Would you like a holiday cottage in one of the top ten cities in the world?

Posted on November 6, 2014 by Jamie Kavanagh

Eagle-eyed readers would have noticed last week that Salisbury was voted one of the top ten best cities in the world to visit by Lonely Planet. It was the only British city to be entered into the list and was nominated because it is "quintessentially English."

Holidaycottages.net has a selection of cottages around Salisbury and throughout Hampshire, so if you want to see what all the fuss is about, we can help.

Salisbury beat the likes of Toronto and Vienna to take seventh place in the list. A surprising entry there is no doubt, but a worthy one. The city itself is lovely, the cathedral is impressive and the fact that 2015 is the 800^th anniversary of the signing of the Magna Carta doesn’t hurt either!

The top ten best cities in the world to visit list includes:

1. Washington, D.C. USA

2. El Chaltén, Argentina

3. Milan, Italy

4. Zermatt, Switzerland

5. Valletta, Malta

6. Plovdiv, Bulgaria

7. Salisbury, United Kingdom

8. Vienna, Austria

9. Chennai, India

10. Toronto, Canada

Lonely Planet have this to say about the city.

“For too long travellers have considered Salisbury a short stop on the way to Stonehenge. But 2015 is set to be the year visitors linger in this quintessentially English city, as Salisbury uncorks the champagne for the 800th anniversary of its greatest treasure, the Magna Carta.

As home to the best-preserved original copy, Salisbury Cathedral is the lightning rod for the celebrations. Expect a brand new exhibition alongside an array of talks, evensongs, a flower festival and plenty more.”

A lot is planned for next year’s anniversary, with the cathedral having been granted over £415,000 to put together displays and exhibitions to showcase the Magna Carta.

It isn’t all about that document though. Salisbury has a lot more going for it than just a lovely cathedral and one of the most important documents in British history. It’s also a city in its own right with restaurants, shops, attractions, history, culture, interest and so much more.

It’s also friendly, relaxed, easy to get around and to find parking. Something most other cities struggle with.

If you would like to sample the delights of Salisbury without staying in a boring chain hotel, holidaycottages.net can help. Our selection of quality accommodation set around the city are ideal for exploring Salisbury and Hampshire. Each is fully furnished, ideally located and ready to move in. Perfect for a short city break!

Top Bonfire night displays this November

Posted on November 4, 2014 by Jamie Kavanagh

Bonfire night is almost upon us again, so remember, remember this 5^th of November!

Fireworks are incredibly expensive, so we think it’s a much better idea to spend a little and go to an organised firework display than spend a lot watching a few fireworks in the garden. It’s even better if you can make a mini break out of it in a holiday cottage!

As we have holiday cottages spread around the country, we thought we would put together five of the most popular Bonfire night displays this week. There’s still time to make a booking, pack a bag and go to any of these.

Midsummer Common, Cambridge (5^th Nov)

The annual Midsummer Common Bonfire night display in Cambridge is held on November 5^th this year. There is a fair, entertainments, bonfire and all sorts from 6pm, with the fireworks beginning at 5.30pm. It’s free to attend, but all donations are welcome.

Lewes, East Sussex (5th Nov)

Lewes in East Sussex is our next destination for a top Bonfire night display. This is apparently the biggest display in the country, with six organisations collaborating to provide a big event. There will be bonfires, marching bands, burning crosses, parades and fireworks. Festivities begin at 5pm.

Leeds Castle, Kent (8^th-9th Nov)

Leeds Castle holds a “Leeds Castle Fireworks 'Go Wild'” event over the weekend which includes displays during the day, a bonfire and fireworks at night and loads more in-between. It’s a good event held in an awesome location. The castle makes an amazing backdrop to the fireworks and will have images projected onto it too. Gates open at 2pm, fireworks begin at 5.30pm.

Glasgow Green Fireworks, Glasgow (5th Nov)

The Glasgow Green Fireworks display in the city is Scotland’s largest. There is a funfair, music, entertainment, the bonfire and more. Being the biggest in the country, it get very busy here, regularly drawing more than 50,000 people. Fireworks begin at 7.30pm.

Penrhos Beach, Holyhead (5th Nov)

The annual event in Holyhead on Anglesey is one of the best fireworks displays in Wales. Voted in the top ten Bonfire displays in 2013, the events has stalls, rides, a huge bonfire and a professional fireworks display. Gates open at 5.45pm and fireworks begin at 7pm.

While it’s November 5^th tomorrow, it’s not too late to pack up and find a holiday cottage near one of these displays. We have hundreds of cottages dotted around these locations with many discounts available for late bookings. Use the interactive map on the site and find the perfect holiday cottage from which to enjoy Bonfire night this year!

