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Hungry Bentley Barn - Ashbourne

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Stylish barn living in beautiful Derbyshire

This barn conversion in the beautiful Derbyshire countryside is the stuff Grand Designs is made from. Owner Jane Boothroyd has transformed the former stables to nearby Bentley Hall into an airy and modern family home, with three stunning double guest bedrooms.

Guests at Hungry Bentley Barn (named after the tiny medieval village nearby) can enjoy a luxurious stay, with comfy beds, underfloor heating and fabulous en-suite bathrooms, two of which have decadent roll-top baths. All the rooms offer tranquil views of the countryside that surrounds the barn. A huge drawing room with an original open fireplace is the perfect place to relax downstairs, while a mouth-watering Derbyshire breakfast is served up every morning until a lie-in-friendly 10 o’clock.

Where is it?

The village of Hungry Bentley is set in miles of tranquil countryside and farmland on the edge of the Peak District. Five minutes’ drive from the picturesque market town of Ashbourne, it’s perfectly placed to explore the Peaks and neighbouring Dovedale. Ashbourne itself is a bustling centre for the host of little villages and hamlets that are dotted about the countryside, and is a popular base for walkers. If you’re a fan of bizarre English traditions, the town’s annual Royal Shrovetide Football Match is a great reason to visit. Every Shrove Tuesday and Ash Wednesday, most of Ashbourne’s residents take part in what is probably the largest football match in the world – the playing field is three miles long, with the market square right in the middle. Each team numbers in the hundreds, and there is plenty of pre-during-and-post match refreshment on offer. See Ashbourne’s website (www.ashbourne-town.com) for details of this year’s event.

The main draw of staying in the area is, of course the dramatic Peak District, with its crags, hills, valleys, villages and miles and miles of fabulous walking. Hungry Bentley is within an hour’s drive from the best the area has to offer, including Chatsworth House, The Heights of Abraham and High Peak. For everything you need to know about what to see and where to eat, Read The Weekenders Guide to The Peak District.

If you’re feeling particularly brave, you could travel the 10 miles from Hungry Bentley to Alton Towers (www.altontowers.com Tel: 08705 20 40 60), probably the UK’s best theme park. The crowds might not seem half as frightening when you know you’ve got somewhere as tranquil as Hungry Bentley Barn to come back to.

Where can I eat?

Hungry Bentley is so tiny that you’ll have to knock on someone’s door to find something to eat, but there are a few good pubs nearby that serve great food. The Crown at Marston Montgomery (www.thecrowninn-derbyshire.com Tel: 01889 590541) is a popular local gastropub in a pretty village 3 miles from The Barn, with fresh and vibrant fusion dishes, many containing local produce. Or you could try The Red Lion in Hollington (www.redlionhollington.co.uk Tel: 01335 360241), with its great menu of hearty British dishes that has won the pub several foodie awards.

For something a little more sophisticated, The Dining Room (www.thediningroomashbourne.co.uk Tel: 01335 300666) in Ashbourne is a real hidden gem. Tucked away in a tiny building, this much-acclaimed eatery offers a modern menu, but with brilliant use of local and seasonal organic ingredients. The restaurant’s exquisite dishes and fantastic wine list can be given a thorough investigation if you choose The Dining Room’s popular tasting menu – 15 tiny, but deeply satisfying courses at £40 a head. Perfect.

For more great places to eat in the Peak District, read The Weekenders Guide to The Peak District.

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This barn conversion in the beautiful Derbyshire countryside is the stuff Grand Designs is made from. A cosy and stylish B&B base for exploring the Peak District.