Romantic cottages for two in the Peak District
Romantic cottages for two in the Peak District
Should be more a general update really but marmalade features heavily so I’ll start with that. We have just made a batch of grapefruit, lime and lemon marmalade, not having thought ahead enough to lay in stocks of Seville oranges in the freezer. Nor – in our defense – had we realised when we started tentatively popping little jars of homemade marmalade into the barns just what we had started.
How wrong! Our guests seem to love marmalade quite as much as we do, which of course is lovely.
We thought of it as a little experiment, something we could try out discreetly, and discontinue equally discreetly…
So now I am on the lookout for interesting recipes for really good, bitter marmalade but which doesn’t rely on Sevilles. We used wonderfully fresh, organic Sevilles this Jan, from Riverford, but the grapefruit, lemon and lime is almost as good although I say it myself.
Any offers of favourite marmalade recipes that fit the bill, will be very gratefully received (and acknowledged!). Please/thank you!
For a couple of hours on Monday we almost felt like celebrities, with a photographer here from the Daily Telegraph snapping away at John and me and Tom’s and Douglas’s Barns from every angle. Sadly, we didn’t look quite look the celebrity picture but it was fun while it lasted and Gabriel the photographer was charming.
This followed an interview over the telephone by Claudine Beaumont, a journalist from the Daily Telegraph. I had been understandably surprised and apprehensive when the editor of the Weekend section emailed to ask if I would be agreeable, but Claudine made it all very easy and unfrightening – in fact she was so easy to talk to it was positively enjoyable.
After all this excitement, we heard nothing. Would an article appear at all? Would we and our barns be mentioned? We really didn’t know what to expect when the paper arrived this morning. Eventually we spotted something.
In today’s Weekend Section at the very end of an article by Claudine Beaumont on page 3 entitled ‘Cashing in on the Digital Age’ you might just spot, if you look hard, a column and a half about how John and I use web technology for running Tom’s and Douglas’s Barns (our self-catering holiday cottage accommodation and note, not guest house in case you were wondering!). Not a photograph to be seen, which is probably understandable and quite a relief but also in a way quite strange after all the photographic activity!
Anyway, do have a look; it makes me seem much wiser and more knowledgable than I am or feel! We will put up the link to the article when the Saturday paper goes online.
Well, we’ve had a very relaxing couple of days forgetting all our responsibiities and doing happy holiday things with our friends Lorna and James. On Tuesday we walked over the hills to Tissington to catch the second last day of this year’s well dressings. The displays were up to their usual high standard, and had survived the six days of hot dry weather remarkably well. Back home for a well-earned cup of tea, stopping off at the White Peak butchery for some of their wonderful Tissington Bangers for our guests.
The next day off we set (by car) for Dovedale, and had a lovely walk up to Alstonefield, following the river (Dove) all the way until we got to Milldale. The river water looked clean and fresh and very welcoming although we resisted any – quite strong – childish temptation to paddle. River-wise it was beautiful, but we didn’t spot any interesting wildlife or birds: our sum tally was bluebells,wild garlic, butterflies and ducks (and various tree blossoms we didn’t recognise)!
A warm welcome and lovely lunch at the George and then we stocked up with some delicious goodies in their Farm Shop behind the pub (I wonder if everyone realises it is there?). And now Lorna and James have gone home and normal life resumes, not that it ever seems just normal. There is usually something interesting happening.
A busy weekend in these parts, and the sun is shining, warmly. It makes a welcome change from the recent cold and the frosty nights.
We are giving the Horse Trials a miss this year, but plan to walk over to Tissington on Tuesday with some more very good friends, Lorna and James (Lorna was our bridesmaid) who are coming to stay.
Meanwhile, John and I walked up Parwich Hill this afternoon and came across some beautiful Parwich orchids. Sadly, for some reason we can’t upload photos onto the blog at the moment, so you’ll have to see it on our website Home Page instead by clicking on the Parwich Orchid link above.
By the way, we proudly call it the Parwich Orchid but its proper name is probably rather more mundane. John has tried to look it up and it appears to be ‘the Purple Orchid’; the Latin name to us remains a mystery – hope someone can help.
Another busy few days for us here since our inspection, including a flying visit to Dorset to help some very good friends celebrate a special birthday. Colouring everything has been all the drama of the election and subsequent speculation and tension surrounding the political future as it unfolded.
