---
title: the history of the barn
description: Discover Alder Barn's rich history, from its ancient roots to its stunning restoration, and explore the enchanting features that make it a unique getaway.
---

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# The History of The Barn

##### Find out about what came before the now relaxing, gorgeous barn that is Alder Barn. 

## MAINTAINED AND RESTORED AFTER DECADES OF DECAY AND DECLINE

Alder Barn forms part of Pethills Farm and was part of a complex of three barns, two of which fell into decay decades ago. Thankfully, Alder was saved by a partial restoration of the roof and stonework in around 1998 and was completely renovated to what you see now in 2025 (although the project began much earlier than that!). 

## Dating Back to the Stone Age

In addition to an ancient water-meadow (hence the sheer number of springs, streams, rivers and pools), the land that the Barn sits upon has attracted much attention from metal detector enthusiasts during its recent history due to the discovery of a number of Bronze Age spear heads, axes, and arm rings. The belief is that it was the site of a Bronze Age settlement as bronze smeltings has been found. Another theory is that the land, being rather boggy, was the site of votive offerings, where people would make rich offerings to the gods. Indeed the site is in full view of one of the largest burial mounds in the country.

![IMG_1618](https://alderbarnretreat.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/IMG_1618.jpeg?width=2000&height=1500&name=IMG_1618.jpeg)

### There were stories of the Barn being part of Monastery or Abbeys' Estate and also that some land belonging to it was lost in a card game!

![IMG_4429](https://alderbarnretreat.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/IMG_4429.jpg?height=2000&name=IMG_4429.jpg)

## Look Closely: Wooden Mice in the Candle Holders

Despite its rich history, the building left standing would have been used to house a carthorse, cattle and hay. The small holes in the wall (with wooden mice in) were candle holders, and the slats in the upper walls were to let the hay breathe - a procedure to counteract the heat produced when the freshly made fodder heats up (sometimes hot enough to start fires!).

 

The hay rack on the stairwell is just that, used to feed cattle which would have been kept in the now sitting room. The cart would have been stored in the kitchen, hence the large cart doors, and the large door to the right of the cart doors would have housed the huge horses used on the farm. 

 

The stone steps at the side of the barn were necessary as there would have been no stairs inside. 

### A rather different use of the farm was as a storage for Alton Towers many years ago. This earned the owners a valuable and much-loved Golden Ticket for the theme park, enabling free entry for everyone in their group. Sadly, this hasn't continued.

## Alder Trees

The land on which the Barn sits upon is teeming with Alder Trees, which are considered to have protective qualities and ward off evil spirits! The wood, rusty red in colour, is often used for boat buildings as it becomes both stronger and harder when submerged in water.

 

Loving to dip its feet in the water makes the watery ground the perfect spot for the trees and indeed the Barn named after them. 

![IMG_8040](https://alderbarnretreat.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/IMG_8040.jpeg?width=1500&height=2000&name=IMG_8040.jpeg)

# **The Barn’s Complete Renovation - The Process**

 

