The Old Mill and Cottage

The views are to die for, and the place is quiet, clean and comfortable. It’s been fixed up impeccably and has everything you need for a relaxing stay. The owners are the sweetest, happy to help however you want or leave you alone. As an American girl who’s dreamed of all things British since birth, this quintessential British home was everything I could have asked for. I love it so much. If you need somewhere to stay around Matlock, this would be my first choice any day of the year.

There’s lots of character to this amazing building, and Mrs Wood baked us a lovely cake. The daffodils on the kitchen table were a nice touch. Inside, it was beautifully clean, with a good size kitchen and loads of food storage space. The spiral staircase between the lounge and kitchen is a lovely feature, though it could be restrictive for less mobile members of the group. I’d use this property again for a short break.

We had a good stay overall, and the owners were lovely. This place works well for a large family gathering, with room to sleep 11, and the separate two person cottage is a bonus. There was enough space and equipment for our nine, including a baby, and the lodge is well placed for Matlock and the nearby hikes, parks and scenery. The rooms and bathrooms were clean, the beds and linens were comfortable and smelled great, and the kitchen and bathroom were fully equipped. The host lives next door and baked us a cake the following day. There was fast Wi-Fi, lots of books and games for everyone, and a good barbecue setup in the garden. The metal spiral stairs between the first floor and the kitchen, dining room, garden and main family bedroom and bunk room were a real daily task. They’re difficult to use, especially while carrying a baby, and aren’t great for people with mobility impairments. There’s no outside lighting at the front or in the garden, and after the street lights go out it’s pitch black outside. Shops in the area were closed, with the only shop on the road shutting at 4pm. Coming from London, I’m certainly not used to that quiet. The TV had an old Sky box and a DVD/VHS player, but no smart TV or way to stream. There also weren’t many restaurants nearby, unless you drove into the local town to eat each day. It took us a while to adjust to the quiet, darkness and lack of shops, but if you’re booking to get away and spend quality time with family, the place offers that. Bring your food shopping in advance. I’d give it 7/10, a great place all in all.

Seven of us slept comfortably here. The lounge is a good size and has SKY TV, there’s Wi-Fi, and the kitchen is well equipped. The accommodation was nicely presented, and we’d definitely stay again.