thetravellingwilbennetts

If you are looking for accommodation for a large group in the Peak District then you cannot go wrong with The Old Barn in  Swinscoe a few miles outside of Ashbourne.  Set in the ground of Common End Farm Campsite it is a fabulous setting.

The accommodation itself is what used to be the old hay barn and is around 250 years old and can comfortably accommodate up to 14 guests.  The barn/cottage is really spacious and all 6 bedrooms (4 on the ground floor and 2 on the first floor) are en-suite.  It is tastefully decorated but nothing too flash – just nice and homely which is perfect for a group with lot of young children.  Nothing worse than worrying about the little horrors breaking things whilst they are tearing around.

There is a large kitchen which is stocked well and plenty of space to store all your food/drink which connects to a large dining room.  The layout is perfect for families and our kiddies liked to have one table to themselves (which suited the grown ups).  The owners left us a basket with some tea/coffee/jams aswell as a couple of treats in the form of a huge box of Maltesers which obviously went down a storm.

The living room which leads off from the dining room is also a great size and has tv, dvd player so this is great for either cosying up together or like we did setting the children up with movie night and popcorn whilst the grown ups sat down to enjoy a nice meal with some vino.

There is a BBQ but you need to make sure the owners know you want it but you have to provide the coals.

One of the things our group loved is the campsite next door.  I don’t know if it is intentional but all the tents seem to be pitched on the perimeter of the two large fields which means there is plenty of space to play in between.  Our group were keen to get playing football every time we got back there so this was a great bonus with all the space.

Just down the road either a two minute drive or 10 minute walk is a pub, The Dog and Partridge, which is good for a quick refreshment and also has a large outdoor play area.  They do serve food if you fancy a night away from the kitchen and not too far from the accommodation.  The service leaves a lot to be desired (in our experience) but it is OK for a quick pint/glass of wine.

There are endless places to visit around the area – (see my blog for what we got up to) – some suggestions on how a handful of local attractions to fill up your weekend below.

Walks

Dovedale (5 miles)

High Peak Trail

National Trust

Ilam Hall (3.6 miles)

Sudbury Hall – including the National Museum of Childhood (13 miles)

Cycling Routes

Tissington Trail (4.5 miles)

Would I recommend The Old Barn – ABSOULTELY- this was after all our second visit.