The Quantock Hills in West Somerset is one of those -forgotten-by-time locations with a cluster of scenic villages. Read this snapshot of villages to visit on self-catering holidays in the Quantocks.

 

The Quantock Hills is a delightful area for a week’s holiday or a weekend break. It lies within easy reach of the West Somerset Coast and has a steam heritage railway running through the valley that separates The Quantocks from the neighbouring Brendon Hills.

In addition to their attractiveness, the small and sleepy villages nestling in the lee of The Quantock Hills have much In common; most tend to have ancient churches all worthy of exploration, an old Manor House and a pub boasting a good restaurant menu (although sadly, West Bagborough lost its hostelry at the end of 2022). Most have excellent pubs and ancient churches that beg further investigation and bucketfuls of thatched cottages. It is hoped that it will reopen one day soon. The Quantock Hills have long been associated with Wordsworth and Coleridge, who lived there for some years. These venerated poets probably drank in most village pubs, so feel free to follow in their footsteps. It

A list of recommended ways to spend a holiday when staying in Allerford, a small village on EXmoor.

These days, buying a brick-and-mortar holiday home as an investment and revenue generator is a difficult task, especially in coastal resorts such as Devon and Cornwall, where house prices have risen sharply. So step forward the new solution to your problem: Holiday parks now offer private ownership of static caravans and lodges. This policy means you can purchase a holiday home and generate an income to cover the costs and create a return on your investment whilst providing you with a free place to stay.

Many holiday parks have transformed in recent years into 'owner-only' parks. They offer an ideal solution for second home ownership. These tend to be quality parks, possibly smaller in size, that are purely targeted at owner-only lodges and caravans. The benefit is a quieter park with a community feel where owners get to know each other. The vast majority of these parks offer sub-letting where you can let your caravan or lodge in the park to generate

Six Reasons to Visit Woolacombe Out of Season

We can all appreciate the appeal of a great British summer holiday in North Devon's Woolacombe; endless days at the beach, ice creams on a sunny day, and meals served alfresco style in the sunshine… what's not to love?

But what many are now starting to discover is just how magical and romantic Woolacombe can be out of season - those empty weekends outside the school holidays. Once the temperature drops down and the crowds start to head home, Woolacombe pops into colour and comes alive with bright orange autumnal leaves, dramatic scenery and vibrant sunsets. If that wasn't already enough, here are six reasons to get excited about a beach holiday in Woolacombe out of season.

 

1.     Stunning autumnal walks

 

The South West Coast Path Above Heddon's Mouth in North Devon

No matter what time of year you visit, Woolacombe's spectacular coastline of cliffs, sandy

What to do Out of Season in… Whitchurch (The Shropshire one)

 

This characterful little market town in North Shropshire certainly punches well above its weight when it comes to its appeal to visitors out of season. The town offers a host of artisan shops interspersed with some enticing cafes and bars. Whether you are seeking relaxing or lively weekend breaks in Shropshire outside the school holidays that involve a little walking, a little discovering, a boat trip or two blended with some fine dining and a good pub or two, here are some suggestions for a 2-3-night break in Whitchurch. Also included are our recommended Whitchurch holiday cottages in which to stay.

 

1.    Whitchurch Heritage Centre

12 St. Marys Street, Whitchurch SY13 1QY

It is an excellent place to visit at the start of your holiday. Here, you can discover the town’s fascinating historical past through displays and exhibits appealing to all ages.

Autumnal Greetings!

As autumn’s fingers lose their grip on the countryside, we welcome you to pop another log on the woodburner or another marshmallow in your hot chocolate and invest a little time in this month’s top tips and advice to help holiday cottage owners everywhere stay at the very top of their game.

As ever, we provide a summary of an article. If you’d like to learn more, click on the title.

 

Welcome Packs: The Impact of Natasha’s Law.

From October 1st, the UK Food Information Act Amendment (aka Natasha’s law) came into force. This has significant implications for all holiday property owners who provide a welcome pack for their guests. You are strongly advised to acquaint yourself with it before your local environmental health office comes knocking.

The law is covered in the Pink Book. We also recommend the intelligently written ‘user guide’ on the PASC Website; click on the title above to download it. The

Welcome to the September 2021 issue of The Holiday Homefront and this month's collection of advice and information that all good holiday cottage owners need to continue to improve their businesses. Here's a summary of all this month's recommended articles. Where relevant, click on the title to open and read the full article.

 

Why are UK holiday costs so expensive?

It turns out there is a good reason for the prices charged by UK holiday cottage owners that goes beyond the sheer greed that the media would like to portray. Despite the occasional media article suggesting otherwise, it's not just because accommodation owners are greedy and inflating prices. Read this concise explanation about the factors that UK tourism accommodation providers must consider when setting prices.

Sadly, a return to VAT of 20% in the UK, which is above rates in many EU countries, doesn't get a mention. Another consideration is that soaring UK house prices in popular

Thank you for dropping in to read the August 2021 edition of The Holiday Homefront for UK Holiday Cottage Owners. As I write this, the weather has begun to warm up after a slow and rather damp start, and blue skies prevail again. Let’s hope this sets the pattern for the remainder of the month.

 

Articles in blue headlines: Click on the headline to read a full copy of the article.

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Hempaye Cottage in Sidmouth

The Wanderlist, New Directory Of Top Countryside Holiday Retreats

If you want to know what it takes to scale the heights of guest care and experiences in the holiday cottage business, look at these leading examples from Forbes Magazine.

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