LOCAL ATTRACTIONS.

The location of country cottage makes it possible to visit both rural and industrial places of interest. The surrounding area has been noted from the Middle Ages onward for both its pleasant landscape and its agricultural wealth. This area contains halls and stately homes of the Landowners from the late middle ages, (Haddon Hall, near Bakewell (built in the 1300s)) through the Elizabethan period, (Hardwick Hall, near Chesterfield(1591)), and to the more recent times (Chatsworth House, also near Bakewell (1687)). A selection of these halls and houses, which are open to the public, are given below.

Approximately ten miles south of Country Cottage is the major industrial center of Stoke-on-Trent, well known for its association with the pottery industry. This city, was immortalised by Arnold Bennett as a conurbation of five towns, thus, for evermore, offending the citizens of Fenton, the town omitted from Bennett's writings. Its development into a major industrial city was largely due to the co-discovery in this area both of clay suitable for pottery making, and of coal suitable for firing the raw pottery. When Josiah Wedgwood initiated a move to the manufacture of porcelain (china) in this area, the presence of the already thriving earthenware industry made it more practical to transport kaolin (china clay) from Cornwall by barge, than to establish a new industry distant from the source of coal. Today several of the companies making pottery, and several former pottery works are open to the public. A selection of possible tours is indicated below.

For amusement and for the entertainment of children, there is both an agricultural attraction, namely the farm attached to Chatsworth House (mentioned above), and an amusement park of Alton Towers. The latter is an establishment rivalling the South Beach park of Blackpool, or Coney Island of New York. In addition there is usually nightly entertainment of the cabaret style at the hotel associated with the amusement park. For further details of these amusements activate the entertainment button on the first page

A selection of places to visit can be viewed by activating the buttons below. Many other beautiful homes and villages can be visited, and other industrial tours can be taken.