Our holiday cottage is in the Churnet Valley - an area of natural beauty that is starting to become better known. Recently I was commissioned to re-write the guide to the Staffordshire Way. So I decided to start with the sections near to home. It has been a lovely piece of work that will continue as budgets allow during the year.
Today, my son was playing cricket in the north of the county so I set off at the beginning of the Staffordshire Way at Mow Cop. Armed with my map, a hat and scarf and a bottle of water my two dogs and I left the little folly castle and headed up the Gritstone Way / Staffordshire Way. Well we thought we did...
I am actually very proficient with a map but was lured the wrong direction without consulting it by the style of track and the various way markers. Half an hour later, I was back to the point where I went wrong and off we went again. Another 15 minutes later I was back studying the map at that same point and finally got going along the right track.
It really is a disgrace that such an important walking route is badly and in some cases misleadingly marked. So far my commissions have focussed on the best bit of the Staffordshire Way around us in the Churnet Valley but I shall have to make a strong case to the 'powers that be' that the beginning of the walk needs to be sorted out. I'll make that call tomorrow...
Meanwhile, it is lovely weather for walking and our cottage is well placed for walkers as well as being handy for Alton Towers. Please do check availability and enjoy a walking break from Barks self-catering holiday cottage - pets welcome.
Call 01538 703436 or email barks@btconnect.com
Check availability
Last minute Spring holiday cottage, Peak District and Churnet Valley
We have a change over at the holiday cottage tomorrow and then the rest of April currently is available.
Barks Holiday Cottage is perfect for walking in the Churnet Valley and the Peak District and is pet friendly.
The spa at Alton Towers is excellent and only a few minutes away. The local towns of Cheadle, Ashbourne and Leek have much to offer - each is different. Antiques, heritage, dining and snacking, shopping...
Please enquire: barks@btconnect.com or call 01538 703436
Check latest availability and book online
Snow drops in the frost
I left husband in charge of the solar panel fitters who are lodging in the holiday cottage and went on a half term jaunt with our son. Even after just a week away things looked different on my return. Spring has inched a little nearer.
This morning was a very chilly frosty day, with -5C registering in the car. The birds were particularly eager on the nut feeders and the snowdrops in the lane opposite the holiday cottage were droopy in the frost. The sun stayed out all day and the snowdrops revived. I hope the birds did too, there have been huge numbers flocking round the feeders all day.
Roll on proper Spring with more of this sunshine - combined with a bit of warmth.
Roll on proper Spring with more of this sunshine - combined with a bit of warmth.
Solar panel installers
It is quite unusual to get long bookings, but we have just said hello to a team of solar panel installers needing self catering accommodation in this part of Staffordshire while they work on a job somewhere round here for three weeks. Perfect! Things can be quite quiet at this time of year.
We have now had our own solar panels on the roof for a while and they are great. We have set the underfloor tile warmer to come on in the kitchen and bathroom when the sun shines. This is not designed to be a full heating source, but just makes it nice to pad about in bare feet. The main heating is the gas central heating, which warms the place up in trice and keeps everyone cosy .
We have now had our own solar panels on the roof for a while and they are great. We have set the underfloor tile warmer to come on in the kitchen and bathroom when the sun shines. This is not designed to be a full heating source, but just makes it nice to pad about in bare feet. The main heating is the gas central heating, which warms the place up in trice and keeps everyone cosy .
Alton Towers - Merlin annual pass sale
Lots of the families that stay at Barks Holiday Cottage use their annual Merlin passes to visit Alton Towers. One family stayed at Barks three times during the autumn as they were especially keen on Scarefest. I think they got value out of their Merlin pass!
The Merlin pass is currently on sale with Individual passes reduced from £169 to £119 and Family passes reduced from £129 per person to £99pp, allowing up to 3 adults to be on the pass. Premium and VIP passes are available for extra - click the image above to compare costs and benefits. I couldn't actually see when the sale ends though.
Alton Towers Scarefest 2015
We have a few half term dates available for self catering for Alton Towers Scarefest when the theme park is open late into the dark nights.
Please check our availability page for the latest update or call us on 01538 703436 or email barks@btconnect.com
Scarefest - Saturday 17th October - Sunday 1st November
Alton Towers Scarefest is back for 2015 and is promised to be scarier than ever before with two brand new spine-tingling horror mazes, including for the first time ever a chilling hooded maze - The Haunting of Molly Crowe. Molly’s house lies empty, but her tormented soul is yet to depart. Travel back to Molly’s childhood in this theatrical experience that will heighten the senses as you attempt to cleanse the house of evil spirits…
‘Sub Species: The End Games’ is where you’ll need your wits about you to race for survival from the post-apocalyptic sewer dwelling community. Choose your own path and work your way through a sewer - your decisions will seal your fate as you find yourself alone in a maze that could take you to many different endings. Also new for Scarefest 2015, set in the Sub Species maze, is Operation Lockdown - described as an intense new horror escape exclusively for those wanting to extend their scares into the late evening! With dark confined spaces, this physical and immersive two hour escape room puts you at the heart of your very own horror movie. Strictly for over 18’s who have nerves of steel, the experience combines real life gameplay, extreme performance and hands on interaction where destiny is in your own hands.
