Parwich & Beyond
Latest News:
Nothing dramatic to report that isn't already on the Parwich website!
See the village website This is Parwich for the latest info. There's usually something happening here. Parwich may be a small village but it tends to be quite big on interest!
Ten Top Wet Tips: How to Enjoy a Rainy Day in the Peak District:
Having been led all last year to expect a 'barbecue summer' with a heatwave in August we now have to accept that it may actually rain.
1. Check through the local Visit Peak District and Derbyshire events listing to see what’s on:
There might well be something interesting happening under cover somewhere that you might enjoy.
2. Go canoeing or windsurfing - or fishing - on Carsington:
You’ll get wet anyway.
3. Go swimming in Ashbourne Leisure Centre:
Ditto
4. Go for a wet walk:
Accept you’ll get wet, and revel in it. Put on your waterproof jacket and go for a walk with a warm, dry pub at the other end; return here and relax feeling really pleased with yourselves into a hot bath.
5. Book in for some pampering:
Buxton Spa, Ashbourne, Knockerdown - we'll provide details
6. Browse in a bookshop:
We have some interesting bookshops in the area, including Scarthins in Cromford, Brierlow Bar on the way to Buxton, Bookthrift in Ashbourne
7. Visit one of the caves in the High Peak:
They're a Derbyshire Peak Dsitrict must, anyway, and underground so you'll forget it's raining outside.
8. Settle down in front of the fire with a really good book, listen to music, watch a DVD
You'll find a selection of books, CDs and DVDs if you've forgotten your own
9. Find a nostalgic game to play – how about a Scrabble challenge?
Settle down in front of the fire and try to remember the rules before you start
10. Cook yourselves a gourmet treat - a prolonged and delicious gourmet meal
This will take some forethought - the previous day go to Chatsworth Farm Shop or one of the delicatessens in Ashbourne, Brookbank & B+atrick in the Market Place, or Smiths, for some special wine, possibly, the White Peak Butchery in Tissington and buy some tempting local produce. Then take your time - usually in such short supply - to make that memorable meal you would never have had the chance to enjoy were the sun shining.
Please let us know if you have any other ideas. There must be masses more. In fact a sunny day might put a spanner in your schedule (although a bracing walk in the sunshine or a lazy barbecue in the garden could be undergone, if need be).
Strictly Come Dancing, next stop Waterloo Road: The latest news is that Tom Chambers - our very own Parwich Tom (but not the Tom of Tom’s Barn, nor our grandson, Tom) – winner of the recent Strictly Come Dancing and more recently the ill-fated headmaster of Waterloo Road, that somewhat dramatic-crisis prone school, is to step into Bing Crosby's shoes in a new production later this year of White Christmas.
Fans of Holby City (Sam Strachan) and Strictly Come Dancing may already know that he comes from Parwich, where his parents still live and where he frequently returns. He and his wife, Clare, married in the Repton School chapel in October 2008, are frequent visitors.
He has some staunch support here in his home village, which has avidly followed his progress through medical (and personal/emotional) crisis after medical crisis in Holby and then through the drama of each round of Strictly. Future Thursday evenings will reveal yet more to come.
Funnily enough, he has also put Parwich, a community of 500 souls, on the national map. No matter where any of us happens to be, when asked where where one lives the answer results in look of astonishment and disbelief as they ask, "Do you actually live in Parwich? Where Tom Chambers who won Strictly lives?"!
Miscellaneous highlights
We are building up a small collection of photos - both John's and our guests - see our photo page . Any guests' photos will be gratefully received.
Two-times Ten Top Tips
How to have a care-free carbon-free stress-busting holiday in Tom’s and Douglas’s Barns
All in all, the outlook is pretty good - the list is growing all the time - there are 20+ top tips and no doubt more will spring to mind as we set our sights greenward.
You can live well here, in the Derbyshire Peak District, and very happily, without getting into your car at all, all week…
1. You will find in each barn all the basic necessities – coffee, tea, dishwasher tablets, loo paper etc; we also always leave you a loaf of fresh bread, 6 new laid eggs, a pint of milk and a pack of butter. If you have any particular needs let us know and we’ll happily buy them in for you beforehand.
2. We have just put a slow cooker in each barn so that with the minimum of effort and electricity you can return from that lovely walk to be greeted by the smell of whatever delicious casserole you put in to cook slowly that morning.
3. We also have free broadband wi-fi and the use of a land line so if you must keep in touch with work or family responsibilities you can do so without moving from the peace and comfort of your barn. Most people would prefer to leave all thought of the outside world behind but unfortunately one does not always have the choice of that luxury.
4. The Sycamore village pub shop 01335 390 212 sells bread, milk, fruit and veg, frozen meals and pretty well all the basics.
For the pub itself (same number - 01335 390 212) see item 7.
5. The White Peak Butchery in Tissington 01335 390 300 (next door village, easy 40 minute walk over the hills) is a quite excellent butcher. He sells home made pies etc as well as truly delicious bacon, sausages and meat.
6. The Gibsons 01335 310 250 deliver milk, cream, yogurt and ice cream on Mon, Wed, and Friday. Ring them to arrange it if you would like milk delivered.
7. Newspapers can be ordered through us in advance to be delivered at your door in time for a civilised breakfast.
8. The Sycamore, our local - about 5-7 minutes' stroll from here - is a traditional village pub, very friendly and with no pretentions.
It is run by Janet, with Steve; they serve generous and reasonably priced bar meals and snacks. All our recent guests have reported very warmly. Tel. 01335 390 212
9. Our next door neighbour, Val Kirkham, 01335 390 458 runs a catering service and will prepare and deliver meals for two (even serve them, if you’re willing to pay the extra!). Contact her direct for current information and prices. www.topnoshcaterers.com
10. Peak District Fine Foods 01332 883 616/07946 415 20 www.peakdistrictfinefooods.co.uk will deliver pretty well anything if ordered in advance.
11. There is lots to see without moving far from the village. In each barn we have a Parwich Walks booklet which guides you round the village on a series of walks taking in the different interesting landmarks.
12. Further afield there are wonderful walks in every direction, right from the door - several with convenient pubs en route for anyone happy for a round trip of a minimum of six to eight miles.
13. The High Peak and Tissington Trails are both easily accessed on foot from here.
14. There is a lovely pub called The Gate in Brassington which is 1 hour's walk over the hills (01629 540 448). One can walk there and back for a delicious lunch (but not on Monday or Tuesday) or – in the light summer evenings – supper.
15. The Coach House tea rooms at Tissington 01335 350501 serves very nice light lunches, tea and snacks. You could stop and buy a (light) plant or two at the Tissington Nursery, too, while you were there, and wonderful local meat, sausages and home made pies from the White Peak Butchery. (Better bring a rucksack for this trip.)
16. A somewhat more energetic walk with take you to Dovedale - you could have a meal or snack at the Isaac Walton, or walk back up along the River Dove to Alstonefield where the George awaits thirsty hungry walkers. The food there improves all the time! It was written up in the observer a couple of weeks ago.
17. We can provide a secure place to lock up your bikes. We can even lend a pair of fairly ordinary but hopefully OK bicycles (provide your own hard hat…).
18. There are two floodlit tennis courts 3 minutes' walk away from here. We can lend you rackets and balls.
19. The bus stop and current timetable is opposite the village green and the church. Be warned – it takes a little planning - there are only a few a day, mostly into Ashbourne, and none on Sundays or Bank Holidays.
20. Ashbourne Taxis 01335 345 198: If you want to go further afield, without using your own car you could always cheat slightly and order a taxi. They are well used to coming here!