- ![the barn through the cherry blossom trees](https://alderbarnretreat.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/WhatsApp%20Image%202025-05-26%20at%2013.16.36_787dd7fb-1.jpg?width=1600&height=1200&name=WhatsApp%20Image%202025-05-26%20at%2013.16.36_787dd7fb-1.jpg)
- ![dogs on the stairs ](https://alderbarnretreat.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/IMG_1591.jpeg?width=2048&height=1536&name=IMG_1591.jpeg)
- ![the river hamps](https://alderbarnretreat.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/IMG_0609.jpeg?width=2048&height=1536&name=IMG_0609.jpeg)
- ![woody the dog chilling in the garden ](https://alderbarnretreat.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/IMG_0079.jpeg?width=1536&height=2048&name=IMG_0079.jpeg)
- ![the barn ](https://alderbarnretreat.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/IMG_6123.jpeg?width=2048&height=1536&name=IMG_6123.jpeg)
- ![the barn from the back](https://alderbarnretreat.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/29A3D958-6511-4796-9326-C4762E310D74.jpeg?width=1536&height=2048&name=29A3D958-6511-4796-9326-C4762E310D74.jpeg)
- ![sanding ](https://alderbarnretreat.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/IMG_1728.jpeg?width=2048&height=1536&name=IMG_1728.jpeg)
- ![the barn ](https://alderbarnretreat.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/IMG_0055.jpeg?width=2048&height=1536&name=IMG_0055.jpeg)
- ![putting under floor heating in ](https://alderbarnretreat.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/IMG_2301.jpeg?width=2048&height=1536&name=IMG_2301.jpeg)
- ![work in progress ](https://alderbarnretreat.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/8450F1BD-82E2-4DAA-B11C-441ED65C916E.jpeg?width=2048&height=1536&name=8450F1BD-82E2-4DAA-B11C-441ED65C916E.jpeg)
- ![doorway ](https://alderbarnretreat.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/86D5C70E-47EB-4976-9A86-D2BEBC54B4F9.jpeg?width=1536&height=2048&name=86D5C70E-47EB-4976-9A86-D2BEBC54B4F9.jpeg)
- ![view from the fields ](https://alderbarnretreat.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/89D5BD11-0B6F-4143-8EBA-E08351A7DD37.jpeg?width=1536&height=2048&name=89D5BD11-0B6F-4143-8EBA-E08351A7DD37.jpeg)
- ![1st floor flooring in progress ](https://alderbarnretreat.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/IMG_0060.jpeg?width=2048&height=1536&name=IMG_0060.jpeg)
- ![kitchen working in progress ](https://alderbarnretreat.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/IMG_5517.jpeg?width=2048&height=1536&name=IMG_5517.jpeg)
- ![flooring going in ](https://alderbarnretreat.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/IMG_0636.jpeg?width=1536&height=2048&name=IMG_0636.jpeg)
- ![side view ](https://alderbarnretreat.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/BB9EF646-5D4E-40BE-AD16-91177CC50BC9.jpeg?width=1536&height=2048&name=BB9EF646-5D4E-40BE-AD16-91177CC50BC9.jpeg)
- ![digger is out](https://alderbarnretreat.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/IMG_0073.jpeg?width=1536&height=2048&name=IMG_0073.jpeg)
- ![finding things in the rubble piles ](https://alderbarnretreat.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/IMG_0342.jpeg?width=2048&height=1536&name=IMG_0342.jpeg)
- ![from the fields ](https://alderbarnretreat.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/IMG_1615.jpeg?width=2048&height=1536&name=IMG_1615.jpeg)
- ![wildflowers ](https://alderbarnretreat.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/IMG_0338.jpeg?width=2048&height=1536&name=IMG_0338.jpeg)
- ![head phones in the alcove ](https://alderbarnretreat.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/IMG_0070.jpeg?width=1536&height=2048&name=IMG_0070.jpeg)
- ![wood burning stove is in ](https://alderbarnretreat.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/8FB71492-E415-4EB8-AE61-F2E3E415D5E0.jpeg?width=1536&height=2048&name=8FB71492-E415-4EB8-AE61-F2E3E415D5E0.jpeg)
- ![kitchen double doors in ](https://alderbarnretreat.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/IMG_8117.jpeg?width=1536&height=2048&name=IMG_8117.jpeg)
- ![view from the kitchen window ](https://alderbarnretreat.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/IMG_0395.jpeg?width=1536&height=2048&name=IMG_0395.jpeg)
- ![kitchen wall boards in ](https://alderbarnretreat.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/IMG_6128.jpeg?width=2048&height=1536&name=IMG_6128.jpeg)
- ![stairs done ](https://alderbarnretreat.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/02173AB8-C254-4AF6-97D8-C25F227B80C1.jpeg?width=1536&height=2048&name=02173AB8-C254-4AF6-97D8-C25F227B80C1.jpeg)
- ![evening walks in the frost and the dog ](https://alderbarnretreat.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/IMG_7773.jpeg?width=1536&height=2048&name=IMG_7773.jpeg)
- ![finished ](https://alderbarnretreat.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/IMG_0255.jpeg?width=2048&height=1536&name=IMG_0255.jpeg)
- ![pictured through the stone wall ](https://alderbarnretreat.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/IMG_1618.jpeg?width=2048&height=1536&name=IMG_1618.jpeg)
- ![through the doorways ](https://alderbarnretreat.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/WhatsApp%20Image%202025-06-04%20at%2009.44.34_ee22410d.jpg?width=1200&height=1600&name=WhatsApp%20Image%202025-06-04%20at%2009.44.34_ee22410d.jpg)
- ![barn door ](https://alderbarnretreat.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/WhatsApp%20Image%202025-06-04%20at%2009.44.36_03198a89.jpg?width=1200&height=1600&name=WhatsApp%20Image%202025-06-04%20at%2009.44.36_03198a89.jpg)
