In previous years, we’ve had a few enquiries about short breaks across half term but have always had to turn them down as the whole week would be booked.

If you would like a 2 night stay from Friday 15th February 2013 or from Friday 22nd February 2013 the price is £300.

A 3 night stay for the same dates will be £350.

Mid-February can be spectacular in the Peak District – enjoy long quiet walks in crisp winter sunshine and return to the lovely warmth of the Barn and a welcoming log fire.

Call us now on 01298 687006 to book.

This is a lovely outing for both old and young alike, but beware questions from the children that may make any adults feel truly ancient – for example: What’s that? – pointing at the vintage, rotary dial telephone!

We were fortunate to have been given a family ticket as a prize for a colouring competition and set off to Cheddleton, somewhat sceptical about whether our 12-year old gadget loving son and 9-year old daughter would enjoy a steam train.

Having parked the car, we enjoyed a lovely cup of coffee at the immaculately kept station, only just about managing to resist the delicious looking home-made cakes. We then set off on our journey through countryside that is barely visible by any means other than the train.

The steam train ambled along through Consall, along the canal, past the lime kilns and onto Kingsley and Froghall station. Had we had more time, we could have left the train at any of the stations and enjoyed more of the countryside, flint mines and possibly lunch at the Black Lion pub, but on this occasion, we stayed on the train there and back.

We all (children included) loved our trip into yesteryear and it prompted many questions about steam power from the children and brought back many memories for the grownups.

Highlights of the trip: getting really close to the steam engine, watching it being loaded with coal, and finally the lovely volunteer staff who played their roles –ticket collector, station manager etc – with true authenticity.

School Lane is no longer a bobsleigh run and the hens can safely traverse their pen from the coop to the trampoline.

Before the big melt yesterday, we had a huge dump of snow on Friday night and so a new improved snowman had to built.

I present the snow punk:

We were particularly proud of the icicle walking stick and the fabulous icicle hair.

Hopefully that will be the last snowman of the winter.

Must do better this year…

So we’re two weeks into 2013 and the first snow of this winter has hit the Peak District in a rather underwhelming and yet (as usual), disruptive manner.

I should at this point thank the Staffordshire Moorlands Council gritting teams for their sterling work in keeping our roads clear and safe. This is in stark contrast to Derbyshire County Council, who are frankly appalling at keeping their roads clear – you only have to drive from here to Hartington, across the county border to see what I mean!

With the snow comes the inevitable school closures and therefore the opportunity for much fun with snowball fights, sledging and snowman building.

Oscar has outdone himself this year with a grotesque creation on the lawn, pictured below.

Luckily he has faced this monstrosity away from approaching visitors and guests. Instead the gruesome visage is aimed squarely at my office… thanks Osc!

With that, may I wish you all a happy and prosperous 2013 and of course, if you’re looking for a Peak District break this year, be sure to give us a call.

2011 was a very good year for occupancy in the Barn and we hope 2012 will be even better – we should have some great new upgrades for the Barn during 2012 and all will be revealed here in due course.

The week starting 9th December 2011 is available for £481 or for a long weekend (Friday to Monday) for £373.

Why not get away for a last blast of fresh country air and stunningly quiet walks before Christmas?

Give us a call on 01298 687006 to book.

The Gala is a great opportunity for the village to get together and there are always lots of stalls, games, music and much jollity!

The event usually kicks off with a parade of floats and the crowning of the new Gala Queen at around 1pm.

Warslow Silver Band always play a rousing selection of tunes and this year, a professional children’s entertainer will be on hand to paint faces, blow up balloons and put on a magic show.

Local food producers will have stalls selling cakes, jams, chutneys, etc. and there’s a fully licensed bar in the village hall to wash it all down with!

If you’re in the area on Saturday the 6th August, why not stop by and have some fun.

We had always intended that this room would be reserved for children, but over time, we’ve seen an increase in groups of 6 adults  booking the Barn for walking holidays in the Peak District.

We’d recently bought a memory foam mattress for our rapidly growing son and having tried it myself, thought a pair of these would do well in the Barn.

We are so delighted with these mattresses (as are our guests since) that I thought I’d highlight them here.

The mattresses are made in Italy by Perdormire and called the Duet 500 and we got ours from a superb bed shop in Leek called Bedz, Bedzz & Bedrooms.

They arrive rolled up very tightly and vacuum packed for ease of transport, but once unwrapped, expand to produce wonderfully comfortable memory foam mattresses.

I’ve read that some people find memory foam mattresses a bit hot in summer, but there is no doubting the orthopaedic benefits of having your weight evenly distributed over the mattress.

I’d welcome your views on the Perdormire Duet 500 memory foam mattress if you own one, or indeed your thoughts on memory foam mattresses in general.

A few drifting clouds added to the atmosphere and it was actually warm enough to be able to stay outdoors for more than a few minutes!

The first floor living room in the Barn is always swathed in light as the sun rises over Ecton but this moon rise was something else – it was a pity there were no guests this week to enjoy it.

We are blessed with very low light pollution here in our part of the Peak District, so any of you who are astronomy fans would be well advised to bring your telescope with you – the Milky Way is always bright here on a clear night.

Unique Holiday Cottages is a collection of independently owned self catering cottages, each with a certain something, making it unique and interesting.

The website is really easy to use with good pictures, detailed descriptions and lots of information about local sights, events and things to do.

Each property has an availability calendar and you can read testimonials from previous guests.

We wish Anna the best of luck with her endeavour in what is a fiercely competitive market.