From cowshed to contemporary luxury: a romantic retreat for two in the beautiful Peak Park countryside

‘Thank you for all the comforts provided in this lovely cottage and especially thank you…for your welcome and all the little extras provided, and fresh flowers, marmalade, good reading and the photo opportunity! We have thoroughly enjoyed this week in Parwich.’ July 2011

Our luxury self-catering holiday accommodation in the Peak District village of Parwich offers all couples the real chance to relax in peace and comfort in an idyllic rural setting.

From ancient cowshed…

From the outside – in spite of a mass of colourful pots of flowers and the soothing blue-green paintwork – you’d be forgiven for wondering if our two luxury Five Star holiday cottages in the Peak District had in fact altered much since their more modest beginnings as cowsheds. However, fear not.

…to contemporary luxury

Open the door and you may be taken aback – no ancient farm buildings these! You sense at once that both our 18C barns are very much 21st century luxury: peaceful, relaxing, exuding comfort, warmth and welcome.

Close the door behind you. You can relax, at last! You will find yourself in the perfect romantic hideaway for two, far removed from all the pressures and strains of normal life. Your stresses will instantly start to unravel as you start to revel in the luxury of enjoying a totally relaxing time together in your own very special home from home with no other responsibilities except to enjoy yourselves.

Owner-run holiday accommodation

A big plus for all our guests is that our two holiday cottages are owner-run. We, John and Marion, live next door. We own and cherish Tom’s and Douglas’s Barns and our guests and are on the spot if you need us but very discreet otherwise. We are there to welcome you, to answer any questions and iron out any problems if they should happen to occur.

We’re there when you need us but promise we don’t intrude!

Our approach? Trying to keep one step ahead

Our aim is to make our luxury self-catering accommodation in the Peak District the most perfect relaxing romantic cottages for two: the sort of holiday accommodation we would love to stay in ourselves (we keep looking…!). Luckily for us, our two converted barns are very popular and in great demand – but we don’t ever want to rest on our laurels. We are constantly trying to think what else we can do to keep everything as special as possible; we are aware that standards progress and expectations increase and a bit like over-indulgent parents are always trying to think what next we can spoil our cottage guests with.

Our style? Understated luxury

We may have Five Star cottages, they may have a Gold Award but ours is an unflashy luxury: nothing twee, nothing fancy or fussy but everything superior quality, spotlessly clean, extremely comfortable and in excellent condition.

We don’t take short cuts and we don’t use cut-price suppliers believing if you want to provide quality you must use quality products and suppliers, well-respected firms (including it must be said Ikea when appropriate!) but mainly such as Farrow & Ball for all interior paint, and Valti for outside, John Lewis and The White Company for linen and towels, Vi-Spring mattresses (and bed in Tom’s Barn), Gilchrist & Soames for ‘toiletries’; we buy top of the range electrical equipment having first pored over Which?

What extras can you expect to find?

We try to provide everything – within reason – you might need (see Tom’s Barn & Douglas’s Barn for more detail).

Relaxation:

We want you to feel that your whole holiday break is a relaxing, self-indulgent treat rather than an exercise in making do with second best… We want you to go home feeling totally spoilt, relaxed and refreshed, ready to meet the real world again.

Activities?

If you can drag yourselves away there is just so much to do in the lovely Derbyshire Peak District countryside surrounding us. Summer barbecues in your own garden area, countless walks right from the door including the High Peak and Tissington Trails, trips to nearby famous Dovedale, Carsington for water sports, Chatsworth and at least five other stately homes within an hours’ drive, local fishing, golf, tennis (actually in Parwich itself) and so on. You will find plenty of information in your barn.

Contact – if you want it – with the outside world

All you really need to bring

All you really have to think about are your personal belongings and anything particular you may want to eat and drink. You will be able to top up any necessities at the shop-in-the-pub. Anything organic or more exotic could be ordered in advance of your arrival from Riverford Organics or Waitrose and we’ll put it away for you in your barn to await you.

We provide dressing gowns but it may be wise to bring a pair of slippers as the quarry tiles in the kitchens can be cool!

Recent comments from our guests

“Immaculate and beautifully comfortable cottage. Thank you for all the thoughtful touches and the provisions. We leave fuller, fatter and full of fine food!” Nov 2011

‘As ever, a lovely stay, with all the little extras. Weather was glorious so what more could we ask… Thanks again!’ Aug 2011

‘Many thanks, Marion and John, for a lovely stay. The cake was a lovely treat on arrival, and you have thought of everything to make our stay as comfortable as possible! Thank you again!’ July 2011

“Another lovely stay at Tom’s Barn. We visited in December when everything was covered in snow – lovely to see it here in summertime. Chatsworth is a great place to visit – dog friendly, excellent walks. Relaxing and very comfortable and peaceful as ever. Thank you.’ July 2011

“Wow! What a beautiful place, in so many ways. We knew it would be good but Douglas’s Barn still exceeded our expectations! Thank you for making it so special, amazing and relaxing! (Got engaged on Wed 27th on a hillside overlooking Dovedale!!!)” April 2011