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

Bank holidays at Alton Towers

Running a self-catering holiday cottage near Alton Towers gives me some insider gen on the place. So here's a strange and unexpected fact about Alton Towers: it is surprisingly quiet on bank holidays. I have been to Alton Towers on a bank holiday Monday and can vouch for this. While there I chatted with staff and asked if Alton Towers is always this quiet on a bank holiday and all agreed -  strange but true.  I can only conclude that everyone assumes it will be heaving with long queues so stays home. The upshot is that the nation's favourite theme park is really quite a pleasant place to be on a Bank Holiday Monday (if you like that sort of thing - see picture).

And for those that don't go for Alton Towers...
a walk in our local bluebell wood. Pets welcome
Have I convinced you that the bank holiday week is a actually a good time for a family trip to Alton Towers?

Barks Cottage, just a few minutes from the main gates ST10 4DB, in a quiet neighbouring village.

August 2014 Bank Holiday is now booked. How about booking ahead for 2015?

Please call or email for updates last minute availability
01538 703436
barks@btconnect.com

Alton Towers holiday cottage - April mini break

21 - 24 April available -  3 nights for £275 or 4 nights for £330

Please call 01538 703436 if you would like to enquire about this last minute availability for a self catering mini break in a holiday cottage near Alton Towers. Or email barks@btconnect.com. Or just book online ...


The Alton Towers theme park at ST10 4DB is well underway and the weather (today at least) is perfect.

Accommodation near Alton Towers - summer holidays 2014

My goodness, we only have a few self-catering short breaks left in the school summer holidays for a family dash to Alton Towers and a breath of fresh Staffordshire air.

People are very organised booking their self catering holiday cottage accommodation this year. I suppose this time last year there was still snow on the ground and it was hard to conceive of a glorious sunny day at Alton Towers or walking in the Peak District.

I've just been updating the availability page and as of today this is Barks Holiday Cottage availability.
for prices and latest availability please check the Availability page or call 01538 703436
July 2014
4, 5, 6 July available - £295 for 3 nights weekend mini-break
11, 12, 13 July available - £330 for 3 nights weekend mini-break

August 2014
only 3 mini breaks left ...
15, 16, 17 - weekend mini break available £450
18 - 21 available either £380 for 3 nights or £450 for 4 nights
29, 30, 31 August available as weekend mini break for £450

If you are looking for a quick trip to Alton Towers with your family and would like to organise a short break self catering break that combines proximity to ST10 4DB and glorious countryside views and walks then please enquire about our latest availability.

barks@btconnect.com or 01538 703436

Sunny days in Peak District holiday cottage

I want to put everything on my my list of chores on hold for a sunny day like today. Holiday cottage guests are out walking their dog, enjoying our Peak District countryside. Clever last minute self catering holiday cottage weekend booking! I think they are headed to Trentham Gardens and Chatsworth House before they leave tomorrow. Unfortunately I need to sort out everything for our next holiday cottage change over - but I did just wander out in the garden and snap this bumble bee in the crocuses. He's busy, so I suppose I'd better get busy too!

Alton Towers opens on Saturday 22nd March - we have a two night weekend holiday cottage break available.

Call 01538 703436 or email Barks@btconnect.com for latest availability - or book online.

Alton Towers Water Park

I spent all of last Sunday at Alton Towers Waterpark, well 1 - 5pm anyway.  It was a really chilly day outside ... but tropical inside.

I had five 10 year old boys to entertain and (here's the best of it) all I saw of them most of the day was a blur of smiles as they ran past on their way to the next slide or thrill. They didn't event stop for a drink, even though well-organised parents had sent them along with money for a healthy snack.  They grabbed the odd biscuit from my bag (shh don't tell Alton Towers staff I had some hidden there!).

So I sat and read my book for a while then towards the end of our visit I nipped into the bubbly pool and down a few slides.  I braved the outdoor slides too - ooh, that was chilly!
Good day had by all I'd say - a day at Alton Towers that the winter weather didn't spoil.
Water Park is a brilliant day out but in my grown up opinion ,,, I'd rather visit the Alton Towers spa!

