Room to play

When we first started offering holiday accommodation back in 2009 we could bet that if there was a family staying the children would be kicking footballs and larking around outside until dark. I  was thinking about this the other day and trying to figure out what has changed, but now we never see kids out on their own. Is it the children or is it the parents? Is it smartphones and addictive games?

We have loads of space for kicking a football or setting up quick cricket etc but the trend is a visit to Alton Towers and Go Ape and the rest of the time glued to a screen. Good times are had by all and I definitely don't mean to be judgemental. In fact I am wondering if we are making it clear enough that this space is there to be enjoyed. In fact, I shall put a football and other games into the cottage and see if that makes a difference.

I will report back. Meanwhile, a picture of the one family since lockdown to set up camp outdoors and play some games.

For the latest availability please check online or contact us.

Single storey, pet friendly holiday cottage

Among the feedback we've received, a significant number of guests have expressed their preference for single storey, ground-floor accommodation. The reasons vary—from the ease of access to the simplicity of having everything on one level, particularly appreciated by those with mobility concerns or families with young children.

We're pleased to confirm that Barks Holiday Cottage fits this bill perfectly. Our cottage is a single storey, bungalow-style accommodation nestled in the heart of the countryside. It combines the accessibility and convenience of bungalow living with the charm and tranquility of a country cottage, making it an ideal choice for anyone seeking a peaceful retreat without the worry of stairs.

For the latest availability please contact us.

Dog royalty at Barks Cottage

We had the great privelege of rolling out the red carpet for hound royalty King Penda and Sable. They brought their devoted handler along to attend to their every need. Crufts and Barks Holiday Cottage now have something in common: King Penda has enjoyed a winning experience at both.

Pets are welcome at Barks Holiday Cottage and you don't have to be dog royalty, but it does guarantee a lot of fuss and posing for the camera opportunities if you are.

For the latest availability please check online or email barkshc@gmail.com

Holiday cottage sleeps 5 near Alton Towers

Escape to our family and pet-friendly self-catering holiday cottage, nestled in the picturesque Churnet Valley, Staffordshire Peak District. Our quiet rural retreat sleeps 5 in 2 cozy bedrooms, perfect for a relaxing getaway. 

Enjoy sunny days on our terrace and explore the spacious grounds, featuring a meadow walk and space for kids to play. 

With Alton Towers just 2.6 miles away, it's an ideal base for exploring the area. 

Located in Oakamoor, ST10 3DX.
What3Words: ///hoops.slings.polished"

For the latest availability please check online or email us on barkshc@gmail.com 

Dog-sitting for guests visiting Alton Towers

We were delighted to be able to help a family visiting from Scotland with some dog sitting so that they could enjoy a splendid day at Alton Towers. Just look at these two lovely ones! They were a joy to take out on a little lead walkies in the field and were very smiley for us when we went into the cottage to get them.

The owners very sweetly asked if it was £10 per dog, but we reassured them that it was hard enough asking for extra cash as it was, so £10 for each dog sitting day was plenty. When we went in to the cottage after the guest family had left to return to Scotland, we were surprised to discover the flowers and card from the lovely doggos.

For the latest availability please check online or contact us.

Evening Serenity: A Toast to Tranquility at Barks Holiday Cottage

On my return from my pilates class I witnessed a moment that beautifully encapsulates the essence of a stay at Barks Holiday Cottage. It's these snapshots of tranquility and joy that remind us why we cherish this place so much.

This evening at 7:45pm on a breezy Peak District evening after a rainy day, there was a lovely scene unfolding on the terrace of Barks Holiday Cottage. Seated snugly and comfortably, enjoying a quiet moment, were the loving owners of little Lundy, a gorgeous dog who has become something of a regular here. With the children tucked up in bed, it was time for some peace and quiet in the fresh air. And fresh it was, to be honest, but great to be outside on a rain-free evening.

