If you’ve ever been curious about what it’s like to own a holiday rental, both the ups and the downs, welcome to the next instalment of ‘Property Patter’. This is where I go behind the scenes and talk to the owners of some of my favourite self-catering stays to understand their journey and the steps that led them to acquiring some pretty spectacular properties.

Today, I’m chatting to Lucy Keher who owns Swallow Cottage and Lodge Cottage, two beautiful holiday homes in the Peak District. Pop over and follow Lucy on Instagram (@greystone_cottages) for the ‘before’ shots. You’ll be seriously wowed by the transformations. Let’s find out more.

Hi Lucy, can you tell us a little bit about your two holiday properties, please?

Both of our holiday properties are traditional cottages, with Swallow Cottage being a 300-year-old Grade II listed cottage, situated just a short distance from the popular market town of Bakewell. Lodge Cottage, dates back 600 years, but has a newer extension, thought to be around 400 years old and is in the historic village of Castleton.

Both cottages are characterful, retain many of the original features and have slightly unconventional layouts, a testament to their history and we think adds to their interest.

Why the Peak District?

The Peak District is such a beautiful place and it’s no surprise that it was the first location to gain national park status in England. Its rolling hills and countryside are a magnet for walkers, hikers and people looking for other outdoor pursuits such as cycling, rock climbing and water sports.

Nestled in the countryside are picturesque villages, with quaint cottages, churches, local shops, cosy pubs and cafes. All these factors make it an ideal place for holidaymakers to visit, with something for everyone.

Not only is it a beautiful place to visit and explore it also made sense logistically. Located in the heart of England it’s surrounded by several cities, including Manchester, Sheffield, Birmingham and Leeds, making it very accessible for potential guests looking to escape city life for a little slice of countryside, without a big commute.

It was also somewhere I could travel too relatively easily (from my home near Liverpool) and I do so regularly, in order to manage the properties effectively and make sure they are always in beautiful condition, ready for the next guests.

How did you go about searching for Swallow Cottage and Lodge Cottage and what led you to choosing them over others?

Our first cottage was Swallow Cottage. It was during the pandemic, when our holidays had been cancelled and everything was a little bit miserable that I decided to embark on a new adventure, along with a friend who was also keen on the idea.

I arranged a day of viewings and from the Rightmove listing, it hadn’t been my favourite. As I have learnt however, you never really know until you visit the property. When we arrived, I instantly fell in love. It was just so pretty, and had an incredibly warm and homely feel. I knew it was the place I would be excited to visit, and our guests would hopefully feel the same.

Similarly, as soon as I visited Lodge Cottage, I knew it was the one. I was blown away with its incredible features and it just felt comfortable.

I am incredibly picky when it comes to choosing the right cottage. Firstly, the location must be right. Bakewell and Castleton offer completely different experiences, but both are tourist hotspots and that is really important if you want to make a success of a holiday cottage business.

Bakewell is the main town in the Peak District, with regular markets, independent shops, pubs and restaurants. Chatworth House and Hadden Hall are close by and there are plenty of things to keep your days and evenings busy.

Castleton has a slower pace but is incredibly picturesque. Walking through the quaint streets of Castleton, amongst the pretty cottages, shops and public houses is like taking a step back in time. Surrounding Castleton and within walking distance of its centre, are some of the Peak District’s most impressive landmarks, including Mam Tor, Winnat’s Pass, Cave Dale, Speedwell cave, Peak Cavern and Peveril Castle.

Have you always wanted to invest in property?

I like to think I have a bit of a creative streak in me and whilst I love my day job in finance, getting involved in property, interiors and renovations has been my passion. I started with buying the cheapest apartment I could find that was in Manchester, and undertook a full renovation. I have a long-term tenant there now, so for my first attempt, I would say it went quite well.

The reason I decided to then get involved with holiday cottages, instead of buy to lets, was for the added benefit of using the cottages with my family. As a busy working mum, being able to get quality time away with the children has been so valuable in our lives. The initial plan was to buy one cottage, but after that proved popular with guests, we decided to purchase the second.

Having a holiday cottage is a completely different kettle of fish to a buy-to-let though. It’s not just an investment in property, but a complete business, which requires marketing, managing, communicating with guests, regular maintenance and being available 24/7 to deal with problems and emergencies.

What would you say are the highs and lows of being a holiday property owner?

Being a property owner certainly does come with highs and lows but for me the joy of having the cottages and being able to provide such a wonderful experience for our guests fills me with joy. I love to chat with the guests, learn a little a bit about them and why they are visiting the Peak District. We try to assist as much as possible with ensuring they have a fantastic time, not just at our cottages but helping them to plan their trips.

The low for me must be the stress of dealing with problems. I still worry with every guest that arrives that something might go wrong, or the guest might not be completely satisfied. The way that I deal with this is by being very proactive. I keep on top of all maintenance and I visit regularly to check on the properties.

For people who think that running a holiday cottage is a form of passive income, I would have to disagree. In year 1 of having Swallow Cottage, we engaged with a management company, that had been recommended. This didn’t really work out well for me and I soon realised no one would be as dedicated to our cottages or committed to delivering as good of a service for our guests as I would.

