Peak and Dale Places is our small, family-run collection of self-catering group accommodation in Derbyshire, created and run by us — Joanne and Tim Basford.

Across Stainsborough Hall, Holly House and Standlow Farm, we offer large houses, holiday cottages and flexible group accommodation for families, friends, celebrations, walking weekends, corporate stays and time away together.

Everything we do is shaped by a simple idea: creating places where people can come together comfortably, easily and without fuss.

A family-run Derbyshire business

After more than 20 years living and working abroad, we found ourselves wanting something different — a slower pace, more space, and a return to the area where we both grew up.

What began with Stainsborough Hall has gradually grown into Peak and Dale Places: a collection of Derbyshire properties designed for groups who want space, comfort and the freedom to enjoy time together in their own way.

We are not a large agency or anonymous booking platform. We are a small, hands-on business, supported by a trusted local team, and we care about getting the details right.

Places designed for groups

Our properties are all different, but they share the same purpose: they are places where groups can gather, relax and spend proper time together.

Some guests come for family birthdays, anniversaries or multi-generation holidays. Others come for walking weekends, friend getaways, retreats, corporate stays or simply a few days in the countryside.

Across the collection, you will find large dining spaces, comfortable sitting rooms, self-catering kitchens, outdoor areas and flexible accommodation options. The aim is always the same: to make group stays feel easy, practical and enjoyable.

Where it all began

Stainsborough Hall was the beginning of Peak and Dale Places. It was the first property we took on, the first one we poured ourselves into, and the place that shaped what the business has become. The Main House was also our family home for the first few years.

When we first bought Stainsborough Hall, it was not simply about creating holiday accommodation. It was about bringing a beautiful Derbyshire property back into use as a place where families, friends and groups could come together properly.

Over time, we learned what really matters for a group stay: enough space to eat together, comfortable rooms to relax in, practical kitchens, clear information, good local support, and the freedom for guests to enjoy the place in their own way.

That experience became the foundation for everything that followed.

From one house to a collection

What started at Stainsborough Hall gradually grew into Peak and Dale Places.

We realised there was a real need for self-catering accommodation that worked properly for groups — not just houses with lots of beds, but places that made it easy for people to gather, celebrate, walk, rest, cook, talk, laugh and spend time together.

From Stainsborough Hall, the collection expanded to include The Old Post Office, Holly House and Standlow Farm. Each place is different, with its own character, setting and style, but they all share the same purpose: to give groups space, comfort and a straightforward way to enjoy time together in Derbyshire.

What matters to us

We like places that feel comfortable rather than formal. Our properties are set up for real groups, real families and real gatherings — the sort where people need big tables, enough sofas, useful kitchens, outdoor space, flexible sleeping arrangements and somewhere to retreat when they want a quieter moment.

We care about practical details because they make a difference. Clear arrival information, enough dining space, sensible house guides, local recommendations and straightforward communication all help a stay run more smoothly.

We also care deeply about the area around us, because Derbyshire is home. We both grew up in this part of the world and, although we have travelled and lived elsewhere, this is the place we have always come back to. Our properties are close to some of Derbyshire’s best countryside, villages, reservoirs, walking routes, market towns and family attractions, and we love being able to share that with our guests.

Come to stay with us