Peak District Country Houses and Estates
The Peak District and surrounding area boasts some of the most magnificent country houses and estates in England. Each one is special in its own way and offers a great day out for the whole family, with lavish interiors to marvel at and acres of stunning parkland to explore. Many offer restaurants and gift shops, as well as children’s play areas and special events. Take a look at our pick of the best Peak District Country Houses here, and add a little splendour to your visit to this fantastic national park!
Bolsover Castle
Bolsover Castle Perched on a ridge high above the Vale of Scarsdale, on the eastern edge of the Peak District, Bolsover Castle is an extraordinary aristocratic retreat. The exquisite 'Little Castle' has remarkable wall-paintings and interiors, and the Riding House is the earliest such building in England to survive complete. The building of the so-called 'Little Castle' began in the late 11th century by William Peveril, one of William the Conqueror’s knights, but it was neglected from the mid-14th century. The building work was then recommenced in 1612 by Sir Charles Cavendish as a retreat from his principal seat at...
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Chatsworth House
Chatsworth House Chatsworth House Chatsworth is indisputably the jewel in the crown of the Peak District. Home to the Cavendish family since the 16th Century, Chatsworth House is a magnificent English country house set in over 1,000 acres of parkland, with over 100 acres of stunning formal gardens, a Farmyard and children's Adventure Playground, as well as cafés and gift shops. Chatsworth is deservedly top of the list of attractions for visitors to the Peak District National Park, and there is more than enough to keep the whole family occupied for a full day here. What is there to do...
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Eyam Hall
Eyam Hall Eyam Hall Eyam Hall is a beautiful Jacobean country house, built in 1672, just after the plague in Eyam ended. It is still owned and managed by the Wright family, who have lived there for more than eleven generations. The hall and its lovely walled gardens are open to the public on selected days throughout the year, and the old stable yard houses a number of local craft and food shops. Please check Eyam Hall's website HERE for opening dates and times before your visit. You can read more about the fascinating village of Eyam HERE.
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Haddon Hall
Haddon Hall in Derbyshire Haddon Hall is acclaimed as one of the most beautiful medieval manor houses in the whole of England, and rightly so. It’s an absolute must-see for any visitor to the Peak District. Haddon’s castellated stone walls are covered with ivy and climbing roses, and its perfect setting on a hillside overlooking the River Wye is straight out of a romantic fairytale. It's no small wonder, then, that Haddon Hall has featured in the works of countless artists and writers through the centuries. More recently it has also been a favourite location for film-makers, featuring in Jane...
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Hardwick Hall
Hardwick Hall Hardwick Hall Although just outside the boundary of the Peak District National Park, the magnificent Hardwick Hall and its estate should still be on the itinerary of any visitor to the area. There are actually two halls here: the Old Hall is now ruined but great fun to explore, while the elegant New Hall (built in the 16th Century) has been restored to its original glory by the National Trust. There are also extensive formal gardens, parkland with family woodland trails, a lovely restaurant and a National Trust gift shop. About Hardwick Hall Hardwick Hall is a leading...
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Lyme Park
Lyme Park Nestling on the edge of the Peak District in Disley in Cheshire, Lyme Park was originally a hunting lodge and modest family home, owned by the Legh family for just under 600 years. The house underwent extensive alterations in the 15th Century, with notable architects employed to transform it into a glorious Regency mansion. Lyme Park today is a feast for the senses. It boasts lavish interiors, fascinating collections of art and a magnificent 1,400 acre estate, complete with a medieval herd of red deer. There is something here for the whole family to enjoy. Try out the...
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Sudbury Hall
Sudbury Hall Managed by the National Trust, is a stunning late 17th Century country house in the pretty village of Sudbury, close to Ashbourne in Derbyshire, just outside the Peak District National Park. In the Servants’ Wing of Sudbury Hall, itself dating from the 19th Century, is the fascinating National Trust Museum of Childhood. This nostalgic trip along memory lane features toys and games from every era, as well as an exploration of childhood in years gone by. There’s a National Trust bookshop, gift shop and café on site at Sudbury Hall too, and in the neighbouring courtyard a beautiful...
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The Children’s Country House at Sudbury
The Children's Country House at Sudbury “It’s a place where the past sometimes gets caught up in the cracks.” So explains one of the National Trust guides to the small troop of children about to embark upon a journey of adventure through the magnificent 17th Century country house of Sudbury Hall on the edge of the Peak District. They all stare up at her, eyes shining, and race off in eager exploration. This is also a place where magic drifts through the corridors, sparkles in the old ballroom and weaves its way about the books in the libraries. Sudbury Hall...
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Thornbridge Hall
Set amongst 80 acres of stunning parkland in Ashford-in-the-Water, with direct access from the Monsal Trail, Thornbridge Hall beckons you to discover a world of history, natural beauty and delightful experiences. This Grade II listed stately home offers a blend of grandeur, quirkiness and welcoming, dog friendly hospitality, making it the perfect destination for a memorable day out for the whole family, and the most romantic wedding venue.
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