Choosing the right place for a large group stay
Start with how many of you are coming and how much room you'll need. Homes around here sleep anywhere from six to 34. The sizes tend to follow the villages.
- Up to about ten guests: self catering village houses and farm cottages in Hopton and Brassington, with four or five bedrooms and the shortest journey to the reservoir.
- Seven to twelve guests: family cottages around Cromford, Belper and Alsop-en-le-Dale.
- Fourteen to twenty-two guests: large houses near Matlock, Darley Dale, Biggin and Thorpe, with room for everyone to sit down together.
- The biggest of all sleeps 34 in Matlock Bath.
That one suits a milestone birthday or a whole extended family. A few of the bigger stays are farmhouses and old farm buildings with room to spread out. Lots of places have a hot tub and a couple have a pool, so use the extras and tub type filters to narrow things down. Most cottages are dog friendly too. Our large dog friendly cottages page shows only those.
Carsington Water group accommodation by village
Where you sleep changes the whole feel of the trip.
Hopton and Brassington
These are the closest villages in the area, all within about three miles of the reservoir. You'll be at the water in minutes. Several of the cottages here are near a pub. The catch is that there's less on your doorstep than in a town, so you'll drive for shops. The Peak District is close by though.
Ashbourne, Thorpe and Ilam
Head west and you're on the Dovedale side of the Peak District. Ashbourne is the place for supplies and a market town wander. Homes here sit around three to seven miles from the water but closer to river walks and the countryside beyond.
Matlock Bath and Cromford
This is a livelier base on the eastern side of the national park. The Derwent Valley is steep and wooded with plenty on offer in the village itself. You're still only about eight miles from Carsington. Expect more visitors in summer, when the riverside gets busy.
Fancy a town base instead? Try group accommodation in Matlock or look at the Ashbourne side of the hills.
Days out and journey times from Carsington
Times below are from the Carsington area of Derbyshire, so add a few minutes if your cottage is further out.
| Day out | Time (minutes) | Miles | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wirksworth | 11 | 5.2 | Shops and a pub lunch |
| Ashbourne | 15 | 6.7 | Market town and supplies |
| Matlock Bath | 18 | 8.3 | A riverside afternoon |
| Crich Tramway Village | 21 | 10.9 | All ages |
| Dovedale car park | 29 | 11.0 | Riverside walking |
| Bakewell | 31 | 15.1 | Browsing and cafes |
| Alton Towers | 35 | 18.0 | A big family day |
| Chatsworth House | 38 | 17.7 | A grand Derbyshire house and parkland |
The two nearest towns are close enough to cook one night and eat out the next, if you've picked a stay nearby.
Walking, cycling and sailing at Carsington
Carsington sits on the southern edge of the Peak District. Pull on your boots and follow the path around the reservoir on foot or by bike. It's roughly eight miles, which makes a full loop a decent morning for a family that's up for it. Shorter stretches are easy from the visitor centre, which has a restaurant. Toilets are at the visitor centre and Millfields but not at Sheepwash car park, so plan your stops and take a flask.
If you'd like something more active, the watersports centre by the visitor centre offers sailing, windsurfing and kayaking if you book ahead. Parking is paid at every car park. Severn Trent asks for dogs to stay on a lead at all times because of the sheep and wildlife. The RSPB page for Carsington Water is a good place to start.
When is the best time to visit Carsington Water?
Group stays here work all year in Derbyshire, but spring to autumn is best for cycling and sailing in the Peak District countryside. Autumn colour is lovely on the lanes.
Winter suits short countryside walks and long evenings indoors, when a large family farmhouse comes into its own. A weekend with friends in a place with a hot tub is hard to beat.
Before you book
Count bedrooms and beds separately. A Derbyshire place that sleeps ten might have two doubles and six singles. Not every friend will want a single bed.
Look for a games room or a big living room if your crowd likes to spread out. Think about where the cars go too. A big group usually arrives in several, so look for parking on the listing. If bubbles under the stars matter most, see our large cottages with hot tubs.
Browse every self catering cottage at Derbyshire Group Cottages and pick the one that fits your crowd. Then all that's left is sorting who brings the board games.
Questions people ask
How far are the cottages from Carsington Water?
The nearest is about a mile and a half from the middle of the reservoir and the farthest around eight miles.
Can we bring our dogs?
Most places allow dogs, so use the filter and check how many each one takes before you book.
Is there a hot tub?
Lots of them do. Use the extras and tub type filters to find them. A tub after the reservoir loop is a lovely way to end the day.
How many people can stay?
Homes sleep from six to 34, so filter by sleeps to see what suits your group.
Can we walk around the water?
Yes, a path of roughly eight miles runs all the way round for walkers and cyclists. Severn Trent asks for dogs to be kept on a lead.
Where should a large group eat out?
Wirksworth and Ashbourne are the nearest market towns. Most of the cottages are near a pub too, though it's worth ringing ahead with a big group.