Lower Damgate Farm

Lower Damgate Farm is a small holding situated in the Peak District National Park, just above the village of Ilam. It lies in a natural dip but has far reaching views all across the Peaks and is within easy walking distance of the Dovedale and the Manifold Rivers.

Centrally located in England, and surrounded by stunning countryside, the farm is in a perfect position to explore the peaks and easily accessible by road from the many large towns and cities surrounding the peak district and afar.

Lower Damgate Farm, is also home to Dovedale Animal Sanctuary where we support and look after many rescued farm animals, including goats, alpacas, ducks, and chickens who all love a carrot or apple from our guests.

We are a small family business and love sharing our beautiful home with guests who want to relax and unwind in this stunning part of the Peak District National Park. With over 22 acres of rural land, gardens, paddocks, woods, and open fields, there is plenty of space to explore, play, or simply sit back and enjoy the peace, tranquillity, and star-filled skies from one of our hot tubs.

🌄 A Farm Full of History

Situated in Dovedale and the Manifold Valleys in the Peak District National Park, Lower Damgate Farm has a rich and ancient past. Long before any buildings stood here, Neolithic tribesmen lived on this land, leaving behind tumuli that still rise proudly from the fields. Just half a mile away lies Long low, the longest barrow in the country, a striking reminder of Britain’s earliest settlers. In 70 AD, the Romans arrived and built a pottery here, and you can still see their original culvert running down the drive, quietly working just as it did nearly two thousand years ago. The farm later became a Viking longhouse, once known as Wallsitch, meaning “water by the wall.” Translated into English, this became Dam Gate. By 1565, the Tudors had converted the property into the stone farmhouse that forms the heart of the farm today, and in the 1700s, the rear extension was added. These buildings have stood through centuries of change, watching over a landscape that has remained largely untouched.

When we bought the farm in 1996, it had been derelict for 40 years, a beautiful wreck waiting to be loved again. We restored the farmhouse to its original lived‑in charm, converted the barns and cottages into the spaces you see and stay in today, planted every tree, and brought the land back to life so it could be shared rather than forgotten. After all, as history shows, we can’t take it with us. What you see is what you get: a landscape that remains peaceful, scenic, timeless, and deeply spiritual. We hope you feel the ambience of the farm, the sense of continuity, calm, and connection that has drawn people here for thousands of years.

🏞 Perfectly Placed for Exploring

Walks begin right from the door. The farm sits between the famous Dovedale and Manifold Rivers, surrounded by National Trust land and only a mile from Ilam village and NT Ilam Park. Nearby are the villages of Alstonefield, Wetton, Milldale, and Thorpe, with lovely pubs and tea rooms. We are also close to Ashbourne, Bakewell, Leek, Buxton, and attractions such as Alton Towers and Chatsworth House.

🏡 Luxury Self‑Catering Cottages at Lower Damgate Farm

Guests stay in one of our beautiful luxury self-catering cottages, each offering comfort, character, and a touch of rural magic.

The Courtyard Properties — Reuben’s Roost, Bremen’s Barn & Hope’s Hideaway

These stunning 16th‑century barns have been sympathetically adapted for both independent stays and large group gatherings. Together they offer up to 11 bedrooms, sleeping from 6 to 24 guests plus an additional 4, making them ideal for celebrations, retreats, or family get‑togethers.

There is a large kitchen and dining area designed to host everyone staying. Break‑off rooms & cosy spaces and other kitchens and living areas. Comfy beds and linen included. Relaxed and unique furnishings. An entertainment area and games room, fibre broadband and UpToDate facilities.

A hot tub with fabulous views across the Peaks, if you are lucky, you will get stunning sunsets and meet the alpacas in the adjacent field. There are private patios and enclosed gardens. Toddler play area, BBQ area and outside furniture. We mow fields for games, and you can enjoy time around Fire Pit and sit in the fields and have a picnic, feed the animals and enjoy all on offer at the farm and in the local area.

Spacious, flexible, and full of charm, the Courtyard properties are perfect for creating unforgettable moments. They can also be paired with our other properties up to exclusive use hosting 36 guests, see over.

