The Old Barn, The Peak District

Enjoyable Holiday

Well presented property, a stones throw away from the entrance to Alton Towers. Would rec to all.

Really lovely cottage right next to the main gate of alton towers but still secluded, so ideal for getting in arly and going to and fro during the day.

Large sitting room and kitchen, bedrooms really nice. Plenty of rom for the kids to lounge around at night. Nearest town is Oakamoor which is 10 - 15 minutes by car, plenty of grocery stores and take aways.

Only downsides were garden didnt have big enough grass area for our 4 energetic children, but there was a swing. Also, there wasnt a pub within walking distance.

Otherwise, very good house.

The Old Barn was perfect for what I wanted. All of the rooms were really good sizes and really nicely decorated. The kitchen was well equipped, and we were met with fresh flowers and bread and milk - a really nice touch. The location was perfect for Alton Towers (it is literally walking distance) and some really nice walking and exploring of the area generally. Sarah was really friendly and helpful - I'd definitely go back.

Lounge, kitchen, bedrooms were really good, large enough cottage for 7 adults and 3 children.Very warm, central heating and open fire were really appreciated in the very cold weather. The only criticisms were the bathroom and shower room,not enough hot water for a bath and shower leaked into kitchen beneath, shower downstairs didn't work properly (cold water) some crockery was chipped. But despite this we had a great time and I would recommend it.

We have already given a review on two occasions. No further comment.

A fantastic house, needs some maintenance doing though and some kitchen stuff needs replacing - there were a lot of lights not working! Other than that we had a great time, thanks!

Located opposite the entrance to alton Towers, within walking distance.
The accomadation was ideal for our large family. Grandparents took the downstairs bedroom and were able to avoid using stairs.
Overall the property was clean and well equipped. However we did have to wash all the cutlery, plates, oven dishes etc before using because they were visabally dirty. Also gave they kitchen units a good wipe down.
We loved having a washing machine and tumble dryer as our teenage children love to create mountains of washing, which I didn't have to spend days doing on my return home.
Ideal location to access Peak district attractions by car, Bakewell and Derwent Valley.
Stoke on Trent also near with a nice indoor shopping centre.
We really enjoyed the comfort,space and location of this cottage. we would love to come again.

Ideal location for alton Towers. Good size property. Kitchen nice and large. Family friendly accomodation. Good size garden and parking. Good communication and helpfulness from owners. Overall experience very good minor issue with showers {Used to power shower} and would have liked more towels. Nice touches with games etc and a welcome pack with local info. Village was a mile away and no pavements for us Townies need a car if you have children.

The main reason to book this house would be for visits to Alton Towers as it is just across the road from the main entrance. The house is perfectly comfortable and clean but it and the garden could do with some tlc! Only one shower worked when we were there and the other is very small with a shower curtain and fluctuating temperatures if someone else is running water in the house. Both bathroom and shower room could do with updating to reflect the rental cost. The best room in the house is the sitting room which has lots of comfy seating (more than in the photos). We had gorgeous weather while we were there but unfortunately there is no comfortable outside seating (only a couple of old wooden benches and a wooden picnic table) which was a shame. Also beware that the garden photo is out-of-date as another house has been built in part of the garden behind the Old Barn so you no longer have that view. Sarah, the owner, did give us a great recommendation for a birthday dinner at the Duncombe Arms in Ellastone which was so lovely we returned a second time. She also replaced the DVD player quickly when we let her know that the one in the house was broken.

Came over from Canada for a three week vacation.We spent 4 days at the old barn with my family there were 10 of us in the house the 5 bedrooms accomodated us just easily.The pics do not do this place justice It was homely and luxury all at the same time I would defiantly recommend the old barn to any one spending a vacation in the UK .

