Fresh bread and Derbyshire oatcakes in one of 3 luxurious, sustainable yurts in the Peak District. The welcome hamper is just the beginning.

Staying at Secret Cloud yurts is a delight that begins the moment you arrive. A welcome hamper of delicious local sausage and bacon, oatcakes, fresh eggs from the farm and freshly baked bread awaits you. The three yurts are situated on the edge of the Peak District and command views over the hills. They reflect the passion for sustainability, food and beauty of their owner, Catherine. Each yurt has outdoor seating and a BBQ around which to gather in the evening. Inside, the yurts are a soft pile of comfort. Sheepskin rugs, luxurious cotton sheets and fluffy pillows drape over handmade wooden furniture. There is a gas stove and pots and pans, with washing up sinks at the shared shower area housed in a cosy, purpose-built wood cabin. The surrounding area is one of great natural beauty with a dash of adventure. The Peak District is a lovely place for everything from gentle strolling to mountain biking, there are cycle routes nearby such as the Manifold Valley and Tissington Trail (both scenic old railway lines) and Carsington Water also provides stunning scenery and extreme sports in equal measure.

• Esentials
• Getting there
• Eating & Drinking
• Things to do
• Booking terms
• Meet your hosts

The essentials

The important stuff

• Check in time is from 3pm
• Check out time is 10am
• The yurts are situated in a field so please bring approriate footwear, either wellies or walking boots as it can get muddy at times
• There is a phone/camera charging point by the recycling at the shower unit
• Sheep may roam the bank but the yurts are enclosed, so you will only be passing them on the paths
• Parking is at the top of the field, making for a short walk to the site and the yurts. On arrival, guests will be shown to the site and assisted with their baggage if need be

Cooking

• Log-burning stove
• Two ring gas hob
• Crockery, cutlery, glassware all provided
• Cool box with ice blocks changed whenever necessary
• Wind up torches provided
• Lighting is from enclosed candle lamps and solar lights
• Please bring tea towels & eco washing products

Washing

• Each yurt has a tap outside for cold water and its own composting loo.
• The three yurts share two showers in a spacious unit with hot water at the top of the field.
• A sink area for washing cooking stuff is next to the shower unit.
• The hot tub is shared by all guests, please book a time to use it by putting your name on the form by the tub

Heating, lighting & bedding

• All bed linen is provided
• There is a phone/camera charging point by the recycling at the shower unit

Entertainment

• Dominoes
• Playing Cards
• A Wind up radio
• Small book selection

Getting there

Secret Cloud Yurts, nr Ashbourne, Peak District ST10 3EP

By train
The nearest train stations are Belper and Derby. You can be picked up free of charge by arrangement.

By car

Secret Cloud is approximately 7 miles from the towns of Ashbourne and Leek. Please call 07845 939603 if you have any difficulty.

Turn onto Stoney Lane and take Dukes Lane along past Limestone View Farm itself and the Secret Cloud House Holidays car park can be found on the left clearly signposted. All vehicles are left at owners risk.

Eating & drinking

At the yurts

On arrival guests will be greeted with a welcome hamper to include milk from the Peak District Dairy, local sausage, bacon, fresh bread, half a dozen eggs from our Derbyshire Redcap hens and delicious Derbyshire oatcakes.

The yurt will also have tea, coffee, sugar and locally made biscuits or cakes.

Further afield - pubs & restaurants

The Yew Tree Inn, Cauldon

Treasure-trove of fascinating antiques and dusty bric-a-brac; very eccentric.

The Fox and Goose Inn, Foxt

Nice country pub with food and real ales. 

Ashbourne and Leek have a wealth of restaurants and pubs and we can also recommend nice country pubs with good food a short drive away

Things to do

Things to do on the farm - The Heights of Abraham

Explore the farm and see the native breed animals. In spring guests will have the opportunity to see the lambing as well as the new born lambs playing in the fields. There is always new life on the farm in spring and summer.

During late summer to autumn, the hedgerows come alive with a whole host of edible delights. You may find Catherine foraging for fruits to create her special jams, chutneys and gins. There is plenty of fruit to go around and she is always delighted to share her recipes.

For rainy days

Bubble in the steaming hot tub at the farm or read a book next to the log-burning stove

Brackendale Spa is not far away, using natural products and skilled professional therapists to ease away your tensions, sooth your aching bodies and recharge your batteries.

The nearest market towns of Ashbourne and Leek both have a wealth of antique shops and great range of independent boutiques.

Derbyshire has a great selection of stately homes, perfect for exploring on a rainy day. Chatsworth is the most famous with the house and gardens to explore, not to mention the extensive grounds and popular farm shop.

Places to visit

Alton Towers is only 10 minutes away

The Heights of Abraham Country Park and caverns set in 60 acres of woodland and reached by cable car over a deep limestone gorge. (10 miles)

Well Dressings - an ancient custom throughout Derbyshire where many villages host historic well dressing, the closest are in the beautiful village of Tissington.

Carsington water - How long can you sit looking out over Carsington before wanting to go and get on the water? Sailing, windsurfing, kayaking, power boating and canoeing are all offered.

Carsington water also offers some of the best boat fishing in Derbyshire and is the best way to explore the water and hunt out those trout. Carsington Water is a stunning trout fishery situated in the heart of the stunning Derbyshire countryside. Its natural beauty, tranquil atmosphere, crystal clear waters and stunning fish combine to make Carsington Water addictive to anglers.

Go Ape - Set in the heart of the beautiful Peak District National Park and within walking distance of the historic spa town of Buxton, Go Ape and trek through the treetops via rope bridges. Tarzan swings and zip slides up to 35 feet above the forest floor. If you fancy yourself as a bit of an explorer, why not visit the adjacent Pooles Cavern. To book visit www.goape.co.uk.

The Tissington Trail - a walking trail that's also part of the National Cycle Network, runs for 13 miles (21 km) from Parsley Hay in the north to Ashbourne.

Balloon Flights - Why not take a Balloon flight over beautiful Derbyshire? If the wind is blowing in the right direction, you may even pass over Carsington Water and your yurt.

Rock Climbing - The Peak District has over 10,000 registered climbs for both beginners and experienced rock climbers.

Meet your hosts

An environmental concern 

Catherine is conscious of all the energy she uses - hence the plans for a wind turbine on site. The wooden washroom is made locally from sustainable timber and insulated with sheep’s wool and the spring water supply is fed by a large underground lake. The tourism experience has been kept as sustainable as possible and they hope to be able to continually reinvest in the land to increase its environmental value.

As well as the native breed cattle and sheep at the farm, there are also lots of opportunities to see wildlife. Buzzards ride the thermals and soar up and down the valley and the peace and quiet are broken only by birdsong.