Unique farm stay near Alton Towers & Foxtail Barns Wedding Venue sleeps up to 16

Nestled in the picturesque setting of Ipstones Edge, this farm consists of two properties on a 60-acre working farm.

This is a popular location for walking, cycling, hiking, and climbing in the Peak District. 10 minutes from Alton Towers and 20 from Foxtail Barns Wedding Venue.

Clockwork Cottage is a beautifully converted barn which sleeps 9 people.

Clockwork Farmhouse is a newly renovated home which sleeps 7 people.

Enjoy outdoor dining and share special moments with our new pizza oven.

The two homes are attached and only separated by a small barn. Please note that there is no internal way between the houses. The front doors are around 10 metres from each other.

We're around 10 minutes from Alton Towers and just under 20 minutes (in the car) from Foxtail Barns Wedding Venue. Because of this, we're very popular for brides and grooms-to-be the night before their big day.

*New for summer 2024: the property now has an outdoor pizza oven. Enjoy your very own pizzas cooked in the Staffordshire Moorlands countryside. It's the ideal way to share special moments with your group.

Please read the extra information on the pizza oven below.

The Clockwork Cottage has been thoughtfully converted to offer three bedrooms and can sleep up to 9 people. The area is very peaceful, and in the mornings, you will wake to the sound of birds singing and the occasional moo from a cow. You're surrounded by unspoilt countryside.

You'll understand, therefore, when we say this isn't a party house. Parties and events are not allowed. Many lovely options on Airbnb offer that kind of hospitality, and we'd ask you to seek those out if you're planning a fun stag weekend etc. Instead, Clockwork Cottage is excellent for families and groups keen to enjoy quiet relaxation with loads of walks. And if that's what you're after, please read on!

Downstairs, the space is open-plan and has central heating throughout. A large dining table can seat up to 8 people, perfect for a pleasant meal after a long walk or hike. And there's a spacious living area with sofas and a TV.

The kitchen is filled with everything you need, and you can use it at your leisure. You will be able to create some splendid meals.

Note: If you don't fancy cooking, we can make your stay memorable with catering at an extra cost. Why not treat yourself to a fully cooked breakfast, easy supper, or cream tea?! Sharon has worked in hospitality and catering all her life and would be delighted to put together a meal, or meals, for you. If this interests you, please chat with her about menus and dietary needs.

Upstairs, there are three bedrooms and two bathrooms. The main bedroom has a king-sized bed and a guest bed—two single beds—so it sleeps up to four people. The second bedroom has a double bed. The third bedroom has a small double bed. A sofa bed in the living area acts as a double bed.

The accommodation in summary:

The ground floor has:

- 2 x sofas - one of which is a sofa bed
- Fully equipped kitchen with microwave, toaster, kettle, oven etc
- Dining table and chairs
- Washer/Dryer
- TV

The first floor has:

- Main bathroom with bath and separate shower - 2 metres x 2.5 metres
- Large main bedroom - 5 metres x 3.5 metres
- Second bedroom - 3 metres x 2.9 metres
- Third bedroom - 4.5 metres x 1.9 metres
- Second bathroom - 2.6 metres x 1.9 metres

Clockwork Farmhouse is a newly renovated home which sleeps up to seven people.

Upstairs, there are three bedrooms and two bathrooms. The main bedroom has two single beds, the second has a double bed, and the third has a single bed and a bunk bed for two people.

The accommodation in summary:

The ground floor has:

- sunroom with a sofa and chair
- Fully equipped large kitchen with microwave, toaster, kettle, oven etc
- Dining table and chairs
- large living room with sofa and two chairs
- TV

The first floor has:

- Main bathroom with bath and separate shower - 2.8 metres x 2.3 metres
- Large main bedroom - 4 metres x 3 metres
- Second bedroom - 3 metres x 2.5 metres
- Third bedroom - 3 metres x 2.3 metres
- The second bathroom consists of a toilet and sink.

You'll be pleased to know that the nearest pub is within walking distance, roughly a 30-minute walk away.

For those keen to enjoy fresh air, dozens of footpaths provide easy access to the countryside. And Dimmingsdale nearby boasts some of England's finest sandstone bouldering crags for the rock climbers amongst you. However, the area is also very popular for mountain biking. It offers trails for all skill levels, from family-friendly XC routes to gnarly and steep enduro and downhill tracks for hardcore enthusiasts.

To reiterate, this isn't one large house; it's two connected properties accessible through the two separate front doors metres apart. If you're looking for one large house, this might not be for you.

But if you'd like a stay where the guests have someone private to relax but space to enjoy together, you'll like this. :)

The pizza oven is kept off-site, so if your stay with us depends on it, please let us know before booking so we can ensure its availability.

The oven comes with the utensils you'll need to use it. However, you'll need to supply the gas for its use. For an additional cost, we can also provide the ingredients and everything you'll need to enjoy some tasty pizzas.

The houses are down a private drive, roughly 400m from the main road. You will access the cottage to the right of the farm, and you can park outside.

There is space for four cars. Please let us know how many parking spaces you need when you book so we can accommodate you. Additional parking can be arranged but will be charged.

We live on the property so will be around when you need us, but we'll leave you to enjoy your stay.

This farm stay is for people keen to enjoy a tranquil break. If you’re looking for a hen weekend venue or accommodation for a wild party, this isn’t the place to book. Parties and events are not allowed. We live on the property and want to host groups seeking peace and relaxation.

We mentioned above that this is a working farm, but don’t worry; you won’t be disturbed by tractors growling through the night or milking kicking off at 4 am. However, there are cows here. We breed Dexters and have around 50. They’re kept in a shed on the other side of the farm in the winter months and are out in the fields during the summer. So do expect to hear some mooing.

This brings us to our next point. Because of the cattle, we cannot allow pets. Please accept our apologies; no dogs or cats are permitted, humans only.

We do have Wi-Fi. This is via a hotspot connection through 4G. It is not a traditional wired connection, so you may need to reconnect occasionally. It has download speeds of up to 15MB through EE. So, if your stay depends on an excellent and solid Wi-Fi connection, Clockwork Cottage possibly isn’t for you.

Please note: additional guests will always be charged, so please reflect the number of guests staying when booking.

The stay comes with 6 parking spaces. Please let us know if you intend to bring more than 6 vehicles. There will be a charge for more than 6 vehicles.