Peak District Archives

15 July 202316 July 2023

Enjoy the Summer Holidays

Peak Holidays Summer Deal We have a few dates left now for the school holidays, so why not enjoy your summer holidays in the Peak District?

Whatever your tastes and interests, Peak Holidays have a selection of holiday cottages which provide easy access to all of the Peak District. Choose a relaxing break or explore the numerous local attractions with family or friends, or for the thrill-seekers enjoy an activity holiday – walking, cycling, sailing, water-sports, horse riding, climbing – the options are endless.

And, why not get a last minute deal at the same time – get 20% off selected cottages for holidays taken before 31st August 2023. To claim your discount, book online and put the code for your chosen cottage in the booking page, and 20% will automatically be taken off the total, for any of the cottages listed below.

Rock Lodge Farm: Sleeps 14 in 7 bedrooms. Rock Lodge Farm is located in the rural hamlet of Priestcliffe, and is the ideal holiday location for larger families or groups meeting up ……. Code: RLFP23

Brew House Bakewell: Sleeps 6 in 3 bedrooms. Located a short walk from the centre of Bakewell, this spacious ‘upside down’ family cottage has 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms and private parking …… Code: BHB23

Candle House, Winster: Sleeps 6 in 3 bedrooms. This spacious cottage located in a quiet lane the village of Winster, surrounded by beautiful countryside, with a local pub a short walk ….. … Code: CHW23

Church Corner Cottage, Youlgrave: Sleeps 7 in 3 bedrooms. This 17th century Grade II listed cottage located in the heart of the thriving village of Youlgrave, surrounded by beautiful countryside, near Bakewell………Code: CC23

Bridge Cottage Castleton: Sleeps 4 in 2 bedrooms. Located in the heart of the thriving village of Castleton and surrounded by beautiful countryside, Bridge Cottage, has been lovingly renovated to maintain the character ………. Code: BCC23

Anne Cottage, Bakewell: Sleeps 4 in 2 bedrooms. This cosy family cottage is located near the centre of Bakewell, retains lots of character, exposed beams and modern home comforts ……..Code: ACB23

Cherry Cottage, Youlgrave: Sleeps 4 in 2 bedrooms. This cosy cottage is full of character and located in a quiet lane near the River Bradford in the thriving village of Youlgrave, with shops and local pubs nearby and just a few miles from Bakewell ……..Code: CCY23

Sandy’s Barn, Foolow: Sleeps 2 in 1 bedroom. This cosy & compact cottage located in the heart of the village of Foolow, surrounded by beautiful countryside, with a local pub a short walk from the cottage …..Code: SBF23

Joiners Cottage, Ashford in the Water: Sleeps 2 in 1 bedroom. This 300 year-old stone cottage is full of character and extremely well-furnished throughout, is just a short stroll from the famous Sheepwash bridge in the village of Ashford in the Water ……Code: JC23

31 May 202331 May 2023

Staycations are advertised everywhere – are they a new thing?

Peak District Staycation with Peak Holidays

A staycation, in fact, isn’t a new thing. The word can be traced back to 1944, when an advert for beer encouraged readers to help the war effort by tending to their victory gardens, writing to soldiers on the front and: “Take a Stay-cation instead of a Va-cation, this year. Trains and buses are crowded. Gasoline and tyres must still be conserved.”

Since the pandemic, in which foreign travel has ranged from discouraged to impossible, ‘staycation’ has become a buzzword that’s used to promote any holiday that isn’t abroad. But call it what you like – staycation, holiday, vacation, break, leave, respite, honeymoon, time off – now is the time to think about visiting the Derbyshire Peak District…… you could say, take a Peak Staycation. Or how about #PeakStaycation ?

Travelling to a destination in the UK means you’re only a few hours away – 50m people live within 4 hours of the Peak District – you can just pack up the car and head off on an adventure. There’s no waiting around for hours to check in and board that plane.

Discover our Peak District Holiday Cottages >>>>

Peak Holidays are local – based in Bakewell & Sheffield, truly independent – we have no affiliations with any of the national providers, and experienced – we have been in business for 25 years.

30 May 2023

Your Local Independent Holiday Letting Agency

Peak Holidays Owner Services Our relationship with our cottage owners is a partnership. We depend on each other for success. We ask the owner to provide a top quality cottage and a warm welcome and we deliver highly targeted marketing and bookings management systems.

We are local – based in Bakewell & Sheffield, truly independent – we have no affiliations with any of the national providers, and experienced – we have been in business for 25 years.

