Turpins Cottage Blackbrook

This place is Turpins Cottage over in Blackbrook, near Belper. It's a big old building from the 1800s that was the stables for what's now the farm next door. It sleeps eighteen, which tells you how big it is. Nine bedrooms, five bathrooms.

It's got a three-star rating, so it's comfortable and clean but don't expect fancy hotel finishes. The main thing is you've got the space. It's detached, so it's just your group. There's a games room, decent WiFi, and parking right outside.

The building itself is interesting. They kept a lot of the old features when they converted it. The high ceilings inside are all original brick arches. Outside, the old archways where the coaches went in and out are now big French doors that open onto a terrace.

The garden looks out onto a little wooded bit and there's a big paddock and a field next to it if anyone wants to run around. You can bring up to three dogs.

You're a couple of miles from the shops and pubs in Belper. Belper's got nice formal gardens by the river and its old mills are a World Heritage Site now. It's a good base.

Within about half an hour you can get to Chatsworth House, Haddon Hall, or into Bakewell. Matlock Bath is close by too, if you want the arcades and the cable car up the Heights of Abraham. For walkers, you're right on the edge of the Peak District.

Inside, you've got the basics covered: washing machine, dishwasher, TVs, bedding is all included. There's a cot and highchair if you need them. There's a BBQ outside.

Useful links for planning: Visit Peak District and for the local World Heritage site, Derwent Valley Mills.