When I contacted Steve Ogan, I am not sure who was more excited, him or
me about using Blakelow Cottages, in Coming
Home for Christmas.
After a brief conversation about my chapter, we both agreed that Candle
Cottage would be perfect for this chapter.
Steve was brilliant, sending me DVD’s and pictures, that he thought
would help me, and they certainly did. As
I began writing, I really felt as if I was there in person. I could see my characters; feel the romantic
ambiance, the log fire, the Christmas tree, just a few of the things making
Candle Cottage perfect for a passionate liaison.
Dedication
To Steve and Julie Ogan of Blakelow Cottages,
sincere thanks for the heaps of information you gave me to make Blakelow
Cottages the ideal, romantic Christmas setting
Candle Cottage – Sleeps 2
Other Cottages available at
Blakelow
Christmas Cottage –Sleeps 4
Cranberry Cottage – Sleeps 4
Chestnut Cottage – Sleeps 2
Reasons to visit Blakelow Farm Holiday Cottages
At Blakelow Farm Holiday Cottages our aim is to offer discerning
houseguests a superb and discreet service in an unpretentious atmosphere of
good taste. We hope that you will find the whole ambience of Blakelow Farm
beyond comparison.
A luxury
welcome …
5 Star Self Catering
All cottages have a 5
star rating
Luxury welcome hamper to greet
your arrival
We are open all year, see
the landscape change with the seasons
Short breaks available,
please just ask …
Fabulous view to Chatsworth House
Ideally placed for sight seeing, walking,
cycling and visiting some of England’s finest country houses
We are committed to caring
for the environment
Full housekeeping service
available
24hr laundry service
available
Special arrangements can be
made for your, eg. bouquets, bubbly, birthday cakes, etc, please
just ask …
Spa and Beauty Treatments – why not turn your break
into a luxury spa experience, with our visiting spa and beauty therapists
Special Occasion Catering – guests celebrating a
special event can enjoy a freshly prepared meal served in their cottage
creating an unforgettable evening
Attention
to detail is our motto
The welcome hamper
Your Blakelow Welcome Hamper
The Welcome Hamper for our Blakelow cottages guests …
we are passionate about the Peak District, promoting the very best it has to
offer, starting with food.
We have carefully sourced local suppliers who share
our love of the Peak District.
But
let’s start with what we do ourselves. 
Remember when eggs were this yellow …
We have very free range hens, apols, they do ‘knock’
at cottage doors blagging food from guests but they do produce lovely fresh
eggs.
Remember when eggs were this yellow … and fresh.
Blakelow bees
We keep bees who help
pollinate our fruit trees etc and, weather permitting, provide us with honey.
We grow our own herbs – picked fresh for our guests
when available.
Blakelow herbs and oil
We make our own Marmalade … although we do not grow our
own oranges!
Then there’s …
Bread from local Hayes the bakers less than 4 miles
away.
Biscuits from the lovely Angie at the Pudding Room
Carsington.
Chocolates… really special chocs from Cocoadance in Hope Valley, with
thanks to a very skilled and clever couple Bridget and Dave. Incidentally,
Dave and Bridget also run fab Chocolate Making Classes – see our What to do
page for more info.
Your very own Blakelow Bear
The Blakelow Bear who is yours to take home, although
not made in the Peak District they are adopted from the lovely Ruth in
Ashbourne.
Now… lastly, look away if squeamish… we do keep our
own pigs, just 3 or 4, they are much loved, some would say pampered, outdoor
reared, well fed piggies.
Guests are welcome to help feed them and they do like
a bit of a fuss (that’s the pigs not the guests).
They are not injected with growth hormones,
antibiotics etc, at the end of their time they are made into bacon, sausage and
other pork products for our guests to buy … our bacon and sausage is very
popular, sausages full our meat and Mmmm
our bacon, remember bacon that smells and tastes delicious
and doesn’t leak white watery stuff when you cook it … ours does.
Spa treatments
It is with great delight that we offer our guests My
Personal Sanctuary treatments including:
warming deep
tissue massages
cleansing and
detoxifying body wraps; nourishing and conditioning facials
hand and feet
treats; and holistic, full body treatments.
My Personal
Sanctuary uses lovely fresh organic products to leave you feeling energised and
rejuvenated. My Personal Sanctuary has a variety of Pamper Packages and
Treatments as well as Special Offers for you to indulge in and fully let go!
For more information please visit My Personal
Sanctuary website or give them a call on 01625 540 557.
