Check Availability

Darwin Lake Holiday Village

Discover Darwin Lake
Holiday Village
A lakeside setting in the Peak District for holidays, group stays, weddings and events Enquire Now
Weddings at Darwin Lake A lakeside setting in the Peak District for relaxed, memorable wedding celebrations Plan Your Wedding Peak District Cottages at Darwin Lake Stone-built cottages set within the village, ideal for individual stays and group bookings Book a Cottage Peak Adventures at Darwin Lake Group stays with activities on-site, ideal for corporate events, team building and group bookings Explore Our packages
Stay With Us

Peak District
Cottages

Choose from 17 stone-built cottages sleeping 4 to 130 guests, available for individual stays or larger group bookings.
Group Stays

Peak Adventures for Group Events

Group stays with activities on-site, including team building, corporate events and organised group experiences.

Wedding moments

Weddings at Darwin Lake

A lakeside setting for wedding celebrations, with flexible indoor and outdoor spaces across the village.

Relaxing countryside break in the Peak District

Book Our Peak Cottage/s Now

A lakeside setting in the Peak District

Darwin Lake Holiday Village

Darwin Lake is a 4-star holiday village set within 20 acres of private woodland near Matlock. With stone-built cottages, a three-acre lake and flexible indoor and outdoor spaces, it provides a setting for holidays, group stays, weddings and business events.

The cottages include kitchenette facilities for self-catering stays, with full catering services available for group bookings, corporate events and special occasions. Group stays can also be enhanced with Peak Adventures, offering on-site activities and organised experiences for team building, events and shared stays.

4-Star Cottages in a Private Lakeside Village

Stay Together. Escape the Everyday.

Discover seventeen individually designed stone-built cottages, each rated 4-star by Visit England. Interiors are designed for comfort, with a mix of layouts including open-plan living, Wi-Fi, and views across woodland or the lake.

Accommodation ranges from cosy two-bedroom retreats to larger cottages, with capacity for up to 130 guests across the village. Hot tubs are available with selected cottages, offering an added touch of comfort for longer stays or group breaks.

Inspire, Motivate and Recharge in Nature

Corporate Retreats & Business Events

Darwin Lake offers a flexible setting for corporate retreats, team away days, and business events. Set within a private village environment, guests have access to meeting spaces, catering options and accommodation, creating a balance between work and time to unwind.

A fully equipped space for presentations, dining and events, accommodating up to 150 guests.

Flexible indoor and outdoor areas suitable for workshops, wellness sessions and networking.

Peak Adventures activities include kayaking, climbing, archery and bushcraft.

Freshly prepared meals, with options for private dining, group catering and evening bar service. 

Seventeen 4-star cottages available for overnight stays and multi-day retreats.

A private cottage space suitable for smaller corporate groups, retreats and wedding events.

We held our annual strategy retreat at Darwin Lake exceptional facilities, beautiful surroundings, and the perfect atmosphere to reconnect our team.

– Corporate Guest, 2025

Weddings, Anniversaries & Private Hire

Celebrate Life’s Special Moments

Darwin Lake provides a unique setting for weddings, celebrations, and private events. Set beside the lake and surrounded by woodland, the venue offers a peaceful backdrop for your day, with space to gather, dine, and celebrate.

From ceremonies and receptions to anniversaries and private parties, our spaces can accommodate up to 150 guests. With on-site accommodation and flexible indoor and outdoor areas, everything you need is in one place.

Discover the Peak District with Peak Adventures

Your Peak Adventure Awaits

Step outside your cottage and into the Peak District. With Peak Adventures at Darwin Lake, guests can enjoy a range of outdoor activities both on-site and nearby, from kayaking and climbing to guided experiences across the surrounding area.

Endless Things to See and Do

Explore the Peak District

Darwin Lake’s location places you just minutes from some of Derbyshire’s best-loved attractions, including:

From scenic walks to cultural landmarks and family days out, everything is within easy reach.

Corporate Events & Catering

Corporate Dining & Group Experiences

Darwin Lake offers flexible dining options for corporate groups, events and private gatherings. Our in-house catering team designs bespoke menus for meetings, group dining and evening events, using locally sourced produce where possible.

