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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 that is 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 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. 

  • 5. Florios in Malton: A Mediterranean Oasis in the Heart of Yorkshire Location

    This culinary North Yorkshire gem is a stone's throw from the fascinating Malton Museum and the historic St. Michael's Church, making it ideal for locals and visitors alike. You'll find Florios in the bustling centre of town at 15-17 Market Place, Malton YO17 7LP. 

    Unique Selling Points

    Florios stands out from the crowd with its ingenious fusion of Mediterranean flair and Yorkshire tradition. The restaurant's commitment to sourcing local ingredients for their sun-kissed dishes creates an irresistible blend of the familiar and the exotic. A particular highlight is the open kitchen, where guests can witness culinary magic unfold. The sight and sounds of skilled chefs wielding their craft, particularly around the charcoal grill, add a theatrical element to the dining experience.

    3. Ambiance and Setting

    Stepping into Florios transports diners to a chic Mediterranean

  • You’ve just emerged (some might say staggered) from an emotionally engaging performance of Othello at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre and find yourself in need of a stiff drink before returning to your Stratford holiday cottage. Where do you go?

    May we recommend G&Ts at The Dirty Duck – possibly (at least in the thespian world) one of the UK’s most legendary pubs?

    Overlooking the banks of the River Avon, The Dirty Duck pub has long since waddled its way into the heart of Stratford-upon-Avon’s cultural scene. This Grade II-listed establishment has managed to blend historic charm with a dash of theatrical flair, creating a space where Shakespeare’s ghost might pop in for a pint (if he weren’t too busy rolling in his grave at some of the more avant-garde interpretations of his work).

  • Tucked away in the heart of Exmoor, Dulverton offers a delightful base for exploring Somerset’s natural wonders and historical sites. 

    Located in the idyllic, steep, wooded Barle Valley in the heart of Exmoor, Dulverton holiday cottages offer a perfect retreat for families and couples seeking a memorable escape. This picturesque moorland town, with its rich history and stunning natural surroundings, punches well above its weight in the experiences it provides for visitors. It’s also an attractive base for exploring the beautiful West Somerset and North Devon countryside and its sleepy little villages.

    This comprehensive guide will help you plan an unforgettable stay in one of Dulverton’s holiday cottages.

  • Tucked between Taunton Dene and the Devon border in West Somerset, the Quantock Hills was England's first Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Now redesignated as a National Landscape, it offers a captivating tapestry of biodiversity. 

    For families yearning for an outdoor adventure, this picturesque landscape unfolds a world teeming with plants, wildflowers, and wildlife. Let's embark on a journey through the natural wonders that make the Quantocks truly exceptional.

    Remember, the Quantock Hills offer a unique experience with each passing season.

    Spring heralds a burst of woodland flowers.

    Summer sees the heathland ablaze with colour.

    Autumn paints the landscape in spectacular hues and offers foraging opportunities.

    Winter reveals the land's underlying structure and welcomes migratory birds. As dusk descends on a clear and frosty evening, stand and stare while a rich red and gold sunset fades into a canopy of a million

  • Discover the perfect romantic getaway with these enchanting riverside walks in some of the UK's most picturesque towns and cities. Whether you're planning a day trip or an extended holiday, these waterside strolls offer the ideal setting for couples to create lasting memories.

  • During a recent renovation at Torquay's postal sorting office, an envelope containing this letter was unearthed from below the floorboards extolling the virtues and delights of one of Torquay's most interesting Museums. Remarkably, the letter was eligible and intact - much more than the Museum was at that time, as it wouldn't exist until a few generations later. 

    The letter never arrived at its intended destination, the offices of The Torquay Times and South Devon Advertiser. We take the utmost pleasure in publishing it for the first time and hope that its purpose is to extol visitors to spend a few happy hours at the Bygones Museum, which is still welcoming members of the public today.

    For visitors planning an itinerary for holidays in Torquay It makes for delightful reading is a HEARTFELT APPRECIATION of the Museum and its artefacts, which are the Victorian equivalent of an iPhone, fashionable clothing, fast food, and microwaves. It is produced

  • Exmoor's Enchanting Trails: A Journey Through Time, Nature, and Self-Catering Delights

    Exmoor National Park, a tapestry of windswept moors, ancient woodlands, and dramatic coastlines, offers a plethora of self-catering holiday experiences. From quaint thatched villages to steep, wooded valleys and wild, cloud-swept open moorland, Exmoor's landscape invites visitors to step into a rich tapestry of history, culture, and natural wonder.

     

  • My Favourite Holiday Cottages team recently visited Quince Honey Farm in North Devon to see what makes the place such an intriguing family attraction. While there, we had an opportunity to interview one of the bees, Buzzworth, to find out why families will adore what goes on at the Honey Farm. As you’ll see, Buzzworth thinks all human ‘beeings’ are just children at heart. You’ll ‘bee‘ impressed!

  • You are visiting My Favourite Holiday Cottages, probably on a search to book a cottage in the UK for you or your family as part of the whole journey to finding a great holiday. The site includes many attractive holiday lodges—many of them eco-friendly, with access to superb facilities. What should you consider in this journey to make sure that you find the best holiday cottage, lodge, caravan, or campsite before you book?

     

    How Do I Find the Best Value for Money Locations?

    There are many ways to find the best value-for-money locations; research is endless but entirely worthwhile. There are now lots of websites that offer comparisons and a great variety of locations to stay in. For example, this site allows you to browse through cottages and the price ranges. For caravan holidays, you might want to look at the leading big park operators and see their latest deals or visit new websites that can be cheaper and offer holidays in caravans or