What are your tips for anyone thinking of investing in a holiday rental?

Location - Choosing the right location is vital for its success and needs to be somewhere that your potential customers are going to want to visit. Our properties are both in tourist hotspots, with lots of places of interest, seasonal events, activities, pubs, shops and restaurants nearby. They are of course in the Peak District, which is a beautiful place to visit all year-round.

Character – Your holiday property needs to stand out. A property that is unique or characterful is going to attract more customers than the average house. Décor should also be tasteful and to a high standard. A little bit like booking a nice hotel, guests want to stay somewhere that is attractive, desirable and with quality furnishings.

Invest in photography – If you are going to invest a significant amount of money into a holiday property, then make sure to budget a little more for a good photographer and perhaps even a stylist to dress the property for the photoshoot. It will guarantee increased bookings and a higher nightly rate. Selling holidays at your property isn’t about showing potential guests a room layout, it needs to engage them on an emotional level, i.e., the positive impact they will receive from staying in your property.

For potential guests, what are the top three things that they should see and do in the Peak District?

Visit one (or both) of Bakewell’s historical homes. One of the most well-known places to visit near to Bakewell is Chatsworth House and this certainly is a magnificent day out, with the beautiful home and gardens to explore, incredible landscape, farm, adventure area and restaurants.

The other remarkable house is 900-year-old Haddon Hall. An incredible Grade I listed, medieval property, brimming with history and tales from years gone by. It is situated on the outskirts of Bakewell, in land that has been unaltered for centuries and is of scientist and ecological interest. Haddon Hall opens to the public for tours, various seasonal events and discovery days.

Cycle the Monsal Trail. The Monsal trail is a delightful day out for all the family. A picturesque, traffic-free trail with viaducts, tunnels and villages enroute, it’s the perfect adventure day-out for grown-ups and kids and is also suitable for wheelchair users, prams, walkers and horse riders. The trail follows the route of the old Midland railway line, from Bakewell to Chee Dale, through stunning limestone dales.

There are places along the way to stop for refreshments, such as the old Hassop Station, now a dog-friendly eatery, or simply pack a picnic and stop at one of the many beauty spots you are sure to pass. Bike hire is available from Hassop Station.

The Devil’s Arse. If you visit Castleton, we certainly recommend a visit to Peak Cavern, or as it’s commonly known, ‘The Devil’s Arse’. I won’t give away why it has this nickname, but we do think a tour is an hour or two well spent and you will learn lots about the origins and the rope-makers who used to live in the cave, well beneath Peveril Castle. Our fantastic guide made sure to keep the kids well-involved and the whole family had an enjoyable time, with lots of laughs. Peak Cavern don’t just provide tours, they also host incredible concerts, big-screen cinema events and Christmas Carol concerts, all held in the Cave.

And your top three places to eat and drink?

In Castleton, The George is a firm favourite. Good quality, hearty food, perfect post-walk around the countryside, in a cosy, fire-lit surrounding.

Visiting The Woodyard for a spot of lunch or an afternoon cocktail, in the outdoor area overlooking the river Wye, on a sunny day is one of my favourite things to do after a wander around the lovely shops in Bakewell.

I recommend a visit to the quaint village of Ashford in the Water. The pretty village is home to The Bull’s Head, which serves fabulous food in a comfortable setting. On a summer’s day, the pub’s outdoor tables are the ideal place to enjoy a post-walk refreshment.

Is another rental on the cards and if so where?

Yes! Both our cottages are fairly big (4 and 5 bedroom) and I get so many people asking if we have anything smaller available, so I am on the lookout for something suitable for couples or a small family and of course their family dog. When the right cottage comes up, it will be based in the Peak District and will be equally as beautiful as Swallow Cottage and Lodge Cottage.

Further down the line I would love to venture abroad. My dream would be to have a rustic Masseria in Southern Italy or perhaps a farmhouse in rural France.

Finally, who would you recommend we follow on Instagram for travel inspiration in general or life in the Peak District?

Jenny from @peakdistrictkids and her blog gives loads of great ideas for family days out and kid friendly walks around the Peak District. It’s perfect for anyone planning a trip to the Peaks and it is a firm favourite of mine when I am working on my own plans, looking for somewhere new to explore.

@oneslowsunday journals her UK travels on the most beautiful Instagram feed, which embraces slow living, simplicity and nature. This is how we imagine many of our guests will enjoy our cottages and I have turned to her page several times for inspiration on how to capture slow moments in images and video.

Anna, whose page is @prettylittlevillages, captures the most wonderful and picturesque English villages. Her page is an absolute delight and makes me want to jump in the car and visit all the places she has been too. Occasionally she will document her travels beyond the UK, and it inspires me to travel and explore amazing destinations.

I love that all of these accounts showcase England as a fantastic place to visit, whether you are from the UK or abroad.

Thank you so much to Lucy for answering my questions. Find out more about Greystone Cottages.

Property patter: meet Lucy from Greystone Cottages