Category Archives: Holiday Hints and Tips

The best of East Sussex for all the family

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Royal PavilionEast Sussex includes towns such as Hastings, Brighton, Eastbourne, Worthing and many more. It’s a lovely part of the country that has beautiful countryside, dramatic coastline and a huge variety of culture, attractions and things to do.

If you’re staying in one of our East Sussex holiday cottages, these attractions are only ever a short drive away.

Glyndebourne

Glyndebourne is one of the most established outdoor opera venues anywhere in the world. It’s also one of the best. Even if you’re not a big fan of opera, it’s a great day out. Picnic in the park, watch a performance, toast a glass of champagne during the interval and enjoy a lovely day of quality performance and class. What more could you need?

Seven Sisters Country Park

The Seven Sisters are elements of the white chalk cliffs that make up some of the park. The country park itself is spread over 280 hectares of land that offers the opportunity to walk, cycle, fish, watch wildlife and take in the fantastic scenery. Located near Seaford, it’s a great way to spend a day.

Royal Pavilion

The Royal Pavilion in Brighton was built for King George IV during the 18th and 19th century. It’s modelled using oriental architecture that seems out of place in Brighton, but acts as a beacon for an earlier time. You can wander the gardens and look around inside, seeing the Royal Pavilion as it was when it was first opened. It’s a great way to while away an afternoon!

Drusillas Park

Drusillas Park in Alfriston East Sussex is a zoo and activity centre ideal for children of all ages. The animals are well cared for, the enclosures well maintained and everything has a quality feel about it. There are rides, play areas, educational themes, feeding opportunities and more. If you have little ones, this is an excellent place to visit.

Beachy Head

No visit to East Sussex would be complete without viewing Beachy Head. Located near to the Seven Sisters, Beachy Head is an area of outstanding natural beauty and you only have to see it to see why. Walk, cycle, watch and marvel. It’s a simple place full of simple beauty but you’ll never forget it!

East Sussex is a lovely part of the country to visit and holidaycottages.net knows it. That’s why we have dozens of the highest quality holiday cottages dotted around the county. It’s lush, green and vibrant and has all the characteristics we look for in a holiday. Try it yourself and let us know how you enjoy it!

Explore West Sussex from your holiday cottage

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Arundel CastleHolidaycottages.net has a wide variety of lovely holiday cottages spread across West Sussex. We have properties near towns, villages, by the sea, in the countryside and just about everywhere else you could think of.

But when you’re there and you feel like a day out, what can you do? This quick list of the top attractions in West Sussex should help.

Arundel Castle and Gardens

Arundel Castle and Gardens is the official home of the Duke of Norfolk and is over a thousand years old. Located in Arundel, near Littlehampton, the castle, gardens and chapel are full of history as well as beautiful flowers, statues and architecture. A great day out for all the family.

Chichester Cathedral

Chichester Cathedral is over 900 years old but doesn’t look a day over 500. It’s an excellent example of how places of worship should be, open, welcoming and involving of everyone regardless of faith. The cathedral has many works of art, fantastic architecture, lots of history and always has an event or two going on.

Wings Museum

The Wings Museum is a step into more recent past with a range of aircraft from the Second World War. Exhibits include aircraft seen in many recent TV and film productions, as well as firm favourites from the Battle of Britain, the Blitz and more. Despite the subject matter, it’s a cheerful, interesting place to visit with lots going on.

Picturedrome Cinema

The Picturedrome Cinema in Bognor Regis is cinema as it used to be. It’s a classic, Grade II listed building that echoes the type of place enjoyed by thousands during the heyday of cinema. Despite being dedicated to retaining that original character, it’s all digital with surround sound, so the movie watching experience is still top notch!

Huxleys Birds of Prey Centre

Huxleys Birds of Prey Centre near Horsham is a fantastic opportunity to see some of the world’s most beautiful birds of prey up close and personal. Meet and greet the birds, watch them in action and even have one on one time with them for a little extra. If you’re at all interested by birds, this is a must-see.

Goodwood Motor Circuit

No trip to West Sussex would be complete without visiting glorious Goodwood! This one is for the petrol heads. Drive cars around the track, watch the Festival of Speed and so much more from within the circuit. It’s full of history, things to see and do and offers the kinds of opportunities that don’t come around very often!

