About us
About Us and our upland farm in the Peak District
Under Whitle is an upland family farm of 50 acres where we have lived for over 40 years. We established the Dove Valley Centre in 2001 when the 18th century farm buildings became redundant. The ethos of the conversion was to be as eco-friendly as possible providing comfortable and stylish self-catering holiday accommodation. Since then, it has been enjoyed by groups and families, many of whom we have got to know well. In fact, one of our earliest visitors got engaged at the stepping- stones across the river near the farm and later we were invited to their wedding!
Later the Haybarn Studio was converted from the old Haybarn-a labour of love carried out through the freezing cold winter of 2008/9 and completed in the sunshine of July. It was so cold in January that the JCB tracks froze to the ground and work was halted until it thawed. But we are pleased with how it looks and fits with the existing barns and the new facilities it provides for our workshops. We are pleased too with its eco features, especially the ground source heat pump that provides the hot water and heating for all the buildings.
The farm is the site of ancient settlements and has been in agricultural use since at least early medieval times. As we walk across our fields, we are constantly reminded of this by the remnants of ridge and furrows left by ploughing with oxen. Ancient banks reveal old field boundaries and trackways. Flattened areas show where other farmhouses once stood – there is tangible evidence of one farm house as the vaulted cellar still remains. Overlooking it all from across the river Dove are the remains of the Norman motte and bailey castle of Pilsbury built by William de Ferrers around 1080. Recently we have carried out community archaeological digs here alongside investigating its fascinating history. See (www.tudorfarming.co.uk )
Our farm land is grazed by cattle and sheep and we have wildflower meadows that provide them with hay during the winter, woodlands that provide us with fuel for the wood burners, and wetlands and ponds for our visitors to explore.
Our ecological land management has increased the range of wildlife. Birds include curlews, green and great-spotted woodpeckers, tawny and barn owls, moorhens as well as the rare Willow tit. Brown hares, badgers and foxes are regular visitors too. Over 120 species of flowers and grasses are found across the farm.
Management of the land is now under the Higher Level Stewardship Scheme.
Green Stuff
We have gained Peak District Environmental Quality Marks (EQM’s) for the business & the farm, recognising how we manage & protect the environment.
- We do not have an electric car charging point. We recommend using Buxton for electric car charging points, there are some isolated charging points towards Leek and Ashbourne too.
- Hot water & heating comes from a ground source heat pump.
- Wood pellet range in the farmhouse provides the hot water for the laundry.
- Laundry- we us eco-washing powder and dry the laundry outside when we can!
- Cleaning products and hand soaps are eco-friendly.
- Facilities for you to recycle your waste.
- Low energy bulbs & A rated appliances.
- Solar panels generate some of the electricity.
- Additional electricity is from ‘Good Energy’, which comes from renewables.
- Firewood for the log burner is from our managed woodland.
- We encourage and welcome cyclists & walkers.
- We have been diversifying the flora of the hay meadows by collecting and sowing seeds.
- 2 replacement barn owl boxes as des res for the locals!
What do our guests say about their stay
Kind words from our visitors
