Here at Ivy House Farm in the Peak District, we have been bracing ourselves for a year of reduced bookings on account of the global downturn and credit crunch, but as things are looking, the global situation may actually be a positive thing for UK self-catering holiday cottages.

Bookings for The Barn at Ivy House Farm are coming in thick and fast.

To date we have twenty weeks booked already and barely a day goes by without another one coming in.

Hadi is doing his best to keep the calendar up to date! – Book now to avoid disappointment.

The upturn in bookings may of course be pure chance, but perhaps it is a reflection on the poor state of the pound, making UK holidays better value for money than foreign holidays.

The high-profile collapses of package holiday companies and airlines offering cheap flights probably hasn’t helped.

I think that there is little doubt that self-catering holidays are very good value, and certainly round here there is a great deal to be done, irrespective of the unpredictable UK weather.

Alton Towers is a popular day out on sunny day, but Splash Landings, its inside swimming world is great fun if it’s raining.

For a more cerebral experience, Chatsworth House is beautiful inside and outside! Check out our ‘things to do’ page for some more ideas. As for walks in the glorious Peak District – the possibilities are endless…

We do still have capacity both in and out of the school holidays – if you are considering a visit, don’t lave it to long before booking.