The Orchards

The Orchards is a lovely, spacious three bedroomed self-catering cottage, offering quality holiday accommodation for six people near Ashbourne.

Spend a week or more in rural Derbyshire in a wonderful location deep in the countryside with views that are second to none.  If you want your children to experience life on a farm and meet the farm animals, or if you want an exhilarating walking holiday, or an amazing day out at Alton Towers, or if you just wish to wander round the historic houses and villages scattered around the area, then a visit to The Orchards, Ilam, in the foot hills of the Peaks is a must.

Did you enjoy Jane Eyre?  Then visit the places where Jane walked - the first episode was filmed just a mile away in Ilam and Dovedale.  Jane met Rochester when he fell off his horse in Dovedale!   Rochester's home, of course, was the lovely Haddon Hall near Bakewell.  Why not order your own movie map from http://www.visitpeakdistrict.com/janeeyre and visit all the sites.  Pride and Prejudice, Poirot, The Mallens, Peak Practice - so many film directors have chosen this valley - the valley where your cottage is - to make their films because it is just so beautiful.  Watch out for the up-coming film "The Other Boleyn Girl" which was filmed largely at Ilam and locally.

As the name suggests, THE ORCHARDS is built on the site of an ancient orchard, with gnarled remnants of fruit trees still remaining in the croft behind the property. The cottage is, in fact, a chalet-type bungalow, with the garage below the bedrooms, and is part of our 200 acre farm.

The orchard viewed from the double bedroom window

It has a backdrop of beautiful bluebell woods, and enjoys the most breath-taking views over the River Manifold and right through the valley, upwards towards Wetton and Grindon and downwards towards Ilam.   Bunster Hill overlooking Ilam is actually the very first peak of the Peak District.  The twin bedroom looks out over Bunster Hill, and in summer the sun rises here, giving a dramatically beautiful dawn.  The whole area is designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. 

Our woods have recently been fenced off with the help of English Nature to enable us to graze selectively and allow the wonderfully diverse plant-life to flourish even more.   Certain trees have been ring-barked to allow insects and woodpeckers to colonise them, other trees have been felled and left to rot, again to encourage further insect life.  Only very common sycamores have been felled, giving the lesser species more room to grow.  When you come to stay, ask to see the list of plants we have seen on this farm over the past 25 years - it is truly amazing.

On the farm, there are always baby animals being born and children can meet the calves, stroke a tiny pink piglet or help bottle-feed the lambs in Spring.  We farm traditionally; mainly sheep which lamb from March onwards, but also a few cattle along with their calves, and a small number of pigs with piglets which are born all year round.

Vic, the friendly farmer, holding a sleeping piglet.

There are exciting places for children to explore - the woods behind the cottage are fascinating for kids and parents alike, with the tall spires of Aaron's Rod and swathes of white garlic plants in May.  Ancient meadows extend as far as the eye can see.  We farm in a way that benefits the land and wildlife, and we have hundreds of species of wildflowers and herbs including the early purple, common-spotted and twayblade orchids, and bluebells in the woodland.

The bluebells are stunning in May in the Peak District

There are hills to clamber and dales, gently rolling, dry river beds for discovering fossils, the Stepping Stones at Dovedale to ford - endless things to do and see without ever opening your purse.

If it is a walking holiday you want, then this area is unsurpassed and is arguably the finest walking country in England.  There are footpaths criss-crossing our farm and walks, quite literally, from the door. The Peak District offers a tremendous range of outdoor activities, from a gentle stroll along Dovedale, to rock-climbing Jacob’s Ladder also in Dovedale, right through to the orienteering over the wild lands of Axe Edge and beyond, or hang-gliding silently over the hills, horse-riding along the Tissington Trail, biking along the Manifold track - and so much more.  Derbyshire limestone and Staffordshire sandstone have different qualities to challenge even experienced climbers and walkers, and yet you would be hard-pressed to find a more scenic or gentle walk than that around Dimmingsdale, Alton.

Even if you don't think you will be doing any walking,  bring your boots because you just won't be able to resist ambling alongside the river on a summer evening, or picking mushrooms or sloes (for your sloe gin) in Autumn.  We do have Wellington boots to borrow, just in case.

If you fancy a cultural day out,  then nearby Leek is fascinating.  Now a centre for antiques, it was a textile town for centuries and attracted members of the Arts and Crafts Movement.  Several of the churches have fine murals and stained glass by William Morris and Burne Jones.  The elegant church spire in nearby Cheadle was designed by the architect Pugin.  Derby has much to offer, including the Crown Derby factory, with a factory-shop outlet.  Likewise, the Potteries for china lovers with an eye for a bargain. 

