"Labour of love" proves popular as Sheffield couple launch staycation 'lockdown project'

Holidays abroad may be off the cards for many this year, but one Sheffield couple have spent 12 months renovating a Bakewell cottage with idyllic walks and country pubs just two of the choices ‘on the doorstep’.
SnapTin in Bakewell has been a 12 month family development project, with fittings, paint and additions coming from local tradespeople in Sheffield, Bakewell and Chesterfield.SnapTin in Bakewell has been a 12 month family development project, with fittings, paint and additions coming from local tradespeople in Sheffield, Bakewell and Chesterfield.
SnapTin in Bakewell has been a 12 month family development project, with fittings, paint and additions coming from local tradespeople in Sheffield, Bakewell and Chesterfield.

With holidays abroad banned until at least mid-May due to Coronavirus restrictions, Sheffielders have been finding alternative ways to take a break this year – including staycations at home, and in the nearby picturesque Peak District.

Sheffield couple, Helen Davies and husband Ben, however, have taken it one step further and have spent the past year renovating their own Peak District cottage combining everything they love as part of a ‘lockdown project’.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Their holiday cottage, named SnapTin, went live for bookings over the weekend with 42 days already taken throughout May, June and July.

The renovated SnaopTin attic bedroomThe renovated SnaopTin attic bedroom
The renovated SnaopTin attic bedroom

“It has been a lockdown project, and for me I think having the holiday cottage lets me combine everything I love: I love hosting people, and I love looking after people, and I love the Peak District,” Helen said.

"There is just so much on our doorstep, and having a holiday let means we are able to share all those fabulous things, whether that’s local makers, or our favourite walks. That’s what I am hoping will be the charm of it when we open SnapTin.

The renovation of SnapTin in Bakewell has been a ‘family affair’, with Helen’s sister and her husband, Tracy Iain, also involved, and championing ‘local’ is a theme that runs throughout.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Helen said: "It has consumed most of or weekends for the last year and a half, so it has been an absolute labour of love, and has been a real family affair.

Ben Davies and Iain fitting the steelwork in SnapTin.Ben Davies and Iain fitting the steelwork in SnapTin.
Ben Davies and Iain fitting the steelwork in SnapTin.

"We just tried to really work in a way that is local. All of our paint we bought in Bakewell from The Heritage Paint Centre, the steel we had made came from a chap in Chesterfield, the old worktops are from old science labs in Sheffield, and the chairs came from Abbeydale Road. It has been a bit of a labour of love, but we hope people really like it.”

This is the first time they have taken on a project such as this, but Helen thinks this is the perfect time.

"This year is a different year for everybody, so I think lots of people will be having different holidays this year and I think there is a real desire to get away for a short break in the UK, and the Peaks is just perfect for that – it is so accessible, whether that’s from Manchester or Sheffield,” Helen said.

The cottage opens to public visitors from May 14, and you can visit SnapTin on Airbnb or Instagram for more information.

Related topics: