Find self catering and cottages that are great for a short break in Central England

Pendleton Cottage, Alderwasley, Derbyshire, Central England

Sleeps 2
Weekly prices from: £600 to £899

Self catering accommodation in Alderwasley sleeps 2.

Features include: • Short Breaks • Pets allowed • Detached • Sleeps 2

Accommodation overview: One of two barns in the owner’s grounds, converted to a very high standard, with views across the countryside. Carsington Water (watersports and bird watching) 15-minute drive. A short drive away are the High Peak Trail, Chatsworth House, Haddon Hall, Ashbourne and Bakewell. Wirksworth is 2 miles away with pubs, shops and award winning restaurant/bistro. The dog friendly Bear Inn is a short walk away. Shop 5 miles, three pubs within 1½ miles.

Large living room with electric ‘wood burner’. Step down to hand-built, farmhouse-style kitchen with compact beamed dining area with exposed stonework. Fully tiled wet room with toilet. Open-tread stairs to first floor: Heavily beamed, gallery-style double bedroom with 6ft bed and sloping ceiling.

Dorset House, Alcester, Warwickshire, Central England

Sleeps 21
Weekly prices from: £1300

Self catering accommodation in Alcester sleeps 21.

Features include: • Short Breaks • Pub nearby • Sleeps 21

Accommodation overview: This spacious property is situated in the heart of Alcester’s town centre and historic conservation area. Dorset House is a substantial double-fronted property on the high street facing the old town hall and parish church, right in the heart of the town with many shops, cafes, pubs and resturants right on the doorstep. Originating in the 15th century, this handsome town house was once a large brewery whose extensive cellars ran beneath the length of the house adjoining the long walled garden leading down to the River Arrow. It is now a fabulous holiday home for a larger family group. The interior is a delight, furnished with antique furniture and filled with interesting period and quirky architectural features. The accommodation is spread over several floors of the property and it is an unusual house to experience.
The location is perfect for walkers and bird-watchers, and next to the holiday property there is a bowling green available by prior arrangement. Alcester itself is a small, attractive town at the heart of one of the most popular tourist areas in the country, 8 miles from Stratford-upon-Avon. The town’s heritage spans at least two millennia, from its origins as an important Roman town and fort located at the junction of the two roads - the Salt Way from Droitwich and Ryknield Street to the thriving medieval town and busy 18th-century coaching and staging post (traces of which can be seen today as part of Alcester’s exciting Heritage Trail).
Local attractions include Ragley Hall - seat of the Marquis of Hertford whose 19th-century ancestor, the fourth Marquis and his natural son, Sir Richard Wallace, founded the magnificent Wallace Collection in London, Coughton Court - one of the country’s great Tudor houses, home of the Throckmorton family since 1409 and its implication with the Gunpowder Plot, the medieval Kinwarton Dovecot - still housing doves in its circular walls, and many other notable country houses. Further afield, but within easy reach, are Warwick and Kenilworth Castles, the picturesque villages of the Cotswolds, the NEC and NIA at Birmingham and Coventry. Cheltenham is only one hour away by car. Alcester has an excellent range of shops, pubs and restaurants and a fine museum. Shops 100 yards, pub 50 yards.

Main house: Period entrance hall. Living room. Well-equipped kitchen with glazed door to courtyard. Bathroom with shower attachment, bidet and toilet. First floor: Double bedroom with 5ft bed. Large family bathroom. Separate toilet. Second floor: Large double bedroom with 5ft bed, sitting area and additional Z-bed (for alternative sleeping only). Further double bedroom. Two twin bedrooms, one with en-suite shower room and toilet. Single bedroom with en-suite bathroom with shower over freestanding bath and toilet. Bathroom with shower attachment and toilet.
Apartment: Entrance hall. Sitting/dining room with imposing 15th-century stone fireplace. First floor: Landing with 15th-century stone fireplace. Large double bedroom with sitting area. Twin bedroom with two additional folding beds (for +2 children). Shower room. Bathroom with shower attachment and toilet. Second floor: Large double bedroom with 5ft bed. Twin bedroom. Bathroom with bidet and toilet.

Annies Meadow Barn, Offcote, Derbyshire, Central England

Sleeps 8
Weekly prices from: £900 to £1299

Self catering accommodation in Offcote sleeps 8.

Features include: • Short Breaks • Pets allowed • Detached • Easy Walking • Sleeps 8

Accommodation overview: Enjoying a peaceful rural location with unspoilt views of the surrounding countryside, Annie’s Meadow Barn sits within 8 acres of its own meadows, offering complete seclusion and tranquillity. This detached stone barn, which dates back to the 18th century, has been converted into a comfortable and modern holiday home offering spectacular views. Shops and pub 2 miles.

Living room with wood-burning stove, French doors, exposed brickwork, wooden floor. Spacious kitchen with dining area, TV and tiled floor. Twin bedroom with zip & link beds and en-suite wet room with bath. Separate toilet. First floor: Double bedroom with Velux window. Single bedroom, additional pull-out single bed (for +1). Shower room and toilet. Separate staircase to first floor: Double bedroom with TV, Velux window and en-suite shower room with toilet.

The Flint Mill, Consall, Staffordshire, Central England

Sleeps 8
Weekly prices from: £900 to £1299

Self catering accommodation in Consall sleeps 8.

Features include: • Short Breaks • Pets allowed • Pub nearby • Games Room • Sleeps 8

Accommodation overview: Set within Consall Forge Nature Reserve adjacent to the Caldon Canal, this former mill (one of a pair) dates back to the 1830s. Lovingly refurbished, this spacious holiday home retains its character with beams and vaulted barrel ceilings, alongside modern day comforts. The Churnet Valley Steam Railway runs through the reserve close to the mill, as does the Staffordshire Way and several marked trails. Chatsworth, 11 miles. Alton Towers, 7 miles. Shops 2 miles, pub 1/2 mile along towpath.

Six steps to entrance: Living/dining room with electric fire and wooden floor. Kitchen with gas range and tiled floor. Double bedroom. Spiral staircase to lower ground floor: Games room with patio doors and vaulted ceiling. Shower room with toilet. First floor: Three beamed bedrooms with Velux windows; two double, one with en-suite shower room and toilet, and one twin. Bathroom with Jacuzzi bath, shower cubicle, toilet and Velux window.

The Garden House, Atlow, Derbyshire, Central England

Sleeps 5
Weekly prices from: £300 to £599

Self catering accommodation in Atlow sleeps 5.

Features include: • Short Breaks • Pets allowed • Sleeps 5

Accommodation overview: Peacefully set in Peakland countryside, this 16th-century barn is only a mile and a half from Carsington Water, with its nature trails, wildlife sanctuary, riding, water sports, cycle hire, pub/restaurant and shops. Attached to the owners’ home, it has its own garden and enjoys shared use of extensive grounds, which include a private nature trail. Kedleston Hall and the spectacular scenery of Dove Dale are both within 6 miles, and Ashbourne’s shops, inns and activities are within 10 minutes’ drive. Cycling and walking on the Tissington Trail (4 miles). Alton Towers, 12 miles. Shops 2 miles.

Modern fitted kitchen with dining area. First floor: Small sitting-room with sofa-bed (for +2). Spacious double bedroom with additional single bed (for +1). Shower room with toilet.

Harthill Hall - Priesthill, Alport, Derbyshire, Central England

Sleeps 4
Weekly prices from: £900 to £1299

Self catering accommodation in Alport sleeps 4.

Features include: Hot Tub • Pool • Short Breaks • Pets allowed • Games Room • Garden • Sleeps 4

Accommodation overview: Take a beautiful Peak District National Park setting, just 3½ miles from Bakewell, add a historic hall (first recorded in the Domesday Book), and an ancient cluster of listed buildings converted to form superb holiday cottage accommodation....and the result is the captivating blend that is Harthill Hall. Nestling in 14 acres of grounds on an upland called Priest’s Hill with excellent walking available from the doorstep, the properties have the use of an extensive range of leisure facilities including an indoor heated swimming pool, sauna, solarium and treatment rooms. Noble names have woven the threads of the hall’s long history including Henry de Ferrers, the Cokaynes and the Harthills. Henry VIII is also believed to have stayed at the hall.
It was here in 1259 that Sir Richard de Hartle was issued a Papal Bull by Pope Alexander II, allowing him to appoint his own chaplain. The chapel ceased its functions as a place of worship in 1546 and now takes the form of The Chapel and Hartle Cottage. The eight cottages are furnished with antiques and surround a medieval cobbled courtyard. They all retain a wealth of original features including thick stone walls, large oak beams, mullion windows and flagstone floors. Derbyshire’s bustling market towns, villages, hills, dales and rivers offer majestic scenery, and a rich variety of customs. Boasting a varied and beautiful landscape, they offer a blend of heritage, history and family attractions. The beautiful market town of Bakewell (3½ miles) is situated on the River Wye, crossed by a 13th-century five-arched bridge which has coffee shops and restaurants. Within easy reach are Matlock, Hall Leys Park, Chesterfield, Alfreton and Buxton. National Trust properties and gardens nearby include Riley Graves, Longshaw, Mam Tor, South Peak, Dovedale, Hardwick Hall and Kedleston Hall. Close by are both Chatsworth House and Haddon Hall. Games room with free wireless internet connection. Shop and pub 3½ miles.

Manor Barn House, Nether Westcote, Oxfordshire, Central England

Sleeps 12
Weekly prices from: £1300

Self catering accommodation in Nether Westcote sleeps 12.

