Choosing the right cottage for people and pets
Dog friendly cottages in Derbyshire for big groups come in a range of sizes. Start with the two numbers that matter most, beds and dogs. The cottages here sleep from ten up to twenty-two guests across four to ten bedrooms. There's a size for a family reunion as much as a long weekend with the in-laws. Pet rules differ from one Derbyshire cottage to the next though, so check how many dogs each welcomes before you fall for it.
Count the bedrooms as well as the beds if some of your party want a room to themselves. The dogs and sleeps filters on the listings narrow things down fast.
Then picture what a wet, muddy dog needs when it comes back through the door. Some cottages have a garden, which gives the pets outdoor space first thing. Others have an open fire for drying off after a soggy walk. Fencing is a feature you shouldn't assume, so ask before you book if yours is a wanderer. Some cottages lean towards luxury if you'd like a treat.
The large dog friendly cottages Derbyshire offers, area by area
The houses are spread right across the Peak District and beyond. Where you base yourselves shapes the holiday more than anything else.
Matlock, Matlock Bath and Darley Dale
This is the central side of the county. Matlock Bath is a lively riverside village in the Derwent Valley in the Derbyshire Dales with the Heights of Abraham on its doorstep, eight minutes' drive from the house at Tansley. Other cottages sit on the hills above Matlock or out near Darley Dale and Tansley, close to the countryside. It makes a great base to explore on foot.
It suits parties who like pubs and shops close by and don't mind a busier feel on summer weekends. Our group accommodation in Matlock page goes into more detail.
Bakewell and the White Peak
Bakewell is a market town on the River Wye. One house sits on the edge of town on the Monyash road. The ones at Gratton and Over Haddon are out among the villages and farmland, so you'll drive in for the shops. In return you get plenty of quiet lanes to explore on the first walk of the morning.
Even from the house at Tansley near Matlock the big attractions aren't far, with Chatsworth 23 minutes away and Monsal Head 27. Stay around Bakewell and both are closer still.
Buxton and Chapel-en-le-Frith
Up on the High Peak in north-west Derbyshire the landscape widens into hillsides and moorland with views that change by the hour, so pack for weather that turns quickly. Chapel-en-le-Frith has a market place and some cottages close to the pubs. It's also the side of the county nearest Greater Manchester, which helps if half your party is travelling from there. Whaley Bridge is just up the road too, with our group accommodation in Whaley Bridge for more choice.
Ashbourne, Ilam and Biggin
Ashbourne is known as the gateway to Dovedale. The houses at Thorpe and Ilam sit right by the dale, so the stepping stones make an easy first walk. Villages like Biggin, Brassington and Mayfield have cottages with a pub nearby. Walkers like this corner of the Peak District for the Tissington Trail, which runs from Ashbourne up to Parsley Hay. Biggin sits close to Hartington, so see our group accommodation in Hartington too.
Down towards Derby the land turns gentler and flatter. It's a good pick if most of you are coming up from the Midlands.
Dog walking in Derbyshire and the Peak District
The old railway lines make the easiest, most scenic going. The national park welcomes dogs on its trails such as the Monsal and the Tissington, as long as they're under close control. The gentle gradients suit short legs and tired ones alike.
Up on the moorland tops the rules tighten. The national park asks for short leads on open access land from 1 March to 31 July to protect ground-nesting birds. Around livestock they should be on a lead at all times. Signs can close some areas to visitors with dogs, so check the park authority's dog guidance before you set off!
Chatsworth's parkland welcomes four-legged visitors too, on leads, because sheep and other grazing animals share it. The estate's own guidance has the current rules for your visit.
How far is everyone travelling to Derbyshire?
Cottages are scattered from Buxton to Derby, so this table uses Bakewell as a handy middle point. Pick your town and it shows the drive. Your own house will be a little nearer or further depending on where it sits.
| Setting off from | Drive to Bakewell (minutes) | Miles |
|---|---|---|
| Sheffield | 32 | 16.8 |
| Derby | 47 | 31.2 |
| Nottingham | 56 | 35.1 |
| Stoke-on-Trent | 57 | 33.3 |
| Manchester | 68 | 37.6 |
| Leeds | 78 | 52.4 |
| Leicester | 85 | 61.2 |
| Birmingham | 95 | 69.9 |
Travelling to Derbyshire in several cars? Agree one meeting point such as a village pub before the last stretch, so nobody arrives to a locked door.
When to go and what to book ahead
Autumn and winter suit big parties with pets staying in cottages in the Peak District. Open fires (in some of the cottages) and short days make a long lunch the whole point. Spring and early summer bring the lead rules on the moors, so allow for those on your holiday walks.
Book early for school holidays and Christmas, then check each listing of dog friendly holiday cottages in Derbyshire for these.
- How many pets the house takes
- How many bedrooms and bathrooms there are for your party
- Whether there's a garden and how secure it is
- Where the pets can sleep
- Which pubs near the cottage welcome dogs (ring first)
If you want a soak after a day on the hills, our large cottages with hot tubs page lists houses with one. Check the pet rules on each before you book.
Planning your stay in Derbyshire
Browse every cottage on the Derbyshire Group Cottages home page if you'd like to see the full range. For more big places to share, our big houses to rent are a good next step.
With the large dog friendly cottages Derbyshire has, the four-legged guests get their walks and you get a long table to enjoy together. Choose the area first. The house will follow.
Questions people ask
How many pets can we bring?
Many of the cottages welcome dogs but the number differs from one to the next. Check each listing before you book and use the dogs filter to narrow the choice.
Do dogs have to stay on a lead in Derbyshire and the Peak District?
On access land the law says a short lead from 1 March to 31 July and a lead around livestock all year. Check the park's guidance for current notices.
Where can we walk on flat ground?
The old railway routes such as the Monsal and the Tissington Trail are flat and the park authority welcomes dogs on them under close control.
Are the gardens fenced?
Don't assume so. Some Derbyshire cottages have a garden, but ask the owner about fencing before you book if yours likes to roam.
Is there a hot tub?
Our large cottages with hot tubs page lists houses with one. Check each listing to see if it takes pets.