England
Awards for Excellence 2010/11
We were over the moon when Enjoy England chose
Blakelow Farm Holiday Cottages as the best Self Catering Holiday for 2010 …
Since then we haven’t rested on our laurels, we constantly strive to make sure
our guests have the best time and take home happy memories of their stay at
Blakelow. Which is why we never stop ‘tweaking’ our cottages, from the simple
touches of putting in new rugs or art work, to new kitchens, bathrooms, and
soft furnishings … it’s what we do …
You can read more about these awards on the Enjoy England website.
England
Awards for Excellence 2010/11
We were over the moon when Enjoy England chose
Blakelow Farm Holiday Cottages as the best Self Catering Holiday for 2010 …
Since then we haven’t rested on our laurels, we constantly strive to make sure
our guests have the best time and take home happy memories of their stay at
Blakelow. Which is why we never stop ‘tweaking’ our cottages, from the simple
touches of putting in new rugs or art work, to new kitchens, bathrooms, and
soft furnishings … it’s what we do …
You can read more about these awards on the Enjoy England website.
Peak
District Environmental Quality Mark
The Peak District Environmental Quality Mark – you can find much more
information about this award on our Environment policy page.
Visit the Peak District Environmental Quality Mark website
to learn more about the scheme.
East
Midlands Tourism – Enjoy England Excellence Awards
In 2006 we were thrilled to receive the 2005/06 East Midlands Tourism –
Enjoy England Excellence Awards – Gold Winner in the Self Catering category.
We were thrilled to receive this award again in 2009.
To learn more visit the East Midlands
Tourism website.
Walkers
Welcome and Cyclist Welcome Scheme
We have also recently achieved the Walkers Welcome and
Cyclist Welcome standards … this means that we’re offering lots of facilities
that will help make your walking or cycling holiday a breeze.
Contact
Blakelow Farm Holiday Cottages
Telephone: 01629
650814; or
Post: Mr Steve
Ogan, Blakelow Farm Holiday Cottages, Bonsall Lane, Winster, Matlock,
Derbyshire DE4 2PD
E-mail: enqu……@blakelowcottages.co.uk
(Spider protection – please click the dots and follow the instructions to reveal our e-mail address)
(Spider protection – please click the dots and follow the instructions to reveal our e-mail address)
Snippet from - Coming Home for
Christmas
We
took a leisurely drive to Matlock, stopped off for lunch and a walk around
before heading for Blakelow Cottages, arriving late afternoon.
Steve
and Julie, the proprietors, greeted us with a glass of mulled wine and mince
pies. Our welcoming hosts gave us a brief chat about the area, and Steve took
us over the snow-covered gravel and flagstone courtyard to our stone built
cottage.
“Here we are, Candle Cottage.”
“What a festive name.” I said.
Steve
smiled warmly. “There is also Christmas Cottage, Cranberry Cottage, and
Chestnut Cottage.”
Opening
the door, he stepped aside to allow Thomas and me to enter.
“Oh my goodness, it is
wonderful,” I exclaimed, seeing the most splendid living and dining room with a
vaulted ceiling and wooden floors. “And
look Thomas, we even have a Christmas tree.” I pointed to an exquisitely
decorated tree placed next to a roaring log fire. The rich, softly-glowing furnishings made for
a space that was delicious to the senses, not too formal, not too loose: the
perfect romantic retreat.
“Through here,” Steve continued,
walking past us to guide the way, “Is a fully equipped kitchen and, of course,
your Blakelow welcome hamper. The free-range eggs and homemade oil and
preserves are from here. The biscuits, bread and chocolate are from local
businesses in the area. Not forgetting your Blakelow bear, yours to take home
with you.” He passed me a small soft
bear, ‘Blakelow Cottages’ printed on his little blue jacket.
“I will treasure it, thank you.”
I hugged the little bear.
Steve
about turned and retreated from the kitchen. Half-way across the room he
stopped and looked up. “As you will see, upstairs is a beautiful galleried
bedroom furnished with antique walnut furniture and a king size bed. Well, if there is anything you need, please
don’t hesitate to call myself or Julie.” Thomas assured him that everything was
perfect. “Well, I will leave you to it.
Enjoy your stay.”
“Oh, we will,” Thomas and I
replied together in happy harmony.
PUBLISHED BY SATIN ROMANCE
PRE ORDER TODAY FROM AMAZON
Oh this is exactly what I envisioned when I read that scene. Nice job, Joanne. Great story.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much it was a wonderful scene to write. Most of all thank you for all what you have done for me. Loved working with you. x
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