Half term holiday short break

Since this is only the second winter since we started we're very pleasantly surprised at the number of people taking short breaks in January and February and although we worry every time that the weather is going to be just too awful, it never is - everyone has a great time and says how comfortable and warm the cottage is to come back to after a brisk winter walk! We just couldn't say no to a repeat booking for the first weekend of the school half term, which means we can offer the remaining 4 nights Tuesday 17th - Friday 20th at the special offer price of £130. Or 5 nights 17th - 21st for £155. Do call if you're interested in either of these or any other number of days in that week.

Perhaps we'll have some more snow! (in the picture, taken from Litton Edge, New Houses is the small clump of trees between the dark pine trees on the right and the line of trees on the crest of the hill)

New Year's Eve

The last day of the old year and we are lost in freezing fog, the trees covered in hoar frost and every plant and blade of grass outlined in sparkling white. Tomorrow we hope for frost and brilliant sunshine above seas of fog lingering in the valley, but today was a day for brisk walks and returning to sit round the fire. The champagne is chilling outside the back door, Happy New Year to everyone and hope we'll be welcoming you to New Houses in 2009!

Winter breaks

Still a few pre-Christmas opportunities to take advantage of our winter midweek specials, 4 nights for the price of 3, £114. Get away from the shopping crowds on the hills or indulge in orgies of Christmassyness at Chatsworth, Castleton etc. The cottage remains an oasis of peaceful comfort and warmth after the rigours of either of the above...

October special midweek deals

Leaves turning colour and evenings drawing in make for ideal restorative breaks combining atmospheric autumnal walks and fireside relaxing. We have a couple of midweek bargains left at £125 for 3 nights or £110 for 2. Check the availability calendar to see if you can fit one in. While you're here, you could catch the "Beyond Limits" sculpture exhibition in the garden at Chatsworth (there's a link to the Chatsworth website on our Things to Do page).

Weather or not

Because of our very flexible (some say impractical) booking policy we have an extra long week available at the end of September - 8 nights from 27th Sept to 4th Oct, which we're offering for the 7 night rate of £250. Or any 4 nights in that week for the price of 3: £150. Just in time for the Indian Summer, we hope. 3 New Houses however has its own long range weather forecast, as follows:- It will be windy most of the time and the weather will keep changing. If you can see the hills beyond Buxton then it isn't raining, and probably won't be for quite some time, unless there are really huge black clouds looming over them. If you can't see the hills then it is probably raining or about to rain. If you can't see the top of the field then it's raining or we're in a cloud. Whatever the weather looks like from inside, it will be much better when you're out (but if not, inside it's very cosy and relaxing, listening to the wind and rain and basking in the warmth of the stove).

Get ready for The Duchess...

Our special offer short break between 1st-5th September will get you in the mood for the film everyone's talking about. "The Duchess" is out on 5th September - get the inside story in advance at the special exhibition at Kedleston Hall* or absorb the atmosphere at Chatsworth, the real life home of Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire.

All 5 nights £200, any 4 nights £180, any 3 nights £150, any 2, £120.

*the exhibition is open daily except Thursday and Friday.