It's full steam ahead for Britain's heritage railways this year. Many lines reported improving passenger numbers last year. With the UK looking forward to welcoming more overseas visitors as pandemic concerns recede, these attractions exemplify the essence of British tradition and are set for a bumper 2022. For some, it's a day of pure nostalgia; for others, it's the delight of discovering the fascination of Victorian steam. So enjoy the pleasure of steam-hauled rides through idyllic English countryside as engines puff and clank, their trailing entourage clattering behind at breakneck speeds of up to 40mph.

So, for all steam lovers, My Favourite Holiday Cottages has rural properties nationwide, many located within the haunting sound of a train whistle. Here are just a few cottages ideally placed to allow time for riding the rails.

Go West

Railway Cottage near Woolston on the West Somerset Railway.

Railway buffs to Somerset will love

If the weather is iffy, there is nothing better to amuse the kids than an indoor heated pool. Byre Cottage, part of the North Hill Cottage Estate, is a peaceful retreat deep in the North Devon countryside with a pool and a new games room. And – fingers crossed – if Easter is sunny this year, the surfing beaches of Croyde and Saunton and the delights of Exmoor are just on the doorstep. 7 nights from April 22nd costs from £385 (sleeps 4) www.MyFavouriteHolidayCottages.co.uk

Is your house not big enough for all the family at Easter? Redland House in the pretty seaside town of Instow will comfortably sleep 22 in its 11 beautifully decorated bedrooms. With far-reaching views over the Torridge estuary and out to the sea beyond, this Edwardian pile has been sympathetically renovated to create a stunning holiday home, successfully blending high-quality, contemporary styling with original features.

Arlington Bluebell Walk, East Sussex, from mid-April to early May. Swathes of blue carpet the fields and woodlands at Arlington, where there are eight walks of differing degrees over three farms. The Blue Walk is gravelled and suitable for wheelchair users, and mobility scooters are available for hire. Stay at  Fuggles Cottage near Robertsbridge, a delightful cottage for couples, for a weekend break filled with romantic bluebell walks.

The bluebells stretch from the walled gardens to the sea at Hartland Abbey in North Devon, and visitors are welcome, especially on their legendary Bluebell Days in late April and early May. Bring friends and family and stay nearby at Old Chapel in Clovelly on the North Devon coast, a large holiday cottage that sleeps 8. Circular walks through the grounds include a stroll to the Dashwood family's home in the 2007 film, Sense &

Friday, 29 April, will be a day of national celebration in the UK. The Royal Wedding of Prince William to Catherine Middleton has been long awaited, and what a great excuse for a party! Having been amongst the crowds of well-wishers lining the streets of London at the last ‘big’ Royal wedding, I can report that it was a truly festive occasion with everyone welcome.

Like us, thousands of people went to London that day, drawn by the promise of witnessing history. Although we only had a glimpse of Princess Diana and her voluminous dress as she passed along the Mall in her royal carriage, it was well worth the journey. Just like guests at any wedding, all were on their best behaviour, and the happiness was infectious.

If you are planning to visit the UK this year, what better time to come? Spring will be in the air, and even if you don’t have an invite to Westminster Abbey, you can hop on the train to London to share in the festivities. Stand anywhere

You don’t have to be in London to share the excitement of the Royal Wedding. The UK has been officially granted a ‘Bank Holiday’ or day off on 29 April, and the licensing laws have been extended to allow pubs and restaurant to serve until 1am – so the whole country will be partying locally as well as centrally. Arrangements for thousands of street parties are well under way, recalling the neighbourhood celebrations of the Queen’s Silver and Diamond Jubilees. Many towns and villages will be holding carnivals and fetes where overseas visitors are sure to be made very welcome.

Latest wedding gossip is that the newlyweds will choose a UK destination for their honeymoon. It may be Scotland. Prince Charles and his brother Prince Edward both chose the Royal Estate of Balmoral in Aberdeenshire to take their brides once the wedding day was over. Just a stone’s throw from the Balmoral Estate is Dalbrack, a charming,

As the Royal Wedding day gets closer, the Best Man (William’s brother Harry), Maid of Honour (Kate’s sister Phillipa Middleton), bridesmaids and pageboys have all been chosen. The wedding dress and flowers are still to be announced. One thing for sure is that the bridal bouquet will include a sprig of Myrtle. Known as the ‘herb of love’, all Royal brides have carried the fragrant white flowers since Queen Victoria married Prince Albert in 1840. Following a long-running tradition, the Myrtle will be taken from Queen Victoria’s private garden at Osbourne House on the Isle of Wight and transported to London for the big day.

Osborne House was the grand summer palace of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert and, now open to the public, offers a fascinating insight into Royal life through the centuries. Visitors to the Isle of Wight may like to stay at Afton Thatch, a quintessential British holiday cottage and one of the UK’s

Well the Royal wedding invitations have been sent out, all 1900 of them, including friends, family, and assorted heads of state and dignitaries. There is outrage in the UK press that Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York, and once married to Prince Andrew, has been excluded from the arrangements. Ironic really when you consider the hounding the poor woman endured from the very same press when she was an official member of the Royal family! Our Monarchy has always been a colourful one, and all the more entertaining because of it.

Other press reports indicate that London hotels are hiking room rates and cashing in on visitors wanting to stay in London around 29 April. I guess this is a simple case of supply and demand. However, canny guests can stay outside London in beautiful cottages and still receive gold-standard service. The Fodder Store in Worcester offers a fridge packed with mouth-watering local food, chocs, wine, flowers and

Devon is great for dogs with its wide sandy beaches, moorlands, fields, countryside, and hundreds of walking trails. Highlighting dog heaven, Rick Bond from My Favourite Holiday Cottages picks out a few properties that would get a bark of approval from even the most pampered of pooches.

Canine comforts at The Byre @ Cross Farm just outside Barnstaple include a dog bowl, dog bed, covers for sofas if required, a fenced-in garden, a vet's phone number on the wall and even a poop scoop. This beautiful 3-bed barn conversion has other very friendly dogs nearby. The Byre is in the charming village of Goodleigh, nestling in the foothills of Exmoor above Barnstaple. Amid great dog walking country, fit dogs and owners will enjoy the 10-mile circular walk via Codden Hill (stunning views from Exmoor across to Dartmoor) and a hearty lunch at the historic Chichester Arms in Bishops Tawton. This village

Clichéd as it may be, Valentine’s Day does give couples an excuse to escape the humdrum. ‘Romantic’ also means idealistic, so whilst we may not want to live in a cottage in the countryside all the time, a cosy weekend away may be enough to keep fantasy and passion alive for another year. And who says you have to be young to enjoy a romantic break? So enjoy a weekend with you and your partner at any age, and define your approach to romanticism!

Time-pressed couples will find inspiring properties from rural retreats to city pads and seaside getaways on www.myfavouriteholidaycottages.co.uk. There’s even a special search category section entirely devoted to holiday cottages for couples.

Water features are a popular destination, whether for watersports or the appeal of being lulled to sleep by a babbling brook. Indulge in far-reaching lakeside views across Windermere or a private hot tub under the stars at The Lodge in North