Unofficial Guide to Staffordshire, Derbyshire and The Peak District
The following information is presented with good intent and to the best of our knowledge at the time of writing.
Obviously, information is subject to change and is outside of our control, so we advise you to check with third parties before making any plans to avoid disappointment.
If you make your own discoveries and would like to share them with fellow guests, feel free to email us and we’ll add them below.
In the immediate vicinity of Ramshorn Estate… (but mostly also applicable to any properties in Bradnop and Ashbourne)
WITHIN 10 MINUTES BY FOOT
The closest pub/restaurant to Ramshorn Estate and only a 10 minute walk away is The Star at Cotton, which you probably drove past when you arrived. Turn right out of Ramshorn Estate and at the bottom of Ramshorn Road at the T junction, turn right and you’ll see it on the other side of the crossroads
01538 703655 thestaratcotton.co.uk
Please feel free to explore our woodlands but take care to stick to the paths, respect the privacy of other guests, and be aware of the ponds. We have plans to make more use of the woods in the near future so look out for any updates on our website.
Less than half way to The Star at Cotton, you can find fields often full of deer, with a public footpath running through, you can even walk to Alton Towers that way via a public footpath.
Beyond The Star, along Cotton Lane (past the phone box and post box), and just past Faber school, on the left you can find the beginning of a walk into Cotton Dell.
WITHIN 10 MINUTES BY CAR
The village of Alton is 3 miles away to the south of Ramshorn. There you can find a couple of small shops eg Londis for basic provisions as well as a butcher, post office and a handful of great pubs/restaurants.
Closer by to the east in Wootton, Daltons Dairy has an honesty shop with an amazing selection of their own ice cream and other dairy products… well worth a visit
Directions> goo.gl/maps/bhyttSMoM86PWhqP7
LOCAL TAXI COMPANIES
Oakamoor/Alton:
Mum’s Motors 07851 572200
Cheadle:
Premier Taxies 07793 866639
Cheadle JJRC Travel 01538 753217
Leek:
Leek Link 01538 399999 leeklinktaxis.co.uk
Ashbourne:
Dovelin Cars 07974 665439 dovelincars.com
Uttoxeter:
Dovelin Cars 01889 567055 dovelincars.com
CASH MACHINES/ATM’S
The closest is at Alton Towers outside the entrance by the ticket booths, Alton village itself has no cash machine that we are aware of (Londis have confirmed to us that there isn’t one in their shop).
ASDA in Cheadle does have a cash machine outside the building and operate 24 hours as far as we know.
Leek, Ashbourne and Uttoxeter have more choice if ASDA Cheadle is out of service.
SUPERMARKETS
Your nearest town with a supermarket is Cheadle, approx. 4 miles away, 3 other owns are larger and within a 9 mile radius of Ramshorn…
Leek, Ashbourne, and Uttoxeter. Buxton a little further:
Cheadle – Morrisons, Asda
Leek – Sainsburys, Morrisons, Lidl, Aldi, Asda, Co-op, Iceland, Farm Foods (also some independent deli’s, a traditional bakery and a chocolatier)
Ashbourne – M&S, Aldi, Co-op, Sainsburys
Uttoxeter – Tesco, Lidl (also there’s a Cinebowl and Ice skating centre in Uttoxeter).
Buxton – Waitrose, Morrisons
TOWNS/PUBS/RESTAURANTS/TAKEAWAYS ETC
There are quite a few pubs in the surrounding villages of Alton, and lots of restaurants and numerous takeaways in the market towns of Ashbourne, Uttoxeter and Leek.
Alton…
Bulls Head 01538 702307 thebullsheadalton.com
Blacksmith Arms 01538 702213 blacksmitharmsalton.com
Alton Bridge 01538 702338 altonbridgehotel.co.uk
Talbot Inn 01538 702767
The Ramblers Retreat 01538 702730 ramblersretreat.co.uk
Kingsley…
Thornbury Hall (Indian) 01538 750831 thornburyhall.co.uk
Ellastone…
The Duncombe Arms 01335 324275 duncombearms.co.uk
Denstone…
The Tavern 01889 739861 thetaverndenstone.co.uk
Cheadle…
Dominos
Cheadle Kebab & Pizza 01538 754666 cheadlekebabandpizza.co.uk/ordernow
Nam Jai Thai 01538 752496 (facebook page
Directions for both > goo.gl/maps/ADYswDi1pj36oFCF8
LEEK
“The Queen of The Moorlands”, is a delightful traditional market town on the south-western edge of the Peak District, surrounded by rugged countryside including the stunning grit stone rock formations of The Roaches (named from the French word, roches).
