Lower Damgate Farm Holiday Accommodation 

Close to Dovedale in the Peak District National Park – Farm Stay Large Groups Family Occasions Weddings

2021 Winner of the North West and Midlands “Farm Holiday Cottage of the Year” Prestige Awards

Welcome to Lower Damgate Farm holiday accommodation. When you stay you at the farm, will be a part of a big family, not only with us but our animals too as Dovedale Animal Sanctuary is onsite and home to a range of rescued farm animals including goats and Alpacas.

 We pride ourselves on being a small family business and share our beautiful home to guests who want to relax and unwind in this wonderful part of the Peak District National Park. Our Farm has over 22 acres for guests to use, it is very rural with lots of space, gardens, and stunning landscapes to enjoy. The area is great for walks straight from the door and the farm is in the perfect position for exploring the Peak District National Park as it is nestled between the famous Dovedale and Manifold Rivers.

 We are surrounded by National Trust land and only a mile from the local village of Ilam with the NT Ilam park, Stepping Stones and Dovedale on the doorstep. We are also close to the villages of Alstonefield, Wetton, Milldale and Thorpe where there are good pubs and teas rooms as well as being close to the market country towns of Ashbourne, Bakewell, Leek, and Buxton where there are good amenities and local attractions to explore like Alton Towers and Chatsworth House.

 Residents at the farm will be staying in one of our luxury self-catering holiday cottages made up of the Courtyard properties (Reuben’s Roost, Bremen’s Barn, and Hope’s Hideaway)

In addition and hired by arrangement as these are seasonal, we have Purdy’s Place which is part of our 16^th Century Farmhouse, with use of a Hot Tub, as well as our bespoke Alpaca Hut with the Hot Tub, and possibly, Rosie’s Retreat our originally little bow gypsy caravan.

Lower Damgate Farm has a very long history, it was once home to a Viking Longhouse, the Romans lived here and built the culvert that is still running down the drive and in 1565 the Tudors adapted the property into the stone house we now live in. The landscape has little changed, the scenery is stunning, and it has an ambiance that radiates peace and tranquillity. The Farm is also our home, and we love sharing it with our guests as it is perfect base to explore the Peak District National Park and this beautiful part of the world.

 Our ethos is relaxed and informal with a philosophy that “Nothing is a problem”. We are very approachable and want our guests to feel at home. The Farm is an escape from the world, rural and remote, it’s not perfect, a little quirky, but its comfortable with everything you need to enjoy a break away. You can feed the animals, watch the sunsets, put your feet up, chill out with drink, light the BBQ and enjoy quality time with your favourite people. You create your occasion, bringing your walking boots, provisions and a carrot or apple or two for the animals and we give you the space and respect to do your own thing.

 The cottages were awarded Farm Holiday Cottages of the Year 2021-2022 in the Midlands and North West, and the Courtyard properties have been highly commended in the Sunday Times Travel Reviews as well as gaining many 5* reviews on google and Airbnb. 

Affectionately known as the Tardis, these 16^h Century barns have been adapted for large groups or independent, depending upon your needs. Each have their own private facilities in addition they can be hired together for large groups, birthdays, reunions and family breaks and holidays, as Hopes Hideaway has been adapted to host everyone on site in the communal kitchen and dining area. 

All the courtyard properties are spacious and joined via the U-shaped courtyard. There is plenty of onsite parking and the outside areas include large gardens and lawns with a safe play area, BBQ and Decking areas, as well as outdoor furniture and plenty of space to run around, chill explore or play games. All guests are welcome to use and explore the farm with over 22 acres of fields and paddocks (some are mown for games) as well as the woods and a pond area, where you will find arbours and seating with quiet spaces to escape, watch the animals or read a book. In addition around the Barn you will find hard standing to view the animals, this area also has picnic tables and a fire pit, but it is shared with other guests, alternatively grab a scoop of feed from our feeding station and go into the fields to find the animals where you can feed, and meet them face to face.  

