Holiday homes owned and let by local(ish) mums and dads in the UK

by MumsInTheWood · July 29, 2015

Booking holiday accommodation can involve quite a lot of stress and uncertainty. Mainly because even though you’ve read a few hundred reviews, or if you are like me, a few thousand, you will never completely relax, because that one bad review in 2003 will be a constant niggle.

Besides, the uncertainity of it all, if it is not on a recommendation does make the decision a difficult one. You will after all, never be quite sure whether you are getting what you paid for and whether, “a view of a beach” means a real view of a beach or whether you have to lean out of your window at just the right angle to actually catch a glimpse of the sea, whether “wifi available” means that you can actually connect and do whatever you need to or whether the connection is so bad that you can barely send an email without being mesmerised for half an hour by a coloured wheel going round and round and whether “spacious large rooms” mean decent sized rooms or rooms where the only space is the space you put your luggage in, and you spend the rest of the time jumping over suitcases to get in and out of your room.

So we thought it may help with decision making if we contact parents in North West London and ask them to send us accurate information about properties they own and manage. Being local, I hope, will be an extra safety net. The plan is that this way, not only are we helping local parents advertise their properties, we are also helping our readers plan for a stress free holiday, hopeful, that what they are seeing and reading is what they will actually experience. So here goes.

BRUNT HOUSE, LAKE DISTRICT, UNITED KINGDOM

Exclusive 5 Star Holiday Home in the Lake District

As the saying goes, ‘location’ is everything.

Brunt House is perfectly located in the centre of the beautiful Lake District, with access to everything that the National Park has to offer. Set at the entrance to the Langdale Valley, Brunt House is ideally placed for a walking holiday in the central lakes. Loughrigg Fell rises behind the house and there are many walks in the immediate area as well as easy access to the main tops of Great Langdale, Silver How, Pike o’Blisco and on to the highest peaks of the central fells. With Ambleside just two miles away you are well placed for shopping and eating out. The local pub at Skelwith Bridge is about half a mile distant as is the famous Chesters café and shop overlooking the river Brathay.

Whether you enjoy fell walking, cycling, water sports, nature watching, or just relaxing, Brunt House is the ideal place to stay. The house enjoys commanding views from all rooms over the beautiful Langdale valley toward the fells beyond – you’ll never tire of the stunning views.

Originally built around 1890 as a spacious gentleman’s residence, the house was converted into three large homes in the 1960s; Brunt House being the substantial main house with stunning views from all rooms. It features spacious accommodation for up to six guests (plus two babies/young children) in three large en-suite bedrooms.

As well as traditional Victorian elegance and large rooms, you’ll enjoy the best of modern convenience and luxury. Brunt House is furnished to the highest standard throughout, featuring a stylish mix of the contemporary and traditional, with Italian leather sofas, luxury pocket sprung super-king beds, a stunning modern ‘cooks’ kitchen and cosy throws, cushions and fabrics.

Brunt House is an ideal all year round destination. Seasoned Lake District travellers experience the delights of the Lakes and the varied seasons, from the new-born Herdwick lambs in the spring, to the snow capped peaks in winter. Every season has something unique to offer. Thanks to under-floor heating and a real wood-burning fire you can relax after a day exploring the fells.

Stunning c1890 period property completely refurbished in 2015. Brunt House is the main portion of this original Victorian “gentleman’s residence”.
Amazing views over the Langdale valley from all rooms.
Sleeps 6 in three luxury en-suite bedrooms (plus up to two babies/young children).
All three bedrooms have luxury super-king or king-size beds. In two of the bedrooms the beds can be configured as two singles – please specify your preference when booking.
A perfect location in the heart of the beautiful English Lake District
A real log fire and under-floor heating downstairs
All towels, Egyptian cotton bed linen and toiletries provided.
Secure Storage for bicycles or other equipment.
Satellite TVs in all rooms, plus Blu-ray players, a PS4 and much more!
Private parking for three cars.

For more details, and to check prices and availability,visit brunthouse.co.uk

Telephone: 020 3700 3495

Email: [email protected]

RIVERSIDE HOUSE, PEAK DISTRICT, UK

4 Star Accommodation

Ideal for family holidays, walks in the Peak District, birthday celebrations and reunions, Riverside House is equipped to the standard of 4 Star rated holiday accommodation, with facilities to suit all ages and activity levels. Riverside House sleeps 9+2+cot in four bedrooms with 3 bathrooms and has its very own games room with table tennis downstairs. A log fire with unlimited free logs all year round gives your holiday that warm glow, and there is Sky Sports, Films and wi fi so there’s something to keep everyone occupied, whatever their age and whatever the weather.