We first chose this house because of it's closeness to Alton Towers, but it was so much more than that. It is a home from home. It has everything you could possible need for a 3 night stay or longer.
All the rooms are a good size and plenty big enough for the 3 generations that were in our party.
The kitchen is fully equipped, The pots and pans are big enough to be able to cook for a large number of people. A big farmhouse style table that was great for all to sit round and enjoy meals and chats. Plenty of crockery and glasses, (bit like being at home and made up with a couple of different sets),
The lounge was large with loads of seating. The brown leather sofa's and chair were not only welcoming at the end of a day in the park, but when you sat in them they gave you a big hug,
5 roomy bedroom and 3 bathrooms made life so easy.
Would and have recommended this home to friends and family, and have already made enquiries about going for longer next year.

We stayed at The Old Barn for a weekend to celebrate a very important birthday as a family, stretching over three generations, and it worked very well. The property is located nearly at the entrance of Alton Towers and you really would not know it. The bedrooms worked really well between the adults and children, clean and very comfortable. Everyone had good nights sleep and had more than enough room for 9 of us. We enjoyed the comfortable living room with space for all of us to enjoy, even the children on a very wet afternoon. A highlight for them was watching a tractor come out of the drive opposite!

However, the kitchen was a disappointment. I had to give it a clean before using the surfaces, the table was very wobbly and the fridges had seen better days, one of them barely chilling the food, the other freezing the salad. With limited time there it wasn't practicable to work out the nuances of the apparatus. I know it was the height of the season, but for the amount we paid I would have expected superior equipment.

Overall, we had a lovely time and would have loved longer to enjoy the rest of the area which looked lovely. On that basis I would recommend it to a friend, but warn about the kitchen.

Booked for a week to celebrate Mums 80th birthday. Was perfect for all the family. Loved the big table in kitchen. Lounge was fantastic. Had a couple of problems when we arrived but they were sorted straight away. Would have liked more fridge space rather than lots of freezer space. Bit tired but suited us. Great location.

We booked this cottage as it is close to Alton Towers. The cottage looks nice but it lacks any quality given the high cost of rental. We stayed there for the week of 28th July to 4th August 2017.

The first thing you notice is that the entrance to the drive is hidden and poorly signposted, actually the overgrown hedge covers most of it. The drive needs repair as it may damage your car underside when driving out due to uneven private road/drive, which is part of the cottage grounds.

The rooms look great in the pictures but the beds are squeeky and mattresses are very poor, with no comfort. The bedrooms are not spacious.

The dining table was too small for everyone to eat together, and a mismatch of plastic chairs and a few wood chairs. The kitchen was not high standard and definitely not clean. There are no quality cuttlery,plates or dishes, and all mismatched.

The living room was spacious but again on closer inspection needed cleaning. The cottage is advertised with WiFi but there is none!

Only one shower (from two) worked and a bath tub. The general hot water was not working after 4 days and it was not repaired within the time we were there. So, no hot water for two days.

For the cost, definitely one to miss. The location is great for Alton Towers and that is the only positive thing.

Definitely would not go again and would not recommend for the cost.

This house was a perfect base for visiting Alton Towers; closer to the gates than the resort hotels! It's spacious and great for large groups!

The description makes this house sound very grand and upmarket, but is in need of a deep clean, maintenance and attention to detail to live up to those expectations. For example there is no breakfast bar, no hairdryer or full length mirrors. The bathrooms were mouldy, one of the showers was stuck on scolding hot and a number of light bulbs were blown.

Being able to come home from Alton Towers for lunch and a little rest in the middle of the day is a revelation. The WiFi was decent and the kitchen well equipped.

I would stay here again next time a group of us want to visit AT.

The house and the location
Lots of lovely places to walk from the doorstep.

Location - 100yds from the entrance to Alton Towers. Property was warm, comfortable, well furnished and well maintained. Nice welcome pack of foodstuffs left by owner.

A lovely property in a tranquil location, despite being close to Alton Towers we were never disturbed.

The house was warm and cosy. A really good place to meet up with old friends for the weekend. A real home from home. Immaculately clean, which was very much appreciated (and so were the comfy beds).

The location and standard of the property was great and it was roomy enough for all of us.

