When visiting the village of Hartington, you will find impressive stone cottages and houses placed peacefully around the historic square, representative of the wealth the village over years gone by. Some of the finest being the Charles Cotton Hotel, St. Giles Church, the Market Hall and Hartington Hall, which is now the local youth hostel. The square is a nice place to spend some time pottering, with a good selection of gift shops, cafes and pubs and there is also a pottery selling local crafts.
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Hartington in Derbyshire would be a lovely place to base yourself during a holiday to the Peak District. It gives you a taste of local culture but peace and quiet at the same time. The locals are welcoming and friendly and keen for visitors to have a lovely stay, which you can do in our Hartington cottages which are there for you to call ‘home’ for a week or two.
Read on to find out all about the village, what there is to see and do and everything else you can get up to in and around the area…
Things to do in and near Hartington, Derbyshire
St. Giles Church, Hartington
This is a well-loved church in the community and remains unspoilt by the modern world, kept true to its original structure, holding centuries of history. The church sits perched above Hartington overlooking the village and many come here to admire the beautiful stained-glass windows and the old calm atmosphere of the building. The foundations of the church were laid in the early 13th century and it was completed in 1250. Keep an eye out for a list of all its past vicars since 1298, which can be found on the tower wall – it is fascinating. Location: SK17 0AR
Beresford Dale
This is a beautiful part of the Dove Valley and is a narrow leafy dale which could be described as a miniature of the Derbyshire Dovedale. You can access this dale easily from Hartington, going on an adventure through woodland and along the riverside. Wildflowers grow in masses along the water's edge and you can expect to hear much birdsong as you explore through the trees. You will come across ‘Pike Pool’ where you can see fish jump, and you will come to a grassy meadow which is a nice place for a rest. This would be the perfect spot for walks with the family, or the dog with so much to look at.
Hartington war memorial
This is the only Grade II listed war memorial in the country and is a nice touch to the village remembering the lives of the men who died during both WWI and WWII. The Earl of Derby donated the land it was built on and it can be found on the corner of Hall Bank and the main B road running through the village. If you have some time when visiting, it is worth going to see it to soak up a little history.
Hartington Cheese Shop
For those who like to eat and shop locally when on holiday you must check out the Hartington Cheese Shop. It lies in the heart of the village next to the duck pond and it stocks local cheeses, beers, wines, biscuits, and chutneys – all those little treats which taste even better when on holiday. We recommend the Peakland white and Dovedale blue cheeses, and make sure you pair them up with some yummy cheese crackers. Read more about them on their website. Location: SK17 0AL
Attractions close to Hartington in the Peak District
Edward and Vintage – revisit your childhood and buy some sweets!
As soon as you walk into this splendid sweet shop you will be transported back in time to when you were a child and the sight of a gobstopper or lollipop would fill you with excitement. The colours, smells and sugary sweetness will surround you whilst you try and focus on which sweets you want to buy – if not them all! It is quaint and cosy with the friendliest staff – you won't regret popping in here! Location: Tissington, DE6 1RA
If you are looking to try something new or for an experience like no other, then check out Vintage Adventure Tours to explore Derbyshire in style. There is no better way to soak up the landscape and scenery than sitting comfortably in an open-topped 1929 vintage car with your very own driver! With a variety of tours tailored to take in different sights, you can pick one to suit you. Some include ‘Mr Darcy’s Dales’ and ‘Up hill and down dale’. Check out the website for all the information on prices.
This company specialises in outdoor activities making the most of the wild terrain of the Peak District. They cater for individuals, small groups, families and large groups and cover everything from rock climbing and caving to abseiling and water sports. If you are after a tailormade experience this would be the perfect company to contact. View their website for all the details.
The Roaches – admire fascinating rock formations.
This is a wilderness cliff range which is extremely popular for hikers and climbers alike. The impressively rugged and steep gritstone ridge is home to mythical mermaids and 15-metre natural gritstone clefts, so definitely one to explore! It groups together ‘Ramshaw Rocks’ and ‘Hen Cloud’ which are two main gritstone outcrops and on a clear day the panoramic scenery is outstanding - you can even see as far as Snowdon in Wales on a good day! At the top of the Roaches you will find ‘Doxey Pool’ which is where the mythical mermaid waits under the water to pull children in – that will surely keep them away from the edge! This is one of the best walks near Hartington, Derbyshire.
Where to eat in and around Hartington
Whilst many holidays involve activities and adventuring, a main part of any holiday is eating. Food plays such a big part during your holiday so we have looked out some of the best places to try including cafes, farm shops and pubs in Hartington, Derbyshire.
The Devonshire Arms is a popular bar and restaurant offering a relaxed environment for you to enjoy good food and ale. With a slap-up menu including pies, burgers, stews and pork belly you can expect exceptional home cooking, seasonal local produce and delicious flavours. Location: SK17 0AL
Hartington Farm Shop and Café is a lovely farm shop based in Hartington where you can pop in for breakfast, lunch or a light snack, as well as for coffee and cake to refuel yourself. Priding themselves on fresh local produce everything sold here has been supplied by local farmers. Every day a fresh batch of home baking is displayed, and the staff are all friendly and welcoming. Location: Mill Lane, Hartington.
Tagg Lane Dairy ice cream parlour and farm shop is an ice cream and coffee bar like no other, just a short drive from Hartington. Their award-winning Jersey gelato (ice cream) is made using the milk and cream from their very own Jersey herd. All made freshly onsite this is a unique set up and one that has become really popular in the Peaks. A few of the delights include Belgian waffles, ice cream sundaes, American-style milkshakes and homemade farmhouse cakes. Location: DE45 1JP
Holiday cottages and self-catering holiday homes in Hartington
If we have inspired you to come and stay in Hartington we have some lovely holiday cottages which can offer you the perfect base to explore the village and surrounding area from. Here are a few of our favourite which offer stylish, traditional and lovely places to stay.
Our feature cottage in Hartington - Blackberry Croft Cottage, sleeps 4 and 2 dogs
Set in the backwater of Hartington, this charming cottage was once the village Blacksmith’s. A small walled garden sits to the rear of the property and provides a peaceful suntrap with beautiful countryside views – the perfect spot for morning coffee or evening BBQs.
Packed with character, this cosy cottage has been lovingly renovated to provide a characterful base for couples or small families. With access to the field and footpaths to Wolfscote Dale and Dove Valley, it’s the perfect base for walkers.
Here are some more lovely holiday cottages in Hartington to check out…
- The Old Wash House: Sleeps 4. A delightful single level cottage perfectly situated for those looking to explore the countryside on foot or by bicycle. One dog is welcome.
- Snake and Diamond Cottage: Sleeps 6. A charming holiday home perfect for families and small gatherings of friends looking to get together and explore the Peak District.
- Lily's Cottage: Sleeps 4. A characterful cottage set in Hartington with a gorgeous garden to spend that much-needed downtime in.
From family-friendly holiday homes to luxury apartments we have lots of options when it comes to our Hartington accommodation. Don’t forget our dog-friendly accommodation in Hartington too. Browse our full collection today and start planning.