Little Lundy from London - a city dweller with a country heart - has found his second home here, basking on the terrace. His presence adds a special touch to the cottage's atmosphere, embodying the pet-friendly promise that makes Barks Holiday Cottage a favourite with families and their doggos.

Whether it's a peaceful morning with a cup of coffee in the early sun or a quiet evening with a glass of wine as the stars begin to twinkle, these moments of solitude and togetherness are what life at the holiday cottage is all about.

We've come to realise that Barks Holiday Cottage is a place where families come to reconnect and enjoy days of excitement and evenings of calm - and where good dogs like Lundy can walk with joy in their hearts.

So, if you're yearning for a retreat from the hustle and bustle, a place where you can unwind on a terrace on a breezy evening while the children dream peacefully, look no further. Barks Holiday Cottage awaits, ready to welcome you to your home away from home, where peace, quiet, and the making of warm memories.

About the holiday cottage:

Barks holiday sleeps 5 in two bedrooms. Pets welcome. Very rural location. 3 miles from Alton Towers, but in the heart of the countryside. email: BarksHC@gmail.com

Escape to the countryside this July

An invitation to nature lovers to explore the hidden gem that is the Churnet Valley, some of the finest walking countryside in England. Immerse yourself in the beauty of the great outdoors and feel your senses rejuvenate.

Four-legged friends are welcome at Barks Holiday Cottage and there are lots of places for good doggies to stretch their legs. Whether you're seeking peace and tranquility, stunning views or a quiet getaway, the Churnet Valley has it in spades. And Barks is ideally placed to experience it at its best.

Don't miss out on the chance to book a last minute getaway at Barks Holiday cottage for pet-friendly self-catering. It's time to enjoy a break from it all, with your beloved doggo.

Loving this sunshine

What an amazing few weeks of sunshine we've enjoyed. The holiday cottage garden is a joy to wander past. 

The grounds are looking great too. The paths through the grasses are lovely and our recent self-catering holiday cottage guests made the most of this space with their young alsation. 

Just a quick reminder that the cottage has no secure garden or fencing so best suits trusted doggos. The location is away from it all with some of the best walking from the doorstep. 

For the latest availability please check online or contact us.

Coronation sing along

I joined our community choir and this week we had a bash at Zadok the Priest - not easy!! So of course when they started singing it during the coronation I had a little warble along with it. Husband is patience personified at such outbursts, but my dog looked seriously worried by my efforts. He almost got out of his comfy chair to check I was OK. Almost.

Don't worry, Barks Holiday Cottage guests are not exposed to such atrocities 😂

For the latest availability please check online or contact us - please check out our special offers in May.

Wonderful walking

What a morning! Took doggo for a very long walk because it was such a sparkling morning. Wildlife was posing for us everywhere. Three roe deer stood and looked at us really close up, but it seemed sensible to hold Stormy's collar rather than grapple for my camera. The buzzard was unconcerned and jumped clumsily from branch to branch while I unlocked my phone and took this rubbish snap. 

It's such amazing walking country, and I especially love this time of the year.

The holiday cottage is open for direct bookings and short lets, but not available via our booking agents until spring. So if you like a winter hike come to the Churnet Valley and explore!

For the latest availability please drop us a line.

barkshc@gmail.com

Old boots

I enjoy looking at this old boot which sits on the wall outside a cottage on one regular dog walks. The other day I was chatting with the old chap who lives there and he told me the boot belonged to an old miner friend of his. I tend to forget that there was a coal mining industry in Cheadle and North Staffordshire.

There is such a fascinating industrial history in this area. From gritty mining and milling to artistic architecture and silk embroidery. It's all left a legacy in the area to be enjoyed today - canals, mills, packhorse trails, beautiful buildings and many stories. 

Walking is one of the best ways to access some of these places and stories. I honestly think for the variety of walks, this area has to be one of the best in the country. 

Put your old boots on and start your walking break right from the front door of Barks Holiday Cottage. 

