Now that Christmas and New Year celebrations are over, it’s time to get back into shape, physically and mentally, and few things can match a Peak District holiday for doing it. Peak District is a great place to become one with nature and the National Park there is reportedly the second most visited park in the world. The ashbourne self-catering Paddock House Farm Holiday cottages offer six great cottages on a spacious 35 acre ground among the most beautiful parts of the National Park.

The cottages are located near Alstonefield Village near Ashbourne on the Derbyshire-Staffordshire border. The self-catering facilities mean that you can have your meals just the way you have them at home and also that you can spend the money you would have spent on eating out on other attractions. Located as they are adjacent to the scenic Dovedale and Manifold valleys, you can enjoy your vacation just walking around.

The grassy Paddock House grounds with tree-line avenues are great for picnics. There are picnic benches and barbeques, and your dogs are allowed. All the cottages have heating and 24-hour hot water supply to keep you warm in the cold, and two of them have open coal fireplaces the way they had in a bygone era.

The six country style cottages offer accommodation to different sized groups from a private couple to groups of 10. Some of the cottages have the accommodation on the ground floor so that elderly and physically challenged persons can enjoy their vacations without any problem. All six cottages can accommodate a sizable group of 40 persons.

The self-catering facilities are fully equipped with electric hobs and cookers, full sets of cutlery and crockery, dishwashers and fridge. All cottages have eating areas with some having a dining table. Just bring some groceries and you are ready to prepare a home-style (or even restaurant –style) meal.

Get into shape walking or cycling in the park. In addition to numerous walking trails offering great views, the park offers dedicated cycling tracks without other traffic to endanger the cyclists. One cycling track is along an abandoned railway line that can bring back memories (real or imagined). You can rent well-maintained bikes at one of the many outlets.

 You can also relax fishing at one of the lakes offering a great variety of fish, or just lolling on the grassland (which can be at the Paddock House ground itself).

The park also offers facilities for adventure sports like rock climbing and para-gliding.

There are theme parks and museums within minutes of driving distances, or medieval castles and halls if you prefer these.  The Alton Towers is a theme park in a semi-ruined Gothic revival country house. Sir Richard Arkwright’s Cromford Mill can give you a glimpse into the beginnings of industrialisation.

The Chatsworth House, Haddon Hall and Hardwick Hall show you the places where the Lords and Ladies lived, and have great gardens and art works to enhance the experience.

A Paddock House Farm Holiday Cottage experience can indeed recharge you for the rigours of 2012!

Peak District Holiday to get back into great Shape, 10.0 out of 10 based on 1 rating

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