self-catering holiday cottage, holiday rental near Alton Towers and Peak District

Self-catering near Alton Towers and Peak District - Call Barks Holiday Cottage 01538 703163 email barkshc@gmail.com

Fancy an Alton Towers self-catering Spa weekend?

Banish the cold - how about an Alton Towers self-catering Spa Break to warm you up?
At Barks holiday cottage you'll lots and lots of warmth and comfort during the winter season: Open fires, underfloor heating, central heating, electric blankets and freshly baked cakes as part of your warm welcome. Add in the Alton Towers Spa - sauna, steam room, pool, footbaths, relaxation rooms (I love the heated tile recliners) and lots of extra treatment options to add to the indulgence.

With this idea there is no chilly pinch in your toes or your wallet:
2 night winter break at Barks Holiday Cottage £185
entry to the spa from £10 for 4 hours - £18 weekend and £10 midweek
Bring your own champagne for some fireside indulgence . . .

It might be cold outside and the Alton Towers theme park is closed until Feb half term week but there is warmth & comfort in abundance.

Is Barks self catering holiday accommodation near Alton Towers ? Yes - just 2.6 miles away! I checked on my way back from the Spa this week.

Enquire now about taking Barks holiday cottage for your summer Alton Towers and Peak District family holiday.  01538 703436
3 nights £295 - perfect for 2 whole days at Alton Towers
7 nights £450 - max out at Alton Towers and have time to take in the scenery, the local shopping, the zoo, the Opera House. . .

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Winter self catering


Winter view.

The snow has been fantastic here. Yesterday it was 6C but on the north side of the stone walls there was still a line of white snow giving the countryside a quilted effect.

The forecast is for more snow tomorrow. Maybe another school closure and day's sledging.

Meanwhile summer bookings are coming in from families looking for self-catering accommodation near Alton Towers for their summer holidays.

Please email us regarding availability on your preferred dates of 3 nights or 7 nights or just give us a ring on 01538 703436
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Churnet Valley Walks

Barks Holiday Cottage accommodation near Alton Towers is also perfect as a cosy base for a weekend of walking in the Churnet Valley.


I walk down into the Churnet Valley everyday taking my son to school, and then the dogs and I walk back up the steep valley sides through the most magnificent woodland and open countryside.  The exercise is good for the heart, the views are good for the soul. 



This week there has been enough snow that we have sledged to school, which is handy because even the 4x4s were slipping on the untreated road.

Booking a self-catering holiday cottage Tip 7: Dates

Barks self-catering holiday accommodation in the Churnet Valley - ideally situated for Alton Towers fun and Peak District countryside. 01538 703436. barks@btconnect.com

Tip 7. Dates



Finally, think about the date of your holiday. The school holidays obviously book up the quickest so be prepared to book in advance to get the accommodation and holiday you want - the best cottages often book up a year in advance by repeat holiday makers. Alternatively, be prepared to be flexible and change your dates.

Barks - this is good advice. We have already had bookings for the summer 2010 school holidays. Alton Towers is a very popular destination for families. Families that holiday at Barks often spend 2 days at the Alton Towers Theme Park and another day at the Alton Towers waterpark (Cariba Creek). Leaving barely enough time for the mulitude of other activities that abound in the area.

Confirmed bookings are only taken on receipt of a completed Booking Form and require 50% payment on booking (please see our Terms & Conditions & Booking Form)

Booking a self-catering holiday cottage tip 6: Duration

Barks self-catering holiday accommodation in the Churnet Valley - ideally situated for Alton Towers fun and Peak District countryside. 01538 703436. barks@btconnect.com


Tip 6. Duration

Some holiday cottages have specific days of the week for check in and check out (usually a Saturday) so ensure this fits in with your plans - if you're looking for a 10 day break at a property that only allows 7 or 14 day bookings, you won't be able to do this. The same goes for weekend breaks - during peak holiday periods these may not be permitted unless it's a last minute booking or a cancellation.

At Barks we keep it simple. You book 3 nights, 7 nights or longer according to what suits you and our availability. We have, quite honestly, given up trying to work to a Friday change-over day. Just book the dates you need - first come, first served! Please note: Bookings can only be confirmed on receipt of the paperwork and the deposit. To enquire about availability please email us or give us a call.

Tips on booking a self-catering holiday cottage as provided by Travelsupermarket.

Alton Towers Annual Pass - special offer

For a limited period Merlin is offering its Annual Pass at a huge discount.  Book online on the Alton Towers website before 10th Jan.  The good thing about the Merlin Pass is that you get enty to all the other places as well as Alton Towers.  You can buy a pass just for Alton Towers, and also one just for the Waterpark at Splash Landings.  The Merlin pass appears not to allow entry to the Waterpark, which for those of us a couple of miles away is a bit of a blow.

Book now for family self-catering accommodation for the Alton Towers season.  Please call 01538 703436 or email barks@btconnect.com for availability.

Self-catering holiday cottages - Tip 5: Cooking

Tip 5. Cooking


Cottage holidays are generally self-catering. Some cottages are supplied with large, well equipped kitchens while others will have a kitchen corner or kitchenette. You should always have enough pots, pans etc for the maximum amount of people that can occupy the property, but if you are planning on a lot of cooking it is best to enquire about the facilities. The larger the property, the greater your chances of a well-equipped kitchen. Remember to take some basic supplies with you so you don't have to go in search of a supermarket as soon as you arrive.