Features include: • Open Fire or Woodburner Stove • Short Breaks • Pets allowed • Golf nearby • Pub nearby • Detached • Sleeps 12

Accommodation overview: Manor Barn House sits in 45 acres of astonishing Cotswold countryside, listed as an AONB. Within the grounds are a lake, woodlands and great country walks. This substantial country house is the perfect getaway offering peace and tranquillity in a ‘chocolate box’ Cotswold village, with one pub within walking distance. It makes an excellent holiday base for exploring this beautiful and historic area and lies in one of the Cotswold’s most treasured villages, with stunning views as far as the eye can see. This detached barn conversion is built in traditional Cotswold stone and provides all modern living requirements with six double bedrooms and three bathrooms, yet has retained its character with a large open fireplace and beamed ceilings. The kitchen boasts an Aga and conventional oven, enabling large dinner parties to be hosted in the spacious dining room. Nether Westcote village is equidistant (6 miles) from Stow-on-the-Wold and Burford; both villages provide full shopping facilities. Beautiful Bourton-on-the-Water is about 3 miles with many tourist attractions including The Model Village, Cotswold Motor Museum, Birdland and Bourton Model Railway. Cirencester, Stratford-upon-Avon, Oxford and Bath are all within an hour and a half’s drive. The international gardens of Hidcote Manor and Kiftsgate Court should not be missed, while a visit to Sezincote House, built in 1809 and the precursor to the Brighton Pavilion, will entrance and surprise visitors. The barn is perfect for large parties and family gatherings, a real home from home. Several golf courses within 5 miles; horse riding and fishing locally. Shops 3 miles, gastro pub 300 yards.

Spacious beamed living room with open fire, French doors. Large beamed dining room. Two steps up to large well-equipped kitchen with quarry-tiled floor. Utility. Study. Two separate toilets. First floor: Double bedroom with 7ft bed, TV, en-suite bathroom with shower attachment, toilet. Double bedroom with 6ft bed and additional single bed (for +1) with pull-out mattress (for +1 child). Two double bedrooms, each with 5ft bed; one with additional single bed (for +1) with pull-out mattress (for +1 child). Two double bedrooms. Two bathrooms, each with over-bath shower and toilet.

Darwin Lake - Eyam, Darwin Lake, Derbyshire, Central England

Sleeps 4
Weekly prices from: £600 to £899

Self catering accommodation in Darwin Lake sleeps 4.

Features include: • Short Breaks • Sleeps 4

Accommodation overview: Spacious stone cottages with fine facilities, in a beautiful, tranquil woodland setting...

In an idyllic setting in the Darwin Forest on the edge of the Peak District National Park, this group of holiday cottages enjoys a wonderfully peaceful location from which to enjoy the area’s great natural beauty. Built in traditional Derbyshire stone to blend effortlessly into their surroundings, they are set around the lake and surrounded by mixed woodland, an ideal habitat for a rich variety of wildlife. The cottages are modern and spacious, with comfortably furnished living rooms, several enjoying views over the lake, and an excellent standard of fixtures and fittings throughout, including superbly equipped kitchens. A central courtyard area creates a focal point, and each cottage has its own patio, as well as shared use of the nine acres of beautiful wooded grounds which include an enclosed, elevated woodland walk around the lake.
This peaceful spot is the perfect stopping off point for walking and cycling amid superb countryside, and a trekking centre just around the corner provides plenty of opportunity to explore on horseback. For the more adventurous, a whole host of outdoor pursuits is available nearby, including sailing, wind-surfing and canoeing on Carsington Reservoir, 13 miles away, while Derbyshire’s gritstone edges and deep caverns attract rock climbing and pot-holing enthusiasts.
The popular Derbyshire Dales town of Matlock is only 4 miles away, with a good choice of pubs, restaurants and shops. Among the attractions here are the Peak Rail steam trains, the Heights of Abraham pleasure grounds, reached by a cable car across the gorge, dramatic show caverns and Gulliver’s Kingdom. There is also a fascinating Lead Mining Museum and an excellent Tramway Museum at Crich, providing something of interest for everyone. A short drive away is the splendid Chatsworth House with its fine collections of paintings and furniture, and Haddon Hall in the beautiful Wye Valley. Village shop and local pub 2 miles.
Darwin Lake is the perfect place to get away from it all amid beautiful surroundings, and to enjoy the many attractions that make this region so popular. The attractive cottages at Darwin Lake are cosily heated, insulated and double glazed throughout, with fine co-ordinated furnishings, fitted kitchen, superb bathrooms and high quality fixtures and fittings. The countryside is especially beautiful in the quieter seasons, and this tranquil location is accessible from major routes – ideal for Short Breaks and for holidays at all times of the year. Shop 2 miles.