Short self catering breaks

Barks Holiday Cottage is both near Alton Towers theme park and the gorgeous Churnet Valley and Peak District so it is ideal for short breaks. 

Alton Towers  - Families grab some action-packed, thrilling adventure at the Alton Towers theme park just a few minutes drive away (less than 3 miles from us to ST10 4DB) then come back to some peace and quiet to restore their adrenaline levels again.

Walking, dogs and scenery - immerse yourself in the idyllic countryside of the Churnet Valley with gorgeous walks straight from the front door of the holiday cottage. You and the doggo can walk for miles in the local woods and tracks, barely even crossing a road. Barks is also an ideal base for exploring the rest of the Peak District.

Treat yourself - to add a touch of indulgence to your break, there are some fabulous tea rooms, gastro pubs and restaurants. Our guest information folder has loads of information to help you choose the treat to suit your mood. If you want to stay in and put your feet up after a busy day, it's easy to order a takeaway from one of the local providers.  Supermarket deliveries are also an option, and the kitchen is well equipped if you want to create something delicious to enjoy with your favourite tipple. 

Long and short breaks available.  If you can grab a few days away, just message us about self-catering availability at Barks Holiday Cottage.

July short break last minute availability

Arrival Sunday 16th July:

5 nights £575

3 nights £450

3 night weekends

Thursday 20th July - 3 nights £575
Thursday 27th July - 3 nights £610

School summer holidays

School summer holiday short break options available. Please enquire - current availability is marked in green.

Information correct as at 10th July.

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.

Dog walk in the woods

Yesterday Stormy and I went for one of my usual circuits around the woods and fields. We walked round a bend in the path and there was another dog walker. It took me a moment to realise that it was our holiday guests, David and his lovely dog Millie. Having been taken a bit by surprise, my first instinct was to get my dog Stormy under control. Stormy is fine with other dogs, but the day before he had not had a friendly welcome from a terrier, who's stressed-out owner then hurled abuse at James. I didn't want a repeat of that trauma, but I needn't have worried. Millie is a sweetie and Stormy is a simple soul, so they both waited patiently next to each other while David and I enjoyed a relaxed chat. I like a jolly catch up with our guests.

For the latest availability please check online or contact us.

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. 

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.

Special offers to fill the gaps in holiday cottage bookings

Special offers at Barks Holiday Cottage

Spring 2024:

Last minute discounted short breaks

 Book direct for the best rates 👍

Spring Last minute discounts:

19th April:     7 nights £500; 3 nights £395

26th April:    7 nights £500; 3 nights £395

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

'Good to Go' certificate

We have followed government and industry COVID-19 guidelines for our holiday cottage business, have done a Risk Assessment and created a process to maintain cleanliness and aid social distancing. And after much time planning and making changes, and a few hours of necessary (but strangely bizarre) bureaucracy, we can now show everyone a certificate to prove what we've been doing 👌👍. 

I feel a bit like I am back at school 😃

We are sending our revised guest information pack to everyone that books at Barks Holiday Cottage. If you would like more information about our processes when considering making a booking, please contact us.

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

Social distance walking

A friend and I went for a walk today. It was lovely weather and we needed to get out. We were meant to be going out to a favourite restaurant, booked months ago to get a good upstairs table. Last night's announcement put paid to that plan. So we arranged a walk instead. Since we did not want to share a vehicle, in the times of strange new rules and etiquette, we set out from her house in Alton.

The wind gusted and my ancient, threadbare map was hard to study. I suppose I could have been on an app and known exactly how far off the footpath we strayed, but that would have been unsatisfactory in today's mood. My friend left the erratic map reading to me, as both of us handling the map doesn't work these days. We could also have walked in the usual favourites, but it is a weekend and the nation seemed to be out walking today, so we headed off the beaten track. And we were rewarded!

Without realising, we had ambled to a high point where there were spectacular views all around of the Churnet Valley, and further to the horizon in neighbouring counties. It was extra gusty at the top, and my friend doesn't like walking through fields grazed by horses, so we diverted from the planned route to a clear path, following the hedge, back towards Alton. It was a treat, with magnificent views over the village and Alton Castle. We were also very conveniently returned near to her house.

