Comments from the visitors book

Over 50% of our customers come back every year and some enjoy two or three weeks every year. We are always interested to read the comments in our visitor book. If someone makes a reasonable suggestion (sorry we can't guarantee the weather) we will always try to make sure that this is done. Our aim is to make people feel at home as soon as they walk in the door.

Here, week-by week, (assuming we have the camera with us so that we can photograph them for transcribing later) are the last 20 comments from the barn's visitor's book.

10th July 2010 (1st visit)
We have enjoyed a lovely week at Bear's Barn, so comfortable and relaxing. Loved the 'bears theme' in every room, very cute. Hartington is a lovely picturesque unspolit village with great charm and character. Our visits to Carsington Water, Castleton, Bakewell + Tittesworth Water were all great days out. Weather has been very good couldn't have asked for more. Thank you. Jean & John Carr
Cornwall

19th June 2010 (1st visit)
We had an absolutely brilliant week, weather couldn't have been kinder, sunshine all week. Went walking every day, the Bears Barn was nice to come home to. We are avid bird watchers and we weren't disappointed. Red Start, dippers, spotted fly catchers, curlew, grey wagtails, tawny and little owls to name a few.
Marlene and Roger
Leicestershire.

12th June 2010 (15th visit)
We arrived in sunshine little knowing we wouldn't see it again all week. On Tuesday evening driving home from Leek we came through thick fog!! Apart from the weather we have still had a great week. A gentle walk around Tittsworth Reservoir, along Lathkill Dale with beautiful orchids and just revisiting other beautiful places. Thanks again for the Barn, always great to come back to.
Andy & Lynn, Bedfordshire

5th June 2010 (6th visit)
A beautiful sunny week (unlike last July!). We've discovered some lovely new walks and re-visited some old ones. Sunday lunch at the Devonshire remains very good as do the meals at the Packhorse in Crowdecote. Our first meal at the Staffordshire Knot in Sheen was excellent. We liked the new additions in the Bears Barn and look forward to coming again.
Linda & Graham
Watford.

27th February 2010 (2nd visit)
Heavy snow the night we arrived. The village looked beautiful in the morning before the cars started moving. Had lots of lovely walks in the snow - Wolfscote Dale was beautiful. Arbor Low henge was a real experience in driving wind and snow drifts up to our knees. The cottage was exactly as we remembered it from 4 years ago - perfect. Barbara still wants to come home with us. Will be back again and hopefully sooner than 4 years this time.
Sue & Martin
North Somerset.

(Note from Linda - Barbara is a print of a sheep in the bedroom - we thought we should clarify that ;-)

20th February 2010 (4th visit)
Another super week at your 'Bears Barn'. The welcome pack was very much appreciated. This week has been variable - bright sunshine, snow, freezing temperatures and fog - but we have still managed a week of many walks and a cycle ride along the Tissington Trail - albeit ending with a puncture. We have again made the Devonshire our local and although very busy (being half-term) they made us feel very welcome. The barn has once again lived up to our expectations - being warm and well-equiped. Looking forward to returning in the future.
Liz & Haydn
Staffs.

From Linda & Paul - as we drove back from the Fish and Chip shop at Longnor (the monthly treat we allow ourselves as payment for Barn cleaning ;-) this was the view from the road out of Crowdicote - it was breathtaking. As I type this on Sunday morning it's snowing heavily again!

7th November 2009 (14th visit)
Another great week at the Bears Barn. Weather has been variable but we have managed a good walk every day. Thank you once again for the comfort and warmth of the barn, much appreciated after a wet walk. Roll on next spring.
Andy & Lynn
Bedforshire.

31st October 2009 (9th visit)
Another good week at the Bears Barn. Weather has been fine and dry, also very mild for the time of year. Managed a few good walks. Found a particularly interesting pub in Earl Sterndale (the Quiet Woman) which doesn't appear to have changed for the last 40 odd years! Don't expect haute cuisine. Thanks for everything at the Bears Barn. We look forward to our next visit.
Peter & Pauline
Hants.

10th October 2009 (1st visit)
We've stayed at Willow Cottage twice before, but this was our first time at Bears Barn. It's been lovely walking around a different part of Derbyshire and we particularly enjoyed walks along the Tissington Trail and the meat from the butchers at Tissington. The barn has been a perfect base for the week and thank you for the welcome bits.
Richard & Victoria
London

26th September 2009 (1st visit)
Have stayed in Hartington many times as a family, but now there are only two of us. The cottage was just right. Lovely, clean and comfortable. Many thanks.
Pat & Terry
Cambs.