For the latest availability please check online or contact us.

Scarefest 2022- Holiday cottage near Alton Towers

Where has the summer gone this year? I honestly don't think I have ever been so busy. It must be a post covid thing, where the pace of life picked up massively... and possibly my multi-tasking skills were a bit rusty. Everything has felt so hectic all summer.

Last week dear son packed himself off to university, so I am starting to get everything back into some sort of order in my own house. I also have a few tasks and improvements to get organised in the holiday cottage. But first we have Alton Towers Scarefest season. 

I saw pumpkins in the shop today and was tempted to get some to decorate the cottage for our Scarefest guests. I resisted because I regularly drive past a pumpkin farm and would like to support our local growers if I can.

We still have some short breaks available for Scarefest and October half term. 

Available dates at the time of writing

3 - 7th October £420 for 4 nights

14 - 17th October £395 for 3 nights

20 - 24th October £495 for 4 nights

28 - 30th for £395 for 3 nights

31st  - 4th November £525 for 4 nights

Please check availability or message us if you are looking for self-catering accommodation that is really near Alton Towers.

Holiday Cottage with open fire

The Chimney Sweep has been today and carried out all the safety checks, including testing the carbon monoxide alarm. 

It may be a surprise to learn that we also have a fire safety policy and have undertaken a risk assessment. This is just an example of the sort of thing that we do because we take seriously the responsibility of running holiday accommodation.

So that was just a little peak behind the scenes of life as Holiday Cottage owner.

For the latest availability please check online or contact us. We are now taking bookings for October half term and Alton Towers Scarefest. 

Green and pleasant

I went for a walk locally yesterday and can't  quite believe how lush and green is the countryside of the Churnet Valley compared to only 25 miles east around Derby and Nottingham. That slightly frustrating period of a daily drizzle is suddenly worth it. Hopefully this means local woods and gardens will cope with this heat wave. 

Our current holiday cottage guests are making the most of the sunny terrace and parasol as well as the benches in the little nature reserve. We were chatting with them and all agreed we're loving this August weather and the pleasure of an evening stroll through the cool woods.

For the latest availability please check online or contact us. We currently have holiday cottage availability in August. Explore the Peak District and Churnet Valley. 

October half term and Scarefest

The guests that stay at Barks Holiday Cottage are often parents who were brought up on family fun days at Alton Towers and are keen to start a new tradition with the next generation, their young children. So I am always pleased to see that there are fun things to do at the theme park for all ages. New for 2021 during Scarefest is the Trick or Treating thrill. Should be suitably scary for younger age groups. It is also rather fun for youngsters being at the park in the darkness with the old building all lit up across the lake. My son and his friends used to love the twirling swings (forgotten the name now) that lifted him and his friends high into the drizzly night air. They were meant to hold on, but stretching their arms out was favourite.

But having said all that about Scarefest, I am a fan of fireworks night. That is a spectacular event. I have watched it a number of times from afar as we can actually see it from our hill across the valley, but that is quite honestly just frustrating. You can see how amazing the fireworks are, but we don't get the accompanying music, lights and lasers. So no compromise this year, we're dressing up warm and going to the theme park.  

We currently have self-catering availability at Barks Holiday Cottage for a 4 night break during October half term - 22nd to 26th October. We also have fireworks weekend available. Please message or ring to check availability.

For the latest availability please check online or contact us.

Self-catering in August 2021 for Alton Towers trips

I just spoke to our holiday guests and offered them flat sheets to keep handy for those hot nights when a duvet is too much. They chuckled at my optimism, given that is was a little bit overcast at the time. But now the sun is out and I am thinking ahead to hot days. 

I have just updated the booking diary and we have some short breaks available that make ideal family fun times around a trip or two to Alton Towers. (Update: August is now fully booked)

The sunny south-facing terrace

Pathway to the woods through our field

Next availability is 13th September for 4 nights at £475 

For the latest availability please check online or email hello@barks-holiday-cottage.co.uk

2021 self catering cottage availability

If you look at our calendar on the major booking sites we look fully booked in the 2021 school holidays, but actually I have just blocked those dates off so that our regular guests and direct bookings get first dibs on their preferred dates.

How we are managing 2021 bookings

In the strange season that was 2020 we closed for a night between all bookings as part of our Covid policy. We felt a lot better managing change over after the cottage had been fully aired for a couple of hours. We also found that arriving guests were reassured that the cottage had again been fully aired after we had finished ready for their arrival. We even gave all the pillows and duvets an outside airing, as well as freshly laundered mattress and pillow protectors between each booking. So with all this airing and the extra time required for laundry and cleaning, 24 hours between bookings was about right. 

This year, with good vaccine uptake we think the situation is sufficiently different that we are going back to on-the-day change-overs. We will however be giving ourselves a bit more time than previous years by having 5pm arrival and 10am departure for all guests. And we shall ask our guests to do a few extra Covid prevention measures in addition to the standard tidying to leave the cottage as they found it. Nothing complicated, just a spray round in the bathroom and to leave the doors and windows open as they leave.

We appreciate the later 5pm arrival time can seem frustrating when you just want to arrive and get on with your much-needed break, but I do hope that everyone understands that we need the time to offer our services safely in these times.

To check dates for long and short breaks please see our self-catering availability

If you would like more information about our Covid policy for 2021 please don't hesitate to contact us.

hello@barks-holiday-cottage.co.uk

Special offers to fill the gaps in holiday cottage bookings

Special offers at Barks Holiday Cottage

Summer 2026:

Last minute discounted short breaks

 Summer 2026 Last minute discounts:

July 9th for 3 nights @ £576

If you would like more information or to book one of our last minute breaks please email

barkshc@gmail.com

🐕 Two dogs welcome 

🎠 Really near Alton Towers 

☀️ Great for walkers and getting outdoors 

🍰 Nearby tea rooms

🌳 Peak District & Churnet Valley await

😃 Family time 

Generally speaking we work on a Friday change over, but we like to try to be flexible about when people can arrive so that sometimes leaves a gap. To encourage our lovely self-catering guests to book these gaps, we make last minute special offers at Barks Holiday Cottage

Please check latest availability and email us at barkshc@gmail.com

Bio-security measures at the holiday cottage

We have been reviewing what we need to do at the holiday cottage to ensure the safety and comfort of our guests and our team. Here are some of the things we are committing to doing in the months ahead.

Stocking up on bleach for the cottage

Deep cleaning. We have stocked up on bleach and will be cleaning all surfaces, door handles and hard surfaces between bookings. Obviously we always deep clean between bookings, now extras like every door handle will be routinely included in the cleaning schedule.

Extra time for change-overs. To enable us to achieve these extra measures we need more time. We have delayed check-in until 5pm. Check-out remains 10am.

Also, we have removed all non-essential items, in line with the advice provided to holiday cottage owners.

Social distancing. We will not be greeting our guests with a handshake or fussing our canine guests. 

We are able to offer people a place to get away from it all. If you like walking and fresh air and not seeing people, Barks Holiday Cottage is the place for a break.

Walkies from the holiday cottage

We so enjoyed having Albie and his owner staying here for a couple of weeks. On their last day on Thursday we all went for a lovely walk together in the afternoon sunshine. We had been through the woods and were heading back downhill through an open field.  "Albie has impeccable manners", I say, because he is being very polite to my senior lady.

Then we go through a field gate and he finds the muddiest puddle ever and is very pleased with himself as he achieves maximum mud coverage. 

Albie's owner is hoarse with remonstrations, but he gives that puppy look that says this is just too good to miss, however cross she gets. Aww, he's only 9 months old!

And we have an outside tap! Bad luck Albie 🐶


For the latest availability please check online