The Local Area

Hartington (5 miles) has a village store, farm shop, newsagent, post office, café, garage, cheese-shop, various other shops and a duck pond. Despite our rural location we are well serviced by the nearby market towns of Leek and Ashbourne where you can find a variety of supermarkets and all other essential services.

Walks:
There are many beautiful and varied walks directly from the cottages or within a short drive. We have a blog with information about short walks from our door https://www.hallfarmwetton.co.uk/top-3-walks-from-hall-farm-wetton. Some of our other favourites are listed below:

Thors Cave is a “must visit”. We are the nearest house as the crow flies. It can be seen from the cottages and is a 45-minute walk – out and back or circular. Remember to take a torch, for exploring the cave, and walking boots, it can get muddy and there is a short scramble into the interior of the cave which has dramatic views onto the valley. Take the path on to the top of the cave for the best views. For a circular walk follow the small track to the left of the cave and loop back round behind it. This will bring you back to Wetton along a concession track.

Wetton Hills – Two longer circular walks (approx. 1.5hrs) can be taken from the doorstep around Wetton Hills. Laminate maps are available to help you plan this.   

The Manifold Trail is an easy path along the disused Leek/Manifold light railway (8 miles total length) it has a tarmac footpath/cycleway suitable for pushchairs and can easily be accessed from the cottages. There is parking at Wetton Mill, Weags Bridge or either end of the trail (Waterhouses or Hulme End)

Dovedale and the famous stepping stones is 5 miles or can be accessed from Milldale (3miles). Walk the route from Milldale to Thorpe Cloud to take in some of Dovedale's most well known landmarks. 

The Roaches (8 miles) all within a short drive and have fantastic views over Leek and Tittesworth Reservoir, you can see Snowdon on a clear day (allegedly!)

Beresford Dale and Wolfescote Dale. Beresford Dale is a lesser know dale that can be reached from Hartington or from a small parking area on the Road to Hulme End. Quieter than Dovedale and shrouded in trees there is a lovely riverside walk which leads onto Wolfescote Dale, which has many caves and caverns, ideal for exploring. 

Ilam is picturesque village with lovely views of Bunster Hill and Thorpe Cloud. There is also a large national trust property to explore with a Tea room and picturesque gardens. Large car park in the National Trust property.