Lower Damgate Farm accommodation includes:

Hopes Hideaway sleeping 8 + guests  This is the main cottage for larger groups as it has a beautiful high vaulted large kitchen, and dining area suitable for all those staying on site as well as a games room. 

This cottage has 4 bedrooms, a four-poster double as well as two twin bedrooms on the ground floor close to the two bathrooms, upstairs is another double bedroom with a small single suitable for a child, in addition and hidden behind a large curtain on the landing is another single bed (it’s a large landing) plus there is a small sofa bed in the upstairs living area.

On the ground floor is a stunning large kitchen and dining area plus room to mingle with sofas, the Kitchen has a range cooker and two larder fridge freezers and all the amenities you need to cater for large groups. Back upstairs running along the top floor of the building is a beautiful living/entertainment/games area with a super league sized pool table. Comfy sofas and a large screen TV. This room is lovely with exposed beams and trusses and lovely views over the hills and farm. Hopes also has a back door leading into its own private BBQ, patio, and seating area.

Bremen’s Barn sleeps 7 + guests in four bedrooms. This is an upside-down house full of character, where the beautiful open plan top floor plays host to the unique setting of the kitchen, living and dining areas. This large space is spread out under the wooden roof trusses and exposed beams and is perfect for relaxing in, cosying up on the sumptuous sofas, cooking and sharing time with friends and family, whilst enjoying the farm and surrounding area of the Peak District.

There are four double bedrooms in Bremen’s Barn, these include a four-poster double bedroom, a small double and another large double on the ground floor, as well as two ground floor bathrooms.

Upstairs and across the landing from the lovely living areas, you will find another beautiful double bedroom with exposed trusses, this room also has a single bed views across the farm from the skylight

Bremen’s Barn is nestled between Reubens Roost and Hope’s Hideaways and has its own private parking, BBQ, and outside seating areas. This cottage does not have a back door leading into the gardens, but these are easily accessible by walking around the building. All the main gardens are shared and with 22 acres of grounds around the farm there are lots of places to use and explore. This is a warm and cosy cottage, full of charm and character and a lovely space to enjoy with family and friends or to share with the other courtyard properties. 

Reuben’s Roost sleeps 6 + guests in three bedrooms and has all the amenities on the ground floor so works well with those who struggle with stairs

This cottage is full of character with individual furnishings and luxury beds and is a beautiful cottage. The three bedrooms include a large downstairs double with a single, it also has a small sink. This bedroom is near the downstairs bathroom with a bath and separate walk-in shower. There are also two 2 further bedrooms upstairs, these include a large light and airy double bedroom and across the landing you will find a small double bedroom with a single bed, this room has low beams and is under the eaves but has a unique feature in that the internal gable window looks down on the sitting room below, a great delight to children who may watch the grownups talking late into the night!

On the ground floor and leading along the stone flagged floors you will find a stunning living / dining area with a high vaulted ceiling, exposed trusses as well as comfy sofas and plenty of space for eating and relaxing.

This leads to a small farmhouse kitchen with all the amenities you need and is well stocked for your guests as well as others who may be sharing the adjourning cottages. In addition, above the living area is a stunning mezzanine (reached by a drop-down hatch ladder) It has a balustrade and a small sofa bed and is the perfect place to look down on the floor below or escape for an hour or two with a good book

The Courtyard properties are very characterful and perfect for exploring the peak district. Our accommodation has a wealth of individuality, plenty of space and cooking facilities as well as luxury bedrooms, comfy beds (including four poster) with some on the ground floor and close to bedrooms for ease of access.   We have tried to provide you with accommodation that is up to date but relaxed, where you can feel at home and put your feet up after walk in the peaks straight from the door or to chill out with your family and friends either by the fire or watching the sunset outside on the decking or in the gardens.

