While there’s nothing quite like a quintessential British village with a cosy pub and chocolate box cottages, there’s something to be said about places which remind you of more distant locations. North Wales’ has its own Italian Riviera in the form of Portmeirion, and in Lancashire you can find a pocket of French culture in Croston.
Deep in the Staffordshire Peak District is another village with a twist - one which wouldn’t look out of place in Switzerland. Set against a backdrop of green limestone hills, Ilam could easily double for an Alpine location.
Its main road is lined with Swiss chalet-style cottages with steep gable roofs and intricate details. In the spring and summer you’ll find their perfectly manicured gardens blooming with colourful flowers, adding to the fairytale-feel of this charming corner of the Peak District.
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With a population of less than 500 people and just a handful of buildings - with no shops - Ilam really does feel like a remote Alpine village. It takes around 90 minutes to drive there from Greater Manchester, so doable for a day trip or weekend away.
Although there’s been a settlement here since the Saxon period, it was during the 1800s that the village experienced its continental-inspired transformation. After acquiring Ilam Hall and its estate, new owner Jesse Watts-Russell decided that the location reminded him of Switzerland, so he set about building cottages in the Swiss-style.
In 1857 he built the village school and funded it, even though at the time schooling was not compulsory. The school, still in use today, is just as beautiful as the Swiss cottages, with stunning wooden details and a steep roof topped with a spire.
Beside the River Manifold is the magnificent Ilam Hall, which sits in 84 acres of National Trust parkland. Over the generations this 17th century gothic manor has been the residence of landowners and politicians, but today it’s run by the Youth Hostel Association, allowing visitors the chance to stay in its historic rooms on a budget.
Although the hall isn’t open to the public as it’s only for youth hostel guests, you can explore the surrounding parkland which is owned by the National Trust. It’s free to visit, but the car park costs £5 for up to four hours, and £7 for over a four hour stay for non-members.
The park is full of hidden gems to discover, including a formal Italian garden and woodland walks. From the grounds you can see Thorpe Cloud and Bunster Hill in the distance.
After going for a wander, head to the Manifold tea-room for a slice of some homemade cake and a cup of tea. There’s a second-hand bookshop located in the stableyard which is worth a visit, too.
Even more stunning Alpine scenery can be discovered just a stone’s throw away from the village, in Dovedale. It’s where the River Dove flows through the bottom of the Manifold Valley, passing limestone crags and caves. Look out for the bend in the river where it's crossed with pretty stepping stones.
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