Romantic cottages for two in the Peak District
Romantic cottages for two in the Peak District
(Couldn’t resist the dramatic headline!)
Poppy is here with her owners, who are staying in Tom’s Barn for their honeymoon. Before they all arrived, John and I went to Chatsworth Farm Shop to catch up on some shopping (it’s difficult to stop catching up once there). John went to ask the butchers section for a bone for Poppy; deciding he perhaps ought to offer some explanation he found himself explaining it was for a dog coming for its honeymoon, so the idea of the hoenymooning dog has rather stuck. Incidentally, the butchers were so tickled by the idea John was handed a quite enormous bone which he had to ask them to saw into slightly more manageable lengths! They refused to charge anything.
Poor Poppy. Nobody quite knows how she hurt herself but as luck would have it it happened as far as possible away from their car while they were walking in Dovedale… She had been loving the walks. They went to Tissington yesterday and returned unscathed but she is young and very lively and apparently prone to getting into all sorts of scrapes- today it was a more serious one in Dovedale.
They say the cut she has is deep but clean, and was well dealt with by our Blenheim vets on the Industrial Estate. She certainly sports a very professional looking dressing – one wonders how long it will take to chew it off? Or maybe vets these days know how to discourage that in some magic way. Her fond owners emailed these two pictures across the Tom’s Barn courtyard but before we feel too sorry for her they do reassure that she has done ‘her sad puppy face’ for us! We are hoping that the injury won’t prevent them from enjoying some more walks in the next few days.
“The Peak District Environmental Quality Mark (EQM) is a pioneering award for businesses that contribute to the conservation and enhancement of the Peak District National Park”…and “only businesses that can demonstrate high standards of environmental management…can qualify for the award”!
So, as you can imagine, we were very delighted to hear that we have been successful. It certainly was a very rigorous procedure, and the most recent group of us were the first to pilot the new online application form. With all the links and ready access to relevant information online it apparently was more demanding than the old paper application but it is easy to claim that!
With the process being new we were officially testing the new version and there were some interesting snags thrown up which all appeared to be quickly resolved. Now the next step is the EQM Awards evening with dinner at Haddon Hall! Rather typically this comes the evening of the day (Thursday 16th) next week that the Friends of the DRCS are hosting a charity lunch for 120 in the new village hall at Over Haddon! We’ll be glad of what I am sure will be a lovely evening.
An eventful few days in the bird world, with one bit of bad bird news…
Our three little blue tit chicks tried to leave their nest ( i.e. hole in the wall) yesterday. But after all the parents’ loving attention and sheer hard work continuously feeding them two of the three didn’t make it, but fell to the ground, unable to fly and I am not telling tales but you may be able to guess what happened.
We were so upset, but then had to remind ourselves that that is the way of nature, and it was live worms and grubs had been fed to the baby birds, and so on… But we still felt pretty awful. However, the third baby, obviously the strongest, managed to fly to the nearby red oak and of course now is unrecognisable from all the other blue tit chicks chirruping away in all directions.
This evening at about six the bird chatter coming from our plum tree next to the house was quite amazing as all the little fledglings – blue tits and goldfinches, all reminded their parents that they might have left the nest, but they still needed feeding, and fast! From this angle the baby goldfinch in the photo which is not as clear as most of John’s, looks smaller than her very fluffed up and still quite skittery baby. Where the goldfinches were all nesting we have no idea, but obviously almost under our noses somewhere.
And finally, to a totally lovely and happy bit of human news: we are delighted to have another honeymoon couple staying, this time in Tom’s Barn. In fact they are ‘old’ friends (if pretty young!) so it is especially lovely for us and we are enjoying their flowers that they have left outside for us all to enjoy. Their happiness is infectious, and the huge slice of quite delicious wedding cake they brought up with them made a delightful if naughty treat at supper time.
I had been intending to do a post about food (!) but just had to share our bird news and show you these pictures.
