Updates to the website

Additional Selection Boxes: To make it even easier for visitors to the site to find the exact cottage they’re after, we will add a further 3 Selection Boxes on our front page to join our other 12 buttons. We’ve done this partly in response to user feedback and partly as a result of analysing the number of times potential bookers use them to start their searches. We will soon add boxes for ‘Cottages that allow smoking’, ‘Newly listed properties’ and ‘Favourite Favourites.’ The most recent 20 cottages will appear in the Newly Listed Properties, so if you own another cottage, why not add it for a further £4, which will appear in our box?

My Favourite Favourites

Still in its test phase, you may have noticed a big red button on our front page called “My Favourite Favourites Login”. To make it easy for people to bookmark and rate a property, visitors to the site can create their own property portfolio. Whenever someone comes across and adds

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 accessiible 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

Marwood Hill Garden in North Devon offers stunning displays of Camellias and Rhododendron at this time of year, and the new Magnolias are a welcome addition. The gardens also host National Collections of Japanese Iris, Astilbe, and Tulbaghia.

 

Stay nearby at Orchard Cottage, a cosy two-bedroom rural holiday cottage in the peaceful North Devon countryside near South Molton. Exmoor and North Devon coast beaches are all within easy reach of The Gardens.

 

Levens Hall Gardens

Colourful spring bedding sets the impressive topiary off to its best advantage at historic Levens Hall & Gardens in Cumbria. The topiary is among the oldest in the world, and the garden dates back to 1694. The Buttery serves delicious home-cooked food and helps the Estate’s recipe, Moroccan Ale – worth a try.

 

Stay close by at Pudding Cottage in Windermere; you can take your dog, too. This 4-star property sleeps six and has

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

Indoor & Outdoor Opportunities

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, cottages near the surfing beaches of Croyde and Saunton and the delights of Exmoor are just on the doorstep.

 

Family House Party in Instow

Is your house not big enough for the whole 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. Minutes from the beach, the famous Tarka Trail and glorious