The Hollies B&B

Derbyshire Bed and Breakfast Accommodation close to Alton Towers

Marston Montgomery is a small village with Saxon origins. At one time, the village boasted 4 pubs, however, the one remaining pub, The Crown Inn, offers excellent meals in a traditional atmosphere. During June, the two village wells are dressed, one of the region's many summer tourist attractions. Perhaps the greatest draw for the village is its proximity to Alton Towers, the popular midlands theme park.

What to see and during your stay at the Hollies B&B ...

Dovedale and the boundary of the Peak District National Park are barely 10 miles away, making the Hollies bed and breakfast a good base for sightseeing or for activities in 'the great outdoors'. Carsington Water, the newest reservoir in Derbyshire, is barely 30 minutes drive and the historic town of Wirksworth with the National Stone Centre, Steeple Grange Light Railway and Black Rocks is not many minutes further.

The market towns of Ashbourne and Uttoxeter can be reached in about 10 minutes by car. A little further and you have the attractions of Derby or Stoke (museums, shopping, theatre, cinemas, bowling).

Places of interest in under an hour's drive from Marston Montgomery are Matlock and Matlock Bath plus Arkwright's Cromford Mill which is part of England's Industrial Heritage. The historic city of Lichfield with its magnificent cathedral lies to the south and if you fancy a city day out Birmingham is 'on the doorstep'.

Just a few miles away is the town of Uttoxeter (pronounced by some locals as 'Utcheter') is possibly best known these days for its races and the nearby JCB factory at Rocester, which was started from a lock-up in Uttoxeter straight after the second World War. Bronze age axes have been found here too so Uttoxeter is an historic place indeed.

Alternatively, for peace and quiet in the countryside, just walk some of the numerous footpaths through the beautiful countryside around Marston Montgomery or cycle some of the quiet country lanes. We are centrally placed for access to Sustrans cycle routes 54 (White Peak Loop section), and 68 (Pennine Cycleway).

Marston Montgomery is also perfectly placed for explring the southern Derbyshire hills and dales plus the Staffordshire Moorlands. The latter offer the walker a wild feel as they attract less attention than the Dark Peak, yet are easily accessible. For the wildlife enthusiast, there is a good variety of flora and fauna to be seen.

Views of Marston Montgomery.

Theme Parks

Alton Towers is the closest, only a 15 minute drive, also within easy reach is Gulliver's Kingdom at Matlock Bath (specifically designed for families with younger children). At Alton Towers there are adrenaline rides like Oblivion, Ripsaw and Nemesis; less scary but equally fun rides like Hex and Sonic Spinball; traditional rides like the Flume and Congo River Rapids where you are pretty much guaranteed to get wet and the altogether more relaxing places such as the Waterpark with a Caribbean ambience, the original gardens and the spa. Alton Towers dates back to the 8th century and was in the hands of the same family for around 700 years, occupied by the Earls of Shrewsbury. The formal gardens with the pagoda were the main attractions at Alton Towers prior to the change to become the theme park you know today. The gardens were established and developed mainly by the 15th and 16th Earls.

The Trentham Estate is not exactly a theme park but with something for all the family makes a great day out near Stoke-on-Trent. Here you can take a walk with the monkeys in the Monkey Forest, do a high ropes course, ride a miniature train along the lake, get lost in the maze, shop, eat and delight your feet by following the Barefoot Walk. A little further is Drayton Manor Theme Park, another popular family destination and rightly so ... with Thomas (the tank engine) Land, white knuckle rides, a zoo and loads more.

Stately homes and Historic Houses

The major stately homes of the area - Chatsworth House and Chatsworth Park, Sudbury Hall & Museum of Childhood, Haddon Hall, Shugborough, and Kedleston Hall are all within easy reach.

Cycle hire centres and cycle trails

Ashbourne (Tissington Trail, Pennine Cycleway) and Carsington water. There are plenty of other dedicated traffic-free cycle trails in the Peak District.

Other Attractions near the Hollies B&B

Crown Derby and Denby potteries plus the Stoke-on-Trent potteries.

Railway enthusiasts can easily sample a number of restored lines such as the Churnet Valley Railway.

Fly fishing on Blithfield Reservoir and Carsington Water - the latter run courses for anglers of all levels.

Leisure Centres & Swimming - Uttoxeter, Ashbourne and Waterworld near Stoke.

Public Golf Course & Driving Range - 18 holes at Brailsford, near Ashbourne.

More Peak District tourist attractions

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This accommodation website is designed to be viewed using a screen resolution of 800 x 600 pixels. Built and maintained by Chevinside Publications for the Hollies Bed and Breakfast Accommodation, Marston Montgomery, Derbyshire, close to the Alton Towers Theme Park Attraction.