Purdy’s Place

A cosy retreat within our 16th‑century farmhouse, offering private grounds, beautiful views, and its own hot tub. Peaceful, intimate, and full of character, ideal for couples or small families.

The Alpaca Hut

A bespoke adults only hideaway with its own courtyard and private hot tub. Quirky, secluded, and wonderfully romantic, it’s a favourite for guests seeking a unique escape.

Rosie’s Retreat

Our charming gypsy caravan, available during the summer months. Colourful, rustic, and full of whimsy perfect for guests who love something a little different.

Wild Field Camping

A private and peaceful area away from the cottages, offering a simple, serene, back‑to‑nature experience under wide open skies.

🐾 Outdoor Spaces where all guests can enjoy

The Rescued Animals at Dovedale Animal Sanctuary (you will meet and greet and feed our friendly resident animals, Alpacas Goats, Sheep, Geese, Ducks and Hens, and maybe collect an egg or two!

You will enjoy the facilities in the cottages as well as explore the 22 acres where you will find enclosed private gardens as well as mown fields for games, woodland walks and picnic areas. BBQs and Firepit. Hot Tubs, fabulous views and walks straight from the door. Fabulous local Pubs and Tea Rooms and Dovedale & The Manifold valley right on the door step.

Whether you’re staying for a couple’s romantic retreat or a large group celebration, the cottages and the farm offer a wonderful place to create magical moments and take home memories that last.

Our cottages have been highly commended by the Sunday Times Travel Reviews and hold numerous awards, including Airbnb Super host, Diamond distinction 2026 award for best Holiday accommodation Peak District, Winner UK Best Farm Holiday Cottages 2024, Lux Life Farm of the Year 2023, and Farm Wedding Venue & Accommodation Provider of the Year 2025 (UK) and Best Farm Wedding venue 2024.

💍 Weddings, Events & Workshops

If you’re visiting for a wedding or event, workshop or corporate stay, you may be using Dovedale Barn. Our award‑winning rural venue Prestige wedding venue of the year 2023, Lux Life UK Venue of the Year 2024 & 2025,

Diamond Distinction award for best accommodation and wedding venue uk 2026

The Barn, Dovedale Barn (which is a stunning 4800sm wooden cladded apex barn for events) The Garden Room, and adjacent field are all licensed for civil ceremonies. These spaces have been beautifully converted, atmospheric, and strung with lights, they offer everything you need for an unforgettable occasion.

Have a look at Lower Damgate Farm on Google, Facebook etc to see our reviews which speak for themselves.

✨ Our Ethos

We are relaxed, informal, and always approachable. Our philosophy is simple: “Nothing is a problem.” The farm is rural, remote, a little quirky, but incredibly comfortable and well equipped, a place to escape the world.

Feed the animals, watch the sunsets, light the BBQ, gather around the fire pit, party or simply put your feet up and chill. You create your stay; we give you the space and support to enjoy it.

💛 Open-Door Policy

If you need anything, contact us, or come and find us as we’re always happy to help. All we ask is that you have an amazing time, relax and enjoy yourselves and hopefully we will be welcoming you back again.

Every booking supports Dovedale Animal Sanctuary, helping us provide forever care for over 100 rescued animals.

Lower Damgate Farm had a secret review!

We think it tells you our story better than we can!

Carolyn is a warm and welcoming host and ensures you feel at home as soon as you meet her. She is originally from a farming background and purchased Lower Damgate Farm in 1996.

When we met Carolyn, she told us a little of her story. Her dream was to start an Animal Sanctuary but never thought it would happen as she was working in the corporate world for Microsoft and was travelling the world with little time for anything else. However, when Carolyn developed cancer this gave her the incentive to make a lifestyle change, her father had seen Lower Damgate Farm in the Farmers Weekly and sent her the profile of this run down and derelict farm. Not phased she grasped the opportunity to do the farm up and follow her dream. What transpired was a lifestyle change for her and her family as well as a new beginning for Lower Damgate Farm and Dovedale Animal Sanctuary.