What to do on your Halloween half term

Posted on October 30, 2014 by Jamie Kavanagh

Halloween is a fun time of year, full of spooky stories and ghostly goings-on. If you’re planning a half term break in one of our holiday cottages, what will you do with your time? How will you embrace Halloween while keeping everyone entertained for an entire week?

Here are some ideas.

English Heritage Halloween half term

English Heritage are running a Halloween half term promotion across many of their properties. They include A Victorian Séance at Audley End House, Creepy Castle at Night at Bolsover Castle, Ghosts and Ghouls at Kenilworth Castle, Ghosts and Ghouls at Pendennis Castle and many more.

Each are child friendly and offers a little something different. All within the safe confines of an English Heritage property.

Isle of Wight Walking Festival

The Isle of Wight Walking Festival is exactly what it says, a walking festival on the Isle of Wight. It runs from 24^th to 27^th of October and includes a Fossil Hunting Walk, spooky Ghost Walk and an Alpaca Trek among other attractions.

We have a few holiday cottages on the Isle of Wight, so it would be easy to combine the two this half term!

Halloween Pumpkin Trail at the London Aquarium

If you’re in the city this week, why not try the Halloween Pumpkin Trail at the London Aquarium? Running from the 27^th October to 2^nd November, the attraction will have expertly carved pumpkins throughout the building and on Halloween itself, the Fish Witch will be visiting to share spooky stories of the deep!

Boo at the Zoo

Staying in London for a moment, Boo at the Zoo is being held at the Zoological Society of London between the 29th October to 2nd November. The event includes animal themed talks, displays, feeding and more and includes feeding wolves. Children wearing Halloween costumes could win a prize too.

Halloween Scavenger Trail

The RSPB in Leek are running a Halloween Scavenger Trail between the 29th October to 2nd November at RSPB Coombes and Churnet. The preserve will be temporarily handed over to woodland fairies, naughty goblins and more. Activities are built around finding the secret recipes for a potion to scare the goblins away. Good fun!

Wild Halloween Camp

The Wild Halloween Camp at Painshill Park, Cobham seeks to entertain and educate at the same time. Based outdoors, the activities include den building, woodcraft, treasure hunts, campfires and more. It’s a great way to get the kids outside, meeting new people and learning new skills.

If you’re staying in one of our holiday cottages over the period and were looking for something to do, those are just some of the hundreds of activities happening across the Halloween half term. We hope you enjoy your time with us!

Spend autumn half term in a holiday cottage

Posted on October 28, 2014 by Jamie Kavanagh

With another half term holiday almost upon us, coming up with ideas to keep the kids occupied and use up all their energy and free time can be something of a challenge. So why not do something a bit different? Why not pack everyone up and spend this autumn half term in a holiday cottage somewhere nice?

It’s relatively cheap to have a break this time of year despite it being half term. Autumn is quieter, cooler and not as popular as summer for taking a break, making bargains easier to come by. Holidaycottages.net features a huge selection of bargains this time of year, so you’re bound to find something to love.

But once you’re in your holiday cottage, what do you do? Here are some ideas that would work wherever in the country you’re staying.

Get outside

The autumn this year is relatively mild so it’s still practical and enjoyable to spend time outside. Wrap up warm, lay the fire, lay out the stuff for some hot drinks and then go outside.

Pick your own apples, collect conkers, walk through the woods, enjoy a quiet beach, or marvel at the changing colours of the countryside. Once you get outside and begin exploring, the beauty of our surroundings soon becomes clear.

Hit the city

If the countryside isn’t doing it for you, why not rent a holiday cottage near a city? We have hundreds of rented properties across the country, many within easy reach of our major towns and cities. Explore somewhere new, go shopping, try new restaurants, visit historical or cultural attractions and enjoy yourself.

If you really want to get the most out of your half term break, try one of the larger cities. Not only will you have the usual shops and cafes, you’ll also have larger attractions, a castle or two or maybe galleries or museums. Most of our big cities have more than enough to explore!

Stay indoors

If the weather isn’t agreeable or you fancy staying snug and warm, most of our holiday cottages have TVs and DVD players. There’s nothing wrong with setting up in front of the TV with some popcorn, a warm mug of tea and a couple of films. In fact, it’s a great way to spend a rainy day.

Alternatively, you could go to the theatre or cinema, learn a craft, or just see or try something new. Anything that engages young minds will satisfy their limitless energy and enthusiasm!

If you’re looking to do something this autumn half term, a holiday cottage could be the answer. Check out the interactive map and see where you want to stay today!

The best places to see autumn in all its glory part 2.

Posted on October 23, 2014 by Jamie Kavanagh

Continuing on from Tuesday’s post, we continue our exploration of the United Kingdom in autumn. It’s a fantastic time of year to be outdoors, weather permitting. The colours, the life and the scenery make it so worthwhile.

So if you’re staying in one of our many holiday cottages dotted around Britain, why not visit one of these locations too?