Seasonal – Purdy’s Place in the Farmhouse B&B (Hot Tub by arrangement) (in the farmhouse) situated over three floors; this cottage sleeps 4 guests in two bedrooms. The Farmhouse dates back to Viking days and is full of character and history, it has a warm and friendly feel and is very snug and homely, there are no ghosts in this part of the house, but if it had one it would be protective and kind. Purdy’s is furnished simply but beautifully and includes all the amenities you need for a lovely stay at the farm.

The large double bedroom on the top floor has slipper bath and the 2^nd bedroom on the middle floor is a lovely twin, also on this floor is a uniquely furnished shower room. On the ground floor is a charming small living/dining and cooking area with exposed beams and staircase. This space is small but cosy, it has all the amenities you need apart from a dishwasher!  Outside the front door is a small patio with seating, in addition the front farmhouse garden can be used if this property is hired independently. Alternatively, there is a lovely area up by the barn with seating and far-reaching views across the peaks.

Seasonal – The Alpaca Hut with the Hot Tub, this sleeps 2 adult guests only. We liken it to a luxury Shepherds hut but with a difference! It has a double bed ensuite as well as an outside Hot Tub and its own private patio area. The Alpaca Hut lends itself to couples or individuals who want to get away from it all and connect to nature. It is a lovely space in which to escape the world with limited facilities.

Every cottage has its own private decking and BBQ areas. The Courtyard gardens are shared with each other, so if you have booked that as a whole the garden is yours, this garden is enclosed with seating and furniture as well as with a little tykes play area. The garden leads directly into the fields where you can explore the 22 acres of grounds, meet the animals, and wander around the farm taking in the stunning views and ambiance of the area. There is a pond area where you can watch the ducks and geese, either from the enclosed wooden arbour and bridge or in the woods curled up on the gazebo, sunrises are spectacular from here.

There are footpaths through the fields leading to Dovedale and beyond, benches in the areas where the animals roam, so you can just quietly sit and watch them whilst they watch you with gentle interest wondering if you have an apple for them! You can enjoy a picnic up in the top field and watch the amazing sunsets with the incredible vistas, or you can enjoy the area outside the barn and watch the animals whilst being with your family and friends around the fire pit (by arrangement) alternatively just pick any spot, be it inside or out to share laughter and good times with your colleagues, family and friends.

We also accept Pets (by arrangement), and they are welcome in the courtyard property; however, we try and keep the B&B Rooms in the Farmhouse & the Alpaca Hut pet free (though with the farm being home to an animal sanctuary being allergy free isn’t always easy!)

 The Farm is also home to Dovedale Animal Sanctuary and every animal (apart from Ozzi-Bear one of our dogs) is rescued. Guests often go and say hello and feed our resident alpacas, goats or sheep as well going to collect eggs from the hen house and feeding the Ducks and Geese with left over bread. We lend ourselves to guests who love animals as our cheeky goats and alpacas love to come and say hello especially to those who have apple or a carrot or two!

Lower Damgate Farm is very rural and private, we are situated in one of the most beautiful parts of the Peak District National Park. The Farm is surrounded by National Trust land and NT Ilam Park and tea rooms is just down the hill. You may need a car to get here but after that you can walk directly to Dovedale, the Manifold valley and surrounding areas straight from the front door of your cottage. There are some great local pubs and eateries in the area, and the local towns of Hartington, Ashbourne Bakewell, and Buxton close enough for provisions.

Whatever your occasion, whatever the weather, Lower Damgate Farm is a little haven away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Our aim is to make is as comfortable and special as we can for all our guests so they can relax unwind, feed the animals, and enjoy this part of the Peak Park and all it has to offer.

All our accommodation is self-catering; but we also provide some “helpful local information ” which includes details of caterers and other things to do, so if you would like the option of meals cooked for your stay or for a special occasion this list covers all. We are also happy to book a restaurant or order you a keg of our local ale, ready and tapped for when you arrive.

we look forward to welcoming you

Karl and Carolyn 

Email Info@damgate.com

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