The Local Area
Middleton Incline
The Peak District
The Peak District, set at the southern tip of the Pennines, is renowned for its dramatic and varied landscape. Staying at the Barn, much of this area is within a half hour's drive – be it the Peak District National Park ( Dovedale, Goyt Valley); great historic houses ( Chatsworth, Haddon Hall); picturesque towns and villages ( Buxton, Bakewell); or visitor attractions ( Crich tramway museum, Carsington reservoir). Slightly further afield there is the Hope Valley (Castleton caverns and Derwent Dams ) which is less than an hour's travel away.
The nearest city is Derby, though it is possible to have a day trip to Nottingham, Chesterfield, Sheffield, Manchester or the Potteries!
Black Rocks
Middleton by Wirksworth
The Barn is set on the main street of the village of Middleton by Wirksworth, which is south of Matlock / Matlock Bath, at the south eastern tip of the Peak District, just outside the National Park boundary. It is a ‘working’ village formerly based on limestone mining.
Middleton has a small shop/post office, whilst Wirksworth (1 mile away down a steep hill) has all main facilities.
Middleton Top Engine House
Middle Peak Quarry
The Barn allows easy walking access to the nearby surrounding countryside. There are a number of local circular walks that offer a great variety of scenery, including views of Middle Peak and Cromford quarries which have their own dramatic scale and impact on the landscape! The High Peak Trail with its impressive Middleton incline is close by and leads to 'Black Rocks' or Middleton Top engine house and cycle hire. Other walks include Middleton moor and tracks down to Cromford or Wirksworth. Use of the local bus service can considerably expand your walking horizons.
Track towards Cromford