- ![before the windows and door went in](https://alderbarnretreat.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/WhatsApp%20Image%202025-06-04%20at%2009.44.36_5f9bacfd.jpg?width=1600&height=1200&name=WhatsApp%20Image%202025-06-04%20at%2009.44.36_5f9bacfd.jpg)
- ![septic tank](https://alderbarnretreat.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/WhatsApp%20Image%202025-06-04%20at%2009.44.37_9a7cb9f0.jpg?width=1200&height=1600&name=WhatsApp%20Image%202025-06-04%20at%2009.44.37_9a7cb9f0.jpg)
- ![bracket in the wall](https://alderbarnretreat.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/WhatsApp%20Image%202025-06-04%20at%2009.44.35_3d40fe3c.jpg?width=1200&height=1600&name=WhatsApp%20Image%202025-06-04%20at%2009.44.35_3d40fe3c.jpg)
- ![outside view ](https://alderbarnretreat.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/WhatsApp%20Image%202025-06-04%20at%2009.44.36_9cfbc237.jpg?width=1600&height=1200&name=WhatsApp%20Image%202025-06-04%20at%2009.44.36_9cfbc237.jpg)
- ![alcove in the walls ](https://alderbarnretreat.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/WhatsApp%20Image%202025-06-04%20at%2009.44.35_e7fbaf4b.jpg?width=1200&height=1600&name=WhatsApp%20Image%202025-06-04%20at%2009.44.35_e7fbaf4b.jpg)
- ![on the digger ](https://alderbarnretreat.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/WhatsApp%20Image%202025-06-04%20at%2009.44.35_0081806e.jpg?width=1200&height=1600&name=WhatsApp%20Image%202025-06-04%20at%2009.44.35_0081806e.jpg)
- ![view from the lounge ](https://alderbarnretreat.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/WhatsApp%20Image%202025-06-04%20at%2009.44.34_147b3be3.jpg?width=1600&height=1200&name=WhatsApp%20Image%202025-06-04%20at%2009.44.34_147b3be3.jpg)
- ![through the meadow ](https://alderbarnretreat.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/WhatsApp%20Image%202025-06-04%20at%2009.32.49_7fb838ef-1.jpg?width=1600&height=1200&name=WhatsApp%20Image%202025-06-04%20at%2009.32.49_7fb838ef-1.jpg)
- ![1st floor flooring ](https://alderbarnretreat.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/WhatsApp%20Image%202025-06-04%20at%2009.44.30_e9e8a70c.jpg?width=1600&height=1200&name=WhatsApp%20Image%202025-06-04%20at%2009.44.30_e9e8a70c.jpg)
- ![roof done ](https://alderbarnretreat.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/WhatsApp%20Image%202025-06-04%20at%2009.44.30_804071dc.jpg?width=1200&height=1600&name=WhatsApp%20Image%202025-06-04%20at%2009.44.30_804071dc.jpg)
- ![outside ](https://alderbarnretreat.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/WhatsApp%20Image%202025-06-04%20at%2009.37.06_66acd118-1.jpg?width=1600&height=1200&name=WhatsApp%20Image%202025-06-04%20at%2009.37.06_66acd118-1.jpg)
- ![at work ](https://alderbarnretreat.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/WhatsApp%20Image%202025-06-04%20at%2009.44.37_90576689.jpg?width=1200&height=1600&name=WhatsApp%20Image%202025-06-04%20at%2009.44.37_90576689.jpg)
- ![through the wall ](https://alderbarnretreat.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/WhatsApp%20Image%202025-06-04%20at%2009.44.35_8acfe1dd.jpg?width=1200&height=1600&name=WhatsApp%20Image%202025-06-04%20at%2009.44.35_8acfe1dd.jpg)
- ![wall skeleton up ](https://alderbarnretreat.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/WhatsApp%20Image%202025-06-04%20at%2009.44.38_981da396.jpg?width=1200&height=1600&name=WhatsApp%20Image%202025-06-04%20at%2009.44.38_981da396.jpg)
- ![from the fields ](https://alderbarnretreat.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/WhatsApp%20Image%202025-06-04%20at%2009.44.36_90d379d4.jpg?width=1600&height=1200&name=WhatsApp%20Image%202025-06-04%20at%2009.44.36_90d379d4.jpg)
- ![putting the skylights in ](https://alderbarnretreat.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/WhatsApp%20Image%202025-06-04%20at%2009.44.37_f0aa9f42.jpg?width=1600&height=1200&name=WhatsApp%20Image%202025-06-04%20at%2009.44.37_f0aa9f42.jpg)
- ![chilling](https://alderbarnretreat.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/WhatsApp%20Image%202025-06-04%20at%2009.44.37_90d3c50f.jpg?width=1600&height=1200&name=WhatsApp%20Image%202025-06-04%20at%2009.44.37_90d3c50f.jpg)
- ![wall boarding ](https://alderbarnretreat.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/WhatsApp%20Image%202025-06-04%20at%2009.44.38_1d3d76ef.jpg?width=1600&height=1200&name=WhatsApp%20Image%202025-06-04%20at%2009.44.38_1d3d76ef.jpg)
- ![boarding ](https://alderbarnretreat.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/WhatsApp%20Image%202025-06-04%20at%2009.44.38_20a057cf.jpg?width=1200&height=1600&name=WhatsApp%20Image%202025-06-04%20at%2009.44.38_20a057cf.jpg)
- ![bath going in ](https://alderbarnretreat.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/WhatsApp%20Image%202025-06-04%20at%2009.44.32_8c5b4196.jpg?width=1200&height=1600&name=WhatsApp%20Image%202025-06-04%20at%2009.44.32_8c5b4196.jpg)
- ![jonny having a break ](https://alderbarnretreat.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/WhatsApp%20Image%202025-06-04%20at%2009.44.33_20471b43.jpg?width=1200&height=1600&name=WhatsApp%20Image%202025-06-04%20at%2009.44.33_20471b43.jpg)

# **Book Your Next Stay Away at Alder Barn!**

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[![- alder barn](https://alderbarnretreat.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/-%20alder%20barn.png?width=500&height=500&name=-%20alder%20barn.png "- alder barn")](https://alderbarnretreat.co.uk/?hsLang=en)

Tucked away in a peaceful corner of the Peak District, our beautifully converted barn sleeps six and offers luxurious boutique-style living.

###### Find Your Way Around

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07968 982280

---

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