Hotels
Willersley Castle
Willersley Castle is part of the Christian Guild Holidays group and is an ideal base for exploring the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site. Willersley Castle, a 200 year old Grade II listed building, was commissioned by Sir Richard Arkwright the industrialist. It occupies a magnificent position on the edge of the Peak District overlooking the river Derwent and within the World Heritage Site. Designed in the Georgian Style, Willersley Castle stands in 60 acres of grounds ranging from meadows to limestone crags, on the outskirts of Cromford, just south of Matlock Bath.
Willersley Castle offers:
- Accommodation for up to 91 guests
- 15 metre heated indoor swimming pool and children’s pool
- coffee shop selling light meals, refreshments and gifts
- lounge and TV room
- music room
- table tennis, snooker, putting
- conference facilities
- drying room and boot room
- angling
Group Bookings
Groups of all kinds are welcome including church groups and clubs, school and youth groups. Contact Willersley Castle for further information.
Tariffs
Accommodation is available in either the Derwent Rooms which are en-suite with either a bath or shower, or in the Shire Rooms with hand wash basins. Rates vary from month to month from £33 per person per night in January to £48 pounds per person per night in the summer. Please ask for a leaflet or call Willersley Castle to discuss the reqirements of your group.
Address
Willersley Castle,
Cromford,
Matlock,
Derbyshire
DE4 5JH
Tel: 01629 580550
Fax: 01629 582329
Email: mail@cgholidays.co.uk
Website: www.cgholidays.co.uk
Youth Hostels
AMBERGATE Shining Cliff Youth Hostel
Shining Cliff Youth Hostel, set in the heart of an ancient wood [once part of the Hurt’s Alderwasley Estate], is a delightfully tranquil setting close to the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site. The hostel offers basic accommodation with a welcoming atmosphere making it popular with groups of all kinds. Shining Cliff is located mid-way between Derby and Matlock, just one and a half miles off the A6. The hostel can only be approached by foot from a woodland track. Parking for vehicles is approximately half a mile away.
Address
Shining Cliff Youth Hostel,
Shining Cliff Woods,
Nr. Ambergate,
Derbyshire.
Telephone: 07788 725938
Facilities
The Youth Hostel is open from 0700-1000 and 1700-2300.
A small hostel offering simple accommodation
- The hostel now has inside toilets and showers
- 22 beds in one four and three six bunk-bedded rooms
- Self catering only
- Large communal area with fire, books and games
- Heating by night storage heaters
- Cycle shed
How to Book
Shining Cliff Youth Hostel is available for Rent-a-Hostel bookings throughout the year. This enables groups to take over the whole building, coming and going as they please. For details and a brochure call 01629 825298.
How to find the hostel
By Bus: Transpeak Nottingham – Manchester alighting at Ambergate which leaves a 1.5miles walk.
By Rail: The Derby to Matlock train stops at Ambergate which leaves a 2miles walk to the hostel.
By Road: Ambergate is on the main A6 between Derby and Ambergate.
On Foot: From Ambergate cross the river by the church. Turn right by the river, through the works yard and down the lower path through the woods.
From the Wirksworth to Belper road, turn left at Packhorse Farm crossroad, down the lane and left into the woods at Netherpark Farm.
On Cycles: From Ambergate cross the river by the church. Go up the hill, turn right into the woods by the third farm which is Netherpark farm.
MATLOCK Matlock Youth Hostel
Matlock Youth Hostel is a Victorian building of traditional Derbyshire gritstone which started life as the Smedley Memorial Hydropathic Hospital, serving as a place of rest and rehabilitation for the needy. It is only two minutes walk from the centre of Matlock. The Hostel overlooks the town and beyond to High Torr and the Heights of Abraham.
The railway station is in the centre of Matlock. Trains leave from here for Derby travelling the length of the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site with stops at Matlock Bath, Cromford, Whatstandwell, Ambergate, Belper and Duffield.
