Holiday rentals and lettings in Derbyshire

• Variety of holiday lets: From snug stone cottages in the dales to family homes near Chatsworth, Derbyshire offers self-catering stays for every party size.
• Best areas to stay: Base yourself in the Peak District for walking, Bakewell for market-town charm, Buxton for spa-town elegance or Derby for a lively city break.
• Loved by guests: Travellers rate Derbyshire rentals highly for their peaceful settings and cosy interiors, with the top cottages scoring a perfect 10.0.
• Best time to visit: Come in late spring or early autumn for lush dales and fewer crowds; summer suits families, while winter offers cosy pub afternoons and frosty walks.
• Top things to do: Explore Chatsworth House, the Blue John Cavern and the Heights of Abraham, then sample a famous Bakewell pudding in the market town itself.

Derbyshire's holiday lets range from snug stone cottages tucked into Peak District dales to spacious holiday homes in market towns such as Bakewell and Buxton, and charming log cabins dotted across the moors. There's self-catering accommodation to suit every party size and budget, from couples seeking romance to groups of ramblers. Holiday lets across the county come with a wide choice of amenities to make your stay comfortable:

• Fast Wi-Fi throughout
• Private gardens and balconies
• Cosy log burners and cottages with a hot tub
• Off-road parking and electric-vehicle charging

Pet-friendly facilities are available at a number of dog-friendly cottages, so your four-legged friends can join in the holiday fun.

What are the best areas to stay in Derbyshire?

The best base depends on your plans, with the Peak District ideal for walkers, Buxton for culture lovers and Derby for a lively city break. The table below details regions for specific interests:

What do our guests say?

Our guests praise Derbyshire rentals for their cosy interiors, thoughtful touches from hosts, and gardens made for unwinding after a day on the trails.

Here are our top-rated holiday lets from the past year:

1. The Hayloft - 10.0: A beautifully restored cottage for two in Winster, deep in the Peak District, loved for its peaceful setting and walks straight from the door.
2. Oakleigh - 10.0: A welcoming cottage for three with a private yard in the heart of Derbyshire, praised for its homely comfort and handy base for exploring the dales.
3. Cuckoo Nest - 10.0: A snug rural retreat near Ashover with its own yard, loved by couples for the quiet surroundings and easy reach of both the Peak District and Derby.

Derbyshire sits at the heart of England, in the East Midlands, bordered by Greater Manchester, Yorkshire and Staffordshire, with its northern reaches forming much of the Peak District National Park.

✈️What is the best way to get to Derbyshire?

Getting to Derbyshire is straightforward, with good road and rail links from across the country. Here are the most common ways to get to the county:

• Train: Derbyshire is well served by rail, with direct trains from London St Pancras to Derby in around 1 hour 30 minutes, plus regular services to Chesterfield and Matlock. The scenic Hope Valley line runs through the Peak District, linking Sheffield and Manchester and dropping walkers right beside the trailheads at Edale, Hope and Bamford.
• Car: By road, Derbyshire is easy to reach via the M1 along the county's eastern edge, with the A50 and A38 connecting Derby to the wider motorway network. A car is the most flexible way to explore the rural dales and villages.

🥗Where to eat in Derbyshire?

According to Google Maps data and reviews, Fischer's Baslow Hall is the best-rated restaurant in Derbyshire. Below is a table showing the top 5 highly-rated restaurants hand-picked by our travel experts.

⭐Our guests' recommendation: Our guest travellers Laura and Tom recommend the Old Original Bakewell Pudding Shop in Bakewell: there is no better spot to try an authentic warm Bakewell pudding with a pot of tea after a morning wandering the market town.

☀️When is the best time to visit?

Derbyshire is a year-round destination, but late spring (May and June) and early autumn (September) are arguably the finest times to visit. The dales are at their lushest, the weather is mild and the summer crowds have eased. Summer is busiest and best for families, while winter offers walkers quieter trails followed by cosy pub afternoons.

Spring

• Best for: Walkers and wildflower-spotters keen to beat the crowds.
• Weather: Mild days of around 12 to 16°C, with the occasional shower.
• Atmosphere: Fresh and green, with lambs in the fields and quiet trails.

Summer

• Best for: Families and first-time visitors making the most of long days.
• Weather: Warm and pleasant, typically 18 to 22°C.
• Atmosphere: Lively and busy, with festivals, well dressings and full car parks.

Autumn

• Best for: Couples and photographers after golden colours and calm.
• Weather: Cool and crisp, around 10 to 14°C, with misty mornings.
• Atmosphere: Peaceful and atmospheric as the moors turn russet and gold.

⭐Our hosts' recommendation: Our Derbyshire local expert, Sophie of The Hayloft, recommends spending a morning exploring the LED-lit stalactites at Poole's Cavern in Buxton before a leisurely lunch in town. You can read more about local tips on Sophie's page.

1. Step inside Chatsworth House and gardens
2. Go underground at the Blue John Cavern
3. Sample a Bakewell pudding in Bakewell
4. Ride the cable car to the Heights of Abraham
5. Hike the Dragon's Back from Chrome Hill

1. Step inside Chatsworth House and gardens

   Set in the heart of the Peak District, Chatsworth House is one of England's grandest stately homes and a backdrop for Pride & Prejudice. Wander rooms filled with one of Europe's most significant art collections, then explore the sweeping gardens with their dramatic water features, giant sculptures and the famous Cascade. Allow a full day to take in the farmyard, adventure playground and parkland walks.

2. Go underground at the Blue John Cavern

   Near Castleton you will find the Blue John Cavern, one of only two places in the world where the rare semi-precious Blue John stone is found, with its vibrant bands of yellow and blue. Guided tours lead you through rippling rock formations and towering stalagmites. For the perfect souvenir, look out for polished Blue John in the gift shop.

3. Sample a Bakewell pudding in Bakewell

   No trip to Derbyshire is complete without trying a warm Bakewell pudding in the historic market town of Bakewell itself. This rich almond-and-jam pudding dates back to the 1800s and is best enjoyed with a pot of tea. Work up an appetite first with a stroll across the medieval stone bridge and around the quaint courtyards, then browse the Monday market for local cheeses, cakes and crafts.

4. Ride the cable car to the Heights of Abraham

   Above the spa town of Matlock Bath, the Heights of Abraham cable car carries you up to 1,000 feet for sweeping views over the Derwent Valley. At the top, families can explore two show caves, woodland play areas, a Punch & Judy show and cafés with panoramic terraces.

5. Hike the Dragon's Back from Chrome Hill

   For keen walkers, the Dragon's Back is one of the Peak District's most exhilarating ridge walks, a line of pinnacles resembling a stegosaurus's spine. Starting from Chrome Hill, the roughly 10-kilometre route takes in seven short, steep climbs, with huge rewards at every summit. The exposed ridge can be breezy, but on a clear day the views across the dales are unforgettable.