If you’re staying in one of our holiday cottages in West Sussex, there are plenty of things going on. These six examples are just a few of many and all are well worth your time. Let us know how you get on by leaving a comment below!

Enjoy the last of the summer sun in Berkshire

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Windsor CastleWith summer now officially over, the kids are back to school and the preparations for autumn are beginning, it’s a great time to think about a weekend away in a holiday cottage.

September is a month often filled with some lovely weather, quiet scenery and that calm after the summer break storm. If you prefer a little peace with your holiday, now is a great time to get away.

This time we’re looking at the royal country of Berkshire. A county full of history and things to do. Ideal for a short break in a lovely holiday cottage!

Windsor Castle

No visit to Berkshire would be complete without a trip to Windsor Castle. The sometime home of the royal family, Windsor Castle is the oldest occupied castle anywhere in the world. Built in the 11th century, it’s a place full of history and grandeur and an ideal activity for anyone.

Race Hut

The Race Hut in Slough is something completely different. This venue has a selection of professional race car simulators that you can drive to get a feel for live as a racing driver. Choose from F1, touring cars, rally, Le Mans and more. If you love driving and are in the area, this is well worth a try!

Windsor Great Park

Back to Windsor now and a visit to Windsor Great Park. The part covers 4,800 acres of prime land and much of it is open to the public. It’s an ideal place to enjoy a bit of fresh air and a picnic or a walk along the tree lined avenue up to the castle. A fantastic way to spend an afternoon in the sunshine.

REME Museum of Technology

The REME Museum of Technology near Reading is perfect for those interested in military history, innovation and all things mechanical. This museum celebrates the history of the Corps of Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers and the contribution they have made to the functioning of the army. It’s actually much more interesting than it sounds!

Ascot Racecourse

Berkshire is of course home to Ascot Racecourse and no visit to the county would be complete without a trip and a flutter. The Royal Ascot event runs for five days in June, but for the rest of the year, the racecourse is open to all. Even if you’re not interested in racing, it’s a fantastic place to experience and watch people if not horses.

Those are just five places in Berkshire to enjoy if you visit the county and stay in one of our lovely holiday cottages in the area. Each offers a little something different and each is a great way to spend a day. Try one for yourself and let us know how you get on!

Days out for all the family in Wiltshire

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Salisbury CathedralWe have literally hundreds of great holiday cottages in and around the county of Wiltshire. It’s a lovely part of the country full of character, lovely towns, historic places and attractions.

If you’re planning to stay in one of our holiday cottages in this green and pleasant land, here are some great family days out while you’re here.

Salisbury Cathedral

Salisbury Cathedral is one of the best examples of Medieval architecture in Wiltshire. It’s also over 700 years old and home to one of the tallest towers around. The Cathedral runs regular tours that take in all the highlights of the building, including the tower.

There is also a café, visitor’s centre and an opportunity to see a copy of the Magna Carta.

The Wiltshire Heritage Museum

The Wiltshire Heritage Museum near Devizes is a little gem. It looks small from the outside but all that changes once you go in. It has gold from Stonehenge, finds from Avebury, local exhibitions, special events and more.

The museum is as entertaining as it is interesting, so even the kids should like it!

Castle Combe Village

Castle Combe Village in Wiltshire is one of the most picturesque little villages anywhere. If ever there was a quintessential picture of English village life this is it. Located not far from Bath, the village makes for a great afternoon out. We have some holiday cottages nearby too!

Boscombe Down Aviation Collection

Boscombe Down Aviation Collection near Salisbury is a great place to visit if you’re at all interested in aircraft. It is run by volunteers who share their knowledge and enthusiasm gladly with all visitors. There is a good collection of aircraft and plenty to see and do.

This is also one of the few museums where you can get into the cockpit and play with the controls too!

Avebury Stone Circle

Avebury Stone Circle is one of the oldest attractions in Wiltshire. This megalithic monument stands proud in the county and partly surrounds the village of Avebury. There is a pub, museum and pretty village to visit as well as the stones.

You can walk around freely and touch the stones too, which is nice.

