Owners of an Eden holiday home, along with two others in Cumbria, have been recognised in a new awards scheme by Sykes Holiday Cottages.
The Sykes Stars programme aims to reward holiday homeowners from across the UK that have achieved glowing feedback from guests in the last 12 months. To be eligible to receive an award, owners must get consistent excellent feedback throughout the year.
Malcom and Jacqueline Metcalfe, owners of Birkett Barn, in Wharton near Kirkby Stephen, opened the holiday home in the summer of 2021, after it was converted from a hay barn.
Birkett Barn often receives praise for its remote location and rural views, which can be enjoyed from the property’s hot tub. Reviews also reference how well-equipped the holiday let is.
Malcom said: “Myself and Jacqueline run Birkett Barn as a family business so it’s very dear to us. We pride ourselves on being warm, friendly, and accommodating hosts, as we know how important this is to the staycation experience.
“We’re proud to have been awarded the title of Sykes Star, especially as we’ve only been in the holiday letting business for just over a year. It has made us all the more excited to see where a future in the industry takes us!”
Also recognised were Sarah and John McCarren, owners of Waterside, a former boat house located in Ravenglass, the only coastal village in the Lake District National Park.
Mary Wilson, owner of Crag End Cottage, Cartmel, was the last Cumbrian to be named a Sykes Star. She first welcomed holidaymakers to her cosy ‘upside down’ cottage in July, 2021.
Bev Dumbleton, chief operating officer at Sykes Holiday Cottages, said: “These awards allow us to showcase the best of the best when it comes to guest feedback, with the commitment and hard work of our Sykes owners never going unnoticed.
“With Cumbria being a real hotspot for staycationers in the UK, we’ve seen many new holiday let owners come onboard recently.”
