Christmas and New Year may feel like a long way off, but it’s time to make plans if you want to spend the festive season away with your family. Many of our large holiday cottages are already booked for Christmas and New Year, so it pays to plan and book as early as possible.

 

Sunset Beach, Croyde in North Devon – Sleeps 8

Sunset Beach: Cosy holiday cottage for family  Christmas holidays by the sea in Croyde, North Devon

Sunset Beach is a spacious holiday cottage a stroll from the rugged North Devon coast. Blow away the cobwebs and burn off the calories with long winter walks through the dunes and onto the sandy beach, which is amazingly quiet in the winter and often battered by spectacular storms. 

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Hunter Court,

Luxury Coastal Cottages in Cornwall to Drool Over

Whether you want to spend your holiday in Cornwall surfing, sailing or hiking the Southwest Coast Path, there’s nothing like ending the day with a soak in the jacuzzi or watching the sunset on the ocean from your private terrace. We have a range of luxury cottages available in Cornwall, each with its own luxuries to make your stay memorable.

 

Petite Maison, Fowey – Sleeps 4

This Romantic-style property is approached by a small bridge over the River Pol. Walk to the beach, stop for a pint at the local pub and watch boats in the harbour before returning to your five-star-rated accommodation, furnished with antique paintings, French-style mirrors and crystal chandeliers.

 

Berwyn: A 5-minute stroll to a magnificent sandy surfing beach

Berwyn, Crantock – Sleeps 10

Large holiday cottage a stone’s throw from the dunes and waves at Crantock Beach

Our first poem in our regular series of poems to inspire a holiday will put you in the mood for a week or weekend at a holiday cottage in the countryside. 

Written by Robert Frost, who loved writing poems depicting rural England, first found fame (and publication) in the UK before his native America awoke to the gentle appeal of his prose.

 

The Road Not Taken

 

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,

And sorry I could not travel both

And be one traveller, long I stood

And looked down one as far as I could

To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then, took the other, as just as fair,

And having perhaps the better claim

Because it was grassy and wanted wear;

Though as for that, the passing there

Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay In leaves no step had trodden black.

 

Oh, I marked the first for another day!

Yet

Our fabulous Peak District holiday expert, Wendy Boast, offers these suggestions on things to do in the Peak District that will keep your purse in your bag and your wallet firmly in your pocket. Pack your walking boots - as you’ll be racking up the miles here on holiday in the Peak District - although there are cycling options, too. 

We have added holiday cottages that we feel would be suitable places to stay. Click on the cottage name to view its listing on My Favourite Holiday Cottages.

 

Over to you, Wendy...

Whether you are visiting with family or friends or coming for some peace and quiet, the stunning countryside of the Peak District National Park offers access for free in many beautiful rural settings.

A few of our favourite places to walk with family or friends in particular are:

 1. Walk or Ride The Marvellous Monsal Trail 

Around 8 miles of traffic-free walking (or cycling) on a former Midland

Luxury Romantic Cottages for Couples: A Few of Our Favourites

Luxury holiday cottages for couples in the UK aren’t always easy to find since properties tend to be geared towards families and groups. But we appreciate couples’ need to get away from it all and relax in style, which is why we have handpicked a selection of beautifully presented one-bedroom holiday cottages across the UK. The following list includes a few of our favourite holiday cottages for couples, each with its own luxuries – from a balcony overlooking an Italian garden to a wood-fired hot tub on a secret beach.

Click on the property name for more images and booking information.

 

Cherry Tree Cottage, Devon

Luxury holiday cottage for couples in Sidmouth with a royal past

Formerly part of a Regency House for the Duke and Duchess of St Albans, Cherry Tree Cottage has a sunny patio looking out onto the award-winning gardens at Littlecourt. This cosy cottage lies

If You Don’t Freshen Up Your Cottage Advert – Say Goodbye to Bookings

Set aside a little time this weekend or one evening next week and use this checklist to enhance the appeal of your advert:

Just like a shop window display, if left completely alone, your holiday cottage advert will gather cobwebs and, worse still, look unflatteringly out of date. It may be visible, but it won’t be working as well as your cottage deserves.

 

Seven Ways to Attract More Bookings! 1.    Images: The single most influential part of your advert. The bigger – the better. 

If your images are all 1920x1080 pixels (or larger), then they will display this big: View Cherry Tree Cottage, Sidmouth If not, then re-install using 1020x1080 pixel-sized images. It will make a difference. 

Can we help? If you are not sure how to do this (or are just too busy), for just £10, we will re-size and upload up to large images for you. 

A soak in the hot tub is the perfect way to end the day, regardless of the season. Even in the middle of winter, there’s nothing more magical than gazing up at a clear, starlit sky from the warmth of your private hot tub. The following list includes some of our favourite holiday cottages with their own hot tubs, from a romantic couple’s hideaway on the North Devon coast to a magnificent home on the Moray Firth in Scotland.

 

The Crepe Farmhouse, Dorset – Sleeps 17 Large Luxury Dorset Farmhouse near Bridport with a Hot Tub, Pool and Sauna Child-friendly holiday cottage near the Jurassic Coast in Dorset

With its inglenook fireplace and wood burner, the Crepe Farmhouse is a wonderful place to wind down after discovering dinosaur fossils and secret coves on the Jurassic Coast. Step into the walled garden, and you will find a sunny terrace and hot tub – right next to the indoor swimming pool and sauna.

 

 

The Anchor at

You've written (and acted upon) your annual health and safety check, kept the property in a good state of repair and left notices or instructions where required, but sooner or later, a guest will incur an injury while staying in your cottage. Be prepared and know what to do when it does.

It may not be your fault, or in more cases than is comfortable, you may not think it is your fault until the legal team from the other side seek to prove otherwise. So, here are some actions to take to show that you are not only a good owner but also to mitigate any further negative outcomes that may arise from the injury. 

Read this handy list of expert tips from Holiday home insurance brokers, Schofields, to ensure you are properly prepared for and know what to do if a guest injures themselves in your cottage.

 Read more...

Do you want those beautiful images of your holiday cottage to be large and more appealing?

 

When it comes to drop-dead gorgeous images – size matters.

So, how do you ensure your images appear in large rather than small format?

Upload images no smaller than 1920 x 1080 pixels (or 1020 x 1908 for portraits).

If you don’t know how to ensure your images are the correct size, you have two choices:

1. Email a complete set of your largest size by ‘DropBox’ or ‘WeTransfer’ (both are free file-sharing apps) to My Favourite Holiday Cottages, and for £10, we will re-size and upload them for you.

2. Resize and upload them yourself: Email me for easy-to-follow image-sizing instructions: info@mfhc.co.uk.

We will also include handy tips on what images generate the greatest response from potential bookers and the best way to display them.

 

Could we re-size and upload photos for you?

Yes,