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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. 

  • All you need to know about West Country cream teas. If you take a rural self-catering holiday or any holiday in the British countryside, you will likely encounter a tea room serving cream teas. A traditional cream tea in the company of friends, family or a loved one is one of those understated pleasures that remain etched in your memory long after you have returned home.

  • Wet Weather Family Visitor Attractions On The North Norfolk Coast.

    The North Norfolk Coast provides a range of all-season indoor attractions and activities to ensure an enjoyable holiday in this lovely corner of Norfolk. So whether you’re interested in history, art, family entertainment, or simply finding a cosy spot to relax, options are available to make the most of your time, come rain or shine.

    Here are some wet weather activities and attractions in the area:

     

    Museums and Art Galleries

    Visit museums and art galleries to explore the region’s rich history and culture. The Museum of the Broads in Stalham showcases the history of the Norfolk Broads and its unique ecosystem. The Cromer Museum offers insights into the local heritage and the town’s maritime history. For art enthusiasts, The Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts in Norwich features an impressive collection of modern and contemporary art.

    Historic Houses and Castles

  • What else is there to do on holiday in Stratford-upon-Avon that doesn’t have a Shakespearian connection?

    Not all holidays in Stratford-upon-Avon need to be based around the town’s Shakespearian connections. But, Shakespeare aside, you’d be surprised at the choice of experience you can enjoy when staying in Stratford-on-Avon holiday cottages that have nothing to do with the Baird of Avon.

    Here are some of our favourite places:

    1. Stratford-upon-Avon Canal Basin

    Visiting the canal basin in Stratford-upon-Avon offers a range of attractions and experiences that make it a worthwhile destination for tourists. Stroll along the Canal Basin, a charming area with narrowboats, cafes, and shops. Enjoy the peaceful atmosphere and perhaps indulge in a canal boat ride or hire a rowing boat for a leisurely paddle.

    Here are some more reasons why you should consider visiting Stratford’s canal basin:

    The Scenic Setting: The canal basin

  • There are so many ways to spend a holiday on Exmoor. Discover over thirty memorable activities to enjoy as you explore this beautiful National Park.

    Was there ever a better place for a memorable holiday than Exmoor? That’s a question asked and easily answered by many happy visitors returning home from a weekend or a week’s holiday in an idyllic Exmoor holiday cottage. You would be surprised at how many sights and experiences can be crammed into one of England’s smallest National Parks, whose steep wooded valleys and snug, thatch-roofed villages hold a multitude of delights for visitors of all ages. The answer to that question, by the way, is invariably “no”. There is nothing quite like Exmoor.

    Exmoor National Park, located in southwest England, offers a unique blend of coastal and countryside landscapes. Coast and country holidays on Exmoor combine the coastline’s rugged beauty with the countryside’s tranquil charm, offering a range of outdoor

  • The Pennines are a ruggedly beautiful mountain range sometimes referred to as the backbone of England. The range of hills runs northwards from Staffordshire through Derbyshire, West and North Yorkshire into Northumberland, ending just over the Scottish border. There are distinct areas within The Pennines, including four National Parks and some of the UK's best-known distance walks. All are popular holiday destinations with a healthy choice of holiday cottages.

  • Everybody loves ice cream on holiday. The County of Somerset, in South West England, is known for its beautiful countryside and coastal areas. It also has a superb reputation for dairy produce (all those succulent green pastures for dairy cows to thrive upon). So it should come as no surprise that the County possesses several artisanal ice cream parlours.

    We’ve put together a list of popular ice cream parlours in Somerset. Eat-in or Takeaway, and if you are on your way home to your Somerset holiday cottage for lunch or dinner, why not buy a deliciously flavoured block or tub for dessert?

     

    Here are the My Favourite Holiday Cottages’ seven most desirable ice cream parlours in Somerset:

  • The Quantock Hills Walking Festival takes place this year from Wednesday 7th to Sunday 11th June 2023. It’s a perfect way to enjoy walking holidays discovering more about this fascinating corner of Somerset. A variety of walks are available, ranging from a shade over three miles to a fifty-mile walk along the whole of The Coleridge Way. This takes place over four days, and you can return to your Quantock Hills holiday cottage at the end of each day. Most of the walks have a theme and will be led by local experts.

    Guided Walks include:

    Wednesday 7th June Photo Walk: A Fyne Folly! (3.4 miles)

    Information & booking  

    Thursday June 8th

    The Coleridge Way: A Poet’s Pilgrimage (50 miles; 4 days)  Information & booking

      Saturday June 10th

    Sacred Quantocks  (7.5 miles).  Information & booking

    Ancient Look Out Points of the Northern Quantocks  (8.4 miles).  Information & booking

  • It’s an accepted tradition that you always eat well when on holiday. If you are planning a self-catering holiday, you will find that Exmoor holiday cottage kitchens are fully equipped to cook, bake and create the finest of feasts. In South West England, This National Park is known for its stunning natural beauty and is home to several organic food shops and suppliers that offer high-quality, locally sourced produce. So – you can stay healthy with long moorland walks or days on the beach at Minehead or Combe Martin and eat healthily. Many suppliers not only offer the opportunity to book online ahead of your holiday, but they will deliver, too, so that your hamper of goodies will be awaiting your arrival. Here are some of the best Exmoor organic food shops and suppliers. We’ve included full contact details with sufficient information to whet your appetite!

  • Why book a holiday cottage in Falmouth?

    Falmouth has long been a popular seaside town for self-catering holidays in Cornwall in all seasons. The town, which is actually a port, is best known for its beautiful beaches, stunning coastline, and vibrant cultural scene. Here are some things that can make for a perfect seaside holiday in Falmouth: