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.

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

Alton Towers accommodation Oct half term

Alton Towers Fireworks -
Barks Holiday Cottage is just 8 minutes drive from
gates of Alton Towers

Barks Holiday Cottage near Alton Towers has a three night break available during October 2014 half term for £295. This self-catering holiday accommodation for a family of 5 is just 2.6 miles or 8 minutes drive from the gates of Alton Towers ST10 4DB.  The holiday cottage is perfect for the late opening during Alton Towers Scarefest Spooktacular and the fabulous Fireworks season finale. If you have a Merlin pass ... make the most of it!

Please email barks@btconnect.com or use our online booking form or call us on 01538 703436.

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.

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. 

Holiday Cottage is Blooming Good

Barks Holiday Cottage - garden is blooming

I've been working on the garden and it is going through its blue phase. Looks better than my own garden!

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).

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

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.

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

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 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

Honeysuckle-scented walk in Churnet Valley, nr Alton Towers

I snapped this pic on the morning walk into the valley to take my son to school.  We smelled the honeysuckle long before we saw it. It had recently rained and the air was fresh, clear and wonderfully perfumed.

It has made me think that I should grow more scented flowers around the holiday cottage terrace. Maybe some night scented stocks would add to the ambience of sitting on the terrace with a beer or glass of wine after a hard day taking the kids to Alton Towers.  Sorry, did the mention of a hard day at Alton Towers ruin the feeling? The thing is that the families that come and stay with us say that whilst they love Alton Towers they also want to be completely away from it all by evening.  And peaceful Barks Holiday Cottage, surrounded by grassy meadows and fragrant woods may only be 2.6 miles from Alton Towers, but it certainly counts as 'getting away from it all.'

Barks Holiday Cottage, 01538 703436

short break accommodation near Alton Towers

Bookings have been tremendous this summer. We are now down to our last mini break during the summer holidays.  If you promised the kids that trip to Alton Towers....!

August 29th - 1st Sept  a 4 night break for that last get-away before terms starts for £365.

If you would like to book  a mini break in the countryside, in the next village from the gates of Alton Towers please contact us directly or use our online holiday cottage booking form.

Alton Towers has opened for 2012

If I had a £1 for everyone that asks how far we are to Alton Towers I'd be quite well off by now ... would've earned my first £1 of the season this morning! (2.6 miles btw).  This week we have holiday cottage guests that have come from Scotland with their teenage girls to enjoy some Alton Towers thrills and spills.  Lovely folk, have just enjoyed chatting to the parents while they wait for the teens to surface for the day.

It marks the real start to the 2012 season. For us locals there is this lovely spell between the sun coming out and the Alton Towers new season opening when we have the Churnet Valley to ourselves and those that come here to walk. Thanks to the lovely spring weather this year, that magical time was long.  Alton Towers has been open for a week so far, but unlike some seasons I haven't noticed the impact yet.  Only once, when I was taking my son to cubs at Alton Village Hall, have I been inconvenienced.  Cubs coincides with the the park exit rush and the Towers traffic through Alton village is always impatient and unforgiving so we have to wait a while to join the main road turning right.  As the season progresses this actually improves because there are so many cars that the traffic slows and is more inclined to let us join the flow.  It's just the way it is!

Luckily we are not resident in Alton so we aren't troubled by traffic except on cubs day. And Alton Towers brings us lovely guests too. There is something about benefiting from Alton Towers tourism that makes me a whole lot more forgiving about the inconvenience of having a major UK tourist destination in the neighbourhood.  Funny that ;-)