Address
Matlock YHA,
40 Bank Road,
Matlock,
Derbyshire,
DE4 3NF
Telephone: 0870 770 5960
Fax: 0870770 5961
Website: www.yha.org.uk
E-mail: matlock@yha.org.uk
Facilities
- 52 beds, [3 rooms with 1 bed, 4 with 2 beds, two with 3 beds, 5 with 4 beds, 1 with 6 beds and 1 with 9 beds.]
- Television room
- Games room
- Quiet lounge
- Two dining rooms
- Laundry and drying room
- Limited Parking
- Classroom and two seminar rooms
- Shop
- Self-catering kitchen
- Garden.
How to Book
Contact the hostel by telephone or E-mail.
Telephone 0870 770 5960
E-mail: matlock@yha.org.uk
How to Find the Hostel
From the M1: Exit at junction 28 and take the A615 and follow this into Matlock. At Crown Square roundabout take the third exit into Bank Road, go up Bank Road for 200 yards and the hostel is on the right hand side.
From the A6: At Matlock find the roundabout in Crown Square. Take the exit that leads to Bank Road up the hill. Go up Bank Road and the hostel is 200 yards on the right hand side.
By Bus: For details of times and other National Express coach services, Tel: 0990 808080. The ‘Transpeak’ Nottingham – Manchester bus passes through Matlock several times daily. For details of times and routes contact the Busline, Tel: 01332 292200.
By Train: Midland Mainline run daily services from London St, Pancras to Derby, a local train runs regularly between Derby and Matlock. For more information contact the National Train Enquiries, Tel: 08457 484950.
Residential Centres
CROMFORD Cromford Venture Centre
The Cromford Venture Centre is a residential centre housed in part of an
old corn mill and standing on the edge of the historic village of Cromford.
It caters for parties of young people from the age of eight upwards.
The former maltings is now living and dormitory accommodation and the kiln,
where once the malt was roasted, has been turned into dining and meeting
room space. The centre offers self-catering accommodation for parties
up to 24 young people and four leaders and provides an ideal base for weekend
or through the week study visits.
The centre has been designed with the needs of the physically challenged
in mind but has wheelchair access only for a limited number. Details
available on request.
The staff rooms are comfortable and large enough to provide an oasis of calm after the rigours of a day in the open air. There are separate staff showers and washing facilities.
To make a booking please telephone or fax the Arkwright Society to check the availability of the dates you have in mind. A booking form will then be supplied to complete and return accompanied by a £50.00 non-refundable deposit. At the same time you will receive any other literature you require such as booking conditions, risk assessment and the centre handbook.
The Venture Centre is supported by a number of corporate and charitable members who make funds available to support appropriate groups using the centre. If you feel your group may qualify for such assistance please mention this when you make your letter of application and you will be sent the appropriate form.
The costs per group are:
- Groups up to 16 persons – £200 per night plus VAT
- Groups up to 17-20 persons – £250 per night plus VAT
- Groups up to 20-24 persons – £300 per night plus VAT
- Groups up to 25-28 persons – £350 per night plus VAT
- Bedding (duvets, pillows and linen) per head per stay – £2.50 plus VAT
Meals
The restaurant at Cromford Mill can provide all your meals for you to serve yourselves. The restaurant can provide a set breakfast, a set of packed lunches and a choice of two main meals per evening.
Mini bus
There is an 11 seater mini-bus available for the use of groups. This must be booked in advance. Drivers must hold a full licence. On some occasions drivers can be provided.
To book the Venture Centre
Telephone: 01629 823256
Fax: 01629 823256
Address:
The Arkwright Society (CVC),
Cromford Mill,
Mill Lane,
Cromford,
Derbyshire,
DE4 3RQ
E-mail: info@arkwrightsociety.org
Website: www.arkwrightsociety.org.uk
LEA Lea Green Development Centre
Lea Green Development Centre is a large nineteenth century mansion house, set in twenty five acres of parkland, which has the benefit of a wide range of facilities and provides comfortable residential accommodation for up to 70 people plus staff. It is owned and managed by Derbyshire County Council.
Lea Green is situated in the village of Lea, approximately two miles from Cromford. The house is close to Cromford Railway Station and transport can be arranged to transfer groups to and from the station, if available.
