Alton Towers The Smiler Opens 23 May 2013!

If you're a roller coaster fan you'll be giddy to know that it's not long until the new ride for 2013 opens at Alton Towers Theme Park.  The new ride 'The Smiler' is due to open from 23 May 2013.  

We can't wait for the new ride to be ready and guests who regularly stay at our B&B are really looking forward to The Smiler opening too!

Need accommodation close to Alton Towers?
Our bed and breakfast 'The Malthouse B&B' is just one mile away from Alton Towers.
We're in a perfect location if you want to be right by the Theme Park and close to pubs for a meal in the evening.  Located in the village of Alton we're within very easy walking distance of pubs that serve evening meals.  After a go on The Smiler you'll probably need a stiff drink or two!
Want to check our availability, have a question or would like to book?
Telephone us 01538 703273 we're always pleased to answer queries or take booking by phone.
Take a look at our website www.the-malthouse.com you can book online if you prefer. 
We are delighted to offer our guests FREE car parking and FREE WiFi!     

Our Grand Day Out at Chatsworth

Last week we had an afternoon off and decided to visit Chatsworth House in Derbyshire. 
We hadn't been to Chatsworth for a few years and as the afternoon was sunny we decided it would be a perfect time to visit. 
Chatsworth is approximately 1 hour by car from our B&B in Alton.  We chose to go via Dovedale in the Peak District, it was a really lovely journey through beautiful countryside with lots of lambs!
Even though we've been to Chatsworth before when you first glimpse the house as you drive along it takes you breath away, it must easily be one of the most impressive grand houses in the UK. 
We arrived at lunchtime and went straight to the old coach house for a bite to eat.  The food was hot and really delicious, just what we needed. 
Next we took a leisurely walk around the inside of the house.  The rooms, artwork and treasures on display have to be seen to be believed.  There are plenty of old pieces to admire but the Devonshire family are clever folk and are mixing old with modern art.  Not to every ones taste we're sure but they are trying to move with the times.  Nice to see even though the modern stuff wasn't our cup of tea.
After our tour of the house we enjoyed an ice cream and a stroll (well more like a hike!) around the magnificent garden.  There are statues, a hot house, fountains, a maze, water features, lakes, trees and plants galore.

 

Here is a snap we took on our tour of the gardens.  Makes the pond in our garden look like a puddle!

 

A browse around a shop or two and the afternoon was over, it was time to head home!
We thoroughly enjoyed our visit to Chatsworth, clearly a huge amount of effort is put in by the staff there who were all friendly, helpful and seemed happy in their work!
MALT TIP: If you visit Chatsworth make sure you have at least one whole day there so that you get to see everything.

Gorgeous Lambs!

If you've read our blog before you'll know that as well as being 'Bird Bonkers' we're 'Lamb Lovers'!   A few days ago we were working in our garden at The Malthouse and heard an unmistakable noise.  It was the sound of ewes and their lambs being let out into a field on the opposite side of the valley from us.  The noise was so beautiful that we stopped working for a while and just took in the sights and sounds of the sheep, it was lovely!

 

The next day we couldn't resist taking a short walk up to the field to see if we could get a better look at the sheep.  There is a public footpath that crosses the field so we were able to get these close up pictures of the new arrivals with their mums.  Gorgeous I'm sure you'll agree! 



 

To avoid causing the animals unnecessary stress we only stayed in the field for a couple of minutes before tearing ourselves away.  If you're coming to stay at our B&B soon be sure to bring your camera.  Spring has eventually arrived here in Alton so there are plenty of super photo's to be had!

Need a Spring Break?  Take a look at our website www.the-malthouse.com you can send us an email or book online.  Like to book by phone or have any questions?  Why not telephone us 01538 703273 it's good to talk!

The Malthouse B&B - Charity Update

Our bed and breakfast is located in the beautiful village of Alton in Staffordshire.  We really love living in the countryside and all the guests that come to stay with us seem to enjoy it too!

There is a downside though to living in a rural place.  If there is an emergency and medical attention is needed it can take a while for assistance to arrive but thanks to two local charities help is at hand. 

We are extremely lucky to we have a wonderful team of  'Community First Responders'  based just up the road from us at Alton Towers.  Locally if 999 is dialled the First Responders often arrive within a few minutes to start giving aid before an ambulance comes.

Sometimes an accident can occur in a place that it is difficult to get to by ambulance.  Or a patient might need to be taken to hospital very quickly.  On these occasions the County Air Ambulance might be needed.    

The service that the Community First Responders and the County Air Ambulance offer is invaluable to people in a rural location.  For this reason we have been supporting both of these charities for a number of years. 

If you come to stay here at The Malthouse you'll find a charity box for each of these very worthy causes in our hallway.  Recently the boxes were emptied and we are pleased to report that there was in excess of £100 in each box.   

We shall carry on supporting these charities and wish the County Air Ambulance and the
Community First Responders continued success.     

2 for 1 Alton Towers Tickets with O2 Moments



If your an O2 customer and coming along to Alton Towers Theme Park why not take a look at

O2 Moments to see if you can use their 2 for 1 ticket offer.

 

 

 

 

 

Need accommodation near to Alton Towers?  We are just one mile away!
To book or make an enquiry at The Malthouse B&B telephone 01538 703273, email enquiries@the-malthouse.com or visit our website www.the-malthouse.com we're waiting to hear from you!

Hurry!  This offer is only valid for visits to Alton Towers before 31 May 2013.
O2 may not list the offer for much longer so if your interested move it!
As always please check the small print!