INSTRUCTIONS FOR FINDING COUNTRY COTTAGE

As Back Lane Farm is located at the edge of the Peak Park it is naturally not in the immediate vicinity of a major city. In fact it is located about one mile from the Leek to Ashbourne A523 (T) primary route just to the West of the village of Winkhill. It is shown on the map of the Midlands displayed below as a green square just North of the above road. A second larger scale map shows the turn North off the A52 opposite the Windy Ridge cafe, and the subsequent right turn at the second pathway, about a quarter of a mile along the minor road.

From the Northeast or Southeast

The most direct route is to use the M1 motorway and leave at exit 25 for Derby using primary route A39. Use either the ring road or drive through the city and exit on the primary route A52 to Ashbourne. A more pleasant way, avoiding the problems of either passing through Derby or round the ring road, is to leave the M1 at exit 24. Turn West towards Derby on the A6, but before reaching the town, divert left on the A564 towards Uttoxeter. This primary route becomes in turn the the A516 and then the A50. After passing through Sudbury and before reaching Uttoxeter, turn right onto the A515 to Ashbourne. In Ashbourne join the A52 west towards Leek.

Remain on the A52 through Ashbourne, the signs indicating the next major towns of Leek and Stoke-on Trent. This road will climb out of Ashbourne up to the level of the moorlands. Shortly after reaching the moorland elevation, leave the A52 by taking the right fork and continue along the A523 (T) primary route in the direction of Leek. This road will pass through several villages, note the passage through the village of Winkhill. On climbing the hill at the end of Winkhill, start looking for the Windy Ridge cafe on the left side of the road. Turn right into a minor road immediately opposite the cafe. Proceed along this lane and turn right into the second driveway. Country cottage is at the far end of this driveway. (See detail map below).

From the Southwest

The most direct route is to follow the motorway M5 North until it joins the Motorway M6. Continue North on the M6 to exit 14 (Stafford North). Leave at this exit and take the primary route A518 to Uttoxeter. Leave Uttoxeter on the primary route A50 in the direction of Stoke on Trent but after a short distance turn right (North) on the B5030 in the direction of Ashbourne. This road joins the B5032 before terminatng at the primary route A52 on the Leek side of Ashbourne. Turn left towards Leek. and follow the directions given above which relate to the part of the trip after leaving Ashbourne P> The problem with the direct route is the severe congestion in the vicinity of the confluence of the M5 and M6 motorways, which can often cause half hour or longer delays at the end of the M5. An alternative route therefore is to take the Motorway M5 up to exit 4A just North of Bromsgrove, and then turn east on the Motorway M42. Exit this Motorway on exit 11 and take the primary route A444 to Burton on Trent. From Burton on Trent, take the primary route A50 to Uttoxeter. Pass through Uttoxeter on the A50, turn right on the B5030 and proceed as described in the previous paragraph.

From the Northwest

Follow the Motorway M6 in a Southerly direction, leaving it at exit 16. At the exit take the primary route A500 (Known as the D road) in the direction of Stoke on Trent. Proceed along the A500 to the junction with the primary route A53 and exit in the direction of Leek. In Leek, join the primary route A523 (T) in the direction of Ashbourne. Travel towards Ashbourne looking for the road B5053 leaving on the left signposted for Buxton? Do not take this B road, but start looking for the Windy Ridge cafe about a mile further on the right side of the A523.

Turn left into a minor road immediately opposite the cafe. Proceed along this lane and turn right into the second driveway. Country cottage is at the far end of this driveway. (See detail map below)