Townend House, Hopton, Derbyshire

Dating to the 17th century, this Grade II-listed, six-bedroom farmhouse is a picture-perfect retreat close to the Peak District. A series of oak-framed living spaces have been appointed in a muted jewel-toned palette that complements the surrounding green views across Carsington Water. Grounds of approximately 2.25 acres surround the house, with a vegetable garden, orchards, lawn and paddocks to the north side. The plot also includes a stable with a hayloft and a large, well-proportioned outbuilding. Townend House sits in a bucolic location, with the nearby towns of Ashbourne and Dovedale on its doorstep.

Setting the Scene

The house is set close to the undulating landscape of the Peaks, near the town of Matlock and the historic spa town, Matlock Bath – there is still an outdoor natural spring-fed pool at the New Bath Hotel. It was originally built in the 1600s – a lintel above a door has the date ‘1666’ engraved into it – and was later refashioned in the 1700s. Outside, a stone carving bears exquisitely timeworn figures; predating the building, it is believed to be medieval, and have come from Carsington Pature or Carsington Moor.

The windows are recessed within stone mullion, creating alcoves ideal for window seats or placing personal treasures. Throughout are original fireplaces and overhead beams that work to uphold the home’s historic character. For more information, see the History section.

The Grand Tour

Past a country gate and fronds of honeysuckle and rosemary is the front door, framed by a climbing rose. Behind lies the hallway, which has been gracefully finished with rich tones. A dusky rose warms the walls beside a lime green accent to the dining room doorway. Manor-style tiling runs underfoot and original timber frame rafters overhead. A stonework bench beneath the stairway is apt for pulling boots on and off. Wooden doors open with thumb latches, one of several features that remind of the house’s heritage.

The kitchen is on the west side of the house and is framed by overhead beams. An ancient ‘board’ table was used to create the door of the kitchen; the remainder was used to fashion a generous table in the large shed above. There is a wood-panelled window seat in the kitchen that looks out onto greenery and a wood-burning stove is positioned within a ruby-red alcove. Shaker-style cabinetry provides excellent storage with hooks for mugs and pans. There is space for a table for an informal dining space to be arranged level with the window and beneath a pendant light.

At the rear is the dining room, with ochre-painted walls that offset the green garden beyond. A wood-burning stove stands in a large inglenook hearth with alcoves on either side for storing books or trinkets. Age has lent a tactile irregularity to the house’s sturdy materials: lime plaster undulates over a fireplace, while the wood of the oak beams and wooden doors has been worn to an exquisite, stately effect.

Triple-aspect, the living room has deep-silled windows that provide space for displaying fresh flowers. Here, the fireplace is positioned at an angle, ideal for drawing up armchairs by the fireside in the colder months. The ground floor is completed by a cold larder, cloakroom, WC, and utility room with Belfast sink and storage. There is an indoor workshop where a door opens to a side courtyard.

An open-tread Japanese red oak staircase ascends to the first-floor landing, which is grounded by boards of the same wood. From here, the primary bedroom has another window seat and a stone hearth with a cast-iron range fireplace surrounded by lime plaster. From the window, the blue stretch of Carsington Water breaks through the fields.

There are three further double bedrooms on the first floor, two with original fireplaces. Original floorboards runs underfoot and timber beams overhead for evocative and restful spaces with views over the surrounding countryside.

On the attic floor, there are two bedrooms on either side of a large landing beneath the slope of the house’s eaves; one has a generous fireplace. Casement windows sit atmospherically at floor level. They each have hand basins, perfect for use as a secluded study with far-reaching views.

The Great Outdoors

Not far from the banks of Carsington Water, the house sits within its 2.25 acres, with a glorious expanse of woodland and paddocks extending to the north side. An orchard grows fruit in the autumn, and a well-tended vegetable plot is a dream for the green-fingered.

Out and About

Hopton, a small but perfectly formed hamlet, is the perfect foothold to explore the rich offerings of the Peak District. The house sits 150 yards from the traffic-free paths around Carsington Water, and is approximately a mile and a half from the High Peak Trail; both offer plenty of walking, cycling and horse riding routes. Nearby is also the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Derwent Valley Mills.

Wirksworth is also nearby and has a good selection of shops, schools, leisure facilities, and its annual Arts Festival. Nearby Matlock rose to popularity as a Victorian spa town and continues to attract visitors to its warm springs, hiking trails and rural views. The area is also home to the knitwear manufacturer John Smedley, which produces hand-crafted knitwear from its Lea Mills factory, powered by a neighbouring brook. Ashbourne and nearby Dovedale (with associations to Isaak Walton and the Compleat Angler) are also on the doorstep, as is Buxton, with their award winning spa hotel Buxton Crescent.

Carsington is an easy half-mile stroll along a quiet country road. It has an excellent pub with a garden, a primary school and an ancient church. Wirksworth is a vibrant and active market town within easy reach. Speculated to be the Roman town of Lutudarum, it is steeped in history and contemporary culture alike. The Stardisc is a popular local attraction.

The closest mainline stations are Cromford or Whatstandwell; both run services to Nottingham and Matlock. There is also a bus service through the village that connects Hopton with Matlock and Ashbourne. Road connections via the A6, A38 and M1 offer easy access to the north and south, with Derby, Sheffield, Buxton and Chesterfield all within easy driving distance.

Council Tax Band: G