Walking is the new social. Plus, our little trek was precisely 10k steps. Perfect in every way.

Coffee shop walks

At this time of year the media is all about health and wellbeing. We are being told to walk 10k steps and give up alcohol etc etc! Roll on spring when the story changes. Don't get me wrong, I really like walking (and a glass of wine!!).

If you need an incentive to do some walking, then a coffee shop is the answer. In the summer, one that also sells great ice cream can be a winner with the whole family, including the dog. Our countryside cafes have lovely outdoor seating and also sell dog ice cream. If only your dog could read this blog it would be booking 😀🐕🐕🐕🍦

A step in the right direction? #motivation

Lovely walk in Churnet Valley, over the bridge from the Ramblers Retreat cafe.

A stroll along the Caldon Canal, from Hetty's tea room to the Black Lion.

We have destination tea / coffee shops in all directions for long and short walkies. And pubs, of course.

Getting organised last minute for Christmas 2019

As yet we don't have a Christmas booking. I have just checked back on last year and the booking then was last minute too.  We have a change over to do today when our current guests depart, so once we've finished coffee we'll start rootling about for the box of decorations.

The cottage is available for 4 nights from 23rd December for £470. There is some flexibility in those dates (however we are already booked for New Year).

We can also be very flexible as to how much we decorate the cottage for our Christmas guests. We'll put a tree on the terrace and we generally do some indoor decorations, unless asked not to, and give our Christmas guests a box of chocolates.

Please email or ring us to check Christmas 2019 self catering availability

Summer holiday mini breaks for Alton Towers

The summer holidays are nearly over for 2019.
Please contact us for autumn breaks and Scarefest at Alton Towers.

Make your stay action-packed with Alton Towers, Splash Landings, country walks, animal park, pub meals, tea rooms, ice cream parlour and loads more....

Barks Cottage ST10 3DX to Alton Towers ST10 4DB
the recommended route is 9 mins and 3.4 miles

Barks Cottage is near enough to Alton Towers that if you want to drop the children off and do something different for a while, or come back and chill out, it is easy to do. But if you want to go with the kids for a bit of theme park fun, we can look after the dog for you.

Make the most of family times this summer!

Last minute holiday cottage Peak District and Alton Towers

When we have last minute gaps between bookings we often put them on our Facebook page /barks.holiday.cottage so please check there or email us 

Mini break offers include a chilled bottle of Prosecco on arrival.

Cottage sleeps 5 in two bedrooms, pet dog welcome.

And don't forget, if you want us to look after your dog while you and the family go to Alton Towers please book that in straight away 🐶

Barks self-catering holiday cottage - last minute deals
self catering, sleeps 5 in two bedrooms

Suitable for short holidays in the Peak District and to Alton Towers. Ideal for a couple for a walking holiday, possibly with their dog. Perfect for a family to spend a day or two at Alton Towers, maybe flexing your Merlin pass. Alton Towers is only 3 miles away, hidden out of the way in the valley and woodland.

Holiday Cottage feedback June 2019

It is always nice when people take the trouble to send in feedback. Our booking agents are very good at prompting guests for their comments and this is this the latest that has been sent in. Short and sweet - and lovely for us to read.

Feedback June 2019 on Barks Holiday Cottage

For the latest self-catering availability please check online or contact us.
For last minute availability check our latest offer

Last minute weekend break in the countryside

AUGUST - SPARKLING SPECIAL OFFER ... 

How about a last minute break in the countryside? What would work for you - a romantic break for two or a family escape to Alton Towers? Email or ring us to check availability and reserve your break.

There are lots of things to do. Alton Towers is the most obvious, but there are gorgeous walks, tea rooms and pubs. Our local towns have much to offer, with lots of shops specialising in antiques and collectibles.

And in the evening, you could cook something, better still you could order in or go out to one of the local eateries. See how you feel after a busy day...

Special offer

If you book a short break directly with us as a result of seeing this post we will put a bottle of fizz in the fridge for you. Email us on barks@btconnect.com to book this special offer.

  

Snowy

Can you see the little white camouflaged dog?

