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. Golf and horse riding are available within 5 miles. Shop 3½ miles, pub 1 mile.

Barton Hall Farm can be found just outside Pooley Bridge, the village at the outfall of Lake Ullswater. Set in the countryside on a traditional working farm, this area offers some of the most wonderful landscapes in the region from the privacy of a secluded rural setting. It is minutes from Lake Ullswater, with its walking, water sports and ponderous steamers making their regal-like journeys up and down the lake in the shadow of the majestic fells. This area offers many forms of recreation, whatever season you choose to visit. All three cottages have been tastefully converted from original old stone farm buildings; and wherever possible the original features have been retained. Old pitch pine beams stretch unhindered through bedrooms and across stairways and the local slate and sandstone are in evidence throughout. Guests are welcomed with fresh flowers, along with well furnished comfortable holiday accommodation, wood-burning stoves and well-equipped kitchens. For good walking, fells nearby include High Street range, 1 mile, and Helvellyn, 10 miles. The market town of Penrith, 5 miles; whilst the attractions of Keswick are 14 miles. Shops, pubs and restaurants ½ mile.

Set in a small hamlet, these carefully converted holiday cottages form a courtyard development where every care has been taken with the design, internal furnishings and their impact on the environment. Bell’s Barn (prop ref 25899) stands detached from the other cottages and is suitable for wheelchair users. There is also enclosed paddock where your dogs can run free! Just a short walk from Crakehall, claimed to be one of the prettiest villages in the Dales, with a large village green overlooked by an imposing manor house where cricket and quoits teams often play. Nearby, the historic town of Bedale, 2½ miles, offers a weekly market every Tuesday and various events during the year, together with a range of individual shops, restaurants and pubs. Masham, renowned for the Black Sheep Brewery, is 10 minutes’ drive and Richmond with its Norman castle, Georgian architecture and thriving theatre is also easily accessible. Historic York and its many attractions is within easy driving distance. Alternatively, just enjoy the wonderful Yorkshire countryside either by car, bicycle or on foot. Shop and pub ¾ mile. Properties 25898, 25899, 25900 and 25901 can be booked together to accommodate up to 16 guests.

A delightful, single-storey lodge resting on a working farm in Fewston near Darley, North Yorkshire. In National Park. Countryside views. Pet-friendly. Ground-floor living. Harrogate 8.2 miles.

Bwlch Y Person Barns are beautiful conversions of traditions Welsh long barns. Located in a tranquil setting surrounded by rolling countryside, these wonderful properties boast character, charm and all the comforts for the perfect countryside holiday with a resident barn owl in the grounds. Close to the borders of both mid and south Wales, these very comfortable properties provide perfect holiday accommodation. The four cottages, Cartws (ref OH3), Stabl (ref OH4), Beudy Bach(ref OH5) and Beudy (OH2) form a right angle shape with parking in front, with lovely views across the countryside and all have their own terraces with furniture. Families will appreciate the separate recreational area with football posts and nets, picnic bench and table set away from the cottages. For added enjoyment, all four cottages feature their own private hot tubs in their enclosed patios.
All are ideally placed for exploring the dramatic and truly scenic Ceredigion coastline. The picturesque and colourful Georgian harbour town of Aberaeron is only 6 miles away where there is a selection of interesting independent shops and a great choice of restaurants and eateries including, fish and chips, ice cream parlour and fine dining. The National Trust house and gardens of Llanerchaeron are 4 miles away and from here there’s a delightful level pedestrian country footpath, suitable for bikes, pushchairs or wheelchairs, which leads into Aberaeron. Pretty New Quay with boats bobbing about in the harbour is just a few miles further on, and is definitely worth a visit. You must look out for the resident pods of bottlenose dolphins seen in the bay on an almost daily basis! Shop, pub and restaurant 1½ miles.
These properties can be booked together to accommodate larger groups.

Superb semi-detached cottage in Malham, opposite river, close to pub. Woodburning stove, mature garden, quality accommodation. Central Dales location. Settle 8 miles.

