Relaxing Romantic Weekend in the Peak District: Why We Love Crich
Sometimes you don't need a holiday. You just need two days where nobody expects anything from you. Two mornings without an alarm. A walk without checking the time.
Dinner that turns into another glass of wine because there's nowhere else you need to be.
That's the kind of weekend we had in mind when we created Cedar Cottage.
If you're looking for a relaxing romantic weekend in the Peak District, we'd love to introduce you to our little corner of Derbyshire.
When people think of the Peak District, Bakewell, Matlock and Castleton are usually the places that spring to mind. They're beautiful, and we'd happily recommend visiting every one of them.
But when we were searching for somewhere to create Cedar Cottage, we weren't looking for the busiest part of the Peak District.
We were looking for somewhere that felt different. Not because there was more to do.
Because there was less pressure to do it. Just outside the village of Crich, we found exactly that.
A place where you can spend the day exploring Chatsworth House, wandering through historic halls, enjoying long walks and cosy country pubs, before returning somewhere peaceful enough that, as soon as you close the cottage door behind you, your shoulders seem to drop.
For us, that's what a weekend away should feel like.
The Weekend Begins Here
Most guests arrive with plans to head back out. Quite often, they don't.
They unpack, put the kettle on, pour a drink and begin to settle in. Some run the bath almost straight away. Others sit for a while and enjoy the fact that, for once, there is nowhere they need to be.
If you do fancy heading out for dinner, we'd always recommend the White Hart at Moorwood Moor, just a few minutes from the cottage. It's one of those lovely country pubs that feels relaxed from the moment you walk in. The burgers are excellent, there's a beautiful outdoor seating area during the warmer months and it's the sort of place where Friday evening slips effortlessly into the weekend.
We often pop in ourselves and, more than once, we've spotted our own guests enjoying exactly the same start to their stay.
We always smile... because we know the weekend has begun.
Slow Mornings Are Part of the Stay
One thing we've learnt from welcoming guests is that people naturally slow down here.
There's no right way to spend a Saturday morning at Cedar Cottage, but one thing we notice time and time again is that nobody seems to be in a hurry.
The sourdough in your welcome hamper comes from The Loaf bakery in Crich. The eggs are from a nearby farm, and the butter comes from our local butcher. It's everything you need for a slow breakfast before deciding where the day might take you.
Some couples head out early to explore, but many don't leave until late morning. Coffee becomes a second cup, breakfast lasts a little longer than planned and, for a while, the only decision to make is whether to put the kettle on again.
That's exactly how weekends should feel.
Exploring at Your Own Pace
By late morning, most couples are ready to head out for a few hours. If it's your first visit to the area, we'd always recommend Chatsworth House.
Not because you have to see everything in one day, but because it's somewhere that's just as enjoyable when you slow down.
Spend time wandering through the gardens. Stroll beside the river. Browse the farm shop. Stop for coffee if you fancy it.
There's no right way to spend a day at Chatsworth.
One of our favourite things to do before heading back is call into Chatsworth Farm Shop. It's the perfect place to pick up a few treats for the evening. A good bottle of wine, a local cheese or something delicious for a relaxed supper back at the cottage.
Because, if we're honest, that's how many of our guests choose to spend Saturday evening.
Not rushing from one place to another. Just enjoying being together.
Coming Back Is Part of the Experience
One thing we've noticed is that our guests rarely spend every minute out exploring.
After a few hours out, many return to the cottage with a few treats from Chatsworth Farm Shop, ready for a quiet evening together.
A simple supper. A bottle of wine. Maybe another bath before bed.
In the warmer months, it's lovely to sit outside and watch the evening settle in. In the cooler months, evenings are made for lighting the fire, putting on your favourite film or simply enjoying the peace that comes with having nowhere else to be.
You don't need a packed itinerary to enjoy a weekend away.
Sometimes, the best part of the day is simply coming back.
Before You Head Home
Sunday mornings tend to arrive a little too quickly.
Before setting off, we'd always recommend taking one last walk into Crich.
Pick up a coffee and a fresh pastry from The Loaf before making the short stroll up to Crich Stand Memorial.
On a clear day, the views stretch for miles across Derbyshire, and there's something rather special about ending your weekend there. It's peaceful, unhurried and a lovely way to pause before heading home.
If you have a little more time, Haddon Hall is another place we never tire of recommending. Beautiful, full of history and often a little quieter than some of Derbyshire's better-known attractions, it's well worth adding to your weekend.
When people ask why we chose Crich, the answer is always the same. We wanted somewhere that felt peaceful.
Somewhere you could spend the day exploring everything the Peak District has to offer before returning somewhere calm. Somewhere that reminds you it's okay to slow down.
The Peak District is full of wonderful places to visit, and we'd encourage you to enjoy as many as you can. But we've always believed the best part of the Peak District isn't always where everyone else is.
Sometimes it's finding somewhere peaceful to come back to.
If that's the kind of weekend you've been looking for, we hope you'll love it here just as much as we do.
Stay at Cedar Cottage
If you're looking for a peaceful couples' cottage just outside Crich, we'd love to welcome you.