ACCESS BY BICYCLE, RAILWAY OR BY AIR.

As the name suggests, Country Cottage is located in the English Countryside. There are many very attractive walks in the hills and dales of the local district, but there is only an infrequent bus service along the primary route A52 to the nearby towns of Leek and Ashbourne. If you wish to explore further afield, please consider renting a self drive car locally, or making arrangements with one of the local car hire companies listed below for transportation to and from places which you wish to visit. As indicated some of these companies are willing to collect you and return you to the railway station or the airport.

If you are making a cycling tour, the most convenient railway station to arrive with your bicycle would be Derby. The road from Derby to Ashbourne is somewhat hilly and undulating but presents no great challenges.

However leaving Ashbourne on the road to Leek, you should be aware of a long uphill stretch immediately outside Ashbourne, in order to reach the elevation of the moorlands which are the essence of the Peak Park. This long uphill section is repeated if approaching from Leek in the West, or from Cheadle in the South. You are advised to look at a contour map if you intend to arrive by bicycle in order to plan your most acceptable route.

From Derby there is a Bus service, which passes through Ashbourne and along the primary route A52 to Leek. (Its eventual destination is Manchester). It has an official stop on the Ashbourne to Leek road at the village of Waterhouses, but it may be possible to request a stop at the Windy Ridge cafe about 2 miles further on. From the Windy Ridge cafe it is easy walk up the lane opposite, and down the second driveway on the right. Country Cottage is at the end of this driveway. (see detail map).

An alternative, if you are considering hiring a self drive car locally, is to arrive at Stoke-on-Trent. This railway station also has an excellent service, both directly from London and from the Birmingham to Manchester route.