19th September 2009 (1st visit)
Thanks for the welcome pack! A very enjoyable stay in the Bears Barn - great nights on a super-comfortable four-poster. Manifold Inn 95% - strongly recommended. Devonshire Arms 65% - sorry, but not impressed! Didn't visit Charles Cotton. Sunday carvery at Hartington Hall 80% - would have been higher but for the under-cooked Yorkshire puds. Enjoyed the Tideswell flower festival, a real tour-de-force! A pity it's only once every six years (approx). Enjoyable walks to Pilsbury Castle and also other walks - Manifold Valley, Dovedale to Beresford Dale and Biggin Dale, stoney and difficult under foot though. Virgin Mobile had no reception in village. Chatsworth an excellent day - recommended with so much to see in the house and garden. Fish & Chips in Longnor good - so was the Friday mobile chippy in Hartington - 6 to 9pm.
Colin & Barbara
West Yorkshire.

12th September 2009 (4th visit)
Weatherwise, this week has been “perfick” - wall to wall sunshine.  To tell you what we've done, where we've been and who we've met would bore the reader, so suffice to say we've had some lovely walks, been to some lovely places (Sudbury Hall, e.g.) and met some lovely friendly people.  We ate at the Manifold Inn (VERY good) and tried the Devonshire Arms (good – but we had ½ portions).  Sorry to see the Hayloft had closed and the Cheese Shop is about to.  Yes, did miss the phone, Linda, but only in case of night-time emergencies.  Your welcome pack was much appreciated.
Pat & John
Nottingham.

5th September 2009 (2nd visit)
Another great week at 'The Bears Barn'. Weather has been unpredictable but that's the British weather for you. Managed a few good walks between the storms. Walked from Ilam past 'Thorpe Cloud' along the River Dove, over the stepping stones and through a very very steep ascent in the woods. Visited Bakewell & Buxton, lovely places. Also went to Ashbourne but not a lot there. Had a meal at the Devonshire Arms and also at the Bull i'the Thorn on the A515 towards Buxton. The latter had a very good selection on its menu and was reasonably priced. This is our second visit to the Bears Barn and I'm sure it won't be our last. Thanks Linda for the welcome pack, it was very much appreciated.
Phil & Shirley
Northamptonshire.

22nd August 2009 (8th visit)
Another wonderful idyllic stay at the Barn escaping the phone, internet, email and, of course, normal life! The weather has been on our side and we have enjoyed walking and sightseeing. Thank-you for the welcome pack which is always appreciated after a long journey. Looking forward to our next visit.
Pauline & Peter
Hants.

8th August 2009 (1st visit)
Had a fantastic week, been really lucky with some fantastic weather. Cycled the High Peak trail and around Carsington reservoir, and had a lovely walk up in Castleton, up Cave Dale and Mam Tor. The Devonshire Arms does a lovely pint and the Charles Cotton too (the latter has WiFi should you need it!) The barn has been great - perfectly positioned with everything you'd need. Thank-you very much for the tea, coffee, milk and sugar - a lovely touch that was very welcomed. We will be back.
Dean & Sophie
Wiltshire.

1st August 2009 (5th visit)
The 'bar-b-que summer' of 2009..... 13/14 days of walking needing waterproof gear! Despite the weather we had another wonderful time - revisiting some favourite walks and discovering some new ones. Cheedale was a spectacular new discovery as was Lud's church. The walk from Monyash through Lathkill Dale was another lovely new walk. The Devonshire Arms continues to serve excellent meals (apart from a disappointing Ploughman's Lunch). Also very good at the Packhorse in Crowdicote and the Manifold at Hulme End. The Bears Barn was a perfect home again, we hope to be back in 2010.
Graham & Linda
Watford.

17th July 2009 (3rd visit)
Perfect walking weather - we did some familiar ones plus interesting additions. We took the bus to Tissington and walked back via Parwich - a beautiful village - and Heathcote - in all about 9 miles. Met many interesting people and had some good meals at the Staffordshire Knot (in Sheen), Devonshire Arms and the Charles Cotton (huge range of interesting beers!) Cottage gorgeous as always. Think we might try a winter holiday here!
Helen & Barry
Berks.

11th July 2009 (13th visit)

As always, brilliant. Weather has been mixed, torrential rain, sunshine and wind, but nothing stops us from enjoying the walks and stunning scenery. Thank you for the comfort of the barn, roll on October.
Andy & Lynn
Beds.

4th July 2009 (1st visit)
Weather stunning, couldn't have asked for better. Lots of long bike rides and walks. Bears Barn very comfortable, everything provided. Thanks for the milk and biscuits etc, very thoughtful. Hope to visit again although it's a pity about the cheese shop possibly closing.
Mick & Jane
Coverntry.