Stourhead House and Garden

Stourhead House and Garden in Warminster is one of the better country houses in the country to visit. With 2,650 acres of landscaped grounds, a huge house, several buildings, grottoes and things to see, it’s a great summer’s day out.

The inside of the house is as impressive as the outside too!

Those are just some of the highlights Wiltshire has to offer. Each offers something a little different and an opportunity to learn a little as well as bask in a grand day out. A perfect way to spend time while enjoying one of our Wiltshire holiday cottages!

Dursey Island – Wild Atlantic Way

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V 4740 - 473 404 phot 472 404 eDursey Island, or Oileán Baoi in Galelic meaning Yellow Island, is an inhabited island off the south west coast of Ireland. It’s set west of County Cork and forms part of the Beara Way walking trail and the much larger Wild Atlantic Way.

Dursey Island is a real island separated from the mainland by a narrow stretch of water called the Dursey Sound. The island is only 6.5km long and 1.5km wide and is home to a few human residents and hundreds of thousands of birds and sea life aplenty.

To get to Dursey Island, you take Ireland’s only cable car. It stretches from the Beara Peninsula out over the sea to the island itself. This cable car is a big draw to tourists as it’s also one of the few in Europe to go over the sea. The car is a vital link to the mainland as the sea around the island has some very strong tides.

The island itself has been inhabited on and off since prehistoric times. Several prehistoric artefacts have been found on the island, including some carved stones, a dwelling and a stone enclosure.

Later, a castle, church and graveyard were built on the island, the ruins of which are still present. The owners of the castle, called Dunboy Castle were apparently killed during the Nine Year’s War in what became known as the Dursey Massacre.

Later still, a signal tower was built to warn of French ships during the Napoleonic Wars and a large sign spelling out “EIRE” was put close to the remains of the tower to warn World War 2 pilots that they were flying over neutral Ireland.

Standing on the hill by the ruin of the tower in good weather, it’s possible to see the Skellig Islands to the north and Mizen Head to the south. These are two other signature points along the Wild Atlantic Way.

Walking either the Beara Way or further along the Wild Atlantic Way will bring you directly onto Dursey Island. After an exciting cable car ride, you have the whole island to explore. While people do live on here all year round, there are no facilities. No shops, cafes, pubs or anything. Although there are holiday homes that can be rented during the summer.

Dursey Island is an excellent stop on your tour of western Ireland and along the Wild Atlantic Way. It’s yet another example of dramatic coastline, fantastic wildlife and the hardiness of local people. Dursey is a desolate place, yet Irish people still endure to call it home. When you see it first hand, you know why!

Mizen Head – Wild Atlantic Way

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Mizen HeadMizen Head, Carn Uí Néid in Gaelic, in Country Cork is as dramatic a piece of coastline as you’re ever likely to see. Unless of course you’re travelling the Wild Atlantic Way where every signature point has a different aspect of rugged coastline for you to marvel at!

Mizen Head is Ireland’s most south westerly point and is the place where our green and pleasant land meets the ferocious Atlantic Ocean. The sea cliffs jut out over splashing waves to create a picture you would never bore of watching.

As a reminder to mankind’s never-ending attempt at dominance over nature, Mizen Head Signal Station sits on the edge of the cliffs as it has done for over a century. The station was built in the 19th century to warn the increasing amount of shipping of the rocks just offshore.

While still a busy shipping lane, Mizen Head Signal Station has fulfilled its purpose, so is now a heritage centre with a visitor’s attraction celebrating its rich and important history. Mizen Head Visitor Centre contains everything you need to know about the maritime history of the area, how the station worked and more. There is also a café to warm you up after braving the elements.

To get to the Mizen Head Signal Station, depart the visitor’s centre down the 99 steps and along a coastal path. That path is worth the journey alone as dramatic hardly does the vista justice. Then you cross the arched bridge over the sea to the station.

Once at the station you can explore the Station Keeper’s Quarters, engine room, Marconi Radio Room and the Map Room. You can learn about the lives of the Irish light keepers who worked here until 1993, the importance of communications, wireless, GPS, safety at sea and much more. There are guided tours of the station should you want to get the most out of your visit too.

Mizen Head is rich in wildlife. Look to the sea for dolphins, seals, whales and billions of fish. Look up for a huge range of seabirds as the migration path passes just offshore. Then look south and observe the Fastnet Lighthouse, one of the most famous landmarks in Ireland. It was the last part of home emigrating Irish families saw as they steamed to America.

