News
Up here at Holestone Moor Barns all sorts of exciting things
happen! Below is a selection of our news ... !
"Shaun" the alpaca!
19 June 2008
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.
There
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
We
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
We
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
We
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
Having teased people for over a month the boys are finally here! We are now the proud owners of 3 male Alpacas! More ...
Holestone
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
Congratulations!
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!
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.