During your holiday to the Peak District, if you are looking for a bit of retail therapy in the Derbyshire Dales then there are plenty of options to choose from.
Peak Shopping Village
Approximately two miles from Darley Dale where all our cottages for self catering holidays in Derbyshire are located, is Peak Village. Peak Village has plenty of parking and a wide range of quality factory retail shops for you to explore. There are a variety of shops selling gear for walking and camping, and there are also stationery, shoe shops and general clothing shops for men and women.
On your visit to Peak Village you will also find several options for grabbing a bite to eat or a specialist coffee.
Peak Village is located at Rowsley along the A6.
Masson Mills
Along the A6 in-between Matlock Bath and Cromford you will find an old mill which was previously owned by Sir Richard Arkwright – inventor of the Spinning Jenny, widely recognised as the invention, which sparked the industrial revolution. See are article about Cromford Mills here.
The Mill, known as Masson Mills can’t be missed, it’s a large red brick building on your left as you drive towards Cromford from Matlock Bath.
Inside you will find not only a small exhibition dedicated to Sir Richard Arkwright. You will also find a wide variety of goods from clothing for all ages to home and garden ware. Sports goods including equipment as well as a full golf shop.
There’s also a cafe inside offering lunches and afternoon tea.
East Midlands Outlet
East Midlands Outlet is a little bit further away than Peak Village, situated just off the Junction 28 of the M1. East Midlands Outlet again is a collection of purpose built factory outlet retail units.
You will find some big brands at East Midlands Outlet including Adidas, Nike, Converse, Cadburys, Game, Clarks Shoes and Marks and Spencers. Products are generally priced lower than on the high street.
There are plenty of options for food at East Midlands Outlet. There’s a food hall with a variety of outlets, including Burger King, Harry Ramsdens and Spud U Like.
Again there’s plenty of parking, but it gets very full at peak times.
Towns in the Derbyshire Dales
The Derbyshire Dales, nestled at the Southern end of the Peak District offers stunning scenery but also is home to a number of market towns popular with tourists.
Matlock
The closest town to our self catering holiday cottages near the Peak District is Matlock. Matlock now has it’s own Sainsburys, McDonalds and a Costa coffee, but if it’s something more independent you are after then there’s a section of coffee bars dotted around the town. There’s also some great free houses selling some great local ales. Head on down Dale Road (A6 going towards Matlock Bath) if you want to find a host of small bars, restaurants, coffee shops and pubs.
Matlock also has a great park, Hall Leys Park. The Park has plenty of space for the kids to have a run out, and there’s also a cafe selling teas, coffees, snacks and cakes.
Bakewell
Of all the towns in the Derbyshire Dales, Bakewell is probably the most popular with tourists. In Bakewell you will find a great number of shops designed to tempt you to spend your holiday money.
Clothes shops, toy shops (a rarity nowadays), souvenirs and shops selling camping and walking gear can all be found in Bakewell.
Because of it’s popularity with tourists, Bakewell provides a large number of outlets for eating out. Coffee shops, bars, restaurants and pubs are in abundance and all in a short walk of each other.
Before you leave Bakewell make sure you sample a real Bakewell Pudding or at least purchase one to take home with you. You haven’t experienced Bakewell until you’ve tried a slice of real Bakewell Pudding.
There’s plenty of parking in Bakewell at the Agricultural Business Centre, which is located just across the river.
Ashbourne
Ashbourne is a little bit further south, but offers a similar variety of shops and eating out places as Bakewell. Again Ashbourne is popular with tourists. Ashbourne’s fame comes from being the venue for Shrove Tide Football, played each year on Shrove Wednesday. It has to be seen to be believed – two goals at either side of the town. One specially made ball so it doesn’t sink in the river. And two very large teams, mainly town folk.
Buxton
Again Buxton is has a claim to fame. Buxton mineral water is bottled here.
Buxton is a further to the north approximately 20 miles, but is well worth a visit. Buxton sports some beautiful architecture throughout the town, but the Pavillion and Buxton Opera House are the jewels in the crown.
Buxton has a bit more of high street, so if you are looking for some well known high street shops like WH Smith then Buxton is your place.
Buxton has a great park with it’s own miniature railway – great for the little ones.
If you are looking to stay in the Derbyshire Dales, then we have a range of luxury holiday cottages in the Peak District for waiting for you.
If you are a couple looking for a romantic break in the Peak District then you might consider staying in Brookside Retreat a luxury self catering holiday cottage near Matlock, or there’s Little Haven, also a one bedroom self catering cottage near Matlock in the Peak District.
If you need something bigger then we have Two Owls Lodge, which is beautiful purpose built cottage set in acres of ground. Two Owls Holiday Lodge in Derbyshire sleeps up to three. We also have The Haven, a luxury self catering holiday cottage with hot tub in Derbyshire, sleeps 4.
Finally, if you have a large party (10+) then we have the fantastic 5 bedroom holiday cottage in Derbyshire known as the Escape. The Escape has 5 bedrooms, two of which have double beds, and two with twin beds (one with ground floor access) and a room with a bunkbed. If you’ve got a large group and you’re looking to celebrate a special occasion then the Escape could be the perfect choice. You won’t be disappointed, it’s got a hot tub and it’s own games room. Take a look at this very special large holiday cottage with hot tub in the Derbyshire Peak District.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