Mizen Head definitely earns it’s place as a signature point on the Wild Atlantic Way but also as an attraction in its own right. It’s full of interest, history and glimpses of how Ireland grew to be what it is today. Well worth a visit!

Derrigimlagh – Wild Atlantic Way

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DerrigimlaghDerrigimlagh in County Galway is an interesting stop on the Wild Atlantic Way. At first glance, the idea of visiting a bog probably doesn’t sound like a good way to spend a day. However, give it a chance and take a walk out to the desolate area and you get a real sense of Irish history.

Derrigimlagh is notable for three things. It was the site of an important transatlantic cable link with its own station built by Marconi in the 19th century. It’s where Alcock and Brown crash landed after the first nonstop flight across the Atlantic. It’s also hauntingly beautiful.

While not much is left of the Marconi station, there are concrete foundations still present at Derrigimlagh. The site used to transmit and receive messages across the Atlantic Ocean and be staffed by over a hundred people. It was unfortunately burnt to the ground during the Irish War of Independence.

The flight across the Atlantic is now immortalised with the Alcock and Brown memorial within the bog. The memorial is an off-white wing-like structure placed at the location where the pair crash landed in 1919. They had taken off from Newfoundland, flown almost 1900 miles through weather, technical problems and the dark only to crash in an Irish bog.

Given the soft nature of the bog, both pilots emerged unscathed from the wreckage. Alcock then allegedly announced “Yesterday I was in America and I am the first man in Europe to say that.”

As with many elements of the Wild Atlantic Way, you can drive to Derrigimlagh and stand on a viewing platform to see most of what’s on offer here. But, we would always suggest leaving the car and getting out on foot. Take a guided walk from local historians or explore on your own. We think it’s the only true way to experience what Ireland has to offer.

The geography is flat and desolate, but also green and full of life. It’s easy to explore on your own, or with a guide. Just make sure you have a good pair of walking boots and waterproofs as it gets wet and windy in such exposed places.

Derrigimlagh is an interesting stop in the Wild Atlantic Way with lots of history on offer. While not as spectacular as the Cliff of Moher or Slieve League, it is beautiful in its own right and definitely worth an afternoon of your time.

Slieve League (Sliabh Liag) – Wild Atlantic Way

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Slieve LeagueSlieve League or Sliabh Liag in Gaelic are sea cliffs can be found in County Donegal and are a signature point of the Wild Atlantic Way. They are yet another fascinating part of the Irish landscape on an island full of them!

Slieve League are said to be the highest sea cliffs in Europe. They tower 2000 feet over the Atlantic Ocean and offer some stunning views of the coastline either side and the ocean that stretches for hundreds of miles. There is also a visitor’s centre for good measure.

Located on the west coast of Ireland not far from R263. It’s a short drive from the main road to the Slieve League Cliffs Centre and then a short walk to the cliffs themselves. The visitor’s centre is a family run affair with lots of local history and items of interest. The craft shop is also better than most with lots of local crafts for sensible prices.

The Tí Linn Café is the last cake stop before Slieve League so it’s worth paying a visit before setting out.

The Slieve League Cliffs Centre run guided walks to Slieve League, which are well worth booking if you want to know more about the cliffs, hear local stories and learn about folklore and interesting anecdotes. There are stories for just about everything in Ireland and they add real colour to the experience. We would also recommend a guided walk if you can get one.

From the centre, you can walk to the cliffs via designated viewing points that offer some spectacular vistas across the local landscape. If you’re an experienced walker, you can choose to venture nearer over One Man’s Pass. A path that really does live up to its name!

If that doesn’t sound like something you want to try, there is an easier trail that forms part of a longer walk from Bunglas to Malinbeg. There are also boat trips that can show you the scenery from a different perspective. Visit Teelin Harbour to find a local skipper or join an organised boat tour.

Once at the cliffs, take as much time as you need to take in the scene before you. Watch the seabirds, look for dolphins or just observe the land and seascape before you. From the cliff top you can see Sligo Mountains and Donegal Bay too, so watch out for those.