Batsford Arboretum

Batsford Arboretum near Stow-on the-Wold, Gloucestershire is another fine example of a place to enjoy autumn in all its glory. The cherry and maple woodland and gardens make for a fine day out and the “Autumn Colour Spectacular” is run between early October until mid-November.

Wendover Woods

Wendover Woods near Wendover, Buckinghamshire is another fine woodland well worth a visit. This one sits on the edge of the Chilterns and offers amazing views across Aylesbury Vale. It has ancient woodland, hiking and biking trails, lots of wildlife, an information centre and children’s play area too.

Exbury Gardens

Exbury Gardens in the New Forest, Hampshire is a 200 acre wonderland of garden, woodland and more. Owned by the Rothschilds, this location has award winning Nyassa and Oxydendrum trees and is widely regarded as one of the best places in the country to see them. We have lots of holiday cottages within the New Forest too!

Lanhydrock

Lanhydrockm near Bodmin, Cornwall is a Victorian country house with lovely gardens and woodland. It’s a National Trust property that offers some of the best landscapes in Cornwall and those woodlands really do take some beating in autumn. There are 14 miles of trails within the property too.

Kielder Water And Forest

Kielder Water And Forest in Northumberland is Europe’s largest and most impressive man-made forest and lake. It has also been voted the most tranquil place in England, which makes it worth a visit on its own. Add the woodlands of ash, aspen and oak, autumn colours and fantastic trails and you have a great place to spend time!

Hyde Park

Hyde Park in London may not have the country glory of many of the place on this list, but it’s still a fantastic place to visit in autumn. The 350 acre park has thousands of beech, horse chestnut, oak and more and all turn golden around the same time. With the Lido and Kensington Palace nearby, it makes for a great day out.

Holidaycottages.net has some fantastic holiday rentals near all of these locations that are available year-round. If you feel inspired to enjoy autumn a bit more, check out what’s available near your location of choice. There are some great deals to be had!

The best places to see autumn in all its glory

Posted on October 21, 2014 by Jamie Kavanagh

Ignoring the wind and rain for a minute, autumn is a fantastic time of year. It’s nature’s last gasp before hibernating for winter and the last opportunity to show us the beauty of the natural world. That gives us plenty of opportunity to enjoy the final days of life before the big sleep.

So the next two posts are celebrating the very best places in the UK to see autumn in all its glory. Each of these places has one or more holiday cottages within easy reach. If you’re enjoying a holiday this time of year in one of them, you should check one of these locations out!

The National Arboretum

The National Arboretum in Westonbirt, Gloucestershire is a great place to visit any time of year, but autumn especially so. The grounds have been deliberately planted with a range of oaks, Japanese maple, lime, birch and other species to provide a range of colours and textures.

Stourhead Gardens

Stourhead Gardens, near Warminster, Wiltshire is a stunning country estate managed by the National Trust. The landscaped grounds have follies, outbuildings, a temple or two and acres of landscaped grounds. There are also waymarked trails crossing the entire property providing some excellent walks through the forest.

Grizedale Forest

It’s hard to select one forest over the hundreds of others, but Grizedale Forest in Cumbria has to be one of the best. With a wide range of trees, hiking and biking trails, fantastic views of Windermere and Coniston Water and the proximity to the mountains, this forest really does take some beating at any time of year. Autumn makes it especially pretty.

Castell Coch

Castell Coch near Cardiff is a fantastic gothic castle set in lovely beech woodland. With stunning views of the surrounding hills, multi-coloured forest, lots of countryside and the castle itself to walk around, this location has plenty to offer. We have a few holiday cottages nearby too!

Alice Holt Forest

Alice Holt Forest near Farnham, Surrey is another fantastic place to experience autumn in all its glory. The forest once provided oak for the Royal Navy and was also the set for the early scenes in Gladiator. It is covered in hiking and biking trails and covered in all kinds of trees that provide a lovely vista this time of year.

Sheffield Park and Garden

Sheffield Park and Garden, near Haywards Heath in Sussex is an amazing place to visit and spend time. There are dour lakes, a wildlife area, cricket pitch and some villages dotted around the area. It’s an amazing place to enjoy some autumn sunshine.

Holidaycottages.net will be bringing you more fantastic autumn destinations in a couple of days. Join us on Thursday for the concluding post!

Follow in the footsteps of the Tour of Britain Stages 5-8

Posted on September 18, 2014 by Jamie Kavanagh

Continuing on from our previous post, we’re following the route of the Tour of Britain as it takes in the very best of the UK. This post continues the Tour from stage 5 to the finale at stage 8 in London.

If you’re a keen cyclist or just felt inspired by what you saw, holidaycottages.net can help. We have a huge selection of high quality holiday accommodation across the UK. It’s easy to build your very own Tour, or follow the real one. It’s entirely up to you!