Famous for its double sunset and historical buildings dating back to the 11th century, Leek’s long history features famous characters such as Bonnie Prince Charlie, canal engineer James Brindley, Queen Victoria and Victorian designer William Morris, and with its ancient markets, mills, historic churches, distinctive shops and award-winning eateries, there’s much for the visitor to see and do.
Leek Tourist Information Centre can be found at the Nicholson Institute, 1 Stockwell St, Leek ST13 6DW. 01538 483741. 10am–4pm except Sunday (closed).
In recent memory Leek was a national hotspot for antiques dealers using huge mills, formerly for manufacturing silk. Some antiques shops remain alongside reproduction pine workshops, and now the town centre, a refreshing change from modern shopping malls, feature’s many independent shops, café’s, delis and local/traditional/contemporary galleries.
Getliffe’s Yard (just off the main street “Derby Street”) retains a lot of the towns charm and is well worth a visit as is the area of Sheep Market (street), St Edward’s Church and St Edward Street.
Enjoy the bustle and atmosphere of Leek’s traditional markets. There’s a general weekly outdoor market each Wednesday for bargains, as well as an indoor market every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday in the restored Victorian Butter Market just off the ancient market place. Also there are various less frequent markets, such as the antique and collectors’ market held outdoors, and notably The Leek Sunday Supplement, with multi ward-winning fine food and drink from vendors near and far. More information on these can be found at totallylocally.org/leek/sunday-supplement and facebook.com/TheSundaySupplement.
For an overview of Leek’s unique shops visit leek.totallylocally.shop and facebook.com/TotallyLocallyLeek.
We recommend browsing… Miscos miscoschocolates.com – Definitely the best chocolate since sliced bread.
Live Love Loaf liveloveloaf.co.uk – The best bread since bread itself.
Gallaghers gallaghersdeli.com
The Gallery facebook.com/thegalleryleek
Picture Book leekbooks.co.uk
Pronto
The Penguin
… but there are many more.
If you’re looking for a good breakfast not too far away from Ramshorn, a 10 minute drive in the direction of Leek, we can recommend The Cottage Kitchen Country Café, owned by cottagedelight.co.uk and the café has a good shop selling their products.
Located at Winkhill. Directions > goo.gl/maps/5vTUZGPdkjEfziQS8 01538 382020
Or if you fancy trying traditional fresh Staffordshire Oatcakes, there is a very small, simple, rustic but tasty takeaway in Leek, “Leek Oatcakes”, open early mornings.
Directions > goo.gl/maps/qyvwELvk1zxtGXhR7 01538 387556.
The Flintlock Cheddleton (just outside of Leek, boasting informal fine dining, featuring traceable, sustainable, locally produced food) 01538 361380 theflintlockcheddleton.co.uk
The Roebuck (in the centre of Leek, a timber-framed historical inn built in 1626, has excellent food and beer brewed by Titanic Brewery in Stoke-on-Trent) 01538 385602 titanicbrewery.co.uk/our-pubs/the-roebuck
The Napoli (wood fired pizza, handmade pasta, great atmosphere) 01538 528004 thenapoli.co.uk
Foxelowe Arts Centre 01538 386112 foxloweartscentre.org.uk
SpOut Brewhouse (great food and beer) 01538 399083 spoutbrewhouse.co.uk
Primo Piano (classic, cosy Italian) 01538 398289 primopianoleek.com
Alberto’s Kitchen (Italian) 01538 385800 albertoskitchen.co.uk
Thai Siam Leek, 01538 398686 thaisiam.webs.com
Spice Merchant
Chennai
Pabna 01538 381156 pabnaonline.co.uk
Sea & Earth (premium fish n chips) 01538 381940 https://seaearth.co.uk/
Mulberry Leaves (Marston’s) 01538 542057 mulberryleavespubleek.co.uk
The Green Dragon (Wetherspoons) (built in 1693) 01538 392540 jdwetherspoon.com
There are other craft beer bars, traditional pubs and a cocktail bars in Leek, such as Brewce’s, The Hideout, Den Engel, Beyond The Pale, Sparrow Park, and many more takeaway options such as Domino’s, Subway, several kebab houses, and lots more curry houses and Asian takeaways.