Within 2 miles of the beach, peacefully tucked away along the North Norfolk coast, surrounded by open countryside, these traditional Norfolk brick and flint barns (refs 30395, 30396, 30397, 30398, UKC660 and UK36552) have been converted, boasting character features, oak flooring, wood burners and equipped to provide the warmest welcome and a very relaxing holiday. With the owners living on-site, each barn has been carefully designed to retain its own privacy, and boasts a fenced courtyard garden with seating furniture and a barbecue. The seaside village of Walcott is within walking distance, and just a short drive away are the traditional seaside towns of Cromer, Sheringham, Mundesley and Sea Palling. Guests are welcome to enjoy the 1-acre of shared meadow grassland for play, relaxing or exploring. The site is abundant in nature and wildlife, with its own resident barn owl. Quiet lanes and footpaths surround the barns to offer excellent walking and cycling direct from the doorstep. The City of Norwich is approximately a 30-minute drive away, and has many attractions including excellent shopping, cathedral, castle museum, theatre, art galleries, cafés and restaurants. Wroxham, 12 miles, capital of the famous Norfolk Broads is great for daily boat hire, river trips and waterside cafés. Fantastic family days out can be enjoyed at Cromer, 12 miles, where there is a promenade, pier, seasonal entertainment, beach, Amazona Zoo and RNLI working lifeboat station. Take a boat trip from Blakeney Quay to visit the basking seal colonies or go crabbing along the quayside. Golf nearby. Beach 2 miles. Shop, pub and restaurant 2 miles.

An attractive honey coloured stone retreat awaits your arrival within the picturesque Cotswold village of South Cerney. Designed to the highest finish with a splashing of Cotswold chic. Perfect for a couple looking to escape the city lights or a fun family jaunt to the Cotswolds.
Luxuriously appointed over two floors, on the ground floor you will find an open plan living and dining space as well as a top spec kitchen for chatting and cooking with your nearest and dearest. French doors lead onto a landscaped garden, this secluded sanctuary is complete with a bubbling hot tub for some serious relax and relaxation all year round. If it’s been a long-day of exploring be sure to create a silky Espresso Martini or two with a little help from your Nespresso machine to recharge and energise under the stars. On the first floor you will find a luxuriously appointed bathroom with walk-in shower. Two double bedroom suites adorned with the very best luxury linens and sumptuous beds, mobile air conditioning units and you certainly won’t be needing any potions or creams here to wake up refreshed and revived.
If you can drag yourself away from your five star country retreat, South Cerney is an attractive Cotswolds village surrounded by idyllic country walks and cycle routes. With all the amenities you need, there are three traditional country pubs within a minutes’ walk of Bramble Cottage. And just 5 miles away lies the market town of Cirencester, regarded as the heart of the Cotswolds, the perfect place for fine dining and boutique shopping. The foodies of the group will love the selection of local produce on offer here too, with a wonderful selection of local artisan shops to choose from.
Don’t worry if you haven’t packed the canoe or bikes, The Cotswold Water Park is within a few minutes’ drive offering a host of thrill seeking activities including water skiing, cable skiing, archery, shooting, paintballing, golf, aerial adventure, angling, horse riding, sailing, canoeing and rally driving. Scenic cycle tracks, nature trails and fishing abound. Stow-on-the-Wold, Bourton-on-the-Water, Broadway and Cheltenham are all within easy reach by car too. However, you choose to spend your time at your stylish abode, splashing in the hot tub, leisurely walks around chocolate box villages steeped in history, kayaking the lakes, escaping into a good book, or simply reconnecting with friends and family Bramble Cottage will certainly not disappoint. Pub 1 mile.

Superb, detached stone cottage in Hinderwell village. Spacious, open plan living, contemporary styling. Well-equipped, luxurious accommodation. Pubs and shops 5 mins walk. Beach 1 mile. Whitby 9 miles.