Harry Eyre Cottage

Originally built over 300 years ago Harry Eyre Cottage retains the original character of a Derbyshire farm cottage. Converted in 1977 it provides comfortable accommodation for 2 to 4 persons with stunning views west to Mam Tor and is an ideal retreat for walkers and ramblers.

The cottage features two double bedrooms, one with twin beds, a dining kitchen, a cosy lounge, an upstairs bathroom and a downstairs shower room with W.C.

The kitchen overlooks the farm courtyard with horses looking over the stable doors while the sitting room opens onto a private garden and sitting area complete with a babbling brook.

The small private and secluded garden has open, unrestricted views across farm land to Mam Tor where spectacular sunsets are often seen. It is idea for eating ‘al fresco’ in summer or for relaxing with drinks and a barbecue.

Harry Eyre Cottage is equipped with everything that you could need, including colour television and video, radio/CD, fridge/freezer, electric cooker, microwave, dishwasher etc. Carpet is fitted throughout the living areas.

The beds, a double and two singles, have continental quilts. All bed and bathroom linen is provided. The cottage has full oil-fired central heating and double glazing. Covered car parking space is available next to the cottage. The cottage welcomes well behaved dogs at no extra charge.

History of Harry Eyre Cottage

We do not know when Harry Eyre Cottage was built, or even what its original name was. However, we do know from various wills that somebody called Harry Eyre lived and farmed here in the 22nd year of the reign of Charles II (1682).

The Eyre family name is common in the Hope Valley - the lordship of the parish of Hope was given to a William Eyre who fought with the Normans at the Battle of Hastings.

The cottage and the adjacent building are certainly the oldest on the farm and pre-date the main house, which was built in 1820 and extended in 1849. Other buildings were built in 1872.

Local historians tell us that the building is typical of a 17th Century Derbyshire 'longhouse'. The walls are built of a random mixture of limestone and gritstone.

Originally there were no windows on the western side because this faced the prevailing winds. The farmer and his family would have lived at the higher end of the building and the animals at the lower end in the adjacent building.

In 1974, the cottage was used as a 'shippon' - the local name for a cow shed or dairy. It had standing for six cows together with a vacuum milking system. Upstairs was a hay loft.

When it was converted to a holiday cottage in 1977 the builders found evidence of blocked-up fireplaces and doorways which showed that it was originally a simple two-up, two-down cottage - quite probably the original farm building.