Douglas's Barn
Availability

    
   
 

2008 Prices
From: £375 to £510
 
   

Douglas's Barn

 
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Douglas’s Barn is the newer (May 2006) of our two Five Star luxury barn conversions for two in the Peak National Park.

  
   

  • Contemporary; sleeps 2

  • Kingsize bed

  • Ensuite whirlpool bath with power shower over

  • Luxury, peace and quiet in a beautiful, sheltered setting

  • Dovedale, Chatsworth, Haddon, Tissington, all within 30 minutes

  • Original paintings downstairs by local Derbyshire artists

  • A hint of Africa upstairs

  • Wireless Internet Access

  • New micro hifi with iPod player

  • FreeSat TV

  • Winter short breaks Oct-March

Please Note...

  • Douglas’s Barn is completely pet free (although Boots our cat disapproves strongly …)

  • It is not suitable for children, or anyone nervous of spiral stairs
  Douglas's Barn is officially a romantic escape! See Stop Press below!  
     
 

Douglas's Barn is beautifully warm.

As you come through the front door, the sitting room is straight ahead and the kitchen on the left.

There isn’t a right angle to be seen!

  
 
 
 
 
    We like to have lots of flowers always, although it's not always so easy in winter  
 

The kitchen is equipped with a top of the range electric cooker with rotisserie, microwave fridge/freezer, dishwasher, washing machine and dryer.

 

Spot (one of) the see-through chairs round the circular kitchen table...

 

We always leave you some fresh flowers, and – during the summer – a jug of herbs from the garden

 

You will find a tea tray laid for your arrival, with freshly baked (nearly always homemade) cake or biscuits.

  
 
 
 
    Marion's chocolate cake is quite popular!  
 

The sitting room has a very modern 'burning pebbles' electric fire set in to the wall, with remote control.

 

There is a flat panel tv, dvd player and mini hifi cd/iPod player, with DAB radio.

 

In the bookcase you'll find local information, maps, games and novels.

You will even find boot dryers - useful if your walking boots have got wet the day before.

 
 
 
 
   
     

We provide a copy of the Radio Times, Derbyshire Life

and the local paper so you can see what’s on.

  

The sitting room has a luxurious leather sofa and original paintings by local artists on the walls.
 
       
 

Up the spiral stairs to the bedroom and ensuite bathroom, spy the original African paintings bought on a recent family trip to Cape Town.

 

It also has a rocking chair with matching foot stool, dressing table and remote controlled TV.

 
 
 
 
   
     

The bedroom has an extra wide kingsize bed complete with down and feather topper.

  

We had the spiral stairs specially made to fit into the space and they have become quite a distinctive feature of our lovely barn.

     
 
 

The ensuite bathroom has a whirlpool bath with power shower over

 

There is also a heated towel rail.

 
 
 
 
       
 

Outside Douglas's Barn there is a wooden table and two chairs, perfect for sitting out in the evening sunshine.

 

There is also a more secluded south facing stone paved patio (as pictured) with picnic table and weber barbecue.

  
 
 
 
           
 

These floor plans give a rough idea of the more than somewhat quirky layout of Douglas's Barn.

 

 

 

  
     
           

Why Douglas?


Marion’s father Douglas, whom many of our ‘older’ guests will remember, used to live here. From a Lowland Scots family, he actually grew up near Lichfield, used to holiday in the Peak District and spent all his working life in Africa, where Marion grew up… Hence the Derbyshire/African mix.
 

From cowshed to romantic luxury: both barns are very different, but equally charming.

 

Tom’s Barn is probably somewhat earlier than Douglas’s Barn, which we suspect was joined up to the house in a fairly adhoc way by a late 18C farmer with more concern for his cows than architecture.

 

Douglas’s Barn was scheduled to open in mid May 2006. A fortnight before it was even nearly ready we allowed ourselves to be cajoled by two separate couples into agreeing to their coming earlier and act as guinea pigs. This they did, to everybody’s convenience and pleasure. Our very first guests – from Cornwall – came back within a year and are already planning their third visit, for the end of 2007!

  
       

Douglas's Barn is officially a romantic escape!

 

Douglas's Barn was chosen by journalist Annabelle Thorpe for her selection of 20 Romantic Cottages for Two Escape Guide in the Observer Travel section (Sunday 13th January 2008)!

 

Obviously, we aren't surprised but we certainly are delighted.

 

It is worth pointing out that we are actually in the village of Parwich, albeit on the edge, and of course, Orchard Farm is no longer a working farm.

 

Comments from Douglas’s Barn Visitors’ Book 2007 and 2008

"This is a truly idyllic location and we loved everything about Douglas’s Barn."

 

"The best self-catering we have ever stayed in! Beautiful cottage, excellently equipped and furnished. Thanks for the warm welcome and the extra touches."

 

"Stunning cottage, beautiful weather, glorious walks…all chilled out! We’ve had a lovely  week."

 

"Perfect cottage in a fantastic location."

 

"The birdsong is glorious!"

 

"Really liked the 'touch of Africa' - it reminded us of home."

 
 
 

 

"We have really enjoyed the thoughtful comforts provided, and the warm welcome. Our only regret is not staying longer."