It was a lovely place to spend Christmas. Good central location, nice walks nearby and cosy pubs.

Getting away from work and relaxing in this beautiful house with our friends.

The barn was beautiful and spotlessly clean, and the small touches like fresh flowers, milk, orange juice, bread etc. were just lovely. Highly recommended!

The cleanliness of the property, decor and location.

The cottage satisfied all our requirements. We would definitely go back.

I just have to say how wonderful our holiday cottage was! Great value for money with the extra touches of the welcome pack and the heating being on for arrival.

A home from home experience, everything well thought about. We want to go back already. Thank you very much!! We loved this cottage!!

Proximity to Alton Towers theme park. Size and layout of the cottage.

The Old Barn is a lovely cottage and was large enough for our group get together. There was enough space for everyone to enjoy the fully equipped kitchen or sit around playing games, music or chatting in the lounge. The garden was wonderful too.

The garden is great for young children.

Good location.

Picuresque walks.

Comfortable, homely cottage. A lovely place to spend Christmas with family.
Loved the open fire.

Easy contact with the owners; friendly support. Location was excellent for our needs.

This was a family weekend and all ages of the party loved the homely feel to the cottage and the spacious rooms. We felt very comfortable relaxing after great days out at Alton Towers and the Water Park. Very warm throughout even without lighting the open fire. The 6 inches of snow was "the icing on the cake".

The Old Barn was beautifully decorated, and we arrived to fresh flowers, and bread, milk and butter in the fridge. The location was perfect. All of the rooms were really comfortable and felt really cosy.

Excellent property! Alton Towers 2 mins walk from property. Croxden Abbey well worth a visit. 'Blacksmith Arms' in Alton serves good food.

The cottage was an excellent base for exploring the Peak District, visiting local attractions, e.g. Chatsworth, and local towns, as well, of course, as visiting Alton Towers. It was a pleasant house to relax in when not out and about. Everything that we needed was supplied.

The proximity to Alton Towers was amazing you didn't need a car (so no parking or monorail!) even with lots of little ones. A glass of wine by fire in the lounge was also the perfect end to a loooooong day with the kids.

Fantastic weekend away. Lovely place.

The location was fantastic, the property was amazing and we will definitely be going back. All our family enjoyed it and our friends thought it was fabulous. It is perfect to explore the area, and we can highly recommend the tram museum in Crich and also the Abraham Heights in Matlock.

Great value for money. The property was clean and much better than I had anticipated. I was pleased that little details had been thought about and it really was like being home whilst away from home.

The location and the house were both excellent. The overall standard of the cottage was very good, the gardens were lovely and the bedrooms' quality was very good. The real fire was a bonus and the seating very comfortable.

We could fit 10 adults into the property comfortably with no issues over sleeping or eating arrangements. The dining room had JUST enough space.

Excellent accommodation with every extra you could hope for. Very well maintained and all in all an excellent break! I have already recommended it to several friends.

The cottage was lovely and a perfect size for us. It was ideal in its location so close to Alton Towers. We loved every second of our stay and will be back again.

A lovely cottage with ample space. A great location, we were able to walk to Alton Towers within minutes.

Overall an excellent property, handy for visiting National Trust properties, Alton Towers, small farm zoo and for walks from the cottage. Great views enjoyed by family.

Everyone had a great time, the property is within a minute of the main entrance to Alton Towers!

It was a lovely spacious cottage which accommodated all of my family and we had a lovely week together.

Very spacious property, handled 8 adults and 3 children very comfortably. Amazing fireplace, so welcoming. Cottage was exactly what we needed and as described.

Located right next to main entrance of Alton Towers. Lovely views. Beds clean and comfortable with clean bed linen.

The Old Barn was perfect for a get together with friends. 9 of us met there for the weekend and there was enough room for all of us with a lovely spacious lounge and big country kitchen. Although close to Alton Towers you would not know it and the setting was beautiful and peaceful. I would highly recommend this property and we would definitely go back.

