Marketing Derby have published an interesting article on why Brexit is urging us to stay in Britain for our holidays, and the types of holiday accommodation that are growing in popularity as a result.

Have a read through here

The 4 staycation trends are:

1. Active holidays – Ashbourne is perfectly located for active holidays. With the Peak District round the corner, and Carsington Water just a couple of miles away, you can find everything from climbing to sailing.
2. Pet-friendly – most of the self-catering cottages on our website are dog-friendly, for example, Beech Cottage. Just look out for the dog symbol! 
3. Hot tubs  – the ultimate luxury in a countryside retreat, you’ll find self-catering accommodation with hot tubs on our website. Try looking at High View Grange for a house with a hot tub.
4. Large groups – more people are choosing to have big holidays with family and friends. Just search for our accommodation that sleeps more than 9, such as Shiningford.

Are you tasked with the difficult job of organising a hen or stag party that keeps everyone happy?

We have some tips to help keep costs down, so that you can plan a party to suit all budgets:

1) Self-catering accommodation

Firstly, you’re in the right place if you are planning a hen weekend or stag do on a budget. Self-catering accommodation gives you the flexibility to eat in or out, thereby cutting down costs. Pre-plan by ordering a supermarket delivery for the evening of your arrival. If you don’t fancy doing the cooking yourselves, you can save money on traditional caterers by hiring a street food van. This can lower the traditional cost of hiring caterers to under £15pp, for pizza, fish and chips or even a toastie van. You can see all of our hen-friendly self-catering properties here.

2) Midweek stays

The easiest way to save money is by having a mid-week hen party or stag do, provided it is outside of school holiday dates. If your guests are able to make it Monday-Thursday, you can save up to 50% on the accommodation, with extra offers on your activities and caterers. Another benefit is that there will be more availability, which helps if you are planning a hen or stag party at late notice.

3) Location, location, location!

Check the location of your accommodation in relation to the activities you’re looking at, to cut down on travel costs during your hen or stag weekend. If your holiday cottage offers a spacious dining room and living room, the entertainment can come to you. This means that the group doesn’t have to travel anywhere, saving time and money. For outdoor activities, look at Shiningford, which is within walking distance of Carsington Reservoir, where you can do water sports and bike rides. For bars and restaurants that you don’t need a taxi to get to, look at Ashbourne Hall, which is a 5-minute walk from numerous pubs and eateries.

4) Look at the extras

Most of our properties include extra facilities within the price of the accommodation, which reduces the amount you have to spend on activities. Some of our venues have private hot tubs, for example Hillside Croft and The Barn, which give you a relaxing place to spend the afternoon. Bring some face masks and have a pamper day at one of our venues with a sauna and hot tub – take a look at Billys Bothy or Sandybrook. During the summer months, Shiningford opens its outdoor pool, which you can have exclusive use of for groups of 28+.

Many of our venues, such as The Grange, Standlow and Latham Hall, offer a games room with snooker tables, perfect for a stag party.  High View Grange has a cinema room, while Ashbourne Hall comes with a karaoke machine and starlit bar! So keep an eye out for any fun extras that are part of the hire price, as these can provide entertainment without the additional costs.

5) Fun that doesn’t break the bank

Coming up with fun activities doesn’t have to break the bank. In fact, all of our accommodation is within easy reach of the Peak District, so outdoor activities are a must. If the weather doesn’t hold up, try a cookery class or gin/wine/whisky tasting, which cut out the additional cost of a caterer or alcohol for that meal. You have both an activity and food or drink within the price of just one! You can find local events for under £10 per person, such as firework displays or ghost tours. Check out Visit Ashbourne to see what is on during your holiday.