2014 availability for holiday cottage near Alton Towers

Very pleased to report that the holiday cottage phone line is ringing frequently with enquiries for accommodation near Alton Towers during 2014. The holiday cottage was booked solid during 2013, mostly because the cottage is so close to Alton Towers but set in a peaceful scenic hamlet away from the bustle and traffic. We hope to see some of our regular guests return again in 2014 for a family holiday break.
Barks Holiday Cottage - next village to Alton Towers

Winter weekend self-catering breaks are from £230
When Alton Towers theme park is open we have self catering breaks in the holiday cottage from £280 in low season. Please email barks@btconnect.com or call 01538 703436 for more details.
Online booking available.

Merlin Pass Sale 2014 - Barks Holiday Cottage accommodation near Alton Towers

Hooray, the Merlin pass sale starts today! Perfect for families that love Alton Towers because you can go as many times as you like to all the great Merlin Entertainment venues.  Families that visit Barks Holiday Cottage make maximum use of their Merlin Passes at Alton Towers - saving a small fortune on tickets. Our self-catering holiday cottage sleeps 5 and we offer accommodation for 3 nights or 7 nights really near to Alton Towers ... and I truly mean really holiday cottage near Alton Towers because Barks is in the next village to the gates of Alton Towers.

So snap up your Merlin pass now that they are on sale, and then book the break of your choice at Barks Holiday Cottage near Alton Towers. Please don't leave booking your accommodation near Alton Towers to the last minute because you may struggle to find family accommodation as near to Alton Towers as Barks Holiday Cottage.

Click Top Dog Days for further info on Merlin Pass sale
Standard Merlin Pass for family of 5 is £395
Premium Merlin Pass for family of 5 is £495

This is a huge saving of £200 or £285 which goes a very long way towards your Alton Towers accommodation costs!

Book your 2014 family mini break (3 night self catering for up to 5 people plus a dog) in Barks Holiday Cottage accommodation near Alton Towers, ST10 4DB from £280 per week (low season).

Call 01538 703436 email barks@btconnect.com or check our 2014 holiday cottage availability.


Alton Towers Fireworks Finale

Alton Towers 2013
Loved the Alton Towers fireworks spectacular again this year.  We had a superb clear night, if chilly.

Now that Alton Towers has closed for the season our bookings are for people wanting a country weekend with friends, maybe to walk their dog in the lovely Churnet Valley and nearby Peak District National Park and come back to relax in front of the open log fire.


Self catering near Alton Towers 17 - 20th October for Scarefest

Self catering near Alton Towers 17 - 20th October

It's Scarefest at Alton Towers! And this is our last available long weekend self-catering break in Barks Holiday Cottage.

The cottage sleeps 5 in two rooms - one double, one family with adult sized bunk beds.
Alton Towers theme park is open late til 9pm during Scarefest, so come back to the holiday cottage afterwards, zap something to eat and light the open fire and ... recover! Especially if you are devoted Alton Towers fans who are going back the next day!

Let us know if you have a pet dog that needs looking after as we may be able to help you out by taking it walkies while you are at Alton Towers. The holiday cottage is pet friendly too.

Self catering near Alton Towers 17 - 20th October is £330 for 3 nights and £370 for 4 nights.

Please call 01538 703436 or email barks@btconnect.com for more details.

Alton Towers Scarefest self-catering holiday cottage accommodation

LATE DEAL - HOLIDAY COTTAGE NEAR ALTON TOWERS

6 - 10th October available £330 for 5 nights 

Love Alton Towers? Love Scarefest? Love Alton Towers late opening til 9pm? Curious about the new Alton Towers maze? Relieved that the clowns are, apparently, all friendly?

Looking to book a short self-catering holiday cottage in the next village to Alton Towers? Love that Barks Holiday Cottage is only 3 miles away in next village to gates of Alton Towers. Enjoy our family friendly holiday cottage.

Half term nip to Alton Towers sorted!


Half term Alton Towers Scarefest fun

We are mid summer holidays but there is a hint of autumn in the air and thoughts are turning to the next holiday opportunity to nip to Alton Towers.  I have had two enquiries today for 'half term', which around here starts Fri 25th and is perfect for some Alton Towers scarefest fun and games. 

Here are the remaining short break options for Barks self catering holiday cottage that week:
3 nights self catering at £330 

27 - 30th - 3 or 4 nights midweek
31, 1, 2 Nov - 3 night weekend
Please check the availability calendar for updates.


Barks Holiday Cottage - appox 8 minutes to Alton Towers gates

Beatrice Charity Boat

We took a trip along the canal today and said hello to the group who were enjoying an outing on board.

The Beatrice has been adapted for wheelchair use and is available to charities.