Stage 5 Exmouth to Exeter

The Exmouth to Exeter stage of the Friends Life Tour of Britain lasted for 177.3km and took in the best of Devon and Dartmoor. If you like your cycling, walking or just being outside, this is the stage for you.

The riders began in Exmouth centre, rode out to Dartmoor, over Haytor, around Tavistock and back round to Exeter city centre. The stage included some of the best scenery in the West country too.

Stage 6 Bath to Hemel Hempstead

Stage 6 brought us back into the heart of England from Bath city centre to Hemel Hempstead over 205.7km. The route passed Trowbridge, Hungerford, went around High Wycombe and ended in Hemel Hempstead, north of London.

This was another scenic route that showed a completely different aspect of our country. Rolling hills, forests, across the M4 and into the outskirts of the capital. All places ideal for a weekend break in a holiday cottage as well as several hours on the bike!

Stage 7 Camberley to Brighton

The penultimate stage of the Tour of Britain saw us shift to Hampshire for the start that took us from Camberley, 226km across the south of England to Brighton to finish in the town centre.

This was another fantastic route that took in the South Downs, West Sussex, looped around Eastbourne, went through Lewes before heading into Brighton. Any of these locations offer fantastic cycling, walking and sightseeing and is well worth a visit!

Stage 8 London

The final stage of the Tour of Britain was split into two parts. The first was an individual time trial through the city streets while the second part was a circuit race. The TT part lasted for 8.8km while the circuit 88.8km.

Our capital should need no introduction. It’s full of culture, interest, attractions and things to see and do. We even have holiday cottages within the city too!

The Tour of Britain was a great way to see parts of our country we wouldn’t normally get to see. If you were inspired by any of it, use the search function on our site to find a holiday cottage near your point of interest. We have thousands of them to choose from!

Follow in the footsteps of the Tour of Britain

Posted on September 16, 2014 by Jamie Kavanagh

The Friends Life Tour of Britain is over, the trophies won and the crowds have gone home. If you were inspired by the scenery and places you may have seen while watching, this is the post for you!

The next two blog posts will highlight the eight areas of Britain visited by the tour. From Liverpool to London in eight stages. We’ll discuss the places visited, the ride and the fact that holidaycottages.net has quite a range of quality holiday accommodation near all the places you’ll visit.

If you want to see exactly where the professionals rode, or want to download the .gpx file of the route to your satnav, you’ll find them here.

So without further ado, let’s get started!

Stage 1 Liverpool

The first stage of the Tour of Britain was made up of laps of Liverpool city centre. It stretched for 104.8km and showcased the city well. The weather was good, the crowds large and good humoured and the stage was an enjoyable one. Marcel Kittel won this round after a fantastic sprint finish that saw tired legs pushed to their limit until the very end.

Liverpool is a lovely city with a lot of history, culture and appeal. Renting a holiday cottage within easy reach of the city can give you the best of both worlds. While you might not get the closed-road racing when you visit, the rest of the city is yours for the taking.

Stage 2 Knowsley to Llandudno

Stage 2 was a 201km ride from Knowsley in Liverpool to Llandudno in Wales that took in some stunning scenery. The race passed round Chester, through Wrexham, through Mold, round Conwy and into Llandudno town centre to finish.

This is a lovely area that mixes urban sprawl south of Liverpool with some lovely north Welsh coastline. It’s ideal ground for cycling or just enjoying time away from home.

Stage 3 Newtown to The Tumble

Newtown to The Tumble was a 179.7km from mid-Wales to southern Wales near Ebbw Vale. This was a challenging stage that takes in the best of Wales including the hills! This stage isn’t for the faint hearted but repays your efforts in kind with some fantastic scenery.

Mid-Wales has some fantastic surroundings, plenty of National Parks, forests and Welsh towns to take in. Whether you visit to follow the stage or take in the region, we have plenty of holiday cottages within easy reach.

Stage 4 Worcester to Bristol

Stage 4 of the Tour of Britain was from Worcester to Bristol, across 184.6km of undulating countryside. The route took in some of the best of the city of Worcester, the county of Gloucestershire and Bristol and showcased the region exceptionally well.

This is another region of the UK that is blessed with some amazing scenery, lovely countryside, National Parks and forests. It’s perfect for a weekend break whether you’re following in the footsteps of the Tour of Britain or not.

Use the search area of the site to find some excellent holiday cottages along these routes or build your very own Tour using local accommodation featured here. Join us next time for the final four stages of the of Britain!

Explore West Sussex from your holiday cottage

Posted on September 9, 2014 by Jamie Kavanagh

Holidaycottages.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

Posted on September 4, 2014 by Jamie Kavanagh

With 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 11^th 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!

Midsummer Common, Cambridge (5th Nov)