Baslow

On the fringes of the Chatsworth Estate and the dramatic Derbyshire Dales

Thatch roof cottages punctuated with chimneypots. A slowly meandering river criss-crossed with nursery-rhyme stone bridges. Pubs with a welcome as warm as its fires. Think of an English village and this Derbyshire parish will likely fit the picture. Yet this tiny enclave is on the cusp of a landscape of truly epic proportions. Where the fresh air is a tonic, inspiring views stretch out in every direction and the romance of the Peak District ripples out before you.

Things to do

NATURE
Walking in the Derbyshire Dales could mean anything from a village stroll to a cloud-level hike across the Dark Peak. At Baslow Edge, a craggy cliff climb rewards you with heart-stealing views and a chance to pause at the sandwich-like Eagle Stone – ask a local to tell you of its legend. Bring little ones on the Chatsworth to Bakewell circuit, promising river walks, deer to spot and the ultimate sweet treat: a Bakewell tart refuel in a tearoom. Calton Lees, Gardom’s Edge and Stand Wood all take you deep into Derbyshire’s beauty. While the Monsal Trail, tracing the old railway tracks, is peak Peak District.

LANDMARKS
Do as Lizzie Bennet did and be swept away by Pemberley – or Chatsworth House, as it is really called. The brightest minds and boldest voices have long been drawn to this country house, its state rooms home to one of the finest art collections in Europe. Joining a tour reveals the stories behind the Sculpture Gallery – as well as the Painted Hall, State Rooms and library, where towering shelves of rare editions are a bibliophile’s dream. There are 4,000 artefacts and artworks here. But allow time to take in the breathtaking gardens too – 500 years in the making, its ancient arboretum, scented rose garden and fountains promise treasures at every turn. .

CULTURE
For a stately home two-hander, pair tours of Chatsworth with trips to Haddon Hall. You can take a journey back to the medieval period in its deer park, step into Tudor times inside its timber-framed walls, then take a turn around the Elizabethan gardens. Seasonal events bring an extra-special flurry of excitement to the Hall – whether it’s the Mercatum Christmas Artisan Market, wildlife walks through daffodil-speckled grounds or hands-on creative workshops.