Self-catering accommodation for Alton Towers Scarefest, Halloween and Fireworks

Alton Towers Scarefest, Halloween and Fireworks

27th October for 3 nights - £485

30th October for 4 nights - £495

 

Book direct with the owners to avoid booking fees 👍

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 ST10 4DB

☀️Great for walkers and getting outdoors 

🍰Nearby tea rooms

🌳 Peak District & Churnet Valley await

😃 Family time 

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.

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.

Fizz on the terrace

Just sharing a few pictures from my walk today. The combination of sun and snow is my absolute favourite (at this time of year).

Obviously in the summer I'm more about a glass of fizz on the terrace, but let's not get ahead of ourselves.  Although to be fair people more organised than me are making plans for the summer. And I am extremely pleased that our regular guests from Nottingham have rebooked, because they also like a bottle of fizz on the terrace and I love joining them for a natter 🥂🍾. 

For the latest availability please check online or contact us.

Easter efficiency re the holiday cottage

For the latest holiday cottage availability please contact us.

Panic over! I have just spent an hour wondering why I had blocked off 7th April 2023 from our booking agents. I checked all our email enquiries, looked at social media inboxes and rifled through the files looking for any handwritten notes relating to a direct booking. Why had I told our booking agents that we aren't accepting bookings from them that week? I just couldn't figure it out. I also Googled Easter dates, but hadn't spotted that it was giving me last year's info. Eventually it dawned on me that Easter wasn't likely to be on my mother's birthday two years in a row. So back to Google asking for 'Easter 2023 dates' and the mystery was instantly solved. Easter 2023 starting 7th April is currently only available to our customers who book direct for their self-catering holiday cottage breaks. Alton Towers is open and it's 3 miles down the road.

The same applies to Barks Holiday Cottage bookings in the 2023 summer holidays too. For the time being we are only accepting direct bookings for the holiday cottage. Please drop us a line if there are self-catering holiday dates you are interested in.

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.

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.

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. 

August availability

We have availability for short self catering holiday cottage breaks during July and August 2022 and school summer holidays. Please contact us with your preferred dates. We can offer 3, 4 or 5 nights, from £500 - £660.

In the summer holidays families like to take a short break in the area because we are so handy for Alton Towers and the Peak District.  After a hard day on the rollercoaster you can come back and enjoy some peace and quiet and do your own thing.

Spring half term holiday cottage

So far we have not let the holiday cottage for May half term. It's the only week in the year that I'm not offering short breaks, and I'm wondering if that's an issue or whether everyone is a bit caught up with Jubilee plans. Trouble is, I don't have anyone to do the holiday cottage change over cleaning during half term week.  I actually turned away a short break enquiry because it would be easier if we have a full week booking over May half term - was that a mistake? Honestly, the things you have to fret about when running a self-catering holiday cottage accommodation business. 

On the subject of Jubilee plans, there are some rather lovely things happening locally. I think I shall nip to Alton - the village, not the theme park. 

More on that another time. 

Our weekend holiday cottage guests departed this morning and came over to settle up for bits and pieces. We had a little chat about the walks they'd been on and our rescue dog so I completely forgot to take a snap of their two four-legged companions. When I dashed round to the cottage to try and catch them I found this lovely note and some treats for our new arrival. How kind!

Spring 2022

The snowdrops are good this year, and we took two bookings last night for our holiday cottage near Alton Towers, both signs that spring is well on the way.

Barks Holiday Cottage is well placed to enjoy spring countryside and yet the alternative charm of Alton Towers is less than three miles away.

Catherine & James
Barks Holday Cottage

01538 703163

For the latest availability please check online or contact us.

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.

Winter cottage rental

In the winter we take longer bookings of 21 to 28 days. The maximum length that any single booking can be is 28 days (so as not to affect our status as holiday accommodation)

The cottage is fully furnished so ideal for a short let for those moving house or working locally. We can be flexible in how the rooms are laid out. We have 3 single beds and a double bed.

• Gas CH.
• Open fire.
• Heating and fuel are not supplied for longer lets.
• Sheets, duvets and towels are supplied.
• Hairdryer.
• TV - large digital TV.
• Microwave.
• Dishwasher.
• Fridge-freezer.
• Washing machine - available for winter bookings 21 to 28 days only.
• Wifi - not superfast broadband but good enough to stream TV favourites.
• Parking for 2 cars.
• Pets welcome: we accept dogs - please check that the situation regarding Pets is acceptable to you.

hello@barks-holiday-cottage.co.uk

01538 703163

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.