cottages Two converted barn holiday cottages. Both cottages and the main farm house use solar PV and solar thermal to heat and light the buildings. The buildings also use LED lighting and contain some internal insulation to the solid walls. Sally considers sustainability issues in every decision she makes about her business. Sally also keeps a small flock of pedigree Icelandic sheep, which are bred for their exceptional fleece, meat and milk. She produces a range of woollen and felted products using the natural fleece colours and hand-coloured yarns using natural plant dyes – many of which are grown at Dewsnaps in the Dye Garden. dewsnaps.co.uk
Hargate Hall Originally built for one family, it now is divided up into 12 self-catering holiday apartments providing accommodation for 2 to 77 people. A well as holidays, we regularly host weddings, parties and other celebrations, where people book the whole place for the weekend. We strive to support other local businesses by buying from them or recommending them to our guests. We also aim to reduce our environmental impact by using eco-friendly products where possible and manage the hall and grounds in a sensitive manner. Hot water and an increasing amount of heating is now provided from a biomass boiler which has eliminated our oil usage and significantly reduced our electricity consumption. hargate-hall.co.uk
Weathericks and Bradstone Two luxury self-catering cottages with expansive views across farmland to Carsington Water. Guests have access to the surrounding fields to join the numerous public footpaths and trails nearby. Both cottages have the Walkers and Cyclists Welcome awards so you can book with confidence, knowing that your walking and cycling needs will be met. For birdwatchers the cottages are ideal with regular visitors including woodpeckers, tits, finches and jays. weathericks.co.uk
Long Valley Yurts A truly magical 'glamping' experience in The Peak District offering back-to-nature living without compromising on comfort. There are comfy beds, warm duvets, cosy wood burning stoves and solar lighting. luxury-yurt-holidays.co.uk
Upper Hurst Farm A caravan and camping site in an elevated position with panoramic views, situated near the picture-postcard village of Hartington. Offers super-pitches for caravans and motorhomes, camping and clamping pitches and excellent facilities. upperhurstfarm.com
For information on local food and drink, nearby visitor attractions and activities, see our:
