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Tom's Barn & Douglas's Barn

UK England East Midlands Derbyshire

Two charming and romantic bolt holes in the Peak District

These two barns have been restored with style and fabulous attention to detail. High above pretty Parwich, you won't be disturbed by traffic noise or tourists for that matter – this part of Derbyshire is criminally under-visited. Tom's Barn is raftered and beamed with a quarry tiled floor covered in colourful rugs and pale walls made lively with modern art; a wood-burner chucks out cheer in the winter months. Climb open-tread stairs to the galleried bedroom and seriously sexy bathroom complete with spa bath for two. You can't really put a paper between them, but Douglas's Barn is more funky, with a glass dining table and perspex chairs in the groovy kitchen. A spiral iron staircase leads to a huge bed with the fattest mattress we've ever clapped eyes on. Time spent here gazing out of the window to the distant hills is time well spent.

The neat gardens are sun traps and the views stunning, summer or winter. They really have thought of everything; wifi, DAB radios, boot-dryer – not to mention homemade cake on arrival. This is a truly fabulous spot; hunker down and lock the door, or strike out and discover the treasures on the doorstep. Set in beautiful countryside, these would make great cottages for walkers, with walks from the door into some very lovely surroundings.