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Exterior of a stone-built Dorset cottage overlooking a garden overflowing with shrubs and flowers.

News, Information and Ideas for Managing or Booking UK Holiday Cottages

View articles for holiday cottage owners and bookers. Many of these articles are mentioned in The Holiday Homefront, a monthly newsletter for holiday cottage owners ]published for free. 

Other articles help anyone interested in planning a self-catering holiday, from advice on planning and booking different types of property to information on cottages offering discounts. These are published in a Newsletter for people interested in booking holiday cottages and wanting to know more about booking procedures, discounts, and holiday ideas. To receive a copy, click the Newsletter button at the bottom of the page.

Contents vary but will include the following:

  • Tips on getting it right when finding and booking a particular type of holiday cottage - such as one with 'the right kind of pool' pool, or what to expect to be included in the rental price. 
  • Inspiring articles for people planning UK holidays on our 'favourite holiday cottages' for holidays on a theme or particular location, such as holiday cottages for walkers' best luxury beach holiday cottages in Cornwall.
  • When to discuss (and when not to discuss discounts) and some great deals available at the time of writing.
  • Legal news of interest to all holiday cottage owners and managers. 

  • UK Map Search

    Using some technical wizardry, we’ve used your cottage’s postcode to pin it to a map of the UK. Bookers can now see your property’s exact location, making it even easier for them to work out how close your property is to the beach, countryside or the nearest town. We’ve also colour-coded the ‘pins’ so you can immediately see the size of each cottage, making it quicker and easier for relevant people to arrive at your website.

    Quick Tip: If your postcode shows your property in the wrong location, log in, and you can change it by using the Map Icon under ‘Your Properties.’

      Featured Favourites

    Need to gain those extra bookings for a particular month? With Featured Favourites, you can now pay to have your cottage displayed on our front page. Adding your cottage only costs £10 per month, and if you want to pay for five months, we’ll give you an extra month for free - it’s a fantastic way to boost traffic to your website. The number of

  • Late Availability

    With a new box for late availability, you can add your last-minute vacancies at your cottage quickly and easily. Log into the ‘Owner’s section,’ click ‘Add Late Availability’ and enter the necessary details. It costs nothing and will undoubtedly increase the chances of filling empty weeks. We’ll also try and mention any spare dates on our Twitter page. We also send an e-mail with details and web links to the national media on the 1st of each month. If you e-mail us, we’ll endeavour to include details of your offer. NB: You must show you are offering it at a discount.

    Stat Counter Service

    Unsure how many people view your listing or link to your site? We’ve added a new section to see how many visitors have viewed your page and, more importantly, made an e-mail enquiry or clicked through to your website. To view your stats, click on the ‘Your Statistics’ tab, and you’ll be able to see the views, click-throughs and enquiries your listing has

  • Clovelly's Maritime Festivals: A Celebration of Coastal Heritage

    Clovelly, a olde-worlde, photogenic fishing village in North Devon, hosts four captivating maritime festivals throughout the year. Each event showcases the village's rich coastal heritage and offers visitors a unique glimpse into traditional seafaring life. Let's explore these delightful celebrations:

     

    1. Discover the Delights of the Clovelly Seaweed Festival

    As spring blossoms into summer, the charming village of Clovelly in North Devon prepares for one of its most unique and exciting events: the Clovelly Seaweed Festival. Held annually on the last Sunday in May, this vibrant celebration showcases the diverse world of seaweed and its myriad benefits.

    A Festival with a Purpose

    The Clovelly Seaweed Festival is more than just a day out; it's an educational experience highlighting seaweed's importance in our ecosystem and daily lives. From its nutritional value to its

  • Understanding EPC Surveys for Holiday Cottages: A Guide for Owners

    As the proud owner of a holiday cottage, you're responsible for creating memorable experiences for your guests and are legally obligated to ensure your property is safe and energy-efficient. A crucial part of this obligation is obtaining an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC). Let's delve into what an EPC is, why it's essential, and how to secure one for your holiday retreat.

    Image credit: Harveys Mill near Saxmmundham in Suffolk

  • With petrol prices significantly increasing the cost of a holiday, suggestions for a car-free holiday can be very welcome. My Favourite Holiday Cottages feature a wide choice of charming UK self-catering retreats where guests can make the most of their holiday. You can leave the car on the drive and explore by bus, or book cottages accessible by train.

    At Derwent House in Matlock, guests can arrive by train (East Midlands railway has frequent services to Matlock) and not miss the car all week. All the shops and restaurants of this Peak District Town are within easy walking distance, and there are no worries about who is on driving duty after a stroll to the local pub. The historic village of Bakewell can be reached by bus, as can the majestic Chatsworth House. Scenic Dovedale Valley is on the doorstep. Committed to eco principles, the thoughtful owners have arranged for cycle hire delivery and collection from the property. An award-winning Matlock holiday

  • 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 trains 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

  • Royal Wedding News - 4

    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

  • Two Cottages Close to Royal Households

    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