Riverside House holiday cottage is right next to the Monsal Trail with traffic-free cycling and walks for 8 miles. If you’re looking for fun family days out, Alton Towers is just 40 minutes away, and Chatsworth House, with its farm, maze and adventure playground, is even closer. Or why not just relax and enjoy lovely river views from Riverside House’s safe and enclosed garden and patio? Enjoy the luxury of a self catering Peak District holiday from the comfort of your own cottage.

There’s always plenty to do when you stay at a big holiday cottage in the Derbyshire Peak District. At Riverside House you can feed the ducks and trout from the bridge, walk the River Wye to Cressbrook take the Monsal Trail and enjoy stunning views over the Monsal Viaduct or walk Tideswell Dale – all accessible from your front door. And the nearest pub is in easy walking distance too!

Modern fully equipped kitchen, 2 fridges, freezer, large range cooker, microwave
Utility room with washing machine, dryer and overhead clothes dryer
Off-street parking for up to four cars
Double garage (with table tennis)
Enclosed garden
BBQ
Bike storage facilities
Dog and pet friendly- up to five dogs at a time
Close to Peak District walks and cycling, traffic free on the Monsal Trail (a stone’s throw away)
Enjoy our separate games room so there is fun whatever the weather, includes table football, air hockey, pool, PS2, TV, mini fridge.
Free wi fi, Sky Sports and Films
Log fire with unlimited free supply of logs all year round.
Alton Towers is 40 minutes’ drive, Chatsworth House 20 minutes and the market towns of Bakewell and Buxton 15 minutes’ drive (with Go Ape, Poole’s Cavern’s and a horse riding school).

Whatever the type of holiday you’re looking for, we can help. We can organise self catering dinner parties and spa days, we have a wealth of information about the Peak District on our sister-site www.visitpeaks.co.uk and we know the local area well – we stay there with our families and pets too! You deal directly with us, the owners, not an agency who may not know the area as well as we do.

Visit our website www.riversidehouse-peakdistrict.co.uk to see up to date availability, or contact Wendy Boast (who has lived in north London for over 25 years):

Telephone: 07980 390 520

Email: [email protected]

Please like us on Facebook www.facebook.com/visitpeaks and follow us on Twitter @visitpeaks for more information and news.

If you would like to be added to our mailing list to receive details of any offers at our holiday cottages please sign up to the newsletter and get a free ‘Peek at the Peaks Guide’, see the link on our website.

Or take a look at our blog with plenty of hints, tips and guides to the Peak District – http://www.visitpeaks.co.uk/index.php/wendys-blog.html

Offer: 5% discount on low and mid season bookings. Quote code: Mumsinthewood

VALLEY VIEW, PEAK DISTRICT, UK

4 Star accommodation

Valley View is a large, detached self catering holiday house at Milldale in Dovedale within the Peak District National Park.

This is a large 6-bedroom self catering holiday cottage, sleeping 13+2+cot+travel cot and is ideal for short breaks with friends and family or longer breaks in the school holidays.

Bring your dog on holiday too! Valley View holiday accommodation is dog friendly and pet friendly! Up to a maximum of five well behaved dogs.

Alton Towers is only a 30 minutes’ drive or visit Chatsworth House with its farm, maze and adventure playground.

Valley View self catering holiday accommodation sleeps up to 13 +2 +cot in 6 bedrooms, including one double bedroom in the attached holiday cottage annexe (with its own additional lounge and bathroom).
Three bathrooms – one in cottage annexe
Sky Sports and Sky movies in HD on two TV’s and surround sound in lounge
BT Sports in HD in full surround sound in lounge
Large lounge with plenty of seating and log burner (free unlimited supply of logs included)
Large dining table seats up to 16
Modern, fully equipped kitchen with two large fridges (one in utility room), microwave, range cooker and high chair
Utility room with washing machine and dryer, plenty of boot and wellie storage
Multi-games table in the entrance hall, lots of board games for all ages supplied
Superb pub, The George Alstonfield only 15 minutes’ walk
Walks in all directions from the door of the house, including along Dovedale one of the top visitor sites in the Peak District
Feed the ducks at the bottom of the lane, there are always plenty there waiting for you!
Alton Towers is only 30 minutes by car!

As its’ name suggests, there are superb views from the front and rear of the large holiday cottage overlooking Dovedale and Milldale. This holiday house is in one of the most stunning locations in the Peak District. Dog friendly, pet friendly, all pets welcome – we are dog owners too! Ideal for family groups to rent a large holiday house together, and short breaks for a family get together, this large holiday cottage is perfect for a family gathering of all ages.

