Knowles House Region: Peak District Sleeps: 12 Overview Knowles House is a superbly restored, elegant, spacious and luxurious Grade II listed Georgian house. It beautifully combines its original character with smart and contemporary furnishings to give the ambiance of a boutique hotel along with the freedom of self catering. A wonderful house for reunions and family gatherings, it sits in a peaceful conservation area cul de sac overlooking the River Derwent and beside a park with colourful gardens, bowling, tennis courts, children's play area and boating pond. There is a variety of shops, restaurants, pubs and cafés all within close walking distance. The house is also situated close to the railway station, which has regular connections to Derby and Nottingham. Glorious walking country surrounds the town, and the delights of the Peak District are readily accessible. In particular, the splendor of Chatsworth House, Haddon Hall and Peveril Castle provide a glimpse into times gone by. Matlock Bath boasts the Heights of Abraham Cable Cars and Caverns Mining Museum. A wide variety of activities are available locally, including water sports, cycle hire and pony trekking. Facilities Page 1
Interior & Grounds Ground Floor The house enjoys a large, elegant lounge with stone fireplace, wood burning stove, and feature bay window. The lounge has comfortable seating, television with DVD player and mini hifi system. An additional reception room, (the original kitchen) is found off the corridor with further sofas. Double doors lead from the kitchen into the cosy second lounge, with a sofa and chairs and original fireplace. A lovely hideaway in which to read, chat or relax. Adjacent to the lounge is a spacious dining room, with large bay window, restored fireplace and large oak dining table. The kitchen, with original quarry tile flooring, incorporates a dishwasher, fridge, microwave, double gas oven and 7 ring hob with a large range of cooking equipment and utensils. The dining table has benches, ideal for breakfast and informal dining. The utility room houses washing machine, tumble dryer, freezer and recycling facilities. First Floor The stairs, with original Georgian balustrade lead to the first floor bedrooms and a large family bathroom. The master bedroom has a king size bed with an original Georgian fireplace, oak wardrobe, chest of drawers and bedside cabinets. Television and DVD player. Opposite the master bedroom is a twin bedroom decorated in classical Georgian style, with chest of drawers, built in wardrobe and en-suite toilet and shower room. Towards the back of the house is a double bedroom with wooden furniture, storage, en-suite toilet and shower room. There is a further double bedroom, with wardrobe and en-suite toilet and shower. The large Victorian style panelled bathroom, freestanding bath with hand held shower, basin and toilet are situated on this floor. Second Floor The fifth bedroom is located on the second floor. A large twin room, with wooden furniture and views of Knowleston Gardens. The sixth bedroom has a double bed, built-in wardrobes and en-suite toilet, hand basin and shower. Outside The courtyard garden comes with original flagstones and salting sink. There is a range of planting and seasonal herbs. The area is enclosed by a gate and has seating for guests. There is plenty of parking on Knowleston Place, a quiet cul-de-sac where, generally, you can park right outside the house. Facilities - A washing machine, tumble dryer, iron and ironing board, together with a retractable washing line and pegs. - The kitchen has a dishwasher, large fridge, microwave, double gas oven with 7 ring hob and a large amount cooking equipment and utensils. - In addition to central heating throughout, the main lounge has a wood burning stove with plenty of logs and fire lighters. Page 2
- A selection of music CDs and DVDs is left for guests. The stereo system has a USB port for MP3 players to play your personal favourites. The 3 televisions all have DVD players attached. - A range of books, puzzles and games are provided within the house, together with footballs, badminton rackets and other outdoor games, for use in the park. - Two hairdryers, highchair, cot and stairgates are available. - A telephone and wifi access is provided in the house. The telephone can be used to make out-going calls. We ask guests to leave money to cover the cost of any calls made. Page 3
Location & Local Information Fine Country Houses - Chatsworth. Home to the remarkable Duchess Georgiana. - Kedleston Hall. Masterpiece of neo-classical architecture, designed by Robert Adam - Hardwick Hall. Built for 'Bess of Hardwick', Elizabethan England's second most powerful and wealthy woman. - Haddon Hall. A fortified medieval manor house dating from the 12th Century. - Tissington Hall. The history of Tissington can be traced back as far as 1086, when it is mentioned in the Domesday Book among the possessions of Henry de Ferrers. Local Market Towns They all have a wealth of interesting buildings and churches to explore, and are perfect for shopping for gifts. - Ashbourne - Bakewell - Castleton - Hathersage - Eyam - Buxton. This Georgian Spa town with its Crescent (rival to Bath), Opera House and Pavilion Gardens is well worth a visit. Other Activities - Ladybower Fishery for fishing. - Blue John Cavern. At Castleton, the tours are of immense educational interest showing clearly how the caverns are formed in limestone strata. - Carsington Water. For water sports, horse and bike riding. Attractions - Crich Tramway Museum. For a great day out visit and pay an old penny to ride on the tram. - Alton Towers. Half an hour from the house for the ultimate theme park thrill! - Gulliver s Kingdom. A more suitable attraction for younger children and those of you that are not as adventurous! - Uttoxeter Race Course. Meetings are held throughout the year, with a number of themed special events. - Heights of Abraham. A cable car ride and show caves, located in Matlock Bath. Walking - The hills and dales of the Peak District and surrounding area are ideal for walkers. - White Peak. The fields are outlined by dry stone walls and criss-crossed with footpaths. - Dovedale Valley Manifold Valley. Close-by both valleys provide riverside Page 4
walks at the foot of towering limestone gorges. - Kinder Scout Staffordshire Moorlands. In stark contrast these offer more adventurous walking both within an hour of the house. - The Tissington Trail. An old railway track from Ashbourne to Buxton, makes for easy walking. - High Peak Trail. This also joins the Tissington trail and takes you west towards Wirksworth. - Howden. If you drive to the north of the Peak District National Park you will enter the Dark Peak, due to the grit stone rock deposits and moor land. Here you will find the 3 dams. Derwent and Howden dams were made famous in 1943 when the RAF 617 Squadron used them to practise their famous Dambuster raid against the Ruhr dams in Germany. Page 5
Terms & Conditions - Security deposit: None. - Arrival time: 16.00 - Departure time: 10.00 - Energy costs included?: Included. - Linen & towels included?: Included. - Pets welcome?: Owner must be notified. There is a 25 additional fee, and pets are not allowed upstairs. - End of stay cleaning included?: Included. - Changeover day: Bookings are made from Friday-Friday or Monday-Monday. - Smoking Allowed?: No Smoking. - Insurance: It is recommended that all guests take out insurance to cover against potential cancellation and any accidental damage caused during your stay at the property. Page 6