We are a small company which means that we know all of our cottages and owners personally. This detailed knowledge allows us to form a relationship with potential or returning guests built on trust and a detailed knowledge of the cottages we are selling.

We want to be able to say honestly that we recommend the cottage rather than just promote it. Simply, we want to work with people who care as much as we do.

Find out more about the services we offer >>>

21 November 202226 November 2022

Our Twelve Days of Christmas

You do know it’s nearly Christmas? And you’re heading to the wonderful Peak District for a cosy cottage holiday?

Well then, it’s time to turn that frown upside down and get into the Christmas spirit with a little help from Peak Holidays. It’s all jingle bells and Ho-ho-hos from here on in with our Twelve Days of Christmas.

Twelve days of Christmas

Day One: Turn up those classic Christmas tunes. Whether Bing Crosby’s ‘White Christmas’ or ‘Merry Christmas Everyone’ by Slade, get those Christmas songs playing in the car on your way to the Peak District.

Day Two: It’s time to decorate! If you’re spending Christmas Day in one of our cosy cottages, you can check with us to see if there will be a tree and decorations provided, but if not, why not get creative and head out outside, gather up some of nature’s finest and ‘deck the halls with boughs of holly’.

Day Three: Get baking! Dig out the Christmas recipes and start making your very own selection of treats. When you book a self-catering holiday cottage with Peak Holidays, you’ll be able to explore the local farmers’ markets and artisan stores for local ingredients.

Day Four: Gather in the logs and kindling and get the home fire roaring. When it’s cold outside there’s nothing more inviting than the warm glow of a real fire. The majority of our holiday cottages have a real fire or log burner and we include a pack of logs to get you started.

Day Five: It’s time to rekindle those old family rivalries. With the nights drawn in and the weather wet and wild, why not round off the evening with a board game, a jigsaw or a good old fashioned game of charades. Our cottages have good sized living areas, so you can all gather together comfortably.

Day Six: Join the locals and pop along to the village carol singing service or local pantomime. Many of our cottages are in small villages where the gentle pace of life often revolves around the friendly local pub and the seasonal celebrations at the parish church.

Day Seven: Enjoy a festive tipple to get you into the Christmas spirit. Whether you fancy a hot ladle-full of spiced mulled wine or one of our locally brewed beers, a little Yuletide libation is sure to sweeten the mood and have you puckering up under the mistletoe in one of the village locals.

Day Eight: How about a cheery Christmas film to fill you with those warm, fuzzy, festive feelings. Most of our cottages have a DVD player or a smart TV so you can log into your favourite streaming service.

Day Nine: Embrace the great outdoors with a revitalising winter stroll. When you book a stay with Peak Holidays, you’ll be surrounded by some of the UK’s most celebrated countryside walks. It’s time to round up the family, wrap up warm, and follow the tracks and trails.

Day Ten: Christmas is a time for giving. If you’re racking your brains for gift ideas, look at the many special Christmas markets across the Peak District. Picking out that special something for that special someone is sure to capture the Christmas mood. Santa Paws

Day Eleven: Don’t forget Santa Paws. Most of our cottages are dog friendly but remember to bring everything you need to keep your furry friend safe and comfortable this Christmas.

Day Twelve: Any finally, nothing will put a smile on your face than catching up with old friends and spending precious time with your loved ones. For many of us, this is what Christmas is all about, especially after all the recent COVID restrictions. The Peak District’s central location makes getting together that bit easier for everyone to spend quality time with family and friends.

Wishing you all a Very Merry Christmas from Peak Holidays!

2 August 202119 September 2021

Dogs Welcome – House Rules

Hello, I’m Joe, an 8 year old labrador – this is me jumping through the snow a couple of years ago. As my humans started this blog, I thought I should paw a few words so the puppies amongst you will know where you can go and what there is to sniff in the Peak District.

Whenever you go to someone else’s cottage it is always best to understand the house rules before you go. In conjunction with my humans, I have agreed the following house rule on behalf of all dogs staying at the cottages:

Ensure the humans keep off the floors at all times – these are strictly for dogs to lie on. If they must sit down make sure they use the chairs provided. To ensure they have no excuse for sitting on the floor, you should not get up on the furniture.
I have found that the humans have some odd bedroom and washing habits. Therefore, it is best that you keep out of the bedrooms and bathrooms at all times – stick to the living areas of the cottage where you can be cosy and the bonus is you avoid their snoring, which only keeps you awake all night.
Do not allow yourself to be left at the cottage on your own. How would they like to be locked in a strange place alone? It is your holiday too and those humans need to find places to go where you are welcome – and there are plenty of them in the Peak District, so there are no excuses!