Completely spurning our all-mod-cons-wooden-nesting-box-with-camera, the parents selected instead a hole in the stone wall of the shed opposite the house. It’s obviously quite a spacious hole and very cosy but the only camera is John’s taking photos from
outside rather than in the heart of their little home. 
A few days ago we heard lots of little cheeps coming from the wall, and now John has managed to capture these three extremely demanding and ravenous babies, being fed on constant demand by both parents who must be exhausted with the non-stop flying backwards and forward with tasty morsels to stuff down the babies’ beaks to keep them even slightly satisfied.
They should be leaving the nest quite soon – we’ll have to make sure Boots is not around to make smart work of any crash landings
Douglas’s Barn’s turn now – once again, I will put those with specific recommendations in a separate post. But first I am going to slip in an emailed comment from a lovely couple who stayed with us in April and who have agreed that we can publish their (private) message to us. All the other comments are from the Vistors’ Book.
“Just a quick note to thank you again for a wonderful stay at Douglas’ Barn. We were absolutely thrilled with the location and the fabulous facilities. The barn itself was just perfect. There were so many thoughtful little extras that made our stay truly special. It really felt like our home for the week! The delicious Bakewell tart deserves a special mention too – one of the many personal touches that made Douglas’ Barn the 5 star experience it was. We would thoroughly recommend either of the barns to people. We wanted for absolutely nothing during our stay & we felt so welcome.
We hope, very much, to stay with you again. It was just the most relaxing, peaceful & restful holiday we have had in years! With grateful thanks & our very best wishes…”
”Perfect 10/10 second visit, not the last we hope!” May 2011
“Our second visit to this fabulous cottage! We’ve had another fantastic holiday – very relaxing and we couldn’t have wished for better weather! The lemon drizzle cake was delicious!” May 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
“We really had an amazing week in Douglas’s Barn and will definitely be recommending to all our friends. The most relaxing and soothing holiday in years!!” April 2011
“Thoroughly enjoyed our stay – can’t wait to return. Clean, comfortable, cosy, so well-equipped, with such attention to detail. Thank you.” March 2011
“Now we’ve both had a week back at work we realise what a haven of relaxation Douglas Barn is!” March 2011
Below are some comments that our guests have left. I have already listed and posted separately several with useful suggestions and recommendations about where they’ve been – always helpful for others who may be looking for ideas. There is so much to do locally, no one should be short of ideas but choices have to be made and recommendations can be such a help.
Anyway, here is a selection of comments from Tom’s Barn – all can be seen and verified if anyone should ever wonder whether we sit here and dream them up!
“Yet another wonderful stay at Tom’s Barn – a warning to all – ‘Book early to avoid disappointment!’ This is a real gem and we are always sorry to leave. Even managed several smiles from the landlord at Brassington. Thanks so much, Marion and John.” May 2011
“Well, we might not have won the lottery – but we did pick up a cancellation at Tom’s Barn for Easter week and possibly the sunniest most glorious Easter in the history of the world. So, how lucky are we?!!! Thank you Marion and John for a wonderful haven. You know how much we have loved it, as we will be back in November and June 2012. Can’t wait!!” April 2011
“Many thanks, Marion and John. We have had a wonderful week, from the welcome treats when we arrived, to the lovely walks, to the peaceful surroundings. Just what we both needed.” April 2011
“We have enjoyed the beautiful landscapes here on our many walks. Thank you, Marion and John for providing such a clean, cosy and comfortable cottage. We have had a lovely holiday.” April 2011
‘We love it here! All you could want and more. Not our first visit nor will it be our last. Thank you, Marion and John.” March 2011
“With a welcome like no other (thank you, Marion and John) our stay has been very special – a real bolt hole from the issues and pressures of life. We go home refreshed and batteries truly recharged. Our thanks and gratitude.” March 2011
“What a treat! A delightful cottage in stunning surroundings. A wonderful first holiday for (baby) Ieuan and lots of precious memories for us. Thank you xxx.” March 2011
Our nephew, Tim Cragg, whom we have mentioned before, has just emailed to remind us that tonight at 9 o’clock on BBC 2 we have a chance to see a documentary (I presume) about Wentworth Woodhouse, Britain’s biggest stately home, once described as ‘the mansion of mystery and malice’.
