Kinder Edge, Hayfield

Perched on the side of Kinder Scout at the meeting point of historic packhorse routes from Glossop, Hayfield and Edale, this ancient farmstead dates back to at least the 14th century and has welcomed industrialists, politicians, writers, royalty and even Agatha Christie, who stayed here while working on her novels. Retained as a private shooting lodge by Sir James Watts in the 1800s, the house was enhanced by skilled craftsmen and now offers luxurious accommodation with 11 bedrooms, 7 bathrooms, multiple lounges, and well-equipped kitchens, combining historic charm with modern comfort.

Key Features

• 30 acres of private countryside, with exclusive access to Kinder Scout
• Views over the reservoir
• Stunning spaces for celebrations and weddings, including a private castellated courtyard, sunset terrace and for an additional hire fee you could have your own medieval banqueting hall and original private inn.
• On-site country activities available (additional cost)
• Multiple fully equipped kitchens, including a main domestic kitchen and a secondary kitchen in the house
• When not hosting events, the medieval banqueting hall can be used as a games room with table tennis (arrangements required)

Kitchens

Kinder Edge boasts four beautifully appointed kitchens, each space is fully equipped with everything you need for cooking and entertaining, blending modern functionality with period charm, from original stonework and exposed beams to classic fixtures. Various seating areas throughout the kitchens make them perfect for casual family breakfasts, relaxed lunches, or sociable dinners with friends.

Living Spaces

The house offers a variety of elegant spaces for gathering, from the intimate snug and the historic gun room to the grand main lounge, plus the cottages lounge too. Each room is thoughtfully furnished with sumptuous, comfortable seating, while select rooms are enhanced by warm glow of a fireplace, adding both charm and character to your stay.

Bedrooms & Bathrooms

Featuring eleven beautifully appointed bedrooms, primarily arranged on the first floor, comprising a mix of family rooms, doubles, and twins. Each room boasts its own unique character, reflecting the home’s rich history and distinguished past guests. In addition, The Cottage provides two charming ground-floor bedrooms, offering a more intimate and accessible option for your stay. The Manor is served by seven elegantly designed bathrooms, each thoughtfully arranged to complement the bedrooms. They offer a mix of bath and shower configurations, with several featuring luxurious roll-top baths and, in some, stunning views over the surrounding countryside, perfect for a relaxing soak while taking in the beauty of the estate. A combination of bath and shower configurations are available they offer a mix of bath and shower configurations, with several featuring luxurious roll-top baths, some perfectly positioned to enjoy sweeping views across the surrounding countryside, ideal for a relaxing soak while taking in the views of Kinder Reservoir.

The Castle

Within the grounds of Kinder Edge is The Castle Wing which can be added on to your stay. Here is the central courtyard, this has outdoor seating for up to 26 guests, the courtyard is covered by a Strech Tent from April to October, this is for the estates weddings and events and is up subject to wedding bookings. The Medieval Hall is primarily a games room for guests to enjoy and, on request, can be set up with a table tennis arrangement. It is also available to hire at an additional cost as a stunning space for a private dinner, with use of the The Huntsman’s Inn pub included. Hire of the hall allows for a 6-hour dinner in the Great Hall, while the pub is available for 4 hours, including staff to serve drinks. Any dining in the Great Hall must be provided by a private chef, and we are happy our recommend trusted suppliers to cater for your requirements. The hall also features a fully equipped commercial kitchen, making it ideal for an exceptional dining experience or entertaining your guests in style.

The Home’s History

The house is an ancient farmstead set in an elevated, secluded position on the side of Kinder Scout, where historic packhorse routes from Glossop, Hayfield and Edale once met. With origins dating back to at least the 14th century, it has a long and varied history, having welcomed notable figures from British society including writers, industrialists, politicians and even royalty. Its heritage and former significance are immediately apparent on arrival.

In the late 1800s, surrounding farms were compulsorily purchased and cleared when Sir James Watts, Mayor of Manchester, sold the land to the Stockport Water Authority for the creation of the reservoir. As part of the agreement, he retained the house as his private shooting lodge and commissioned leading architects and craftsmen of the time to enhance and refine the property. The estate was subsequently used for recreation, with two woodlands planted to improve game stocks across the moors.

As a prominent industrialist and Lord Mayor of Manchester, James Watts hosted numerous high-profile guests for shooting parties. His son, also James Watts, later became the brother-in-law of Agatha Christie, who stayed at the house on several occasions and is said to have used it as a base while working on some of her novels.