Alder's Tone

I can't remember how we got the Premier Cottages leaflet, it was probably one of MOTS' random leaflet collecting moments. She does insist on pillaging the earth's paper resources, and it does break the backs of our paper recycling collectors. But this one leaflet came up trumps.

A quick shufty on the website, and through the full brochure we'd sent for, and we stumbled across Holestone Moor Barns fairly early on. It was immediately ruled out. The big money picture just screamed out, it looked excellent. With the double-height lounge, massive gable end with open ceiling, it just said "too expensive for us". So we looked elsewhere.

After looking at a couple of alternatives, with disappointment and realisation that young kids aren't really catered for, we came back to Holestone Moor again, it just seemed to pop open on that page on the brochure. Possibly due to the previous thumbing it got. What the hell, let's give it a shot. MOTS got the availability and prices, and we were a little more relaxed about that "expensive" shot. After agreeing dates with the Bowes, the booking was made quite a way in advance. Which sort of made the BBQ for Junior's birthday date specific, had to be the weekend before as we would be on the road the weekend after.

Now the one thing that really surprised me was hearing from Vicki, the owner, that she gets phone calls from parents such as us asking about the floors, and them taking the answer as a reason not to book. Well, their loss is all I can say, which means more chance of availability for us, this year and next. For our "only just on his feet" 1 year old, and the Bowes "grease lightning" two and a half year old, the beautiful stone floors never caused a moments worry.

The family angle on the place:
Our cottage was The Stables, the 2-bed smaller of the two. And no, not the one with the big money shot gable end double height lounge with fantastic stone detailing above the fireplace. There was room enough for the travel cot (thanks for loan from Vicki & Steve) and an inflatable bed, which caught Vicki's eye as a possible future option (one thing we learned quickly is there's constant change and tinkering going on). What really struck us was the child-proofing we had to do. Nothing. There was a big glass vase in one full height window that Junior took a liking to, but with a distant eye cast over in that direction it was never an issue. The baskets on the hearth full of logs for the wood stove saw some action - our little monster dropping the toys of the Bowes' little monster in among the logs. And that was it, we only moved a table lamp onto a windowsill, the rest was just needing nothing more than a watchful eye.

The big money shot:
The lounge in the BarnSteve & Vicki pride themselves on their welcome, and the welcome we got was one to be proud of. It didn't just last the short time it took to show us round, but through the whole week. From the loan of a safety gate (handy for keeping them out as well as in), the massive fruit basket for us, the BBQ equipment (everything except food and drink - everything), big information file, the list goes on. Even with grouchy kids Vicki was there to let us into "Chickenopolis" to feed the chucks. And that was the one regret - the order of eggs from Tesco. Won't be making that faux pas next year. Vivki, if you read this, half a dozen eggs for arrival, please!

And that was the start of it. The facilities on site were fantastic. With a grassed area with picnic tables and a climbing frame, a games room with table football, pool, ping pong and a couple of TVs for good measure, the upstairs play room for the smaller children well stocked with toys, the pond, "Chickenopolis", the meadow, the woodland (with sunhouse in the middle), space for running about was certainly not missing. The only thing we never used was the fridge in the games room. We should have declared that the "beer fridge" for the boys.

The larger Barn, the one with the double height gable open ceiling big bay window huge money shot picture, has 5 bedrooms, all beautifully decorated to individual themes. With a double, 2 twins and 2 triples to sleep 12 this cries out for big families or groups of families and friends. We got a cheeky look around as it wasn't let the week we were there (ie we had all the facilities exclusively), and the whole bay window big money shot really does do the place justice. If only we had enough friends, we'd be in the barn like a shot.

Not recommended. Not until my booking's made at least.

In terms of location we couldn't have been better. Right on the edge of the Peak District National Park, with so much close by we never ventured more than 30 minutes away to get to anything. Of course, if shopping in major retailers cloned shops is your thing, Meadowhall at Sheffield isn't far off. But then you may as well stay in Manchester and go to the Trafford Centre. Or Bluewater in London. Or just go into Leeds city centre. I'm no fan of going away and going to big chain shops you have at home, what's the point? So this little bit of rural England is a great escape. Oh, and how dark at night?

OK, bottom line: Would we recommend it?

No, certainly not. Because we want to ensure availability when we come to book again (for 2009 that is, 2008's booking is already confirmed). So stay away from the place. Please....

Many thanks again to Steve & Vicki for truly 5* hopitality. It's easy to see the hard work that's been put into the place to get and keep that English Tourist Board's 5* rating. I am thrilled as I type to read the news on their website posted today about their last tourist board assessment.

Website: www.hmbarns.co.uk

Silver Rattle: For a place to have a holiday

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Inspired by our stay, there's been a minor change to the site tonight. The new Alder's Tone banner:

A view from Crich Tramway Museum, taken with 7 pictures, stitched and cropped.