Lower Damgate Farm Cottages, Wedding Venue & Dovedale Animal Sanctuary View Accommodation Situated in a stunning rural location nestled between Dovedale and the Manifold Rivers in the Peak District National Park Welcome To






Thank you for all of your help, guidance & support. Your caring nature and calming affect you have on people is wonderful as a stressed out bride. From the moment I first arrived at your beautiful home, I knew Lower Damgate Farm was where we wanted our wedding reception. You, your home, your sanctuary, your family and your animals are just amazing and I am just so happy whenever I am there. Thank you for no question ever being too silly or too big & for always being honest!

Kathyrn & Nathan McNeice
We have just got home from our fabulous, perfect, amazing (I could go
on) wedding at Lower Damgate Farm. We had the best time and it was so
lovely that we got to spend the whole weekend there. Carolyn was so
accommodating and we really could do whatever we wanted. We didn’t want
to have “just another wedding” and so many people have told us what fun
they had. I would recommend Lower Damgate Farm in a heartbeat. We can’t
wait to return!!
Charlotte Crawford
We stayed in the Alpaca hut at the start of the year and had such a lovely, relaxing mini break away! Carolyn and Karl were both very welcoming and made sure we felt right at home with nothing being too much trouble. The private hot tub was a great way to unwind after checking out the local walking routes and scenery; especially during the snowy weather we had! Lots of local pubs with great food and atmosphere to choose from. Highly recommended and will definitely be back!
Gemma-Lee Campbell
We had an amazing time at Lower Damgate Farm celebrating 90 years of birthdays (30th & 60th) We were lucky to find the perfect accommodation that fit our every growing family. Carolyn, you surpassed our expectations, not only with your kindness and generosity but also with the cottages themselves. We will highly recommend. We loved the animals too and thankyou for the eggs, the children are still talking about when we can come back and see you all again!
Annette Robinson

Discover local walks & things to do We've put together a few things to do whilst enjoying your stay with us

Welcome to Lower Damgate Farm Holiday Cottages Wedding Venue and Dovedale Animal Sanctuary

Lower Damgate Farm Holiday Cottages, Wedding Venue and Dovedale Animal Sanctuary, is a little haven in the Peak District, providing a rural retreat where guests can escape from everyday life and relax with friends and family. Whether you are staying in one of our cottages, visiting for a wedding or event, or just passing through, whatever your occasion we hope you have a wonderful time and enjoy yourselves. Our philosophy is that nothing is a problem, and we love sharing our little world with you.

We are small family business providing guests with holiday accommodation as well as hosting 12 large weddings a year in our barn, or celebrating a birthday or reunion with all your favourite people. All our bookings support our onsite Animal Sanctuary where we provide a forever loving home to over 100 animals, including Alpacas and Goats.

Our Farm has over 22 acres for guests to use, it is very rural with lots of space, gardens, woods, and stunning landscapes to enjoy. The area is great for walks straight from the door with Dovedale almost on our doorstep. The location is perfect for exploring the Peak District National Park.  We are situated in the heart of the White Peak, nestled between the famous Dovedale and Manifold Rivers (Thors Cave) and surrounded by National Trust land. Only a mile from the local village of Ilam. Here you will find the National Trust, Ilam park and tea rooms, The Stepping Stones and Dovedale (which is also walkable from the doorstep). You will find the villages of Alstonefield, Wetton, Milldale, and Thorpe surrounding us, and there are good pubs and local teas rooms close by. Hartington and Ashbourne are close for shopping as is Bakewell and the spa town of Buxton.

The self-catering holiday cottages on site are winners of the Best Farm Accommodation 2020 and 2021 in the tourism prestige awards, they come highly commended in the Sunday Times Travel Reviews, have 5-star reviews and we are Airbnb super hosts! Affectionately known as the Tardis, the Courtyard cottages include Reubens Roost, 3 bedrooms sleeps 7 +. Bremen’s Barn, 4 bedrooms sleeps 8+ and Hope’s Hideaway, 4 bedrooms sleeps 8+. They are often booked for groups as Hopes has a large kitchen and dining area to seat everyone on site, plus a games room and large entertaining area. The cottages are also hired individually, and we pride ourselves on versatility where everyone can be together or separate depending upon your needs.

In addition we have two other spaces that can be hired by arrangement only. These include Purdy’s Place (4) which is part of our main 16^th Century Farmhouse and home, as well as our bespoke Alpaca Hut  our own personal hideaway for 2 adults only. Both of these can be hired with a Hot Tub and 100% support Dovedale Animal Sanctuary.

In the summer months we can let Rosie’s Retreat (2) a beautiful original Romani caravan overlooking the amazing views of the farm.

Pets of all kinds are welcome at the farm, but must only stay in the main Courtyard Properties.

All guests are welcome to explore the farm and  meet and feed the animals. The views are stunning, the area magical and the grounds  with an ambiance to the farm that you can only feel when visiting. The area outside of the cottages  include private decking and BBQ areas, large gardens, and lawns with a safe play area for little ones, outdoor furniture, and plenty of space to run around and play games. In addition, you can use the fields and paddocks including the woods and a pond area where you can watch the ducks and chickens whist enjoying a drink on the arbour or watching the amazing sunsets from your patio.

There are picnic tables and a fire pit near the barn where you can sit and watch the animals, as well as interact and feed our rescued Alpacas and Goats.

 Weddings- Workshops- Events- Corporate

Dovedale Barn and the adjacent field is licenced for civil ceremonies, though sadly, we are now fully booked for our large weddings until 2024.  We still have a limited number of spaces for small weddings with your resident guests only (terms and conditions apply)

Winner of the Lux Life Rustic Wedding Venue of the year 2022, Lower Damgate Farm hosts 12 Large weddings a year in Dovedale Barn. The barn and adjacent field, with its far-reaching views across the peaks is licenced for wedding ceremonies and is the perfect venue for you to create your dream wedding. In addition the Barn hosts a number of charitable events, as well as small bespoke weddings and events.

The Barn is a beautiful bespoke 4800 sq. ft of space with a vaulted roof wooden roof with twinkling lights and wow factor! Our couples create their own bespoke day with a helping hand if needed. Dovedale Barn & garden Room, paired with the onsite accommodation has all the facilities you need to make your wedding or event amazing

Our ethos is relaxed and informal with a philosophy that “Nothing is a problem” The farm has a unique ambiance that guests are drawn to, and whatever your occasion we try and make your stay as special as we can. There is everything you need to enjoy a break away where you can feed the animals, watch the sunsets, put your feet up, light the BBQ and enjoy quality time with your favourite people. You create your occasion, bringing your walking boots, provisions and a carrot and apple or two for the animals and we give you the space and respect to do your own thing.

All our bookings help to support Dovedale Animal Sanctuary