It has been like living in a soap without an author; nobody, not even those taking part knowing what the outcome would be. John and I found ourselves compelled almost without a break to watch or listen to the news! However, unlike in most soaps – one couldn’t help feeling impressed by the dignity and restraint of the main players and the moving sight of Gordon Brown and his little family leaving Downing Street. Now one just hopes that Cameron and Clegg and their team will be allowed to get on with their hugely unpleasant job without the media beginning immediately to undermine them.
To quote from the Visit Britain website, “This award reflects a very high level of quality. Properties achieving the Gold Award have exceptional levels of quality, comfort and cleanliness in bedrooms and bathrooms, and outstanding levels of customer care.”
Meanwhile, back at the ranch, we have had some good news tonight: both barns easily retain their Five Star status, both now achieving a Gold Award.
We are really delighted. But don’t think for one moment that we will sit back and rest on those laurels. We are only too aware that standards increase and guests’ expectations change and we always try to keep one step ahead. This is one reason we so appreciate comments and suggestions from all our guests.
Well! What a day!
Changeover day with a Visit Britain inspection thrown in for good measure… we have never had that before. In the past, the inspection has taken place mid-week which is rather inconvenient for our guests but generally easier because, when all is said and done, our first priority on a Friday is to have everything ready, sparkling fresh and welcoming for our guests and not to have them arrive while we are showing the inspector around, as happened today. Fortunately, both lots had been before.
We had a very pleasant and extremely thorough inspector (thank goodness for our wonderful Janet and Carol!) who seemed pretty happy with things generally but less impressed with the state of the Tom’s Barn stairs which she felt showed unhappy evidence of the odd sharp-clawed dog scrabbling up them.
We have already arranged with David, our wonderful joiner, who is going to build a wooden gate at the foot of the stairs and do what he can to iron out the worst of the gouges. The other thing we have to do, which we had already planned anyway, is to replace the easy chair and footstool in Tom’s Barn, which although actually spotlessly clean, no longer looks so.
Douglas’s Barn appeared to pass muster without comment (hope I’m not deluded). What we were hoping for, after all our refurbishments in Tom’s Barn, was for Tom’s Barn to go up that one vital point (from 91% overall to 92% ) to join Douglas’s Barn in the exclusive Gold Star ‘club’. Last year we were told the only thing between us and a Gold Star was the cooker, and that has been replaced with one that is very definitely not old fashioned…
So all we can do now is sit and wait (and start looking for that new chair).
And here are the comments from our recent guests in Douglas’s Barn…
“The accommodation is beautiful, the setting superb. We have really enjoyed our stay here.” April 2010
“Our stay here has been truly relaxing: lovely weather, lovely cottage, perfect hosts. What more could you ask for?” April 2010
“Losing track of how many times we have been here now – beginning to feel a little possessive! Having left a little black and white cat in Birmingham, Boots made us feel even more at home. We found her patiently waiting by the door after our lie-ins! Hope the next guests aren’t allergic…” April 2010
“Our first time in Douglas’s Barn (but sixth visit overall)…enjoyed lazy walks by the Dove, north from Milldale and south from Hartington. … Excellent weather and a very peaceful and comfortable break. Thank you for all the comforts in Douglas’s Barn.” April 2010
“Had a great week, cottage was superb, cake and marmalade delicious! The village pub and shop was very accommodating. The Bluebell Inn (Tissington) was very good, the Old Gate at Brassington – very good meal, friendly staff but a bit dark and smokey (coal fire).” April 2010
“A wonderful, relaxing anniversary break. Everything we could have wanted and more! Thank you, lovely to meet you both, and Boots.” March 2010
“More than met our expectations after reading up on TripAdvisor etc! Cake and flowers lovely, as is the cottage and Peak District. We will be back, and writing our own review on TripAdvisor. Thanks to you and Janet.” March 2010
“You really have thought of everything to make Douglas’s Barn perfect. No wonder couples who want time away, choose here. Those extra touches really do make a difference. Thank you both of you.” March 2010
“Second visit to Douglas’s Barn, which is as wonderful as ever! We managed a couple of cycle rides – coming back from the cold to luxury and comfort. We loved every minute. Thank you!” March 2010
“Wonderful home away from home. Glorious weather for exploring hills and dales. Lived up to all expectation and beyond – many thanks.” March 2010
At last I’ve found the time to enter the recent comments for Tom’s Barn. Douglas’s to follow…
“At the risk of becoming repetitive another superb week here in Tom’s Barn – John and Marion, wonderful owners, nothing too much bother for them. No complaints! New cooker a doddle, Marion!!” April 2010
