ACTIVITIES
For the walker there are many miles of footpaths to be explored; Lud Church and the Roaches being a goal for many. Footpaths cross the farm so you can leave the car and take circular walks to Gun End, Meerbrook or across the old Swythamley Estate.
Around the village of Meerbrook you will find many finger posts, indicating public footpaths. There is also a choice of long and short walks based at Tittesworth Reservoir.
Turner's Pool is only 5 minutes walk away for coarse fishing and adult visitors to the Barn enjoy a complimentary, half day free pass, when staying for a week within the season. The pool is in a tranquil setting and has a limited number of stands. These cannot be pre-booked, so it pays to get there early as it has an excellent reputation for a good day’s fishing. Please note that the pool is closed between 16th March and 16th June.
Rudyard Lake also offers coarse fishing and is only 20 minutes drive away.
Air rifle target practice can be arranged on the farm on an informal basis with the owner.
The Roaches challenge many people to have a go on their rock faces. They can be seen from the farm and offer many challenges. The routes on the Roaches and Hen Cloud are rated between Moderate and E7 but if you are not a climber yourself it is still interesting to watch those who are. more info
There's also an indoor climbing wall at Upper Limits about 20 minutes drive away in the pretty village of Longnor. The wall is suitable for the complete spectrum of climbers from absolute beginners, to those who have been climbing for years. The movable holds mean that the wall is constantly changing ensuring that there is always a fresh challenge.
Phone: 01298 83149 or 01298 83857 | Email: upperlimits@leek.ac.uk
The nearest golf courses to Holly Oak Cottages are both in Leek.
Westwood Golf Club – open to visitors Monday to Friday (Tel. 01538 398385)
Leek Golf Club – open to visitors but ring pro (Tel. -1538 384 767) beforehand.
Additional courses are at
Buxton 01298 23453
Macclesfield 01625 615845 open to visitors.
Our local pool is at Brough Park Leisure Centre in Leek. (Tel 01538 373603)
Buxton also has an indoor pool (Tel. 01298 26548)
In the Potteries there is a Water World with a large flume and fun pools. (Tel. 01782 205747)
There are several riding and trekking centres in or near the Peak Park.
The nearest are at Flash, Endon and Buxton.
Northfield Farm Trekking Centre, Flash (Tel. 01298 22543)
Endon Riding School (Tel. 01782 502114)
Buxton Riding School at Fern Farm (Tel.01298 72319)
There are many reservoirs in the Peak Park and lots of them have facilities for canoeing and sailing.
Rudyard Lake is the closest and has canoeing, dinghy sailing, sailing and wind surfing. (Tel 01538 306280)
Carsington Water is near Ashbourne and has sailing, windsurfing, canoe and kayaking tuition and hire. (Tel. 01629 540478)
Many visitors bring their bikes with them as there are some challenging rides in this area. However, if you prefer the flatter variety there are many former railway lines such as Manifold track, the Tissington trail and the High Peak Trail.
Bikes can also be hired from
Brown End Farm cycle hire (for the Manifold track)
Waterhouses
Leek
Tel 01538 308313
terryriley@zetnet.co.uk
Carsington Water – cycle hire
Carsington Water
Ashbourne
Tel 01629 540478
csl@freename.co.uk
Peak Cycle Hire
Mapleton Lane
Ashbourne
Tel01335 343156
Peak Cycle Hire
Parslet Hay
Hartington
Buxton
Tel 01298 84493
BIRD WATCHING
A wide variety of birds can be seen without even leaving the farm. Woodpeckers, nuthatches, tits, robins, dunnocks, pied wagtails and chaffinches feed regularly near the cottages and farmhouse. Buzzards circle overhead and we have been visited by grey heron, a sparrow hawk, hen harrier and of course, the swallows each summer.
A little further afield you may see teal, cormorants, Canada geese, greylag, snipe, mandarins, golden eye, gulls, sandpipers and much more at Tittesworth Water.
Peregrine falcons have nested on the Roaches this year and dippers can be seen at Dovedale.