The property was very spacious and definitely child friendly. The garden was interesting for the children to play in. As a place for a family gathering it was ideal as it was within easy access of Alton Towers but also a quiet location.

We had a fantastic break at the Old Barn, it is a lovely property and so close to Alton Towers. I can't recommend it highly enough.

A cosy house with lots of room in a stunning location. Perfect for big get-togethers; a place that quickly feels like home. The views are beautiful.

We loved the cosiness of the Old Barn, and the location. Everything was clean and tidy. Would recommend anyone to go for a break. Lovely.

This cottage was exactly what we we had been told - everything was perfect although our holiday was anything but relaxing it was great to come home to the cottage after a complete and full day sightseeing to relax. What a great place; would recommend to everybody!

Loved the location and the cottage.

Nice place! Lounge is the best feature - comfortable chairs, rugs to warm your toes, a nice fire with a small supply of firewood. Good value overall.

A luxurious cottage and a fabulous location.

The Old Barn was spacious and comfortable for us to relax and spend time together in. The garden was pretty and we had visits from a family of ducks which delighted the children. We also loved the location as it was walking distance from Alton towers so it was lovely to be home and relaxing within 5 minutes of leaving the park!

I enjoyed the entire stay at The Old Barn - everything was just perfect, really beautiful cottage and you literally come out the driveway turn the corner and your at Alton towers gates yet it is still peaceful. You would never think you where staying next door to the theme park. I would absolutely recommend staying here, I will definitely be back next year.

There was lots of space for large parties, both inside and outside. A very enjoyable stay.

Size of rooms, size of house, location; it was a fully stocked house with everything you would need.I have already recommended to friends and we would not hesitate to go back to this house again. Very impressed!

The cottage was beautiful and perfect. Quite a few of us commented over the weekend about wishing we could take it home with us and just live in it permanently. Thank you for having such a wonderful place and if anyone else asks me for a recommendation for somewhere to stay in the area I'll have no hesitation in recommending the cottage.

We like the fact that the property was only a short walk from Alton Towers. Also the property was large enough for three generations and meant we could all spend time together but not get under each others feet.

The cottage was very homely, the lounge chairs are very inviting. The best thing about this cottage was the 5 minute walk to the Alton towers ticket kiosks and a leisurely walk back after a day on the rides - past the queues of exiting cars! Great location and cottage!

Perfect for a group holiday, we had everything we needed and really felt at home! Thank you, we will be back!

The cottage is superbly located for those attending Alton Towers. Lovely comfortable and well equipped property

The location of the property was excellent. Communal areas (lounge, kitchen) were great for a large group. For our group, a Christmas weekend away is an annual event, and everyone very much enjoyed and would definitely consider a return to The Old Barn.

Great location with the house being really easy to find as well, it was literally across the road from Alton Towers. The owner was really helpful and the house was great - an excellent size with really comfy features. Great garden as well. We'd definitely stay again.

Beautiful, spacious cottage, very warm and cosy, comfortable and well-equipped. Couldn't believe how close it was to Alton Towers! Very easy cottage to spend time together in. Very helpful owner.

Delightful property in very relaxing surroundings. The proximity to Alton Towers was a blessing. It was a good sized lounge, and there were 11 in our party - lounge was comfortable and welcoming with the log fire.

I would highly recommend The Old Barn. It had everything we needed for a brilliant stay; from comfy armchairs to a log burner and an elegant bath. It is set in a stunning location and the owner was extremely helpful. Thanks to all involved.

A fantastic stay. It was very easy to organise and pick up keys, and the owner was great and very helpful. Would definitely recommend!

All 11 of us had a fantastic holiday! The cottage was very spacious and very well equipped.

Excellent location and plenty of space within the house.

The house was wonderful and fully met our expectations. Everything we needed was provided for down to the matches for the fireplace, meaning that all we had to do was bring the food for our meals. We were able to fully relax and enjoy the weekend. The area is lovely and perfectly situated for a walk in the Peak District.