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Ashover, Derbyshire, England
Number of guests
Sleeps up to 15 (Barn 11 + stables annexe 4)
Property description
Two 180-year old farm buildings have had a makeover, emerging as beauties, with all their original oak beam and stonework features intact. You can book The Barn alone, which sleeps 11 and has ample dining and seating facilities for 15; or you can add on The Stables annexe which sleeps 4.
The visitors’ book is full of praise for the way in which Vicki and Steve Clemerson look after their guests at Holestone Moor. The two cottages and their home are set around three sides of a cobbled courtyard, and the Clemersons are always on hand to help you get the best out of the house and the area, though discreetly invisible if you prefer not to be disturbed.
There’s lots to do for children, both at the Barns (a games room and an under 5s playroom) and beyond where you have five acres of land to explore. There’s woodland with a summerhouse, a wildflower meadow, a grassed area for games, barbecues and picnics, and a wildlife pond. You can also use a neighbour’s indoor heated pool, five minutes away, for a nominal charge.
The Barns are utterly peaceful and well away from main roads. At almost 1000 feet above sea level you get some wonderful weather effects, and beautiful starry skies. Sitting out in the evenings over a bottle of wine on a clear night, you may even experience the Northern Lights!
Location
The edge of the Peak District National Park. Access is along a track via the adjacent dairy farmyard, which you can drive through. Four miles from Ashover (2006 English village of the year) and from Matlock, the nearest town of any size, where you can hire a car. With easy accessibility (20 minutes’ drive from the M1) guests also have the shopping and entertainment facilities of cities like Sheffield (including the Meadowhall shopping mall), Derby and Nottingham.
Airport: Nottingham East Midlands (45/60 mins drive)
Stations: Matlock; Chesterfield (8 miles)
Accommodation
There are 7 bedrooms – 5 in the Barn (1 double, 3 twins and 1 treble), all ensuite); and 2 in the Stables (1 double, 1 twin). Try out the unique “cannon ball” double in The Stables (literally with cannon balls on the bed ends!). An additional Z-bed is available in The Barn.
In addition to the 5 bathrooms in the Barn there’s a downstairs lavatory, and a bathroom in The Stables.
The Barn has a large lounge with a full height apex ceiling. The Stables has an open plan living/dining/kitchen area.
Both cottages have full use of the games room with its table tennis, table football, pool and dart board (please bring your own darts, for safety reasons). There’s also a playroom for rainy days, with toys for under 5s.
Facilities
Both cottages have well-equipped fitted kitchens with all the usual fridge, freezer, microwave, dishwasher etc. The Barn kitchen has a large range-style electric cooker with two ovens, and plenty of seating room in its dining room for guests from both cottages. The Stables has an electric cooker and hob.
Both have washing machines and access to tumble dryers.
The living rooms have DVD/video players, Freeview TV and hi-fis, and cosy chairs around log-burning stoves.
Baby equipment includes a high chair and a travel cot in each cottage. Available on request are a wooden cot, some cot bedding (but not cot bumpers) and a stairgate.
There are barbecues and garden furniture, a video/CD/DVD library, a reference book and map library, and an extensive fiction book library in each cottage.
Linen, towels, electricity, central heating and logs are included in the price.
You also have the option of being pampered by Gillie who comes to the house from a company called “Relaxing Possibilities”. Treatments available include facial & massage treatments, and hand and foot care.
For food shopping, Matlock sells most things, and Chesterfield has several good supermarkets and an excellent market.
Unfortunately pets cannot stay here, owing to the dairy farm next door.
Area
Outside, both cottages look out onto the cobbled courtyard. Vicki and Steve encourage guests to explore their five acres including woodland walks, wildflower meadows and a wildlife pond. You can feed the hens and collect eggs, as well as meet the alpacas. Besides having the sounds and smells that are associated with the adjacent dairy farm, guests are also sometimes lucky enough to see a newly born calf. Many guests are interested in the day-to-day running of the farm.
The Peak District is the second most visited National Park in the world (after Mount Fujiyama in Japan!). You can reach many of the attractions in less than half an hour. Possibilities include:
* Chatsworth House
* Haddon Hall
* Hardwick Hall
* Good garden centres
* Theme parks (eg Alton Towers)
* Country parks & leisure attractions such as Heights of Abraham at Matlock Bath, and Carsington Water near Ashborne.
* Industrial mills and museums. The Derwent Valley, a birthplace of the Industrial Revolution, is now a world heritage site. Mill shops (good for rainy days and retail therapy).
* Tramway Village (with rides for an old penny!)
* Markets, flea markets and farmers’ markets
* Caves
* Cable car rides
* Shopping in Sheffield or Nottingham (1 hr)
* Good walks from the door
* Bakewell for a famous Bakewell Pudding (not tart!).
* Outdoor activities such as walking and cycling, or for the more adventurous, hang-gliding or rock climbing. Also many facilities close by for horse riding, fishing, bird watching etc.
There are various good pubs and restaurants within a four mile radius, and most accept children.
Prices
WEEKEND BOOKINGS ONLY
3 nights, starting Friday:
2009
15 people (ie both cottages together)
Low Season £993
Mid Season £1,274
High Season £1,449
Xmas & New Year (4 nights) £2,518
11 people (The Barn only)
Low Season £799
Mid Season £1,099
High Season £1,237
Xmas & New Year (4 nights) £2,170
2010
Both cottages:
Low Season £999
Mid Season £1,376
High Season £1,550
Easter (2 Apr) £1,743
Xmas & New Year (4 nights) £2,770
11 people (The Barn only)
Low Season £885
Mid Season £1,186
High Season £1,324
Easter (2 Apr) £1,505
Xmas & New Year (4 nights) £2,387
Contact the property owners
Phone: +44 (0)1246 591263
Fax: N/A
Please note that you cannot rent this property directly from The Big Domain. If you wish to rent Holestone Moor Barns, or would like to enquire about availability, please click on the Contact the Property Owner button above, and use the form provided to contact the owner directly.
