Barnacre Cottages are the first gold award winning, five-star, self-catering holiday cottages in Lancashire, north west England. Created from the old stone buildings of an 18th century farmhouse, aspiring to the very highest standards of self-catering accommodation.

Barnacre Cottages won the North West Tourist Board Self-Catering Holiday of the Year. Gold Award in 2002, as well as an Excellence in England Silver Award in 2003.

Sleeping between four and twelve persons, our self catering holiday cottages can accommodate a range of families or even a small group. Each has a " Mark Wilkinson " designer kitchen with granite worktops and appliances by Miele and Neff.

Other standard equipment includes fridge, separate freezer, washing machine, tumble dryer, dishwasher, gas hob, electric oven, microwave, TV, video, CD player, iron, ironing board and hairdryer. In the Old Stables, there is even an Aga cooker and a gas wok burner!

All of our properties are centrally heated, supplemented by cosy open fires in Pheasant Cottage and Partridge Cottage and wood-burning stoves in the Old Stables and Piggeries. The cottages are all served by natural spring water.

All heating, electricity, bed linen, duvets and towels are included in the price. A travel cot, highchair, fireguard and stair gate are available on request. The Old Stables, Partridge Cottage and Pheasant Cottage each have an enclosed paved garden area that is especially suitable for young children.

Guests are welcome to use our all-weather tennis court.

The quality of the accommodation is matched by our superb location, with magnificent views towards the coast and the Lake District. We are in an area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in the Forest of Bowland. Set in ten acres, bordered by woodland, and visited by local deer and pheasants, you will find excellent walking on hand right from your doorstep. Fishing is available nearby.

For golfers, both Royal Lytham and Royal Birkdale are within easy reach, but there is also a great choice of golf courses available locally.

Finally, you are assured of a warm and personal welcome from the resident owners, Terry and Sue Sharples.

Please visit http://www.barnacre-cottages.co.uk/ to find out more about the holiday cottage, amenities, surrounding area and places to visit in Lancashire.

Barnacre is set in the Forest of Bowland in an area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. If you enjoy walking, there are many footpaths and lanes to follow, including the popular Nicky Nook and Grizedale Valley walks that follow the river through the valley up to the reservoirs. With wildlife in abundance, walking is a pleasure, whatever the weather. For those who like a break along the way, the nearby village of Scorton with its café, coffee shop and pub offers a welcome rest and the energy for the uphill walk back

Only four miles away is the small, pleasant town of Garstang, with lots of small shops and a weekly market on the High Street every Thursday. Lancaster is just twenty minutes away, and is a truly historic city with the Castle and Prison especially worth a visit, along with the Museum, Tropical Butterfly House, Dukes Theatre, and summer plays held in Williamson Park.

Travel: Lancaster railway station, Liverpool/Manchester airports

Good places to visit: Farther afield, a 45 minute drive will take you to Kendal in the Lake District. Windermere, Bowness and Ullswater possess attractions ranging from the World of Beatrix Potter to a steam train ride at Ravenglass. Besides fabulous floral displays, the Holker Hall Garden Festival in June has lots of stalls and plants for sale. Lowther Park holds the famous Horse Trials and Country Show in August each year, with a variety of things to see, such as the ferret competition. Blackpool is a major attraction for people of all ages. Its many attractions include the Pleasure Beach with its 235 feet high Pepsi Max roller coaster, Blackpool Zoo, the Illuminations each autumn and, of course, the famous Blackpool Tower. Blackpool's fine beaches should not be overlooked, as they have won awards for cleanliness, despite the donkeys!

Annual Events: Lots of countryside fairs and agricultural shows

Good places to eat: If eating out is your pleasure, there is a wide range of really good restaurants, including ones offering gourmet dinners, and traditional pubs within a few miles radius of Barnacre. Many are suitable for children.

Local Sports: All weather tennis court on site, Royal Lytham and Royal Birkdale golf courses are within easy reach, but there

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