Things To Do

Touring

Common Barn Farm is the perfect base for touring the Peak District: Castleton and its Blue John Mines; Buxton and its Crescent and Opera House; Bakewell and its puddings; the stately houses of Chatsworth and Lyme Park. Cheshire's gems include Chester, Gawsworth Hall, Tatton Park, Quarry Bank Mill, Jodrell Bank and Little Moreton Hall. Anson Engine Museum is located in nearby Poynton. Easily reached by road or rail, Manchester has The Lowry and Old Trafford to offer the tourist. Families may wish to visit Alton Towers and Chester Zoo. North Wales, Liverpool and Blackpool are all within reach for a day trip.

Walking

The parish of Rainow has an extensive footpath network (guidebook available), from the distinctive White Nancy monument overlooking Bollington, to the ridge of The Tors at over 1600'. Lamaload Reservoir can be reached across our fields. The beautiful Goyt Valley is just two miles away. Further afield, Kinder Scout, Dovedale, the Roaches, and many other areas within the Peak District offer the walker a great variety of rambles.

Fishing

Flyfishing day permits for Errwood Reservoir are available to our guests. We can also arrange for flyfishing tuition with a resident professional game angling instructor from Errwood Fly Fishing Club. He can help beginners, improvers, or anyone who has casting faults and wants to fish better. Fishing is also available in our own pond!

Sailing

Guest membership at the Errwood Sailing Club, which offers dingy sailing in the Goyt Valley, can be arranged.

Cycling

Enjoy our quiet, yet challengingly hilly, country lanes. When you tire of the hills, the Middlewood Way is nearby, and the Monsal, High Peak, Tissington and Longendale cycle trails are within half an hour's drive.

Motorcycling

Guided off-road motorcycle tours of the green lanes of the Peak District and beyond can be arranged with Overlander Trail Tours. They can take you "through some of the best countryside in Derbyshire, Staffordshire, and Cheshire, whilst covering some fabulously varied terrain". Note that no off-road motorcycling is possible here at the farm.

Riding

Horses may be ridden on our 250 acres of land for completely traffic-free enjoyment. Grazing is available on the farm for our guests' horses.

Shooting

Clay pigeon shooting is available in nearby Wildboarclough, and also at Cloudside, near Buxton.

Birdwatching

Moorland birds, such as the curlew and lapwing, breed in the area.

Climbing

Windgather Rocks are close by. The Roaches, Stanage and other nationally important climbing and bouldering areas are just a short drive away.