Douglas's Barn
“ More than worth the 5 star award - Douglas's Barn is the perfect place for a relaxing, luxury holiday. My wife and I have never enjoyed better accommodation in this country and would recommend anyone to visit.” August 2010
Douglas’s Barn is a Five Star luxury self-catering cottage for two in the Peak District: it lies next to open countryside with glorious walks in every direction but also within only a short stroll of the village pub, shop and church.
Our guests love the 'quirky but gorgeous' contemporary interior with all its funny nooks and weird crannies; they love the calm, still atmosphere and soothing colours which make one feel instantly sheltered from the stresses of the outside world. They also appreciate all the little 'extra touches' and the fine quality of the furniture and equipment.
(They also seem to like the homemade cake and now the Orchard Farm marmalade!)
Romantic escape for two: luxury self-catering accommodation in the Derbyshire Peak Park
What pleasures await: Five Star comfort within
Marion’s own version of Bakewell Tart
Quirky comfort - up the spiral stairs to bed
Romantic luxury...Douglas's Barn's extra-wide and extra-long king-size bed with Vi-spring mattress
Douglas's Barn bathroom for a relaxing soak
Douglas's Barn private patio, overlooking the pond
Relaxing break: recharge the batteries in comfort
Many a gourmet meal from local produce
Keen cooks will love the beautifully equipped kitchen
An essay in weird shapes and quirky angles: spiral stairs, especially made to fit into the wedgy space
...or even a power shower, over the whirlpool bath
The two holiday cottages, across the front of our house
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 ad hoc 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 – have already returned for their fourth visit!
Several of our guests like to come twice in the year - perhaps once in the summer and another in the winter: the comfort in the barn doesn't change but there is a wonderful contrast in the countryside from the luxuriant green of the summer to the barer but bracing winter scenery.
Recent Comments from Douglas’s Barn Visitors’ Book
“We have had a fantastic week! This is by far the best place we have ever stayed in the UK.” August 2010
“It’s great to return after six years and find everything as wonderful as we remembered. We’ve had an action week of walking and cycling and have enjoyed returning to the peace and tranquillity of Orchard Farm and the comforts of Douglas’s Barn. Thank you John and Marion for your warm hospitality and all the ‘little extras’, especially the seriously good Bakewell Tart.” June 2010
"Wonderfully relaxing holiday in the best-equipped cottage we’ve had the pleasure of staying in." May 2010
“It is rare indeed to find a holiday cottages of such high quality and exacting standards. Faultless, thoughtful and impressive attention to detail. A lovely weekend; Derbyshire has so much to offer.” Feb 2010
“Thank you for providing the ingredients for the best Christmas ever! We loved the cottage, the long walks in the snow and the peace and quiet. Bliss! Top notch accommodation – will tell friends.” Dec 09
“Have had a truly wonderful time here: stunning scenery, gorgeous weather and a friendly village. The cottage was the best place we’ve ever stayed in.’ Oct 09
"What a pleasure to come to a ‘cottage’ which actually lives up to its 5 Star billing!" Aug 2009