Barks - we are self-catering and make available a litre of milk, tea bags, instant coffee, soap. We have a farm shop that will deliver on a Friday, a Morrisons 3 miles away in Cheadle, and recommend those from the south to either come via Ashbourne where you have the choice of Sainsbury's and M&S Food, or stop at the services for M&S on M1 at junction 23A. The Kitchen at Barks is modern and well-equipped. We are next door if you need a particular utensil or pan.

Booking a holiday cottage. Tip 4: Transport

Barks self-catering holiday accommodation in the Churnet Valley - ideally situated for Alton Towers fun and Peak District countryside. 01538 703436. barks@btconnect.com



Tips on booking a self-catering holiday cottage as provided by Travelsupermarket.
Tip 4. Transport
Be prepared for traffic jams if you're travelling in peak season, get directions to the cottage and don't forget your breakdown cover.


Barks - It can be busy getting in and out of Alton Towers at peak times.  Normally the queues are from the Uttoxeter side (south) and through Alton so staying at Barks means you avoid the busiest roads.  I make no claims in favour of the M1 or M6, but at least they are not as bad as going south on the M5 on change-over day.


Directions are provided with confirmation of booking and Sat nav can be relied upon to get you pretty close. 




Booking a holiday cottage. Tip 3: Choose the right-sized property

Barks self-catering holiday accommodation in the Churnet Valley - ideally situated for Alton Towers fun and Peak District countryside. 01538 703436. barks@btconnect.com

3. Choose the right sized property
Think about the number of bedrooms and bathrooms you'll need and check whether any of the beds are sofa beds.  Is it practical for a member of your party to sleep in the lounge?


Barks - we sleep up to 5 all in proper beds. We have a double bed and 3 singles.  There are 2 bedrooms with flexibility as to how the beds are arranged.  There is also a cot if required. 


NB There is also a separately accessed double room with en-suite that can be made available if you need extra stand-alone space e.g for a couple of nights visit from grandparents.  Additional fees applicable, please enquire.


If your party is very large, we know other people in the area with holiday cottages that can accommodate large groups and would suit several families holidaying together.






Booking a self-catering holiday cottage - tip 1 set a budget

I came across these tips for booking a self-catering Holiday Cottage (prepared by Travelsupermarket) and have pleasure sharing them with you, with a few explanatory notes relating to Barks Holiday Cottage near Alton Towers.  All 7 tips will be blogged over the course of the next few days.

1. Set a budget
Taking a break in the UK is often thought of as the cheaper option, but with more and more luxury cottages entering the rental market, it's easy to overspend.  Also, think about the petrol costs for the journey getting to your destination.


Barks adds - and consider the drive time if you have children on board!  To get to Alton Towers takes:

·         3 hours from London

·         4.5 from Glasgow.  (So if you were thinking of travelling to Scotland save yourself that extra 4.5 hours driving and holiday here instead! Countryside is similarly idyllic and easily accessible and you can get that ‘away from it all feeling.)

·         3.5 hours from Newcastle

·         3 hours from Cardiff

Trains can be taken to Stoke-on-Trent or Derby and connecting trains to Uttoxeter where you'll find buses to Alton Towers.  There are buses from Stoke to Cheadle or Alton Towers, local taxis, and as we live nearby we'll endeavour not to leave you stranded if we are around!

To help you with your budget we offer 3 nights at £295 and 7 nights for £450.  We are told it is fair to describe Barks as very smart self-catering accommodation near Alton Towers, but at very reasonable prices.

Barks Self Catering Holiday Cottage in the Churnet Valley
Holiday accommodation in the Staffordshire Moorlands, ideally situated for Peak District walks and Alton Towers fun.
01538 703436


Booking a self-catering holiday cottage - tip 2: choosing where you want to go

Barks self-catering holiday cottage in the Churnet Valley. Holiday accommodation ideally situated for Peak District walks and Alton Towers fun. Sleeps 4/5. 01538 703436

I came across these tips for booking a self-catering Holiday Cottage (prepared by Travelsupermarket) and have added a few explanatory notes relating to Barks Holiday Cottage near Alton Towers. 

Top Tip 2. Deciding where you want to go
Holiday cottages are available to rent in most parts of the UK, the most popular being Devon, Cornwall, the Lake District and The Cotswolds (what about Alton Towers and the Peak District??? Barks). Once you have decided on your location start looking at other details such as do you want to be by the sea, in the countryside or near a city (or a theme park)?  An isolated retreat may seem ideal when you're booking it, but think about the practicalities too - especially if you're with children or a large group - is there a supermarket nearby or a good pub/restaurant?

Barks adds - we are lovely and rural and off-road, but rest assured there is a supermarket 3 miles away, a take-away that delivers, plenty of pubs and restaurants which are child-friendly and lots of family-oriented entertainments, including Alton Towers a mere 3 miles away.  We are not well-placed for the sea though! 

 

If your group is larger than the 4/5 that we can accommodate please do drop us a line as we know other reputable self-catering cottages in the area to suit various sizes of groups.

 

I will post all 7 tips over the course of the next few days.