News

Our news storiesUp here at Holestone Moor Barns all sorts of exciting things happen! Below is a selection of our news ... !

"Shaun" the alpaca!

19 June 2008

The boys after shearing!Only kidding - but the alpacas have recently been sheared! And we sold some of the fleece (called "roving") to a lovely lady called Katie Hanrott who mentioned us in her blog Oxford Kitchen Yarns.

Plus - found out lots  more about the wonderful world of alpacas - check out our updated Alpacas page.

Ice cream!

9 June 2008

You can now pre-order ice cream, and we’ll make sure it’s in the freezer in your cottage prior to your arrival. The ice cream is all made in Derbyshire and available from Kate at the farm next door. The prices range from £3.30 to £3.85 per litre, or 120ml pots with spoons at £1.20.

Willow and Merlin the minature Shetland poniesThere are ‘ordinary’ flavours such as Vanilla, Strawberry and Chocolate, more exotic sounding ones such as Tiramisu, Honey and Ginger, Rum and raisin and some with such awe-inspiring names as Hokey Pokey (we’ll keep the ingredients of that one secret, but can assure you it’s delicious!). There are lots more flavours, some of which are available only at certain times of the year, ‘Christmas pudding’ for example.

There are now two miniature Shetland ponies at the farm, named Willow and Merlin. Merlin can be seen with Emily and Finlay is holding Willow in the photograph.

Just giving

1 May 2008

Treetops Hospice TrustWe have just set up a page at Just Giving. Those of you whom we have been lucky enough to meet might know that we are staunch supporters of Treetops Hospice in Derbyshire.

If you can spare a couple of minutes you might like to visit the page and donate.

Thank you - Vicki

Sleeping arrangements!

14 April 2008

We have decided to change the sleeping arrangements in The Barn! Please note that from 1st October 2009 the bed numbers will reduce in THE BARN - there will be 1 double room, 3 twins and 1 triple, sleeping a total of 11 people (plus a "Z-bed" and a cot). The Stables will continue to sleep 4 people (and a cot). If both cottages are taken together, they will sleep 15 people, plus a "Z-bed", and 2 cots.

We are sure that guests will appreciate the extra spaciousness! If you have any worries or question please do not hesitate to Contact us.

Chicken Out!

2 April 2008

Our hensWe are pleased to say that we have joined the Chicken Out campaign. To this end we have signed up to the River Cottage campaign, started buying only free range chickens from our local supermarket and because the shops won't stock free range cooked sliced chicken, we've stopped buying it!

Our eggs of course are already free range courtesy of our own brood of free range hens! More ...

Trip Advisor review

31 March 2008

TripAdvisorWe were recently super pleased to receive a review on the online travel guide Trip Advisor. The review goes "At least once a year our family try to get together for a few days break. There are 10 of us from three years old to 74! So a suitable venue is not easy to find.

This year's venue was a great success. I found Holestone Moor Barns on the internet and I have to say it lived up to all the claims on the very good web site.

We booked the two cottages, one the barn and the smaller stables. All rooms (in the barn) were en suite. 24 hour heating that we could control and a fabulous log fire in the sitting room ..." More ...

Animal mystery solved!!

14 March 2008

Cappucino, Domino and Barnaby

Having teased people for over a month the boys are finally here! We are now the proud owners of 3 male Alpacas! More ...

Ste Greenall - founder member of the Holestone Moor Barns appreciation societyHolestone Moor Barns appreciation society!

3 March 2008

We recently received the most wonderful "write-up" from a recent guest (Ste Greenall aged 50!) who celebrated his birthday at Holestone Moor Barns with friends. Ste says there should be a Holestone Moor Barns appreciation society! More ...

Green tourism

18 February 2008

Today, we (finally!! - says Mary our website developer) put the last cross on the T and dot on the I of our Environmental pages (Green tourism and Environmental policy). Have a read ...

Animal mystery ... ?

8 February 2008

Some of our guests are "hopping" around wondering what our new animals could be. Lee (of Lee’s blog, 2007) says he can't think for people "bleating" about what they could be, but in the end they have "neigh" idea. Perhaps they need a "nanny" to show them the way.

They have theories:

  • Rabbits - then again with the foxes ...
  • Sheep - good for keeping the grass trimmed
  • Horses - maybe a bit big?
  • Goats - now then, good for the milk and cheese

Sorry, your guesses are wrong. But there will be 3 of them, all boys – Cappucino is 11 years old, Barnaby is 5, and Domino is just 6 months. They should be here by mid March!

Local bookshop voted 10th best in the world

28 January 2008

Scarthin Books viewed across Cromford mill pondCongratulations! to Scarthin Books in Cromford was recently voted 10th best in The World. It's a fascinating place. It's on about 4 floors and has lots of rooms with little nooks and crannies, which are crammed with all sorts of books, both new and second hand. It has a huge selection of books about Derbyshire, and even publishes some of its own books.

On the 3rd floor, behind a curved bookshelf/door, there's an excellent cafe serving a selection of homemade whole food items.

Books can be ordered from their website www.scarthinbooksonline.co.uk.

Vicki once spent nearly a whole day there - browsing books, lunch in the cafe, followed by more browsing. Cromford is approximately 5 miles from the cottages.

New animals

14 January 2008

Preparations are under way for some new animals, here at Holestone Moor Barns.

Watch this space!

Best wishes for 2008!Great 2008!

1 January 2008

To all our previous, present and future guests, we wish you a great 2008!

Old news - click here to see our 2007 News page.

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