Going self-catering gives you the opportunity to try out lots of local foods, and Ashbourne shops offer you the very best of produce, from Hartington Stilton, Dovedale Blue and Buxton Blue cheeses, Staffordshire Oatcakes, Bakewell Pudding, Bostern Grange Ice-cream made on the farm, Ashbourne Gingerbread - the list is endless.  You can also pre-order goods to be delivered to your cottage - see link below.

If you are a bird-lover, then this is the place for you.  Locally, in our valley and nearby, are birds ranging from the majestic red kite, right down to the little tree-creepers and most sizes in between!  You will often seen the lovely little Dipper on the River Dove in Ilam, diving and walking under water, and on the same stretch of river, there are kingfishers too.  Just a few miles north-west, on the Staffordshire Moorlands, you can find the elusive Black Grouse.

The history of the Manifold Valley is fascinating.  There has been farming here for thousands of years. There are barrows on our land; the finds within them are now in the Hanley Museum.  There are ancient field divisions and foundations of long houses.  Recently a patera, a beautiful enamelled Roman Bowl, was found in the valley and  is now in the hands of the British Museum.  It was originally estimated to be worth over £100,000 but is now classed as priceless due to its rarity and is not allowed to be exported out of Britain.   Find out more by visiting : http://www.staffsmetaldetectors.co.uk/staffs_moorlands_patera.htm

We, ourselves, have some fascinating finds, including mediaeval coins, 17thC musket balls, a 16thC loom weight and a lovely Roman toga fastener!  Please ask to look at  our 'Feel The Find' box when you visit.

                                 Henry VI Groat - Calais Mint, Anulet Issue 1435                         

THE WELCOME

Often referred to as a 'home from home' - we try to supply everything you could possibly need for your self-catering holiday, and more.    A tray of Aga-baked biscuits (when farming time allows) or Ashbourne Gingerbread, a pint of locally-produced milk, half a dozen free range eggs and possibly a bottle of wine - just so you can really enjoy your stay right from the start.  If there is anything else you are likely to need, all you have to do is ask. 

As members of Peak District Cuisine, we also hold a small stock of local foods for guests to try - currently lovely Dry Cured Bacon by James Armstrong from Over Haddon, fifth generation farmer butcher.  Just ask at the farmhouse.

We can provide a pack of local foods, either breakfast goods or anything else you can think of.   Please have a look at  http://www.peakdistrictfinefoods.co.uk and then contact Ruth direct if you want to order anything, or email me and I will arrange delivery for you.  Everything is delivered to the cottage on the day of your choice.  Pre-payment required.

INSIDE THE COTTAGE

Please note that there are at least 9 steps up to the front door of the cottage.

However, once inside, all rooms are on one level  and include:

-            Wide entrance hall with polished oak floor.

-            Welcoming sitting room with a real open fire,  sumptuous sofas and a higher chair for those who prefer it.  Teletext TV, VCR and DVD with a selection of videos, radio/CD player, games and a good choice of books, and local maps and info.

-            Sunny, oak-floored dining room, Welsh dresser and table for six.  Two windows look out over the valley and river - imagine eating your breakfast and watching the cows munching or the lambs nibbling just yards away.

     -            Bespoke pine kitchen, equipped well beyond the Four Star standard, with washing machine, microwave, fridge/freezer, food processor etc.  There are stable doors leading onto the lawns that surround the cottage.

-            Warm bathroom with over-bath shower, heated towel rail etc.

-            Three bedrooms to sleep six people - one double, classically decorated in Sanderson fabrics; one twin, lovely in lilac and primrose, catching the morning sun; and one bunk bedroom - the beds are adult-size, but are much fought over by children!

TARIFF INCLUDES

-           All fuel costs, with initial supply of coal and logs for the fire.

-           All linen and towels.

-           A cot and highchair can be made available upon request.

BOOKING

Please check http://www.cottageguide.co.uk/theorchards  for latest prices, vacancies and special offers.

Thanks for taking the time to read this page.  We look forward to hearing from you.   Email Vanessa Holland on rushley.farm@btopenworld.com  or telephone 01538 308205 if you have any questions or queries.

p.s.  Although we don’t allow pets at the cottage (we are in the middle of sheep country) we do have cats of our own - Calvin particularly likes to welcome guests on their arrival and check out the likelihood of treats during the week.

So if you want a quality self-catering cottage near Ashbourne, and a holiday to remember - look no further :

                     The Orchards...   

      live life in the slow lane...