Why Choose a UK Cottage Holiday
A look at the benefits of self-catering in the UKBy Alison Cooper
Cottage holidays are the perfect pick-me-up whatever the time of year and you can usually stay for as little as 3 nights. If you’re the kind of person who likes to be spontaneous and surprise someone special, take advantage of last minute breaks (often with extra-special rates), or plan ahead for that annual family holiday securing your dream vacation cottage in your dream location.
Planning a family holiday? Sifting through the various kinds of holiday accommodation can be a bewildering task, especially when traveling with children. So be selective from the start and focus on self-catering cottages – they’re absolutely perfect for families in so many ways. First, decide how far you want to travel – if you’ve got toddlers in tow you may want to save the longer car journeys until they’re older. Next, check out the features – you may want stair-gates and highchairs, or perhaps a games room to keep teenagers and Dad entertained. Or splash out and book a holiday home with a private swimming pool – the ultimate treat for everyone! Take a closer look at the region and see what’s on offer – distance to the beach, sporting activities and outdoor adventure, theme parks and other visitor attractions, museums and galleries, local events, places to eat and drink etc. It’s good to have a few things planned for day trips and evenings out. Once there, you will cherish the freedom – what bliss to escape set meal times and dress codes! Dress up, dress down, eat early, eat late – family vacations should be fun and carefree and that’s what cottage holidays are all about.
Time to celebrate! Did you know there are holiday homes out there that will accommodate the biggest of parties? From luxury period mansions to designer barn conversions set in exclusive developments where you take the whole place over, there are some fabulous properties to choose from – ideal for ‘big’ birthday bashes, festive gatherings, reunions with university pals, even nuptial celebrations. Staying en masse is so much more intimate and enjoyable than booking into a hotel, with every detail taken care of. Big lounges and dining rooms with ample seating, comfortable bedrooms often en suite, and sometimes extras like pools and games rooms – the more entertainment the merrier when there’s a gang of you! You’ll more than likely have plenty of outdoor space too, with generous parking and gardens for BBQs, boules and outside play. If it’s Christmas, houses usually come ready dressed with decorations so you can concentrate on the turkey and trimmings with your team of kitchen helpers! And if your party is traveling from different regions, you can search for a central location.
Romance is in the air! Engagements, honeymoons, anniversaries, Valentine’s Day, or an impromptu break with your loved one, an English country cottage makes the perfect getaway. Some are cosy and creakingly atmospheric, with oak beams and crackling log fires to curl up in front of on cold winter nights. Others have a contemporary twist, with designer furnishings and dazzling décor. Or opt for a stay by the sea in a secluded coastal retreat – think lazy breakfasts in bed and hand-in-hand strolls along the beach. Take your pick and look out for exclusive features like four-poster beds and hot-tubs. A romantic cottage holiday will seduce you every time!
Finding your dream location…Quality, self-catering holiday accommodation can be found in all sorts of prime locations across the UK. Discover numerous Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and spectacular National Parks. Vibrant cities, traditional market towns and sleepy villages. Cottages may take the form of rural retreats deep in the countryside, far from the madding crowd. On a working farm development, perhaps in a converted stable or barn, with free roaming chickens and furry animals galore. Coastal cottages just steps from a beach or coastal path with amazing sea views. Overlooking a lake, alongside a canal, in a forest, a village or town; close to an award-winning theme park or heritage site – options are endless!
Just like you, every holiday cottage is totally individual in size and style. From cosy, thatched cottages and chic, city-centre boltholes just made for two, to rambling farmhouses to gather family and friends, there’s something for everyone in the UK.
Got a dog? Hundreds of vacation cottages accept pets and hundreds don’t. If your ideal start to the day is a morning romp on the beach with your faithful friend, simply browse the pet-friendly categories. Look out for enclosed gardens, utility rooms for wiping muddy paws and sometimes extras like pet beds and bowls. If, on the other hand, you have an allergy to cats and dogs, no matter how thoroughly a property is cleaned in between stays, there’s always the chance of a stray pet hair – in this instance, browse the many holiday homes that don’t accept pets.
Planning a fortnight’s vacation? Consider a week in one holiday cottage and a week in another. Try somewhere new then return to an old favourite. Mix coast with countryside, two different counties or even two different countries – that’s the beauty of the UK!
Last but not least, vacation cottages offer unrivaled value-for-money even at the height of season, especially when two families or a group of friends travel together. With the present economic climate, as the saying goes…every little penny helps!
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