If you’re thinking of holiday to the Peak District, and you’re wondering how you might get a bit of retail therapy in the Derbyshire Dales then here’s our guide to some of your shopping options.
Peak Shopping Village
Two miles along the A6 from Darley Dale, where all our self catering holiday cottages in Derbyshire are located, is the Peak Shopping Village. The Peak Shopping Village has a wide range of quality factory retail shops for you to explore and plenty of parking. Shops range from gear for walking and camping, to stationery, shoe shops and fashion clothing shops for men and women.
On your visit to The Peak Shopping Village you will also find several options for grabbing a bite to eat or a specialist coffee in one of the cafes or restaurants.
The Peak Shopping Village is located at Rowsley along the A6.
Masson Mills
If you travel the other way down the A6 on the section of road between Matlock Bath and Cromford there’s a historic cotton mill previously owned by Sir Richard Arkwright – inventor of the Spinning Jenny, an invention, which is widely recognised as sparking the industrial revolution.
The Mill is a large red brick building on the left as you drive towards Cromford from Matlock Bath. The shopping outlet is known as Masson Mills.
Inside you will find a small exhibition dedicated to Sir Richard Arkwright.
You will also find a variety of goods. There’s a full range in clothing for all ages for both men and women. You will also find home and garden ware and sports goods including gym equipment and a full golf shop where you can buy clubs and all sorts of golf paraphernalia.
If you’re feeling a bit peckish there’s also a cafe inside offering lunches and afternoon tea.
East Midlands Outlet
This is not quite in the Derbyshire Dales, but if you’re prepared to travel a little bit futher then the East Midlands Outlet is situated just off Junction 28 of the M1. The East Midlands Outlet again is a collection of purpose built factory outlet retail units.
Brands include Adidas, Nike, Converse, Cadburys, Game, Clarks Shoes and Marks and Spencers and you’ll find products priced lower than you might find on your local high street.
There’s also plenty of options for food at East Midlands Outlet. There’s a variety of food stands selling hot and cold sandwiches, doughnuts and sweets, but if you’re a feeling like you want to make more of a day of it then there’s a food hall with several outlets, including Burger King, Harry Ramsdens and Spud U Like.
Again there’s plenty of parking, but it gets very full at peak times.
Towns in the Derbyshire Dales
The Derbyshire Dales is nestled at the Southern end of the Peak District and offers stunning scenery but also is home to a number of market towns popular with tourists including Matlock, Bakewell, Buxton and Ashbourne. Here’s a quick guide to these towns.
Matlock
The closest town to our self catering holiday cottages near the Peak District is Matlock. Matlock retains a lot of it’s rural town beauty, but is also slowly modernising itself and now has a fairly large Sainsburys, McDonalds and a Costa coffee. If you’re looking for something more independent then there’s a section of great coffee bars and cafes dotted around the town
There’s also some great free houses selling some great local ales. Head on down Dale Road (A6 going towards Matlock Bath) if you want to find a host of small bars, restaurants, coffee shops and pubs. If you’re feeling like a walk up Bank Road then at the top on Smedley Street you’ll find two micro pubs selling a selection of ales, including some from local breweries.
Matlock also has a fantastic park called Hall Leys Park. If you’re in the centre of Matlock you can’t miss it. The Park has plenty of space for the kids to have a run out, and there’s also a cafe selling teas, coffees, snacks and cakes. You’ll find a skate park, tennis courts and a kids play area complete with paddling pool, so if you’ve got little ones don’t forget to pack the swim costumes.
Bakewell
Of all the towns in the Derbyshire Dales, Bakewell is probably the most popular with tourists. Bakewell is a very pretty town and has the River Wye flowing right through the middle. There’s a vast population of ducks here waiting for the tourists to feed them.
In Bakewell also has many, most there to serve the tourist market. Clothes shops, toy shops (a rarity nowadays), souvenirs and shops selling camping and walking gear can all be found in Bakewell.
Bakewell also has a great selection of outlets for eating out. Coffee shops, bars, restaurants and pubs are in abundance and all in a short walk of each other. It’s not hard to find a tasty treat.
You haven’t experienced Bakewell until you’ve tried a slice of real Bakewell Pudding, so before you leave Bakewell be sure to try or grab yourself a Bakewell Pudding – far superior to the Bakewell Tarts you might find on your supermarket shelf.
Again, there’s plenty of parking in Bakewell at the Agricultural Business Centre, which is located just across the river – a footbridge connects the two.
Ashbourne
About 10 miles south of Matlock and Bakewell is Ashbourne. Ashbourne also offers a similar variety of shops and eating out places and like Bakewell is very popular with tourists.
Ashbourne’s fame comes from being the venue for Shrove Tide Football, played each year on Shrove Wednesday. It has to be seen to be believed – two goals at either side of the town. One specially made ball so it doesn’t sink in the river. And two very large teams, mainly town folk.
Buxton
Buxton is famous mineral water which is bottled here.
Buxton is lies approximately 20 miles north of Matlock and about 12 miles north of Bakewell. Buxton sports some beautiful architecture throughout the town, with jewel in the crown being the Pavillion and Buxton Opera House.
You’ll find shops more akin to a traditional high street in Buxton. Here you will find high street shops such as WH Smith, but also a variety of fantastic independent shops and cafes.
Buxton has a great park with it’s own miniature railway. The park is an amazing open space so be sure to visit it if you have little ones.
If you are looking to stay in the Derbyshire Dales, then we have a range of luxury holiday cottages in Derbyshire for waiting for you.
If you’re looking for a romantic break in the Peak District then you might consider staying in Brookside Retreat a self catering holiday cottage near Matlock, or there’s Little Haven, also a one bedroom self catering home near Matlock.
If you need something bigger then we have Two Owls Holiday Lodge in Derbyshire, which is a beautiful purpose built cottage set in acres of ground. Two Owls Lodge sleeps up to three. We also have The Haven, a luxury self catering holiday cottage with hot tub in Derbyshire, sleeps 4.
Finally, if you have a large party (10+) then we have the fantastic Escape our 5 bedroom holiday cottage in Derbyshire with hot tub. If you’ve got a large group and you’re looking to celebrate a special occasion then the Escape could be the perfect choice. You won’t be disappointed, it’s got a hot tub and it’s own games room. Take a look at this very special large holiday cottage with hot tub in the Derbyshire Peak District.