BUXTON
Although it takes around 35 minutes by car from Ramshorn, the spa town is the highest in the country and if you’ve not been there before, the opportunity shouldn’t be missed (much like Bakewell), also the scenery on the way is spectacular pretty much any way you drive there.
For the best views with places to stop along the way, we recommend navigating initially via the A523 to Bottomhouse then turning right towards Onecote uphill on the B5053, taking the next left at the top of the hill along Blakelow Road.
After 4 miles, you’ll come to a T junction… Here you you’ll be met with a view of Tittesworth Water and Upper Hulme (The Roaches, Hen Cloud and Ramshaw Rocks) below and the Cheshire plains (Jodrell bank telescope) in the distance, (even North Wales on a very clear day).
Directions to this T junction can be found here > goo.gl/maps/S2LBK1ovJYG79Gex7
From there you have two choices… Either turn right and after 200 yards, on the left there is a lay by and bench to stop at to admire the view better, then continue past The Mermaid Inn (then past Mermaid Pool, labelled Blake Mere on maps, which is said to be bottomless and home to Jenny Greenteeth! Also rumoured to be linked to Doxey Pool on The Roaches via a subterranean passage) to eventually meet up with the main road from Leek to Buxton (A53), turn right and continue. Directions to The Mermaid Pool > goo.gl/maps/UNwnoNF7izDwwFc98
Or, from the T junction turn left and go steeply downhill towards Thorncliffe taking the right turn just before going into the village itself (Thorncliffe Lane, opposite the red phone box). Carry on until you meet the main road from Leek to Buxton (A53 where you should turn right).
Once on the main road you’ll see a very highly rated restaurant, “The Three Horseshoes Country Inn & Spa”…
Beyond here is a steep uphill taking you past Ramshaw Rocks… the benefit of going this way is that you might get the chance to see “The Winking Man” (rock formation, not the pub at the top of the hill!).
The wink itself is easier to spot in the winter as you drive by from Leek to Buxton when the trees on the side of the road have no leaves.
Directions to parking for a walk near to The Winking Man > goo.gl/maps/zxaEz1KjzrePFdAz5
Location of The Winking Man > goo.gl/maps/ftpm1K7mw2LprEXE8
Buxton is another 15 minutes north along the A53 and once in Buxton there’s plenty to see and do…
We recommend wandering around the park area, especially the “Buxton Opera House & Pavilion Arts Centre”. Then walking past The Old Hall Hotel on the corner of the road (The Square/The Crescent) leading into the town centre, you can sample some natural spring mineral water (free, take some bottles) at “St Anne’s Well”, then continue to wander past the historic “Buxton Crescent” and have a browse around “The Cavendish Arcade” shopping centre.
Buxton also has a train station linked to Manchester should you like to really branch out further afield.
When you’ve had enough there are plenty of places to rest and eat.
We have removed most recommendations for now as much has changed during/since Covid, but you will find names such as Pizza Express, Red Willow, The Buxton Brewery, KFC, and a lot of independent eateries.
For further information… visitbuxton.co.uk
ASHBOURNE
Closer to Ramshorn and and smaller than Leek and Buxton, but with plenty of character is Ashbourne; famous for its crazy annual Royal Shrovetide Football event, and packed with historical buildings and independent shops. It is actually developing at quite a pace so much like Buxton it’s worth investing some time searching online and social media to determine the latest and greatest places to check out.
WHAT TO DO?