“Yet another fabulous week at Tom’s Barn. Thank you Janet for the warm welcome but that is what you get every time you arrive at this lovely cottage. All the little touches were the same as last time, but when i thought it couldn’t get any better you threw in homemade marmalade (do you do internet orders?) Thank you again.”April 2010
“Tom’s Barn – what can I say – you thought of everything. We thoroughly enjoyed our ‘short’ stay – it was a wonderful relaxing place. The walks were very pleasant and there is still so much more to discover – we would love to come back again! Thank you.” April 2010
“A wonderful time was had by us all. Tom’s Barn was the perfect setting for our last holiday before the arrival of our twins! Rest and relaxation was the order of the day and this was helped by the comfort and the little extras that were provided by John and Marion in the barns. We were very sad to leave. Thank you.” April 2010
“A lovely relaxing week away from it all – everything we could need in the cottages and lots of lovely dog walks on the doorstep. Locals very friendly and happy to chat – any problems and John and Marion are available. Attention to detail excellent – I particularly appreciated the padding on the upstairs beam on several occasions!!” April 2010
J&MF-S ”It felt strange being our own guests, and even stranger writing in the Visitors’ Book…! It made a very pleasant change to be guests, and casting aside all pretensions to modesty, we loved our short stay here. We have always tried to make our barns the kind of place we’d enjoy ourselves, so perhaps it is not surprising, but quite a relief all the same. It was useful, too. We did identify one or two things that weren’t quite up to snuff but a quick word in the owners’ ear ensured these were quickly rectified. (Couldn’t find the frying pan, the phone too crackly to use with any comfort, tatty chopping boards…). Can’t wait for the chance to try Douglas’s Barn (again) now.” March 2010
“Superb stay. Tom’s Barn is so cosy and it’s the best equipped cottage we’ve ever stayed in. The George (Alstonefield) well worth a visit, as is Ye Olde Gate Inn (Brassington) as both allow dogs in the pub. The George’s food was the best. John and Marion are great, very helpful as needed but equally, left us to enjoy the cottage. We would love to return -… a fantastic introduction to the Peak District. Thank you!” March 2010
“We had a great time. The barn is fantastic and the attention to detail is excellent. Really relaxing break. The ‘steak and stilton pie’ from the butcher’s in Tissington was fantastic, as were the walks. We look forward to returning!” March 2010
“Tom’s Barn is a haven of peace and tranquillity, where stress just slips away. Beautifully appointed and equipped to ensure a most enjoyable stay. It is those extra touches such as the welcome tea tray, flowers, information packs that set this accommodation apart, not to mention the friendly welcome from John and Marion. We would love to come back and would have no hesitation in recommending this as the perfect getaway. Thank you so much.” March 2010
We do appreciate all your comments but, particularly in this case, about where you’ve enjoyed (or not) eating; they can be very helpful for future guests planning their stay.
Here are some recent comments from our guests about some of the local pubs and eateries:
Shockingly, over a week has passed since we last updated, and a lot has happened. As far as our barns are concerned the most significant is that we are to be inspected on Friday next (5th May). As well as the actual inspection, which is usually pretty rigorous, one has to be sure to have all the paperwork from inventories policies and procedures – Fire, Risk Assessment, Access etc etc.
More cheerfully, the St. George’s Day parade and service last weekend (followed by the church fete on the village green) was a splendid and moving village occasion and made one feel very proud and privileged to be part of the Parwich community.
We had staying with us our friends Morag and Joe from Cumbria, who were most impressed with everything, envious of all the community involvement and who thoroughly enjoyed the day. Similarly our friends Mary and Piers, who stayed with us this weekend, very much entered into the spirit of things, loving the May Day concert in the church (will the organ ever sound the same again?!) and the very impressive Skills Day on Monday. What a wealth of talent (sometimes unsuspected) lies in the village…
Personally I passed a significant milestone, managing over the weekend a walk to Tissington on Sunday and to Brassington on Monday, my first real ventures on rough ground since breaking my ankle on the snows of the Alps at Christmas! Quite a personal triumph although it does mean I have no excuses left!
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 […]
The weather is a bit mixed but we are still getting sunny days. A perfect time of year to come and stay for a few days and have a walk in the lovely countryside, take a bike ride, visit one of the many attractions that all stay open or just relax in Tom or Douglas […]
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 […]