Accommodation and bedrooms
Visiting groups have a number of options open to them regarding accommodation. In the main house there are 14 bedrooms for staff and young people which can sleep up to a maximum of 60 people, some in bunk beds. Further accommodation is available in a ground floor flat, an annexe to the house which has four rooms sleeping a total of ten people and has been converted to be easily accessible to wheelchair users. There is also a separate cottage in the grounds which has sleeping accommodation for 10 people and one member of staff.
The costs per person are:
The cost of using Lea Green depends on the size and nature of your group, the type of programme undertaken and the time of the year when the visit takes place. Prices for a fully catered programme may be around £33 a day but do contact the centre to talk through the needs of your group.
Meals
Lea Green residential courses include breakfast and an evening meal served in the dining room. Lunches and packed lunches are also available.
Courses on offer at Lea Green
Courses at Lea Green can be self programmed, where groups design and deliver their own activities using the wide range of facilities on offer, or run in partnership with Lea Green staff, both residentially or non-residentially.
How to get there
Lea Green Development Centre is on the road to Lea Village. Turn off the A6 at Cromford onto Mill Lane which leads to Cromford Mill, follow the signs to Lea. The Lea Green Development Centre is at the beginning of the village. The centre is about 2.5 miles in total from the A6.
Address
Lea Green Development and Conference Centre,
Main Road,
Lea,
Matlock,
Derbyshire,
DE4 5GJ
Telephone: 01629 534561
Fax: 01629 534071
E-mail: leagreen@aol.com
CROMFORD CANAL AND HIGH PEAK JUNCTION The Wharf Shed Countryside Centre
The Wharf Shed was originally a transhipment shed between the Cromford Wharf and High Peak Railway and the Cromford Canal. The building has been imaginatively renovated for self catering residential use and recently undergone a refurbishment.
The Accommodation
The accommodation with a total of 28 beds includes:
- Four dormitories each with six bunk beds – bed linen is provided
- Two staff bedrooms with two bunk beds in each – bed linen is provided
- Two bathrooms with hot showers, washbasin, shaver points and toilets
- Well equipped kitchen with modern appliances and all necessary crockery and utensils
- Lounge, dining room/classroom, drying room, store room and a pay phone
Charges
Charges are per-night, based on the size and nature of the group (Derbyshire Education, Community groups, commercial). They range from £175-£300 per night plus vat.
How to book
Contact the Lea Green Centre,
Main Road,
Lea,
Matlock,
Derbyshire,
DE4
5GJ
Telephone 01629 534561 for a booking form and information booklet.
How to get there
The Wharf Shed is on the bank of Cromford Canal near to High Peak Junction. The Cromford Canal begins in Cromford near Matlock and follows the River Derwent towards Whatstandwell in a southerly direction. The only entrance for vehicles is from the A6, halfway between Cromford and Whatstandwell . It is difficult to spot the entrance and it is suggested that some of the group arrives in daylight. The entry is somewhat difficult to negotiate and access has been restricted to three vehicles. Additional vehicles may be parked on the High Peak Junction car park which is accessible from the B-road from Cromford to Lea. There is a short walk from High Peak Junction to the Wharf Shed.
Food and other supplies
The nearest shopping centre is in Cromford Village.
Camping Sites
Birchwood Farm Caravan Park,
Wirksworth Road,
Whatstandwell,
DE4 5HS
01629 822280
The Firs Farm Caravan and Camping Park,
Crich Lane,
Nether Heage,
Ambergate.
DE56 2JN
E-mail: Thefirsfarmcampingpark@6tinternet.con
Beech Farm
Holloway,
DE4 5AW
01629 534426
Lea Gardens
Lea,
Matlock.
DE4 5EH
01629 534380
Meerbrook Farm
Wirksworth Road,
Whatstandwell,
Matlock,
DE4 5HU
01629 824180
Merebrook Caravan Park
Matlock Road,
Whatstandwell,
DE4 5HH
01773 852 154
Haytop Farm Caravans Ltd
Whatstandwell,
DE4 5HP
01773 852063