September 2012 Newsletter
This Month’s Newsletter:
Although there’s still time, the ‘Indian Summer’ doesn’t appear to have made an appearance (in North Devon, at least!), so we’re throwing ourselves into Autumn and looking ahead to gain those end-of-year bookings whilst planning for 2013...
Autumn Images
We’re still inundated with enquiries from bookers looking for short breaks during September, October and November, so keeping your listing seasonal can always gain a few extra click-throughs from your ‘My Favourites’ listing to your site. If you have any Autumnal photos of your property, you can add them at any time. Indoor images of hot buttered crumpets on a plate in front of a roaring fire look good, as well as trees in full autumnal plumage. Alternatively, if you have any particularly stunning shots, email them to info@mfhc.co.uk, and we’ll feature them on our Facebook page with a link back to your listing.
Traffic Growth – Good News!
As a consequence of our social media work for My Favourite Holiday Cottages and the ongoing optimisation of the site, the number of unique visitors to the site hit new heights in August, and we are now attracting 20,000 unique visits a month. Judging by the analytics for September thus fa
Bookings on a Knife Edge?
Rick recently wrote a brief and quirky article about the importance of having a knife sharpener in your property. With many properties being used for dinner parties by guests, having blunt and ineffective knives can cause major irritation for the person in the kitchen. Knife sharpeners aren’t that expensive - and if they only secure a single repeat booking for your holiday cottage, then they are absolutely worth the investment. Buy and mention their presence in your cottage’s details!
Are you on Facebook?
If you’re still new to the world of social media, Dan has created a step-by-step guide to quickly set up a Facebook page for your holiday property. With over half of the UK population using social networking sites, Facebook can be a fantastic way to gain more bookings if used correctly and consistently. Once you’ve set up your page, ‘like’ us on Facebook, and we’ll try and give you a mention now and again to prospective bookers. You can also keep up to date with what’s happening (and read the latest articles at My Favourite Holiday Cottages).
Optimising your Twitter Account:
To run alongside our popular blog post on ‘5 Ways to Master Facebook Marketing, ’ we’ve written a further article on using Twitter more effectively. You can do a whole host of things to make Twitter a more effective business tool (and it is also a perfect way to connect with your local community).
Our top tip is to use the ‘Search’ bar at the top of Twitter as much as possible. Typing any keyword into it will show you everyone who has mentioned that word. So, if someone has typed ‘holiday cottage Scotland’ in a tweet, you can reply to them and maybe get a booking. - Don’t search for the word cottage, though. You’d be amazed at the number of people mentioning cottage pie and cottage cheese!
Finally:
We’re on the lookout for blog posts - if you want us to cover a marketing story that you’d like more information about, email us, and we’ll research and write an article for you. We’re open to suggestions – not just about marketing. If Rick can get away with an article on knife sharpeners, then what can you come up with? Send us your question or views, and we’ll do the rest.
We’re hoping you’re all having productive autumn seasons, and as ever, for more details about our services to have a chat, give us a ring on 01598 7100631, email us at info@mfhc.co.uk or look at the My Favourite Holiday Cottages website.
Large Holiday Cottages To Book in 2023
Planning a large gathering of the clan? Suppose you’re looking for group accommodation to celebrate an anniversary, hold a reunion or share with other families. In that case, a large holiday cottage can be the perfect way for groups of friends and extended families to find a venue that can accommodate everyone in style.
Instead of the traditional hotel option, large holiday cottages with many bedrooms and a choice of living rooms allow guests the freedom to let their hair down and relax without disturbing other guests.
We’ve picked out five large self-catering properties in a rural location from across the UK that can fit everyone in for a group get-together or family gathering, so have a look through, and if one of the properties really catches your eye, then click through to see more details about it.
Tempest & Triumph | North Yorkshire | Sleeps 14
One day, this could be all yours (for the weekend). Tempest and Triumph in the Yorkshire Dales. Sleeps 32
OK, let’s start with the big one! For people planning a seriously large country house weekend offering group accommodation for up to thirty-two lucky guests, look at Tempest and Triumph.
This magnificent country house in North Yorkshire is probably one of England’s finest large self-catering properties. Its 17 bedrooms, 11 bathrooms, a swimming pool, games room and landscaped with fountains are only a part of it.
Located near Skipton, guests will be torn between simply staying ’at home’ to luxuriate in this fine estate house near Skipton or discovering the beauty of the Yorkshire Dales, and Wharfedale in particular.
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Broadway - Gloucestershire | Sleeps 16.
Broadway - a Large Cotswold Farmhouse Sleeping 16
Set in an area of outstanding natural beauty, Broadway at Flagstone Farm sleeps a rather impressive 16.
However, for really large groups, the accommodation can always be booked with the other cottages on site (three of which can sleep 12, 8 and 16), providing beds for up to 36 guests.
Located in the Cotswolds makes Broadway a brilliant base to explore the miles of beautiful countryside and chocolate box villages that the area offers, and guests have access to a tennis court, games room, badminton court and croquet lawn.
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Esk View - Cumbria | Sleeps 16
Esk View, a Large House, Dwarfed by the Magnificence of its Lake District Location
Known locally as the Big Red House, Esk View is set in an outstanding area of the Lake District and is ideal for large family breaks. It’s a fine place to spend an evening with a well-tuned piano in the dining room and open log fires. Two good pubs are located only 5 minutes away, as well as plenty of splendid walks in and around the Eskdale valley.
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Crepe Farmhouse - Dorset | Sleeps 17
Crepe Cottage is a Large Dorset Farmhouse with a Swimming Pool, Hot Tub and Cinema Room
Completed to an impressive standard, Crepe Farmhouse is just one of several stunning holiday properties on the Symondsbury Estate just outside Bridport on the south coast near Dorset. Sleeping 17 people in a series of luxurious bedrooms. The Farmhouse also benefits from its own indoor heated swimming pool, hot tub and cinema room. Alongside the beautiful countryside scenery surrounding the estate, guests are also a 10-minute drive from the sea.
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Buckland House - South Devon | Sleeps 14
Buckland House near Slapton Sands in South Devon. Sleeps 14
Buckland House is an impressively large and beautifully presented Grade II-listed Georgian Farmhouse offering self-catering holidays just inland from the coast at Slapton Sands in the gorgeous South Hams district of Devon. The House has received a complete restoration to a comfortably high standard and now includes a conservatory overlooking the ponds and gardens with rural views towards Dartmoor.
Offering high-quality pet-friendly group accommodation in seven bedrooms, it is tastefully furnished in keeping with the period of the property. This lovely family home provides an opportunity to enjoy a holiday, perhaps sharing it with the wider family or groups of friends in comfortable surroundings and large extensive gardens.
Buckland House is suitable for up to 14 guests. But, to quote past guests, It’s a natural ‘Celebration House’ attracting groups of families and friends for anniversaries and weddings. The grounds are available to hire for any function and can accommodate a marquee seating up to 80 guests.
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View All Our Large Holiday Homes
Please look at our entire collection of large holiday cottages across the UK.