We welcome well behaved dogs at all of our cottages, at no extra charge.

We do not set arbitrary limits on the number of dogs take but like to ensure that the cottage is large enough for them to be comfortable.

26 June 202026 February 2021

We’re Good to Go!

VisitEngland in partnership with the national tourist organisations of Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales has today launched a UK-wide industry standard and consumer mark to provide a ‘ring of confidence’ for tourism as the sector works towards reopening.

The ‘We’re Good To Go’ industry standard and supporting mark means businesses can demonstrate that they are adhering to the respective Government and public health guidance, have carried out a COVID-19 risk assessment and checked that they have the required processes in place……and Peak Holidays now have a certificate to prove it!

13 July 2017

Don’t forget your toothbrush!

Now, you’re probably thinking about your holidays for this year and where to go. Have you thought about staying in a cottage in the Peak District?

Oh, it’s just smashing… lots of walks suitable for youngsters (the mix of villages, open country and hills are so good for their education, I think) to those in their prime (see my current picture!) and the more mature members of our packs (we have pubs within yards of all our cottages). All those incredible country smells… you know what I mean. Anyway, when you’ve cleared it with your owners and chosen one of our cottages you’ll have to supervise them packing for your needs.

Make sure they remember:

Collar and ID – well you’ll be wearing this of course! But it’s worth checking the ID is still readable. Plus consider getting one with our cottage postcode (this is on the booking paperwork) and your mobile number on for while you’re staying.
Lead – worth checking that there’s no wear – you don’t want to lose your owners on a walk – you know that they’ll never find their way back to the cottage without you. Bring a spare in case it gets mislaid.
Bedding – very important. There is nothing as nice as your own bed in a new place. If you have a cage, then bring that too – sometimes a cage is the only way to get some “me” time on a holiday crammed with so many new things to smell!
Jacket – now you (like me) may wear your waterproofs and undercoat all the time – but if you don’t it’s nice to have a lightweight jacket which you can pop on. And your owners will appreciate that you’re nice and clean and dry if you get caught in the rain.
Towels – for those like me who just love a little swim, walks in the rain and splashing in puddles, the price to be paid is a towelling-off when you get home. Bring plenty of towels, so your owners can dry off any wet, muddy coats and paws before you go indoors (there are washer/dryers in the cottages so the towels can be laundered easily). Although we’ve got hard floors in the cottages, there are rugs that stain and splashes of dirty water from a good shake aren’t popular I’ve found!
Dog food – essential! It’s probably best to bring enough for the whole of your stay in case your owners can’t find your normal kibbles (or whatever you have) to buy locally. There are all the usual supermarkets and pet shops in the Peak District, but you don’t want to get an upset tum from a sudden change if they don’t have your favourite in stock!! We provide can openers for those of you who have canned food which doesn’t have a pull top.
Travelling water bowl and water bottle – these are handy for keeping in the car. Get your owners to look out for those thermal ‘jackets’ that keep the water bottle cool. Saves drinking from puddles on a hot day!
Poo bags – not my idea, but my owners insist I include this on the list. They say bring plenty – ’nuff said’.
First-aid kit – get your owners to check that are you up to speed with wormers and flea/ tick control. I always think it’s good to have at least a basic first aid kit with you for the little scrapes we dogs can get into – and you really ought to check your owners remember any medication you’ve been prescribed to cover the holiday period, however nasty it tastes!
Sunshade for cars – although you’ll be staying in our cool, stone cottages and perhaps eating in local pubs – which allow we dogs to join our owners for dinner, it is possible that at some point you’ll be left guarding the car (although hopefully not on warm days). Suggest your owners try sun shades to help with this – as well as the usual parking in shade, leaving air gaps etc. It all helps you stay on top of your job of looking out for strangers near the car.
Stain remover/ kitchen roll – for those ‘Little accidents’ that can occasionally happen, even to the best of us! You’ll find cleaners and kitchen roll in the cottages, but worth bringing some for when you are out and about.
Recent photo – now what owner won’t have a picture of you on their phone and so useful if you get separated. Spruce yourself up and get a fresh one taken for your hols!
Bumbag/rucksack – for your owners to carry your accessories in!