I thought it might be worth mentioning here. We shall certainly watch it, although whether the mysteries will be solved Tim does not say (some years ago a previous owner burnt all the family papers, obviously to hide some secret he did not want revealed, but what??!).
Tim is the cameraman, Dan Cruikshank the presenter…
These comments below all come from the Visitors’ Books too, but as they have some very helpful recommendations I have extracted them and put in links to help any research (I haven’t repeated any links (e.g. the George, which doesn’t appear after the first one). I felt quite tantalised copying them out and have made several mental notes of places and walks for us to try – one would need lots of walks to balance the lovely food one’s being recommended.
“Our 4th visit to the wonderful Tom’s Barn. As always a lovely warm welcome from Marion and John, and the barn is as perfect as ever. We took a walk along the Cromford Canal – the amount of different wildlife on one walk was amazing. Had a couple of meals at the Coach and Horses at Fenny Bentley – great food, served all day. Already planning visit no. 5. Thanks again to Marion and John and their team for our perfect holiday.” May 2011
“Many thanks for a lovely stay in a splendidly equipped cottage (Tom’s Barn). We enjoyed dinner at the George in Alstonefield, a walk round Carsington Water and the teashop at Monsal Head, plus lots of lovely walks. Check out the Teashop Walk books in the bookcase. A delightful time in a beautiful part of the country.” May 2011
“Our second visit to this fabulous cottage (Douglas’s Barn)! We’ve had another fantastic holiday – very relaxing and we couldn’t have wished for better weather! Good food and service at the Devonshire Arms at Pilsley, Saracen’s Head, Shirley and the George at Alstonefield…the lemon drizzle cake was delicious!” May 2011
“A beautiful cottage (Douglas’s Barn’) with wonderful hosts and lots of walks – Dovedale is quite near and quite spectacular. Haddon, Kedleston and Sudbury Hall all repay a visit. Bakewell is really good for shops and Lathkill Dale – in the National Nature Reserve – a hidden secret. Lovely holiday!” April 2011
“We’ve all had a great time. Lots of walks – Hawksmoor, Dimmingsdale (if you go there stop for lemon meringue pie at the Ramblers’ Retreat) and Dovedale. The house (Tom’s Barn) is so cosy it’s hard to leave! We’ll be back.” March/April 2011
“Our first visit to Tom’s Barn and we are already planning a return visit. Without doubt, the most comfortable, clean and well-equipped cottage we have stayed in. Completely satisfied our book addiction at Scarthin Books and Brierlow Bar Book Store and had lovely days at Chatsworth and Kedleston Hall. However, the highlight of the weekend was Marion’s cake, heaven on a plate!” March 2011
We really do try to keep on top of things, as best we can… On one level that is relatively easy, trying to keep a critically objective eye on the state of the barns, decorating and replacing before necessary rather than after, so that the barns always look pristine and well-equipped, although there are areas in the rapidly developing audio-visual/electronic equipment department where we feel distinctly less confident.
Talking of which, we go to lots of wonderfully stimulating workshops and conferences on using the Internet effectively, but every time one touches the same subject again things have already moved on apace, so we just do the best we can. Since earlier this year we have a wonderful new format for our website, thanks to a lot of hard work by our web-man/guru/friend, Jeremy Brough and I must add, quite a lot of input from us this end, too, as we realised how much of the original material needed refreshing, rewording or just completely rewriting!
