Vicarage Farm Holiday Cottages are situated in the Peak District National Park which has over 50,000 acres of the most beautiful countryside, villages and historic homes in the whole of Britain. It is a stunning place for driving, walking or cycling with spectacular hills, cliffs and canyons and dramatic exposed crags. The delightful river valleys, with their trout streams, once home to Arkwright’s textile mills, are peaceful and in places mysterious. It's a centre for outdoor sports – hiking, orienteering, climbing, paragliding and for those who don't like heights - serious potholing or more sedate cave tours.

Vicarage Farm has offered a hospitable welcome to visitors from near and far since 1637.  Relax and discover yourself in the heart of the Derbyshire Peak District, the first ever National Park.  This tranquil retreat is away from it all and yet is readily accessible.  The market towns of Bakewell, Buxton and Ashbourne are close at hand, as are the villages of Castleton, Edale, Eyam and Hathersage.

Vicarage Farm offers self-catering holiday accommodation for all ages.  The Vicarage itself is a large property (shown left) often providing group accommodation for more than one family.  The stone built holiday cottages are in varying sizes and cater for couples, families or groups and can be booked for long weekend breaks, short breaks or full weeks.  Ask about our discounted single parent weeks.  Groups of up to 24 can be accommodated.  Individual properties sleep between 4 and 10 but in the spring and autumn there are special rates for couples only. Cots and other baby facilities are available.

Are you looking for a relaxing weekend in the country or an activity week?  The cottages feature log fires, sauna and central heating, so are enjoyed all year.  We find that Christmas and New Year weeks are extremely popular, so book early.  We are pet friendly, so animals are always welcome whether it be a dog or a horse requiring stabling or a paddock.

Situated on the Limestone Way and therefore ideal for ramblers, hikers and all those looking for a walking holiday, we are also situated on the Pennine Bridleway and the National Trail is ideal for horse riding, trekking, mountain-biking, cycling and walking.   Within a 15 minute drive are some of the UK’s best sites for gliding, hang-gliding, paragliding, rock climbing, caving and pot-holing.

Vicarage Farm is owner managed and a feature of these country cottages is the extensive gardens incorporating a floodlit tennis court which is open all year and of course, a well-equipped games room.  Although secluded in a quiet, hillside hamlet the properties are situated within 1.5 mile walk of a small market town offering local facilities including 3 public houses, bank, traditional bakery and dairy.

Vicarage Farm holidays are not just for outdoor pursuit and activity holidays.  Attractions close by include Chatsworth House, Buxton Opera House, the National Trust Estates at Longshaw, Dove Dale and the High Peak, the English Heritage properties such as the Stone Circle at Arbor Low, Haddon Hall and the many village well dressing festivals which are a feature of the Peak District in the summer. Alton Towers and Gulliver’s Kingdom are popular attractions for our younger guests on family holidays.  Our favourites are the Chestnut Wildlife Centre and the well known Donkey Sanctuary which is a short bike ride away.

The secluded location is also a delight for those with an interest in photography, painting and bird-watching. A short stroll will take you to one of three National Nature Reserves at Monk’s Dale, Hay Dale and Cressbrook Dale. Each separate limestone valley displays some of the best examples of wildlife habitat and geology in the White Peak. English Nature identified up to 30 different species of wildflower per square metre (!) in Hay Dale which adjoins the hamlet of Wheston. This ‘undiscovered’ gem is a place of tranquillity even on an August Bank holiday, but come in early Summer to see the wild early purple orchids in flower.

A number of our visitors use the cottages as a rural retreat when visiting their student offspring at the Universities of Manchester, Sheffield and Derby.  Check our late availability rates which are only available during term time, although we can occasionally accommodate last minute bookings.  Please refer to our availability page for occasional reduced rates and special offers.