Plans to open up holiday accommodation on Nottinghamshire’s Welbeck estate have been brought forward to give more people the chance to enjoy a staycation on the historic country estate.
Five barn conversions in the quiet village of Holbeck on the rural estate, near Worksop, will be available to book for short breaks from the end of August. And next month will see the opening of another new holiday cottage in the hamlet of Belph on the edge of the estate.
It was after the easing of lockdown measures that the estate saw a huge surge in enquiries for its current holiday cottages, The Winnings. They were soon booked up and so to meet demand, plans were put in place to turn the five barn conversions into holiday accommodation.
The 15,000-acre ducal estate that surrounds Welbeck Abbey has been home to the Dukes of Portland and their family since 1607. The transformation of the barns now gives people the chance to see a different side to the historic estate.
The barns at Holbeck have been carefully renovated and combine contemporary décor with some of the original features of the building. In a nod to their history, the barns have been named after horse racing legends – Mrs Butterwick, Mowerina, Marquesa, Phaleron, and La Roche – who ran to victory for Welbeck Abbey’s 6th Duke of Portland.
The five 2, 3 and 4-bedroom barn conversions at Holbeck have undergone quite a transformation. Individually designed, each have been furnished with pieces from Welbeck based interior specialists, PR Home. The three and four-bedroom properties each have their own large south-facing garden and patio, while the two-bedroom property has a smaller enclosed outdoor space.
Meanwhile, the finishing touches are now being made to Stable Cottage at Belph for its opening in September. The 2-bedroom former farm cottage with enclosed private garden has been designed to provide a retreat away from it all and suitable for either a couple or a family with young children.
While staying on the estate, guests will be able to visit places within the Courtyard at Welbeck. They’ll be able to stock up on food from Welbeck Farm Shop, dine out at The Harley Café, view contemporary art at The Harley Gallery and explore The Portland Collection museum. The accommodation is also a few minutes’ drive from The School of Artisan Food, which is due to reopen on 4 September with a new programme of food courses.
Ian Goodwin, Chief Executive Officer at Welbeck Estates Company Ltd, said: “We are delighted to be able to open up Holbeck Farm Barns and we look forward to welcoming couples and families to the Welbeck estate. We hope they enjoy their break here.”
Posted on 24 August 2020