Valley View is near to the market town of Ashbourne with lovely local shops and cafes, there’s the Tissington Trail for traffic free cycling with cycle trail is only 10 minutes’ drive, the historic market town of Leek is about 40 minutes’ drive and the cottage is within half an hour’s drive of Alton Towers.

Please visit www.dovedaleholidaycottage.co.uk for further information.

Please like us on Facebook www.facebook.com/visitpeaks and follow us on Twitter @visitpeaks for more information and news.

If you would like to be added to our mailing list to receive a free ‘Peek at the Peaks’ guide please sign up on the home page of the website, we also will include details of any offers at our holiday cottages in our newsletters.

Alternatively you can contact Wendy Boast in one of the ways listed below (Wendy has lived in north London for over 25 years).

Telephone: 07980 390 520

Email: [email protected]

Our weekly blog also has lots of hints, tips and information about the Peak District – http://www.visitpeaks.co.uk/index.php/wendys-blog.html

Offer: 5% discount on low and mid season bookings. Quote code: Mumsinthewood

Brookley Cottage, New Forest, UK

Accomodation done to a 5 star level

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Brookley Cottage, is a newly renovated family friendly cottage that sleeps 6 + cot. This is a super bolthole offering child friendly accommodation in the New Forest. Farrow and Ball colours feature throughout, all newly decorated in restful tones. Small children will be delighted with the play house at the end of the garden for hours of happy play. Enjoy a slower pace of life in Brockenhurst village, where New Forest ponies and donkeys have right of way.

Set along side a private gravel lane in the centre of the village,where the ponies and donkeys preamble. Just a stone’s throw from the village centre in Brockenhurst and a 10 minute walk to the Train station (Waterloo line). Jump on the Lymington flyer for the short journey to Lymington station, or the ferry to the Isle of Wight. With bike hire in Brockenhurst, the New Forest bus and forest rambling and riding, every day explore something new. Restaurants, cafes, pubs and food shops within a few moments.You can really have a car free holiday at Brookley Cottage

Ground Floor

A great open plan space that allows you all to spend your time together, with wide doors leading out to the garden patio, further opportunity to chill out and relax. A cosy wood burning stove for winter, a large dining table and granite topped island unit with bar stools for overseeing the chef. A lovely sitting room perfect for reading a book or watching a film.
Ground floor cloakroom.

First Floor

Sleeping and Bathing;
Bedroom One; To the front of the cottage this is a really relaxing room with a five foot wide bed and ensuite shower room.
Bedroom Two; A spacious light bedroom with twin beds, wardrobe and views over the garden.
Bedroom Three; A snug berth with a standard double bed and wardrobe storage.
Family bathroom; Bath with shower over.
At the top of the house; A converted attic hideaway for children.

A level fully enclosed sunny garden, with attractive patio with garden furniture, sun umbrella and charcoal BBQ. A good sunny spot for lunch time G&T’s. The garden play house includes a miniature table and chairs, a toy cooker, plus ride arounds for whizzing up and down the garden.

One parking place directly opposite the cottage. A 24 hour parking clock is provided for the village car park which is a few moments walk from the front door.

Rental is inclusive of Bed linen and towels (excluding beach towels and babies cot bedding) and all utilities, logs in winter.

Regret no pets and the owners respectfully request non smokers please.

Features of this cottage include:

Brilliant Brockenhurst village location with all amenities within a 3 minute walk
Direct Train link to London within a 10 minute stroll
Open heath, woods and streams within a 10 minute amble
Gas central heating
Wood burning stove in the open plan living area
All beds with Luxury Orthopaedic mattresses, under a generous 5cm layer of memory foam is a complex spring system.
Mobile phone reception
Wi Fi; Sonos wifi video musical system through the house to play music from iphone/ipad album
42″ smart-Wi Fi, Freeview TV with ability to play any video / movie from your ipad/iphone on to a large screen
Washing machine/dryer
Free standing tall fridge freezer
Combi oven & microwave
Dishwasher
Bellington electric range with double oven
Iron & ironing board
Hairdryer
Travel cot, wooden high chair,
Top floor playroom stairgate
Baby changing mat
Children toilet seat, baby bathtub
Children bath toys/bath puzzle
Selection of board games and puzzles and toys for babies and younger children, along with a Weber toy BBQ
Garden play house with toy cooker and miniature table & chairs
Garden ride ons