The Farmhouse was completely derelict when Carolyn moved in and with a new family on the way she put her heart and soul into renovating the buildings and providing a loving home for her three small children. Moving on to the barns she created what is now Reuben’s Roost, Bremen’s barn and Hopes’ Hideaway, all named after her children. This was also the time that Dovedale Animal Sanctuary was founded, with a passion for saving anything and everything Carolyn now provides a forever loving home to many needy and neglected animals.

Since 1996 the house and cottages (originally cow sheds) have undergone a complete transformation and a program of major restoration was undertaken, and as she tells me “it was complete mayhem and upheaval for a number of years but it was fun too” The first phase was completed in 1999 just after the birth of her second child.

The buildings are Grade 11 listed and situated in the Peak District National Park, it was important for Carolyn “to get it right” and she worked extensively with the authorities to create the finest holiday accommodation that I have seen. Her aim was to keep the original features and characters of the buildings and this has culminated with her providing the best holiday accommodation, wedding barn and holiday experience possible.

Sadly in 2001 Foot and Mouth stopped all visitors to the farm but as Carolyn explained, that was just a hiccup. Since then the business has grown with her enthusiasm and over the years Carolyn and her family have continued to invest in the holiday business. They have transformed the farm and properties into a beautiful and homely place for guests to enjoy all year round.

Carolyn still lives at the farm with her partner Karl and their three children Reuben, Bremen and Hope and as a family they continue to manage and maintain the farm for your enjoyment.

I certainly found this when I stayed at the farm with my family this summer. Carolyn’s mantra is that “nothing is a problem” and we felt this as well as the ambiance of the farm as soon as we arrived.

The area has a special surreal beauty, and as we drove on a little b road to the farm you could see the glorious Peaks surrounding the farm and for miles beyond. As you climb up the hill from Ilam (eye lamb) which is home to the National Trust white peak estate, I felt as though I was driving into the middle of nowhere and as you crest the hill before the farm, the expanse of the Peak District unfolds.

The farm is Nestled in the bottom of the valley and its position is spectacular, protected from the elements but with fabulous views around, we were excited to be here. The farm looked tidy and welcoming and as we drove past the cottages and down to the farmhouse Carolyn was there to meet us.

Carolyn and her family pride themselves on old fashioned values and think that it is important for you to feel the ambiance of the farm and what they have to offer. This isn’t always possible before you book especially in today’s climate where you can book online, however if you do visit you will be welcomed, with a cup of tea and a slice of cake. The family go out of their way to make you feel special. We had been sent extensive helpful information before we arrived which we found invaluable. There is a wealth of beautiful places to visit and lovely villages with cosy pubs for you to enjoy, Chatsworth, Bakewell, Buxton and Ashbourne are close, as is Alton Towers for the children! However, you don’t need to go anywhere as you can walk this stunning county straight from the doorstep.

There is plenty of character in these cottages and as Carolyn mentioned they are like a Tardis, on looking around we quite agree, there is a lot of space to escape to and Carolyn’s attention to detail shines through. These cottages have been thoughtfully planned with a myriad of antiques as well as a modern accent in technology. They are unique in their design, lots of plush furnishings and soft sofas, there is an emphasis on comfort with a country feel, though the main large kitchen is modern and stylish and can cater for large groups or small. The farm lends itself to any combination of groups with a general feeling of being at home in a relaxed and welcoming environment. What we loved is that if you want to spread out and put your feet up you can.

We felt very relaxed in the cottages and managed to explore the National Trust estate, Ilam Park. We also found time to walk from the farm down Hall Dale to the River Dove and on to the stepping stones. After our walk we arrived back at the farm to be greeted by Tiffin, the family Labradoodle. Dogs are welcome at the farm but Carolyn says she tries to keep the B&B Rooms in the Farmhouse allergy free!

We fed the goats and Alpacas, collected eggs for breakfast and had a game of pool, we also enjoyed lazing in the Hot Tub after we put the children to bed, sipping the unexpected welcome gift that was waiting for us when we arrived. Exhausted but happy we fell asleep into extremely comfortable beds.

To sum up, we had a wonderful time at Lower Damgate Farm. The sun shone and when we return, which we will, we know that we will be welcomed back with open arms and with Carolyn’s great big happy smile.

Thank you Carolyn

Mark F – Editor – The Sunday Telegraph