Country Cottage Guidebook

Amy
Country Cottage Guidebook

Sightseeing

Step back in time by visiting this amazing house preserved but not restored by the National Trust this is the way to experience a stately home as it was left by the family. The cafe is pricy so I’d recommend taking a picnic and eating in the wonderful parkland surrounding the house where you will see cows, sheep, deer and an abundance of bird life. You can walk from the cottage in around an hour or it’s a 15 minute drive. Walking through the park is free, cars are charged per passenger.
63 locals recommend
National Trust - Calke Abbey
63 locals recommend
Step back in time by visiting this amazing house preserved but not restored by the National Trust this is the way to experience a stately home as it was left by the family. The cafe is pricy so I’d recommend taking a picnic and eating in the wonderful parkland surrounding the house where you will see cows, sheep, deer and an abundance of bird life. You can walk from the cottage in around an hour or it’s a 15 minute drive. Walking through the park is free, cars are charged per passenger.
Be sure to visit the tearooms on your visit; the Shepard’s pie is always delicious - lovely and warming on a winter day. Enjoy the grounds and lake and also shop for locally produced gifts in the square where local artists and sculptors display there talents in the units. The deli here would be where I would stock up on treats to enjoy back at the cottage.
Staunton Harold Hall
Melbourne Road
Be sure to visit the tearooms on your visit; the Shepard’s pie is always delicious - lovely and warming on a winter day. Enjoy the grounds and lake and also shop for locally produced gifts in the square where local artists and sculptors display there talents in the units. The deli here would be where I would stock up on treats to enjoy back at the cottage.
So many events are held at Donnington Park, keep an eye out for what’s happening and use the cottage as your base. A 10-15 minute walk from the main entrance or 2 minute car journey and you’ll be right in the thick of the action. Then when you need to recharge head back to glorious Wilson, get a drink and some delicious home cooked food in the Bulls Head Pub before retiring to your comfortable cottage ready to repeat it all again!
40 locals recommend
Donington Park Circuit
40 locals recommend
So many events are held at Donnington Park, keep an eye out for what’s happening and use the cottage as your base. A 10-15 minute walk from the main entrance or 2 minute car journey and you’ll be right in the thick of the action. Then when you need to recharge head back to glorious Wilson, get a drink and some delicious home cooked food in the Bulls Head Pub before retiring to your comfortable cottage ready to repeat it all again!
Melbourne Hall The Gardens
Church Square

Food scene

Great pizzas to eat in or takeaway. This place also offers upmarket pub food which is always a winner. With an extensive drinks list and various options of seating (outside, heated marquee, bar or restaurant) you can adapt to suit you mood. Either pop in for a quick bite to eat or get dressed up and make a night of it. A 15 minute drive from the cottage or a 2 hour walk across fields. Repton has a few great places to eat and drink.
62 locals recommend
The Bulls Head
Church Street
62 locals recommend
Great pizzas to eat in or takeaway. This place also offers upmarket pub food which is always a winner. With an extensive drinks list and various options of seating (outside, heated marquee, bar or restaurant) you can adapt to suit you mood. Either pop in for a quick bite to eat or get dressed up and make a night of it. A 15 minute drive from the cottage or a 2 hour walk across fields. Repton has a few great places to eat and drink.
Great food and cocktail menu! Drive to Melbourne (3 minute drive) leave the car and enjoy a relaxed lunch and some cocktails at Amalfi White. Soak up the ambience inside in the winter or enjoy the gardens to the rear in the summer; either way you’ll be here for a few hours!
10 locals recommend
Amalfi White
50 Derby Rd
10 locals recommend
Great food and cocktail menu! Drive to Melbourne (3 minute drive) leave the car and enjoy a relaxed lunch and some cocktails at Amalfi White. Soak up the ambience inside in the winter or enjoy the gardens to the rear in the summer; either way you’ll be here for a few hours!
Located right in the centre of Melbourne, Harpur’s is great to enjoy a few drinks, they also do a good Sunday lunch here and in general good pub food.
Harpur's Of Melbourne
2 Derby Rd
Located right in the centre of Melbourne, Harpur’s is great to enjoy a few drinks, they also do a good Sunday lunch here and in general good pub food.
Field to fork could not be closer than if you shop at this fantastic farm shop, as the meat stocked here is reared in the fields you can see from the bedroom in the cottage. Longhorns are their speciality and the steaks are unbelievable. Take a stroll here on a Saturday or Sunday morning (opens at 10am) and enjoy a fabulous breakfast then stock up if you want to enjoy some of their delicious fare.
Tori And Bens Farm Butchery
Field to fork could not be closer than if you shop at this fantastic farm shop, as the meat stocked here is reared in the fields you can see from the bedroom in the cottage. Longhorns are their speciality and the steaks are unbelievable. Take a stroll here on a Saturday or Sunday morning (opens at 10am) and enjoy a fabulous breakfast then stock up if you want to enjoy some of their delicious fare.
Melbourne Hall Tea Rooms
Church Square
Forteys
33 Market Pl
Kana Kazana (Melbourne)
7 locals recommend
The Three Horseshoes
44 Main St
7 locals recommend
6 locals recommend
Zamani's Restaurant
Market Street
6 locals recommend
Standleys Barn Farm
Staunton Lane

Drinks

Having just reopened after an extensive refurbishment the Spirit Vaults is establishing a reputation as the new favourite with the locals. They haven’t starting serving food yet (September 2020) but once they do I’ll get down there so I can tell you what’s it like.
The Spirit Vaults
53 Church St
Having just reopened after an extensive refurbishment the Spirit Vaults is establishing a reputation as the new favourite with the locals. They haven’t starting serving food yet (September 2020) but once they do I’ll get down there so I can tell you what’s it like.
The Posh Off-License (The Welcome Cafe)
7 Derby Road
Valentine & Wills
2 Blanch Croft
The Milking Parlour
Staunton Lane

Local produce

Dumelow's Dairy (raw milk vending machine)

Spa & Gym

The Spa At Breedon Priory
Green Lane