Of course there is a plethora of information online with many guides such as…
We recommend the following…
Dimmingsdale and Cotton Dell forestryengland.uk/dimmingsdale
Croxden Abbey ruins english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/croxden-abbey
Peak Wildlife Park (penguins, meerkats, lemurs, otters and all sorts!) peakwildlifepark.co.uk
RSPB Coombs Valley Nature Reserve rspb.org.uk/reserves-and-events/reserves-a-z/coombes-valley
Churnet Valley Railway (preserved heritage railway with steam trains) churnetvalleyrailway.co.uk
Tittesworth Water (walks, play area, watersports, birdwatching) stwater.co.uk/wonderful-on-tap/our-visitor-sites/come-visit-us/tittesworth-water
The Roaches (spectacular views, rare wild wallaby spotting and peregrine falcons) goo.gl/maps/MU7SsX53mRE8bANt8
Lud’s Church (famous for the story of the Green Knight) goo.gl/maps/Sd6t1cC4ehTRqb729
Three Shires Head waterfalls goo.gl/maps/JAKCD1p1agPiARTn7
Chrome Hill (“The Dragon’s Back”) goo.gl/maps/4uFhZy3QZtVouyTA6
Hartington (famous for Izaak Walton, Charles Cotton, walks, Tissington Trail, and cheese)
Thors Cave goo.gl/maps/CzkvuVtV6YeBdCpm9 (Cycle from either end of the Manifold track or park at Wetton Mill goo.gl/maps/fAQizkWweHnnNQxG9 or here is closer goo.gl/maps/Xbhu1eRS4yZQNUaW7)
Rudyard Lake (where Rudyard Kipling’s parents met, with a small steam train, watersports, walks, and boat tours) rudyardlake.com
Buxton spa town (the highest town in England, famous for it’s water and opera house) visitbuxton.co.uk
Pooles Cavern in Buxton poolescavern.co.uk
Tagg Lane Dairy Artisan Gelateria tagglanedairy.com
Monsal Head goo.gl/maps/M4cEGvwivQ97uXd66
Chee Dale stepping stones (accessible via Monsal Trail) goo.gl/maps/WYH6ytLnX2oi3mEr9
Ilam nationaltrust.org.uk/ilam-park-dovedale-and-the-white-peak
Dovedale stepping stones with fossils (car park only accepts cash) goo.gl/maps/nPrFLezZVvRqCQ9G8
Bakewell (famous for it’s tarts and great for eating chips whilst spotting huge trout from the bridge over the River Wye)
Chatsworth House chatsworth.org
Haddon Hall haddonhall.co.uk
Cubar Edge goo.gl/maps/x8d2dMBnW5acd4GQA
Hobs Hurst’s House english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/hob-hursts-house
Nine Ladies Stone Circle english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/nine-ladies-stone-circle
Arbor Low english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/arbor-low-stone-circle-and-gib-hill-barrow
Bamford Edge & Ladybower Reservoir (famous for the Dambusters, also see Derwent Reservoir and Derwent Dam to the north) goo.gl/maps/Td9aFrsMJoxc4Rqt5
Kinder Scout & Kinder Downfall (highest point in the Peak District, famous for the mass trespass of 1932 and the right to roam)
B29 crash site goo.gl/maps/KB3WncsXxhYyDv1f7
Hathersage Outdoor Swimming Pool hathersageswimmingpool.co.uk
Castleton goo.gl/maps/ePdJMffuP85BjUtn9
Mam Tor & Winnats Pass goo.gl/maps/uRTGhqs2yhgZp7T29
Blue John Cavern bluejohn-cavern.co.uk
Speedwell Cavern & Peak Cavern (underground boat ride!) speedwellcavern.co.uk
Lathkill Dale peakdistrictonline.co.uk/lathkill-dale (A good place to start is Conksbury Bridge goo.gl/maps/1goABy6LS4mnLBUA6 or Monyash village)
Eyam (discover the villagers’ story of self-sacrifice during the plague at eyam-museum.org.uk)
Matlock Bath, Heights of Abraham, Gulliver’s Kingdom thecrazytourist.com/15-best-things-to-do-in-matlock-bath-derbyshire-england
Lumsdale waterfalls letsgopeakdistrict.co.uk/lumsdale-falls-walk-bentley-brook-2-5-miles
Carsington Water (kayaking, sailing, paddle boarding) carsingtonwater.com
Cannock Chase (mountain biking, walking, Go Ape) forestryengland.uk/cannock-chase-forest
Madrenaline Activity Centre madrenaline.co.uk
Waterworld Tropical Aqua Fun Park in Stoke-on-Trent waterworld.co.uk
The Potteries Museum & Art Gallery (home of the Staffordshire Hoard) stokemuseums.org.uk/pmag
Trentham Estate (monkey forest, gardens, play area, shops, restaurants, garden centre) trentham.co.uk
Hoar Cross Hall (spa for a day of indulgence) baronseden.com/hoar-cross-hall
Uttoxeter Race Course uttoxeter-racecourse.co.uk
And of course, Alton Towers altontowers.com (Don’t miss Splash Landings and Extraordinary Golf which are not inside the theme park and can be paid for separately).