Barks Cottage

We’ll definitely come back. It’s a comfortable, well-equipped cottage with a really homely feel, and a handy starting point for dog walks of all lengths nearby. It also makes a good base for some of the walks in Countryside Dog Walks : Peak District North & South.

We spent four nights here exploring the area, with easy trips to places like Leek and some lovely walks. The accommodation was clean, nicely decorated, and had what we needed whether we wanted to cook or eat out. We were missing a teapot at first, but the owner sorted that straight away. I’d recommend staying here, though take care around the stone walls as you turn in.

We had a great time at Alton Towers, and the dog walking service meant we could join our girls there for a day. With the park only about 10 minutes away, the convenient drop-off let us leave the teens under a five-minute walk from the main entrance, then explore ourselves. We loved Dovedale Stepping Stones, Trentham Gardens, and lunch at the Ramblers Retreat in Dimmingsdale. Catherine and James were easy to deal with when we booked through their website, and very accommodating. The Prosecco waiting in the fridge was a lovely surprise. The cottage was clean, well equipped, and surrounded by a garden where we enjoyed sitting out with a glass of wine after busy days. It suited our family, teenagers, and small dog perfectly. Moneystone is peaceful, and the cottage is well placed for Alton Towers and the surrounding area, or for simply relaxing and recharging. We’ll definitely return.

The dogs are ready for a rest after all the walks from Barks Cottage! We’ve really enjoyed the peace and quiet here. The owners were helpful and friendly, and the cottage had everything we could have asked for, plus more. Thanks for a lovely stay. We’ll be back next year if you’ll have us.