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

New Booking Form for 2020

Sometimes when outdoors is wintry and uninviting, I am happy to sit down at my PC and do techy things. So a couple of days ago I created a new holiday cottage booking form using SurveyMonkey rather than Google Forms. Quite a satisfying way to spend a couple of hours, if you like that sort of thing.

There isn't anything very complicated about our booking form, it is just a way of keeping details of our bookings in one place. Helpful when we need to check the party size of arriving guests as we prepare for holiday cottage change over.

Anyway, the good thing is that so far we have definitely received notifcations of new holiday cottage bookings, which was the reason I wanted to swap systems. As you can imagine, knowing when people have filled out the form is not something that we want to be hit or miss. And I had lost confidence in the previous system.

I hope your new year activities are as satisfying, and possibly more adventurous than mine 😀

  

Alton Towers Waterpark

Another great activity on the doorstep... Alton Towers waterpark

If you have already maxed out on the theme park, or it isn't quite your thing, then think about adding in a visit to the Alton Towers waterpark. There is something for all ages.

I used to go a lot when our son was pre-school age because it was like an indoor beach holiday with lots of action and distraction. Then later he would go in groups with other families and come home exhausted. As a young teenager he met up with a few mates, getting dropped off.

On a sunny day it really worked for me when the children would go off to all the chutes and activities and I would lie on an outdoor lounger minding all the stuff, and reading a book. Tough life!

You don't have to pay for parking at the Waterpark, (might be best to check, but last time I went you didn't anyway). And the waterpark is only 10 minutes from the holiday cottage if you want to drop children and come back and put your feet up.

Please check our self-catering holiday cottage accommodation availability

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.

Poor ducks

We have been foxed. Poor ducks met their end last night, which is really sad. James went out to feed them and let them out of their hut and he knew something was up because they were suspiciously quiet. The fox had dug his way in. Foxes are hungry at this time of year and three big ducks must have been worth the effort. RIP lovely ducks.

Mrs Duck photo bombing my garden photo

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

  

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

Alton Towers October opening times 2019

Opening times at Alton Towers over October 2019 including the school half term holidays. Below is our availability over October. So far the second week of the half term period is booked, but lots of people have an earlier half term and we have availability for the week commencing 18th October. 

Lots of fresh air, walks, tea rooms, pubs, and Alton Towers to please the inner teenager in everyone.

For the latest availability please check online or contact us.

Is it autumn? Peak walking season?

Even though everywhere is green and lush, there is the hint of autumn in the air. Especially in the mornings and evenings. This is my favourite time of year for walking in the Churnet Valley. Soon colour will appear in the woodlands and there might even be those breathtaking early frosts. Not too soon on that, my bean row won't cope!

So we have moved the holiday cottage into autumn mode too. The family room is now laid out as a twin room as its default setting. One twin, one double. With the children back at school this week, the guests we have booked in for September are adult groups or couples. Probably with a dog.

Because it is peak walking season, and where better to walk than round here, in the Churnet Valley woodlands and the hills of the Peak District?

Is it walkies time?

For the latest availability please check online or contact us.

Holiday insurance for your self-catering break.

It is always very sad when a family have to cancel their holiday plans or leave early because there is a crisis. It is rare, possibly once or maybe twice a year.

This year we had a group leave early because of health issues and have just had a cancellation email from the family that booked the August Bank Holiday weekend.

We can only presume that people have some sort of holiday insurance to cover their costs. A non-returnable booking deposit is just that - non returnable - so this is where holiday insurance comes in handy.

I hope I am wrong, but I have a suspicion that people don't take out insurance for UK holidays. Is it something about taking a flight that makes a holiday worthy of insuring?

Sometimes there is insurance bundled into your bank account fee - it is worth checking. But if not, can I just remind people that holiday insurance can be a good idea to cover any costs of a cancelled or curtailed holiday.

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.

  

A wet week in the Peak District

No big surprise, but it is very wet round here after a week of rain. The river Churnet is in full flow and about to burst its banks. Normally I would feel slightly guilty that our holiday guests were not seeing the area in its full glory.

We have a lovely crew that have come down from Bridlington and guess what... they chose Barks Holiday Cottage because it has an open fire. It's June, so I was surprised that was such an important criterion when selecting a self-catering holiday cottage in summer. If it had been a last minute booking I might not have been so surprised.

Anyway, they chose Barks because it is all on one floor and has an open fire. One of the ladies has restricted mobility so it is perfect for her. She hasn't been able to go out very much with her companions, but has stayed in the cottage and enjoyed a roaring fire and the views across the Churnet Valley.

Self catering holiday cottage, single storey accommodation.

July opening times at Alton Towers

If you are planning a trip to Alton Towers and need to juggle opening times, travelling times and booking accommodation, I hope you find this information useful.

July opening times at Alton Towers

And here is a tip - The theme park is enjoying peak season in July, particularly with traffic approaching from Uttoxeter and A50 in the mornings. Midweek there are school and uni trips, with lots of coaches. Weekends the roads are noticeably busy with cars queuing through the villages at arrival and departure times.

Beat the queues when you stay at Barks holiday cottage which is 2.6 miles away and enables you to approach from the quieter direction,

For the latest availability please check online or contact us.

Single storey, ground floor, self catering

We are having such an interesting year so far when it comes to taking bookings. Everyone is booking directly with us and not through the big booking agents. We love direct bookings - better for us, better for you!

We have recently taken a couple of bookings because people were particularly looking for single storey, ground floor accommodation in a country cottage. I can confirm, the cottage meets that description.

If you are looking for a bungalow in the countryside just drop us a line with your booking requirements and we can get your dates reserved straight away. Email us on barks@btconnect.com or phone 01538 703436. Many thanks

Barks Cottage - single storey self-catering

Alton Towers Easter 2019 Opening Hours

Our guests generally manage to squeeze in a trip or two to Alton Towers! Given that it is only 3 miles up the road it is fair to say that for many families it is the reason for coming to this part of the country in the first place. At least they leave realising that the Churnet Valley has a lot more to offer than merely the nation's favourite theme park.  Don't start me on that subject...😀

... Anyway, here are the opening hours for April 2019, in case you are planning a family self-catering holiday near Alton Towers.

Alton Towers opening times April 2019

Keep the family happy with some thrills up the road at Alton Towers, then drag them for a walk, something cultural or a family meal out on another day. Lot's of family time - that's what it's all about.

Holiday cottage near Alton Towers

This week has seen sunshine and showers - and a fantastic rainbow. This was taken on a walk that we like that is straight from the front door of the holiday cottage and doesn't cross any roads. Hard to believe that you are staying in a holiday cottage near Alton Towers.

Hard to believe sometimes that Barks Holiday Cottage is so near Alton Towers

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...