Scarefest at Alton Towers

As we move into the second half of the school summer holidays we start being asked about holiday cottage availability for October half term and Scarefest. Such a great time of year around here. 

Update - Scarefest and October half term 

A cancellation means we have a Scarefest break available for £525 arriving Friday 22nd October and departing Tuesday 26th.  

Dog sitting is available for families wishing to visit Alton Towers.

And looking further ahead into November, the Alton Towers fireworks weekend is available for £375.

For the latest availability please check online or contact us.

Off season breaks

Walking from the doorstep at Barks Holiday Cottage, Churnet Valley

Off season short breaks are becoming increasingly popular as an entertaining getaway. If you can't decide between a spa retreat or a country cottage break here is a possible answer - do both at Barks Holiday Cottage.

• Alton Towers spa which has entry to the sauna and relaxation rooms
• country retreat, open fire, great views
• walk in the Peak District and Churnet Valley - great walks from the doorstep
• lovely pubs and restaurants in the local area.

Please check the latest availability and book online directly with us

  

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

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!

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.

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

Alton Towers Spa reopens for 2012

Now I do love a spa evening and it is very spoiling and indulgent for me that Alton Towers is less than 3 miles from here.  Even more luxurious is that during the winter season when Alton Towers theme park is closed there a many fewer tourists here and the spa is blissfully quiet of an evening.  (Obviously, the fact that Alton Towers is closed has an impact on our holiday cottage bookings because we are having to rely solely on people coming walking in the Churnet Valley.)

Anyway, the Alton Towers spa is re-opening today after a few days closure for a refurb.  Yippee!!! It was time for a spruce up!  I hope the price remains £12.50 because that is affordable for an occasional treat for me and in the range for the holiday cottage guests who want to pamper their tired walking legs after a day hiking the Churnet Valley hillsides.

If you are looking for a spa break - this might be an option.  A short break at Barks Cottage for 3 nights - come back from the spa and put your feet up in front of the log fire.  How about it?

WINTER COUNTRY COTTAGE BREAKS 2011

Off season breaks are available and are perfect for a getaway.  If you can't decide between a spa retreat or a country cottage break then I have great news - do both at Barks Holiday Cottage.  Seriously!  Treat yourself to both the easy, cost effective way:

• make full use of the Alton Towers spa which has entry to the sauna and relaxation rooms from just £10 midweek off season.
• country retreat, open fire, great views, all mod cons - weekends from £185
• enjoy walking the Peak District and Churnet Valley - great pub walks from the doorstep.
  
  Family weekend getaways:

• waterpark breaks - midweek special deal for families with pre-school children at Barks Holiday Cottage
• cycling along the nearby car-free trails of Churnet Way, Manifold Valley, Tissington Trail

Snowy days, lovely walks, toasty open fire

Looks like we are going to get more snowy weather in the run up to Christmas. We had some guests come for the lovely walking, and it sounds like they'll be back for a break to include Alton Towers theme park when it reopens for the 2011 season. Not sure when that is right now, but last year Alton Towers did open for a while during the February half term. In the mean time our appeal to holiday-makers looking for a long weekend break is the fabulous walking in the Churnet Valley and a cosy evening in front of the open fire. Then of course there's my next favourite: the Alton Towers spa - nothing like it after a vigorous hike in our hills and valleys.



Barks Holiday Cottage, 01538 703436

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. . .