From informal meals to more structured dining in The Darwin Hall, catering can be tailored to suit your group, whether for a single event or a multi-day stay.

What the customer says about us

Customer Reviews

Posted on Google Google
Carrie Foggitt profile picture
Carrie Foggitt
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Just had a great stay in Darwin Lake Holiday Village - we were ten in two houses, close to the lake. Delightfully peaceful spot, the lake and woodland walks around it were beautiful in sun and rain, and each house very comfortable and well equipped. The hosts were very helpful and accommodating to make sure our needs were met during the stay. Good value and highly recommended.
Posted on Google Google
S B profile picture
S B
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Our group of 30 people had an absolutely amazing stay at Darwin Lake Holiday Village in August this year. The staff, and in particular the catering staff, went out of their way (with their capacity, of course) to accommodate our various needs and requirements - big shout-out to Soli, Raz, Sonia, Stacy, Angel and Georgia! - and the secluded setting made it the perfect spot for a bit of time away from the daily hustle. If you are looking for comfortable cottage accommodation for either a workshop sort of event or for a family/friends gathering (anniversary/wedding, etc), I can highly recommend! We'll be sure to return next year.
Posted on Google Google
Jodie profile picture
Jodie
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Stayed here for my partners parents wedding happening on the 20/09/25. The cottages were very comfortable, clean and tidy to a high standard. It was all a delight throughout the weekend, really enjoyed the service from the bar staff. Stacey made us feel very welcoming and made sure to check up on us to ensure we had everything we needed, very lovely girl!
Posted on Google Google
Ruxshin Bajina profile picture
Ruxshin Bajina
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
We recently held a youth group weekend for over 50 people at Darwin Lake and had a fantastic experience. The venue is beautiful, the accommodation was spotless, and really well set up for groups. What made the biggest difference though was the team. From the very beginning, they went above and beyond, accommodating last minute changes, adjusting menus, helping with late checkouts, and supporting us during unexpected challenges. Our timetable across the weekend ran so smoothly thanks to all the work the team did in the background to support us. We’ve also had so much positive feedback from our group on the food, activities, and overall service. Everything was handled with such care, flexibility, and professionalism. Special thanks to Soli, Sonia, Raz and the team for their outstanding support and kindness throughout the weekend. We would highly recommend Darwin Lake to anyone planning a group event, and we’re already looking forward to coming back in the future!
Posted on Google Google
Freyan Khambatta profile picture
Freyan Khambatta
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
I organised a group trip for 55 people, coordinating with Soli and Sonia over the course of a few of months. Cannot praise the team, service and the venue, any more!! So accommodating with our requests regarding accommodation, food, dietary requirements, activities etc and able to answer my questions whenever I needed. Kept in regular contact beforehand and throughout the weekend to make sure everything was going smoothly. The venue includes beautifully decorated cottages around the Lake and is easy to find and access from nearby towns or train stations. Lots of nature walks nearby for those who enjoy the outdoors, and they have partnered with a fabulous activity company who kept our group occupied all day on the Saturday with activities including archery, axe throwing and ziplining across the lake. Thank you Soli, Sonia, Raz & team for your warm hospitality, great food and helpful nature! We 100% want to come back next year with more people!!
Posted on Google Google
Cal Knight profile picture
Cal Knight
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Amazing venue. Perfect for weddings and conferences. Cottages stand out as modern but charmingly quaint. A lovely lake to boat or fish on. Beautiful part of the peak district and close to local amenities.
Posted on Google Google
Hussam Almafraje profile picture
Hussam Almafraje
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Amazing place, everything was perfect with amazing staff. The catering had the best food and alaways so nice and helpful
Posted on Google Google
Sg Sg profile picture
Sg Sg
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
wonderful staff, beautiful location, great facilities

Find Us

Easy to Reach, Hard to Leave

Located just outside the village of Two Dales, Darwin Lake is three miles from Matlock and around 25 miles from the M1.

With easy access by car or train, and free on-site parking, getting here is straightforward.

Approximate Travel Times:

Latest News & Updates

Keep up to date with news, tips and local guides from Darwin Lake Holiday Village. Whether you’re planning a stay, wedding or group visit, our latest articles provide helpful information and inspiration.