And finally Don’t forget that toothbrush…

24 May 201724 May 2017

Special Offer – 4 nights for the price of 3

Great deals from Peak Holidays Is 3 nights ever enough to explore the wonderful Peak District?

Well, our Peak Holidays special offer may help a little bit – though we do still have longer holidays available – take a look at our cottages.

If you take a 3 night stay with us during June or July 2017, you can stay an extra night free. Quote 443@2017 when booking.

All our cottages are available throughout the year and we will always be flexible wherever we can to accommodate the start date and length of holiday you prefer. Pets are welcome at all our cottages at no extra cost. There are no additional charges – the price you see advertised is the price you pay.

2 May 2017

Well Dressing Season Is Upon Us!

It’s well-dressing season in the Peak District… starting in Makeney, near Belper during early May, the well dressing ‘season’ runs through until the last in Hartington village during mid September. Some 95 communities in and around the Peak District in the counties of Derbyshire, Staffordshire, South Yorkshire and even the Greater Manchester on the borders of the Peak District will get together to create amazing scenes from clay, flowers, plants and seeds, as part of a long-standing tradition of being thankful for pure, clean water.

Every year people come together … local farmers haul the heavy wooden boards into the village river or stream to soak for a week or so; then the village school children get involved in the “puddling” – working the clay to a consistency that it can be put on the sodden boards and hold the materials, used to make the scene, in place; and then teams (some family based, some village friends, some from out of the village, and children from village schools) are formed and during less than 7 days the most beautiful pictures emerge using natural materials pressed into the clay. Sometimes there are themes – all of them have a resonance with the community and how they live.

Although well-dressers are happy to show off their creations whilst they are “work-in-progress”, it’s hard to appreciate them on the flat, surrounded by “petallers” and their little heaps of materials. So, the morning they “go-up” the locals are all walking about the village between them, admiring them, and comparing the designs (and executions!) with those of previous years. Later in the afternoon, the community will gather together, often with a local brass band, and a procession is held led by the local vicar, to bless the wells. Well-dressing week sees more visitors to the village, and the opportunity to raise funds – through the provision of home made teas and exhibitions – for local amenities, and towards the costs of making next year’s dressings, even to help sustain local businesses.

At the end of the week, the sunshine and any rain or wind has taken its toll…the petals are starting to curl, some drying of the clay may show as cracks… and we are reminded that such natural beauty is only with us fleetingly….and it is the turn of another village to show what it can do with some clay and heaps of dry seeds and petals…

2 May 2017

Wetton – A Peak District hidden gem

Of all the beauty spots in the Peak District, this western corner where it merges with the Staffordshire Moorlands is one of its hidden gems. The pretty village of Wetton is little changed from a time when most of its cottages were the homes of agricultural labourers, when farming was more labour intensive. The jumble of lush interlocking hills that tumble over one other to form the Manifold valley is one of the natural world’s great wonders, and from nearby Thor’s Cave you’ll get a magnificent bird’s-eye view of the scene that will have you gasping with pleasure (and possibly pain too – it’s a steep-ish climb up).

It’s very easy to just explore: all the footpaths, bridleways, and lanes are clearly marked. The area is perfect for exploring with a network of footpaths and the Dove and Manifold Valleys. The disused cotton mill at nearby Wetton Mill houses a National Trust tea room and is also the starting point for many walks. Cyclists are well catered for with quiet lanes to explore and the disused railway line converted into the Manifold track about 3 miles away at Hulme End, which also hosts the Manifold Valley visitors centre. Nearby Milldale is the start of the downstream walk to the stepping stones at Dovedale and the village of Ilam. Upstream, a quieter river side walk takes you to Hartington just 5 miles away and has a range of shops, pubs and eateries.

The quiet stone village of Wetton, with a population of around 150, houses the 14th century Church of St. Mary and the popular Ye Olde Royal Oak pub which are both near the village green. Just around the corner, is the old school tea room, where homemade cakes are always on the menu!

With so much to explore, why not stay in the village at our lovely new Stone Cottage? A spacious, well equipped cottage, that sleeps 6 in 3 bedroom. The cottage is also pet friendly, with a large enclosed garden at the rear. They cottage is available from Peak Holidays, with prices starting at £230 for a 3 night break – and Peak Holidays offer flexible breaks all year around; arrive on a day that suits you, for the length of holiday you want. Find out more at http://www.peak-holidays.com/Stone_cottage/Stone_cottage.htm

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Wishing you all a Very Merry Christmas from Peak Holidays!

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