Returning for Scarefest 2015 is the fearsome favourite, ‘Terror of the Towers, What Lies Within’. Set inside a new route, it will once again reveal its dark and horrifying secret and will have two startling scare zones - The Dark Apocalypse where a deadly virus has infected Forbidden Valley and Nox: Infernus in the Dark Forest, where the underworld rises again.
For brave young visitors there’s a chance to learn how to spook with Phil’s Ghoul School then meet up with the famous freaky four for more Halloween excitement with Skelvin’s Spooky Storytime and Patch’s Trick or Treat Party. With frightening family fun and many spine-chilling attractions open until 9pm, there are lots of Halloween horrors to be enjoyed by everyone, including the chance to experience many of our amazing rides and attractions in the dark.
Alton Towers Scarefest & Fireworks - Self Catering
The 2015 Alton Towers Scarefest and Fireworks is nearly upon us. Should be a good season as I have heard that Alton Towers is going all out to make this the best Scarefest EVER! Good for them, we say.
Barks is the ideal self catering holiday cottage accommodation for your Alton Towers Scarefest break because we are very conveniently located in the next village from the gates of the theme park - we are ST10 3DX and the park is ST10 4DB if you want to check on Google Maps.
We have a gap for 3 night breaks between 18th - 22nd Oct and arrival 31st Oct for Fireworks. Please check our Availability page for more details
Alton Towers Scarefest accommodation
Alton Towers Scarefest and Fireworks display will soon be upon us. We are taking self catering accommodation bookings for family of 5, including pet dog.
If you would like to bring your dog please take a look at our 'dog sitting' unattended pets arrangements because if you are going to spend a long day at Alton Towers you may need us to look after the dog. Give us a call on 01538 703436 if that is of interest.
Please take a look at the latest bookings on the Availability page.
If you would like to bring your dog please take a look at our 'dog sitting' unattended pets arrangements because if you are going to spend a long day at Alton Towers you may need us to look after the dog. Give us a call on 01538 703436 if that is of interest.
Please take a look at the latest bookings on the Availability page.
Last minute Alton Towers break?
Last minute holiday cottage availability due to cancellation ! The elderly couple arrived from Wales but sadly a family emergency meant they had to leave almost immediately (luckily they had holiday insurance cover). We really don't get many last minute cancellations, as you'd imagine.
Grab a last minute break if you can! All enquiries to barks@btconnect.com for mini breaks arriving now, departing Friday 12th June.
Grab a last minute break if you can! All enquiries to barks@btconnect.com for mini breaks arriving now, departing Friday 12th June.
Iron Man Staffordshire
I think maybe it is a bit late for me to start training for the Ironman competition that is being held in Staffordshire in June. Aw there now! I just checked the distances and saw swimming 1.2 miles and thought, yup that is manageable. But then there's the rest:
Anyway, I expect we'll be needed at the holiday cottage that day ;-)
So hats off to the competitors who are coming to Staffordshire to compete in this gruelling challenge. I hope you see something of the lovely countryside!
Swim: 1.2 miles
Bike: 56 miles
Run: 13.1 miles
Totaling 70.3 miles
Anyway, I expect we'll be needed at the holiday cottage that day ;-)
So hats off to the competitors who are coming to Staffordshire to compete in this gruelling challenge. I hope you see something of the lovely countryside!
Sunny times at Alton Towers
What a joy it is to have some lovely sunshine again! The birds are singing, the lambs are dancing around in the fields.
We have a family staying who are enjoying the sunny terrace after they return from their adventures. Visits to Alton Towers have been paid, of course, but also Heights of Abraham and Chatsworth House have proved popular.
Summer is nearly upon us, the swallows have returned and we are getting quite booked up. If you would like to check our availability and make a booking please do get in touch. barks@btconnect.com or by phone 01538 703436
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We have a family staying who are enjoying the sunny terrace after they return from their adventures. Visits to Alton Towers have been paid, of course, but also Heights of Abraham and Chatsworth House have proved popular.
Summer is nearly upon us, the swallows have returned and we are getting quite booked up. If you would like to check our availability and make a booking please do get in touch. barks@btconnect.com or by phone 01538 703436
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Summer 2015 holiday cottage bookings
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| Availability at Barks Holiday Cottage near Alton Towers |
As ever the summer holidays are booking up fast for family trips to the Peak District and Alton Towers. If you would like a three night break for a trip to Alton Towers please contact us as soon as possible. Call us on 01538 703436 or email barks@btconnect.com
2015 holiday cottage near Alton Towers
We took another holiday cottage booking today for summer 2015 for a family planning their family self catering holiday near Alton Towers in the Staffordshire Peak District.
