Old Beams is located on the southern edge of the Peak District, offering a perfect base for those wishing to avoid the busier central Peak District, with easy access from both the M1 and the M6. Perfect for larger groups, it boasts all modern conveniences within a period property, offering separate relaxation spaces for adults and kids, or communal spaces large enough to accommodate both.

In additional to the period style of the property, featuring old beams and open fireplaces, it also boasts three en-suite double bedrooms and a massive conservatory dining room plus a large lawned garden with gas bbq facilities and water features. For activities, Old Beams is on the doorstep of the cycle trails of the Manifold Valley, minutes from beautiful ramblers paths and within 5 miles of Alton Towers, one of the best and largest theme parks in Europe.

Centrally located between Derby and The Potteries, there are a wealth of additional attractions including china factory tours, craft areas, shops and museums, as well as the Waterworld swimming pool, indoor skiing and bowling. The great houses of Shugborough Hall, Little Moreton Hall and Chatsworth all lie within easy reach, and golf and riding are available nearby.

There are two dining pubs, a village shop, a take away cafe and a post office within a 5 minute walk and numerous additional pubs within a short drive. Sainsbury's and Morrisons are both within 7 miles. Grocery deliveries can also be arranged from Tesco.com.

Waterhouses is located within an hours drive of three international airports - Manchester, East Midlands and Birmingham.

We will also have a second property available from autumn/fall 2011 in Stowe, Vermont, USA.

The Peak District National Park is the first national park in the heart of England, and is the second most visited national park in the world. It consists of over 500 square miles of bustling market towns, impressive stately homes and country houses and breathtaking landscapes with craggy peaks, gentle valleys and unspoilt villages. With an abundance of cultural and historical heritage, there's always lots to discover.

The stunning and diverse scenery of the Peak District makes it a paradise for walking, family cycling, mountain biking and adventure sports such as caving, rock-climbing, hang-gliding and paragliding, but there's also plenty to do for those with a more relaxed approach to nature and the great outdoors!

For a more detailed list of the wide range of activities available in the Peak District, see:
http://www.visitpeakdistrict.com
www.peakdistrictonline.co.uk/content.php?categoryId=1103

Waterhouses is the largest village on the southern edge of the Peak, and the most substantial settlement in the Hamps valley. The village centre is where the Leek to Ashbourne road, the A523, crosses the Hamps and the road to Cauldon turns off south. There are rows of cottages clustered around this junction and a pub, The Crown Inn, on the corner. Just above here is the old station, once the terminus of the Manifold and Hamps Light Railway, and the remaining station buildings have been restored by the Peak Park and converted into an information and cycle hire centre. There is one other noteable pub in the village, the George Inn. There is a local village shop, a post office and a butchers within the village.

A kilometre and a half away to the north is the small farming hamlet of Waterfall. This is a pretty little village with a quaint inn, the Red Lion, and a fine late Georgian church. It gains its name from the fact that the Hamps disappears underground not far away. (http://www.cressbrook.co.uk/towns/waterhouses.php).

There are numerous walks within a few miles of the property. See: http://www.walkingworld.com/results/walkresults.asp?type=typedref&txtgridref=SK080504

Nearby places of interest include:
Dovedale and Thorpe Cloud (http://www.cressbrook.co.uk/visits/dovedale.php):
Ilam Church and Hall (www.cressbrook.co.uk/visits/ilamch.php);
Ilam Hall and Park (www.cressbrook.co.uk/visits/ilamhall.php);
the Manifold and Hamps Trail (www.cressbrook.co.uk/visits/manifoldtrail.php);
Thor's Cave (www.cressbrook.co.uk/visits/thorscave.php);
Alton Towers (www.altontowers.com)

Availability is shown on the following link: http://www.holidaylettings.co.uk/avail.asp?home_id=29021

Open to any dates

Open to anywhere! We love to travel and are always open to new destinations...

We are located in Stowe, VT, USA from January to May 2011 and so are also open to short stays in the USA over this period.

Our family consists of myself, Helen, my husband Mark, our sons Quinn (aged 4) and Jasper (aged 2), and my step-daughter (aged 13). We lived in Shanghai, China and run a personal concierge business, assisting expats who have recently relocated to Shanghai find their feet, for 7 years and are now seeking pastures new!

In our previous lives I was a university lecturer and my husband was a Global Sales Director for an international fund management company.

English