Find out everything you need about Highcroft in Turnditch, Peak District and whether this holiday rental is right for you.
A grand lodge finished to a high standard, it has the wow factor in bucketloads and has enough space for up to 10 guests. This is an ideal family or friends’ reunion retreat.
On the edge of the quaint village of Turnditch, this Derbyshire destination overlooking the Ecclesbourne Valley is set in a deer park with sweeping views. The neighbouring village has a petrol station, post office and, most importantly, a dog and family-friendly pub.
When you’re not in the hot tub, there is a quirky upstairs lawned balcony where you can sip sundowners or an early morning coffee and take in your surroundings.
This former hunting lodge has six bedrooms over three floors. It has a ground floor king-size and two twins that share a bathroom that has a shower over the bath. There is a king-size on the first floor, and in the eaves, there is a single bedroom. There is a bathroom upstairs with a free-standing tub and walk-in shower, a sitting room leads out to a lawned balcony with furniture.
The ground floor has a cloakroom, a utility and boot room that includes the dishwasher, washing machine and tumble dryer. The eat-in kitchen has a table for ten and an electric range cooker. The spacious sitting room benefits from a log burning stove set in the original stone fireplace.
Outside there is a spacious hot tub and alfresco dining furniture on the enclosed lawn overlooked by deer, and there is ample parking.
The Nag’s Head is a mile from Highcroft in neighbouring Hulland Ward. It has a lovely fire on chilly and rainy days and its pie nights on Thursdays have proved to be popular. It stocks a good range of real ales and it serves breakfasts and Sunday roasts too.
One of the jewels in the RSPB crown is Carsington Water, just more than five miles from Highcroft. Over summer, you might spot buzzards soaring across the reservoir. The meadows play host to wildflowers such as yellow rattle, buttercups and bee orchids, yellow rattle and buttercups. Take your binoculars and advice from the staff at the on-site RSPB shop, where the best places are to see a kingfisher, crested grebe and tufted duck. If you are there in spring, you are likely to see the floppy-winged lapwings overhead because this is their favoured breeding ground.
The Carsington Water Sports and Leisure have bikes for hire, allowing friends and family to see this part of the Derbyshire Dales in all its finery. Every age and ability are catered for and the choice includes mountain bikes, children cycles, tow buggies, novel side-by-siders, and electric bikes.
There is a family-friendly three-mile route and a full eight-mile reservoir off-road circuit. If you are partial to pedal power, you can increase your route a little further by taking in Hopton and Carsington Village, which will link to the Tissington and High Peak trails.
Alton Towers is 21 miles from the holiday home and will provide a thrills-and-spills day out for the whole family and the traditional market towns of Belper and Matlock are short drives away. For avid anglers, there is fishing on the River Derwent and for those keen to take to the green, the Chevin Golf Course in Belper welcomes guest golfers and is less than a 10-minute drive from Turnditch.
This idyllic setting where deer, stags and their fawns are so close you can touch them and sweeping Derbyshire Dales’ views that will take your breath away has all it takes to provide a perfect break for parties of up to ten.
If there will be more of you, the adjacent cottage that sleeps four can also be booked. An added bonus is that you can bring two well-behaved four-legged family members along.
Highcroft is a high-end holiday home that is certain not to disappoint. Many of its original features have been retained, such as the large stone fireplace, which now houses the log-burning stove. There is more than enough space for everyone with two sitting rooms, one on the first floor and a large outdoor area with a spacious hot tub. To appreciate the glorious surroundings, there is also an alfresco table seating ten on the enclosed lawn.
Highcroft is for the discerning holidaymaker who expects their staycation to meet their expectations and its roomy accommodation means that you don’t have to leave anyone behind.