The canal is a beautiful spot and today has been gorgeous again.

Catherine and James, Barks Holiday Cottage, 01538 703436

Accommodation near Alton Towers - self catering August 2013

Barks Holiday Cottage - self catering sleeps family of 5

August short break - self-catering near Alton Towers

short break of 3 nights self catering accommodation for a family of 5. Pets welcome.
16, 17, 18 August three night long weekend break for £395

And two remaining breaks in September
midweek short breaks available - 3 nights £255 or 4 nights for £275
9 - 12 available
16 - 19 available

Please call 01538 703436 or email us for further information or book Barks Holiday Cottage online by completing the booking form

Holiday Cottage Summer Bookings

You might think that holiday cottage bookings would come in dribs and drabs as the months roll along, but no, it is not like that.  Strangely, several people have the same thought on the same day. "I really must get on with booking our trip to Alton Towers" they think to themselves and onto Google they go.  And you may be thinking that this is no great shock as it is well known that people discuss their holiday plans over Christmas dinner and retreat quietly to the PC to book the next thing to look forward to. Sure, I do this myself, and as a tourism provider I try to be ready for these predictable booking rushes. But why do I have two bookings before 11am today, a  regular Thursday in May?  Is it pure coincidence?  Is it because there was a bank holiday discussion about a summer trip to Alton Towers and this has now been actioned?  I guess that might be the answer.

Anyway, thank you to the two families that booked today, we look forward to seeing you here later in the summer.  If anyone else would like to book today I really am fine with updating our Availability again. Let's try for a hat trick!

Next week 11th May is still available so if anyone wants a last minute 3 night break for £230 please let me know. 01538 703436
The sheep are back from their winter pastures

Holiday cottage near Alton Towers sleeps 5

Holiday cottage terrace. Alton Towers less than 10 mins away in the next village.

We have the week 10 - 17 May available for £360.
June is now fully booked, sorry.
For summer holiday availability from 19th July - 22nd August please check the online calendar.

Barks holiday cottage sleeps a family of 5 very comfortably and your pet dog is welcome.

At less than 3 miles to Alton Towers, ST10 4DB, Barks Cottage is ideally placed self-catering accommodation. Enjoy the thrills of Alton Towers and then come back and enjoy the view and the peace and quiet.

Plenty of room for kids to kick a ball about in the field at the back or explore the woods, while you have a glass of wine on the terrace, maybe even light the BBQ.

Please check the availability calendar and book online.  Email barks@btconnect.com or call 01538 703436.

Signs of spring

It is chilly this morning, with just a handful of snowflakes decorating the grass. Snow drops are well named.

I have heard a woodpecker drilling against a tree trunk, and we took two bookings last night for our holiday cottage near Alton Towers, both signs that spring is coming.

Barks Holiday Cottage is well placed to enjoy spring countryside and the alternative charms of Alton Towers less than three miles away.

Catherine & James
Barks Holday Cottage
01538 703163

Staffordshire Alps


Went out for a walk with the dogs.  Lovely drifts of snow in the open, but blissfully sheltered in the woods.  Bizarre to think that in a few months time this area will be buzzing with bees enjoying the bilberry flowers.

Catherine and James, Barks Holiday Cottage, 01538 703436

Snowed in?

It's snowing hard now!  I don't have a 4x4, but even if I did, I would prefer not to tackle the drive today.

Catherine and James, Barks Holiday Cottage, 01538 703436

Should we put up Christmas decorations in the cottage this year?


Some people want to enjoy a Christmassy break in a country cottage.  Others want to escape all matters pertaining to Christmas and just enjoy the country air.  We'll have to see who books.
Happy Christmas and New Year to everyone in the mean time.

Spa and relaxation at Alton Towers

I have spent all week up and down a ladder painting our window frames.  I am completely exhausted by it all.  Not only the physical effort but the drain on my nerves from being up a ladder - not keen on heights.

Alton Towers relaxation rooms
So having saved a fortune on painters and decorators I think it is time to treat myself to a spa session at nearby Alton Towers.  Entry to the relaxation rooms is £15.  The spa is definitely my favourite part of Alton Towers (as previously mentioned, I don't like heights so Nemesis etc is not for me).

Barks Holiday Cottage in September: 3 nights £275, week at £395.  Please check our availability for self-catering accommodation near Alton Towers for Scarefest and the Fireworks