Long weekend in a Peak District heaven The prospect of a luxury break away in a newly converted Peak District farmhouse was too good an opportunity to miss so our party of eight family members and friends duly gathered at the beautifully located Uppermoor Farmhouse over the early May Bank Holiday weekend. Situated off a quiet backwater lane near the village of Parwich, Ashbourne - the farmhouse is one of two holiday cottages recently converted to Visit Britain 5 star standard by farming owners Ed and Jan Hammond; the third cottage in the courtyard was 'downgraded' to 4 star merely by the fact that it doesn't have a bathroom - even though it actually enjoys 2 en-suite shower rooms instead! Uppermoor Farmhouse itself is the biggest of the three holiday cottages, 5 star rated and sleeping up to 12 guests in 5 en-suite bedrooms plus separate family bathroom. The accommodation is very spacious and amongst its many outstanding features is a large orangery leading out onto a flagged terrace with extensive views across to the rolling Derbyshire hills. The orangery offers ample seating and boasts an impressive stone fireplace with double sided wood burning stove in addition to floor to ceiling height French windows that maximise the light and far-reaching views. The sitting room can be accessed via the orangery and enjoys the same fireplace and fire, comfortable settees and chairs, large screen TV, DVD player, lots of table lamps and subdued wall lights perfect for creating the right sort of ambience to match your mood. With a large kitchen and breakfast bar, AGA style range cooking and a separate dining table seating 12 - Uppermoor Farmhouse is the perfect home-from-home for a family get together, a group of celebrating friends or a couple of families looking for sizeable accommodation with plenty of room for all. The five individually designed double bedrooms (two of which are Four-Posters) are each stylishly appointed with Egyptian cotton sheets, designer fabrics and, as befitting of the 5 star status, luxury en-suite shower/bathrooms for maximum privacy and convenience. Set in its own, accessible 70 acres of fields, woodland and pathways, Uppermoor Farm is an idyllic rural retreat for the discerning holidaymaker and no stone has been left unturned in the pursuit of accommodation perfection. Spacious, luxurious, welcoming and peacefully located, 5 star Uppermoor Farmhouse offers walks from its charming front door in a wonderful Peak National Park location only 10 minutes' drive from Jacobean Tissington and only a little further to Bakewell and world famous Chatsworth, recently voted Britain's favourite Stately Home. Also available for exclusive booking for up to 22 guests, the self-catering accommodation at Uppermoor Farm will appeal to those who enjoy the very best in life and are attracted by the prospect of exploring the 555 square miles of the UK's first and most popular National Park - the Peak District - and all from the comfortable base of some of the best Peak District cottages around. Our unanimous verdict? Fabulous! For more details please visit the Uppermoor Farm website at http://www.uppermoorfarmcottages.co.uk Mike Cummins MD Let's Stay UK ltd June 2010