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| Summer holiday cottage availability as at 6th Feb 2015 |
For all 2015 self-catering accommodation enquiries please email barks@btconnect.com or call 01538 703436. We take online bookings if you prefer to just grab your preferred week.
Happy New Year
Barks Holiday Cottage near Alton Towers
Oakamoor to Whiston countryside action walk
As all our visitors mention, the countryside around here is truly lovely - unspoiled wooded valleys. And we want to keep it that way! Just at the moment we locals are feeling under threat from outside developers helping themselves for the sake of profit, and we don't have a large local population to give a loud voice for the opposition case.
Laver Leisure, builders of holiday parks, have bought the local disused quarry. Said quarry has a restoration order on, to turn it back into countryside. But somehow, the county council are OK with screwing up all contracts that require the owners to restore the quarry, instead giving a green light to outside developers to build Moneystone Park. Shame!
Anyway, we are still at the planning stage and local people, who are fed up with the whole sorry business, are waking up to the high levels of traffic piling down our narrow lanes and all the other ills this profit taking exercise will impose on us.
So people from up and down the valley are meeting on Saturday 6th December at 9.45am to do a protest walk. Across the beautiful countryside that we will cross there are plans to build 250 lodges. Boo!
Any locals reading this. Please join in! Meet at Whiston Village Hall, 9.45am, Saturday.
Laver Leisure, builders of holiday parks, have bought the local disused quarry. Said quarry has a restoration order on, to turn it back into countryside. But somehow, the county council are OK with screwing up all contracts that require the owners to restore the quarry, instead giving a green light to outside developers to build Moneystone Park. Shame!
Anyway, we are still at the planning stage and local people, who are fed up with the whole sorry business, are waking up to the high levels of traffic piling down our narrow lanes and all the other ills this profit taking exercise will impose on us.
So people from up and down the valley are meeting on Saturday 6th December at 9.45am to do a protest walk. Across the beautiful countryside that we will cross there are plans to build 250 lodges. Boo!
Any locals reading this. Please join in! Meet at Whiston Village Hall, 9.45am, Saturday.
Alton Towers accommodation Oct half term
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| Alton Towers Fireworks - Barks Holiday Cottage is just 8 minutes drive from gates of Alton Towers |
Please email barks@btconnect.com or use our online booking form or call us on 01538 703436.
Sunny days at Alton Towers
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| Rose in full bloom on sunny holiday cottage terrace |
Book now for autumn breaks or for 2015.
Holiday cottage is a tardis, apparently
We just had a note from a family that stayed in the holiday cottage for their Alton Towers based holiday. They said lots of lovely things and described it as a 'tardis' - maybe because they had a tour of the annexe. Other than the annexe apartment, this self-catering holiday cottage doesn't have any other tardis-like qualities as far as I know. Does it transport you from one time zone to another, or whisk you from one planet to another? Well now I think about that idea, maybe it sort of does! Especially when you compare the hustle and bustle of Alton Towers with the peace and tranquility of this area.
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| View from main bedroom |
Nipping to Cbeebies land this summer?
I've not been to Alton Towers CBeebies land - my son is nearly 11 so he has somewhat outgrown it and much as I love Charlie and Lola it is probably not my thing either. Not even sure Charlie and Lola are featured at CBeebies...maybe they are, perhaps someone can enlighten me.
Families that come to our holiday cottage near Alton Towers are definitely headed to CBeebies land. It is great that there is something more for the little ones. And the Waterpark at Alton Towers is also a fab day out with little ones, especially off season when you can stay much longer.
We have limited school summer holiday 2014 breaks available at Barks Holiday Cottage for self-catering near Alton Towers. But if you have pre-school children there is more available in Septermber and October when it is really lovely around here, with plenty to amuse the little ones in addition to CBeebies Land.
We have limited school summer holiday 2014 breaks available at Barks Holiday Cottage for self-catering near Alton Towers. But if you have pre-school children there is more available in Septermber and October when it is really lovely around here, with plenty to amuse the little ones in addition to CBeebies Land.
Holiday Cottage is Blooming Good
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| Barks Holiday Cottage - garden is blooming |
Barks Holiday Cottage offers self-catering holiday accommodation for 5 people. Ideal as a destination for Alton Towers and Peak District.
Email barks@btconnect.com or call us on 01538 703436
Or book online!
Barks Holiday Cottage near Alton Towers
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).
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
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| And for those that don't go for Alton Towers... a walk in our local bluebell wood. Pets welcome |
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
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