The Slieve League are simply awesome. They tower over the sea and literally take your breath away. They are well worth visiting on their own merit, but as a signature point of the Wild Atlantic Way, they are unmissable!

Blaskets View – Wild Atlantic Way

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Blaskets ViewBlaskets View, or Radharc na mBlascaoidí, on the Wild Atlantic Way is another signature point that stands on its own merit as well as being part of the longest tourist trail in Ireland.

Officially known as the Blasket Islands, this signature point of the Wild Atlantic Way can be found at Dingle Peninsula, County Kerry. The islands are the most western part of Europe and the last stop until the North American continent to the west.

As the crow flies, the Blasket Islands are only 1km from land. However, the direct route is regarded as too dangerous to use, so a 5km loop is necessary to get there safely. It is believed that the islands were once part of the mainland and gradually separated over millions of years.

The largest of the islands, Great Blasket was inhabited until 1953. At its peak, there were 175 people living there. The earliest record, from 1593, has people living and working on the island and several records between then and now support fairly constant habitation.

The village was small and was home to very hardy folk who made their living from land and sea. There was no electricity, no running water and no modern comforts. As far as we can tell, the people only left the island once there were not enough strong men in the families to row the boats to the mainland.

The islanders were literary people, with over 40 books having been published by various residents. Some included the first written work of oral Gaelic histories and culture.

Modern visitors to the Blasket Islands can take in Blaskets View. Look west to the Americas like thousands before you and look all around to see dolphins, whales and seabirds by the hundred. It’s an eerie place that evokes contemplation but is well worth the visit.

Back on the mainland, you can then visit the Blasket Centre. The centre is dedicated to celebrating the life and history of the islands and the islanders and makes for a good stop on your tour.

The highlight has to be The Journey. A stained glass piece that uses 300 glass panels and weighs over 3 tons. There are also examples of the islanders literary accomplishments too that give an incredible insight to the life they led while still resident on Blaskets.

Blaskets View and the Blasket Islands are a poignant stop along the Wild Atlantic Way. Not only is the landscape and seascape dramatic, there is a real insight to a part of Irish life you wouldn’t normally be able to explore. For this alone, it’s a must-see while you’re here.

Mullaghmore Head – Wild Atlantic Way

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Mullaghmore HeadMullaghmore Head in County Sligo is a very popular water sports and seaside destination as well as a stop on the Wild Atlantic Way.

Located in the north west of Ireland, between Grange and Bundoram along the N15, the promontory that makes up Mullaghmore is all about the sea. Set close to the borders of County Leitrim and Donegal, it’s an impressive setting with uninterrupted views of Benbulben Mountain, Donegal and Sligo Bay.

With 3km of lovely golden beaches, lots of rugged coastline, little bays, rocky outcroppings, coves and lovely clear water, it’s no wonder it’s a mecca for water sports enthusiasts.

The west coast of Ireland is an exceptionally popular destination for surfers and Bundoram is at the centre of that. The geography of Mullaghmore Head gives it the “prowler” a unique wave type that has been said to reach over 100ft up to several miles off the coast.

This brought Ireland it’s first Big Wave contest in 2011 which saw surfers from across the world compete here. Earlier this year, pro surfer Kirt Rist rode a 55ft prowler wave over a mile off the shore of Mullaghmore Head. If you love the surf, this is the place to be!

Mullaghmore also offers a range of other activities too, from fishing, scuba diving, snorkelling, boat trips and walks along the cliffs. Of course, being part of the Wild Atlantic Way means there are lots of paths and defined coastal walks for you to enjoy while you’re here.

The village of Mullaghmore itself was once owned by Lord Palmerston who was Master of the Rolls in Dublin. He was granted 12,000 acres of land in the area and built Classiebawn Castle on the peninsula. He also brought in immigrants from Liverpool to work the land and build a community. The village of Mullaghmore was created and a harbour built to service it.

Classiebawn Castle was passed down the generations until it was given to Lord Mountbatten before he was killed off the coast of Mullaghmore in 1979.

The village and harbour have prospered thanks to tourism and local industry. The harbour is still busy, local fare, arts and crafts are still sold locally and nationally too. It’s a typical Irish village that would be worth a visit even if it wasn’t part of the Wild Atlantic Way!