We now have (almost) full control of what is on the website and blog, and are still learning (HTML codes etc). There is quite a lot to do to keep the sites fresh and reasonably interesting and relevant; we love our life here and all our guests, and writing for the website always feels like writing a letter to friends, or chatting on the phone, so that aspect is no hardship at all! But sometimes one is too close to see the obvious and we do genuinely want suggestions from people about our new website – what else we should do, what is misleading, confusing, unnecessary, hard to find.
Someone told us that our Policies (lurking under ‘More Info’) were difficult to locate so that is something to address. Another constructive suggestion came from Derek and Jenny – click on the link and see the comments below the post. Ensuring the comments on the various pages are kept up to date is quite time consuming and because not urgent, has tended to get left to last. So we have taken on board their suggestion that I may (probably already have) run out of steam and will gradually remove most of the comments from the various pages, maybe leaving one or at the most two (perhaps we shouldn’t date them, then it won’t be so obvious – there’s a thought)!
So anyone who wants to see what other guests have said will have to click through the various links to posts on the blog. There are straightforward comments from the Visitors’ Books, but also sometimes we have really useful comments and recommendations about walks and places to eat via email which is slightly different. But first, I must copy in the latest batch of snippets from the Visitors’ Books…
As the summer season approaches, and more prosaically, probably because half term and the next Bank Holiday weekend is coming up, there seems to be a lot of information about what’s on, so I will try to distill some of it, with links so you can find out more.
The Monsal Trail: There is exciting news abut the new stretch of the the Monsal Trail from Bakewell to Millers Dale which was due to be officially opened today by the Duke of Devonshire. Previously one hadn’t been able to go through the tunnels which have now been repaired. All our local trails are great for walkers, cyclists and people on horseback – and wheelchairs and mobility scooters; they are well maintained, reasonably level and completely free from cars; the Monsal Trail goes through spectacularly beautiful country and is well worth a trip – preferably on a weekday, possibly, as you may not be the only people there, particularly at the weekend…
There are various access points en route, but the first link we give is for the one nearest Bakewell, Hassop Sation, where one can park at the Hassop Bookshop and cafe, enjoy pleasant food, buy books and hire bikes, including the electric variety. (We’ve tried the cafe and the bookshop, not the bikes!) However, you could also start from Monsal Head – some pleasant decisions to be made!
Chatsworth: There is lots planned at Chatsworth this summer – best to look at this link which will tell you much more than I can. Do be prepared for the fact that Chatsworth House itself is shrouded in scaffolding so you don’t at present get that dramatic first view we all love so well, of thr house glinting in the sunshine as you descend through the park. If you’re interested in art you may like to see their first exhibition in their New Gallery (it opens May 27th) rather enticingly entitled ‘Britain’s Most Eligible Batchelor’ – the 6th Duke who sadly is no longer available. The 2011 Chatsworth Country Fair is on Friday 2nd to Sunday 4th September.
Sally Mosley Walks: If you rather like the idea of a guided walk, taken in a very relaxed, pleasant way by someone who knows and loves the area, it might be worth looking at this link for her forthcoming walks and contacting Sally. She will also arrange a personal walk exactly to suit your requirements if you ask her, which at least one guest recently has appreciated enormously.
The Heights of Abraham/cable cars: This is something that rather shamefully over the years we have never done but we happily pass on some info and yet another link, feeling we really must try the cable cars ourselves – manwhile we await some first hand reports from guests! Once up at the top there seems to be a lot to do, before you come down to earth again!
I have had the pleasure of managing Tom and Douglas Barns for 10 Years and felt it was time to enjoy a bit more of my retirement. The barns will continue to be holiday cottages and will be maintained to the standard that all previous guests have enjoyed. The only change is that Sykes Cottages […]
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The weather has been so wet but our barns offer a cosy retreat in beautiful countryside. Why not pack a bag for a few days and have a break . We have extended our spring prices until mid June and reduced our summer prices. It would be lovely to see you for a few days […]