Lovely walkies from the holiday cottage, and there is something magical about the woods in the snow.

Pet friendly holiday at Barks Holiday Cottage...

Christmas at the Holiday Cottage

Christmas availability at Barks Holiday Cottage from 22nd December

What's your idea of a perfect Christmas? Some people love having all the relatives round, despite all the work that goes into offering hospitality with all the trimmings. Others want to get away, pretend it's not happening at all. Me? I'm probably moving from the first of these, heading slowly towards the latter!

For a number of years the holiday cottage was booked by family members coming up to visit local friends. They could just about walk across the fields for their family get together. I was slightly nervous at the idea of them staggering back across the moorland after a few glasses of Christmas cheer, but it seemed to work out OK.

This year our booking agents took a booking for Barks Holiday Cottage back in August for a couple and their dog. That's organised, I thought, well done them! Very, very unfortunately, they weren't quite organised enough to take out holiday insurance. This bit is rather sad - one of them has been involved in a bad accident and so they can no longer go away at Christmas. Their deposit, taken by the agents, is non refundable which reminds me to stress the importance of taking out insurance on UK holidays, something people seem not to want to do.

Anyway, the cottage is back on the market for Christmas. It is available for 5 days from 22nd December for £475. There is some flexibility in those dates (however we are already booked for New Year).

We can also be very flexible as to how much we decorate the cottage for our Christmas guests. This year we are thinking we might put a tree on the terrace. We generally do some indoor decorations, unless asked not to, and give our guests a box of chocolates.

Meet Issie

Issie is an important dog! Obviously all dogs are important, but this lovely lady has responsibilities and jobs. I love it when dogs have a sense of purpose and enjoy their work. Issie is a companion dog, which I gather is similar to an assistance dog but without the formal training and accreditation. She picks things up and fetches things for her owner. I've so enjoyed chatting with her people and finding out about her.

This week she has looked earnest when she's on duty, and joyful when it's fun time. She loves to fetch the ball thrown in our field.

Isn't she gorgeous? Truly a good girl.

Autumn days

This lovely lady was sunning her bones on the holiday cottage terrace this morning and looked such a happy picture that I nipped off to get my camera. Standing around photographing her was clearly very suspicious behaviour that required her to get up and investigate. A polite woof alerted her people, so then we had a jolly chat about the important topic of unmissable walkies destinations in the Churnet Valley  - the list is long!

Mac

We so enjoyed having Mac and his people staying in the holiday cottage last week. Mac spent the day with us while his lovely family spent a full day at Alton Towers.

Mac didn't understand posing for the camera, but his manners were splendid. Such a cheerful chappie.

Teenagers on family holidays

What do you do with teenagers over the holidays? If your family doesn't have to make compromises to keep everyone happy then please write a book and give the rest of us the secret!

I was having coffee with another school mum while our teens 'interacted' over a computer game and we discussed how to keep teenage boys interested in family time. She has three boys, I just have the one. They have taken up sailing - making it a family holiday that everyone will enjoy. My friend has fingers crossed that her oldest son might even forsake his girlfriend for a week and turn down travel options with friends to sail with the family this summer. They are lucky enough to have the money for this kind of dream holiday. But even on a lower budget, the theory applies. Find an activity or a destination that will appeal to everyone in the family.

Alton Towers new ride - Wicker Man

So that is where a Alton Towers fits in. Some parents love the rides at Alton Towers more than their kids do, others stand around holding the bags and coats. The bag-holders do this because the promise of a few days at Alton Towers meant that teenagers raised a bit of smile at the prospect of a family trip together. Maybe additional promises of being able to take a friend were added. We love to see our families having a great time.

Perfect family walk

So that is where Barks Cottage fits in. Family time. You lure the kids on holiday with the fun of a day at a theme park and maybe even the extra perk of Alton Towers waterpark. And then on other days, everyone actually spends time together on a family walk, maybe via a local pub, and explore the local attractions.

These are activities that too rarely happen at home because everyone has 'better' things to do, but when you go away everyone's priorities change. And that's the magic. You get to explore, chat, eat together and have fun times.