The Area
Ford Old Hall Barn is situated within The Peak District National Park, on the edge of the Manifold Valley. There is no lo light pollution here, so it has fabulous dark skies to wonder at the constellations.
Ford
Ford itself was originally a quaker village back when they were being persecuted in the 17th Century. It was the ideal place to retreat from society and live their simple lifestyle, uninterrupted. They could simply be ‘forgotten about’. The Old Ford has since been replaced by a stone humped-back bridge over the River Hamps. So you don’t need to attempt the water with the car anymore. But there are still plenty of fords around the area if you want to! The closest is a unique cobbled stone ford in the next village at Butterton.
There are 12 properties dotted across this secluded hamlet. Dairy and sheep farming is the main employment in the area, with many farms passed down from generation to generation. Residents enjoy a quieter lifestyle. It’s off the beaten track, yet still very close to all amenities and travel infrastructure. Ford offers the very best of both worlds.
The Staffordshire Moorlands
Totally unspoiled and not as busy as other areas, the Staffordshire Moorlands are the real ‘hidden gem’ of the Peak District National Park. We are surrounded by some of the most stunning moorland scenery. Head out to the top of the Moor at Morridge. You can see the silhouette of Welsh mountains in the distance and out to Ellesmere Port across the Cheshire Plain. The views literally go on for miles and miles!
Ford Old Hall Barn is in The White Peak area, which includes the fabulous Manifold Valley. The white peak is an undulating limestone plateau of high pastureland, scattered with villages, hamlets and beautiful river valleys. It is girdled in a horseshoe shape by the far larger Dark Peak.
Covering an area of 555 square miles, the Peak District National Park has a population of 38,000. Most of its area is pastureland, with 80 square miles of open country or access land.
Market Towns
The market towns of Leek & Ashbourne where you’ll find lots of excellent local independent shops and other amenities are both a 15-minute drive away.
Ashbourne is a thriving Georgian market town with an annual arts and music festival. It is home to the famous Shrovetide football in the street and there are plenty of antique shops to browse. It’s a great place to spend a Saturday afternoon, exploring the many interesting boutiques and specialist food shops. There is also an excellent choice of restaurants & take aways. Plus – it even has its very own Highland Games in July – even though it’s not in Scotland!
Factory Shopping
Nearby Stoke-on-Trent is the world capital of ceramics. It includes the six towns Burslem, Fenton, Hanley, Longton, Stoke and Tunstall, collectively known as The Staffordshire Potteries. So many guests feel like their trip wouldn’t be complete without a visit to one of many factory shops. Here’s some of our favourites:
Denby Pottery
Royal Crown Derby
Emma Bridgewater Factory
David Mellor Design