Tour Game of Thrones Locations

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If you're planning a spring or summer break in one of our holiday cottages, what better way to spend a day than following in the footsteps of your favourite Game of Thrones character?

With series five of Game of Thrones having just started back on TV, the country is going mad for fantasy drama once more. Few fantasy TV series have ever caught on as much as this one. That's partly down to great storytelling, great acting and a very believable cast. It's also partly down to great locations.

It's that latter that we're going to explore today. Many Game of Thrones locations are spread across Europe, including Croatia, Iceland, Malta, Morocco and others. Many are also located within Northern Ireland. It's those we're most interested in today. Here are just some of the many Game of Thrones locations within our borders.

Castle Ward

Castle Ward is an 18th century stately home in Northern Ireland. It's one of the region's most visited landmarks and also the set of parts of Winterfell. The castle has a huge mansion house and 820 acres of grounds, courtyard and garden. Areas of the courtyard and interior of Castle Ward feature as Winterfell throughout the series.

Ballintoy Harbour

Ballintoy Harbour appears within the series as Pyke and the Iron Islands. The "raised beach" area is a lovely piece of coastline that looks very Mediterranean, yet is in the heart of Northern Ireland. It's no wonder it caught the location scout's eye.

The Dark Hedges

The Dark Hedges near Stanocum in County Antrim, are another one of the area's most visited landmarks. Literally thousands of people visit here each year to see the tree-lined road that is immortalised as the Kingsroad in Game of Thrones.

Binevenagh Mountain

Binevenagh Mountain in County Londonderry is the setting for a number of outdoor scenes in series five. It's an amazing part of the country that affords fantastic views over the ocean from the top. It's also hull of interest, curious geological features and no small amount of archaeological mystery.

Stangford

Stangford is famous for dramatic coastline, rugged cliffs, rocks and for being a signature part of Ireland's geological heritage. It also plays Westeros in many of the series. Other scenes for Winterfell were also filmed in the area.

Tollymore Forest

Tollymore Forest in County Down appeared in the first ever episode of Game of Thrones all those years ago. Since then it has been used regularly for forest and hunting scenes for the series.

If you're staying in Northern Ireland in one of our holiday cottages, not only are these areas sets of Game of Thrones, they are also great places to visit in their own right!

The National Trails of England

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The National Trails of England are a series of outdoor trails that cross large swathes of England. You can walk them, cycle some of them, ride some of them on a horse and generally enjoy them as you see fit as long as you're responsible. There are also national trails in Wales, Scotland and Ireland which we will cover in future posts.

They are a great way to explore our green and pleasant land. They are also a fantastic way to see parts of the country you wouldn't normally see. Especially if you're staying in one of our many holiday cottages spread throughout England.

Spending a day or two exploring our lovely landscape is probably the best way to spend time on holiday that we can think of. You can keep your beaches, your clubs, your city breaks, give us miles of countryside and a few nice country pubs and we're happy!

There are 15 National Trails of England that stretch to around 2,500 miles. All of them are open to walkers and hikers. Many of them are open to cyclists and horse riders. A further trail is currently being built which will become the England Coast Path. This will add another few hundred miles of walking around some of the many beaches of England. The full path will open in 2020.

Who, what and why are the National Trails of England

The National Trails of England came about after World War Two to preserve areas of land from redevelopment and expansion. There was a need to control how and where we rebuilt, so National Parks, Areas of Outstanding National Beauty and Long Distance Routes were created to protect certain areas of land. These all became National Trails in England and Wales.

National Trails are looked after by local managers and funded by local government. Other social enterprises also contribute to the maintenance and improvement of the trails.

Where are the National Trails in England

As mentioned, there are 15 National Trails in England and we have holiday cottages close to all of them. If you visit this National Trails website page, it shows you where the trails are. There is also a printable leaflet here that shows you where each trail is.

The trails are continually evolving as new permissions and trail expansions are secured. Thanks to legislation passed a few years ago that allows new rights of way just about anywhere for responsible walkers, new trails are opening up across the country. While it's best to stick to established trails, there are many ways to explore the countryside that we didn't have before.

If you're planning a spring or summer break in one of our holiday cottages, you could do worse than spending a day or two exploring the National Trails of England.

Top places to go beach riding in the UK

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If you're renting a holiday cottage for spring or summer and feel like blowing the cobwebs out with a ride along golden sands, this is the post for you!

With better weather across most of the country this week, now is the natural time to want to spend by the beach. Now we have all heard of dog friendly beaches, but have you heard of horse friendly beaches? They are real and we have five of the best of them here.

If you don't have your own horse, each of them also has stables close by that offer everything you need.

Holkham Bay, Norfolk

We have dozens of holiday cottages spread around Norfolk with a few not far from Holkham Bay. The beach is part of the Holkham estate one of the most impressive country piles in the world. The beach is covered in firm golden sands that stretch almost forever. Perfect for letting your horse have its head.

Studland Beach, Dorset

Dorset has some of the best beaches in the country, including this one. Studland Beach is three miles of golden sand, dunes and shallows that are completely horse friendly. There are also cliff walks and coastal rides for miles in either direction.

Kennack Sands, Cornwall

Kennack Sands on the Lizard Peninsula is one of the best beaches anywhere. With some dramatic scenery, lovely golden sand, clear turquoise water and fine weather, there are few better beaches to ride a horse.

Holy Island, Northumberland

Holy Island is in Lindisfarne in Northumberland. Up here the beach is white, but still long, wide and firm enough for a horse. Holy Island beach takes you up to Lindisfarne Castle, offering a lovely backdrop for your ride. Get the weather right and the North Sea can be warm enough for a canter along the shallows too!

Druidston Haven, Pembrokeshire

Druidston Haven really does live up to its name. It's a little-known beach tucked away from the tourist trail. It's a clean, sandy beach with beautiful water and lots of space to run and let yourself go. It's a lovely place to spend a day on horseback.

We have holiday cottages close to each of these beaches and their accompanying stables. If you're after a horse riding experience or just want to spend a day on horseback, we have the perfect cottage for you. Check out the map to find yours!

Dinorwic Slate Quarry

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Wales is a beautiful and fascinating country. So much so that it is often used as a backdrop for movies and TV series. If you're staying in one of our many Welsh holiday cottages, there are plenty of places across the region that you have seen on screen but would never know.

Here are just a few.

Clash of the Titans

The reimagining of the classic movie Clash of the Titans was partly filmed in Harriet Hole in Dinorwic Slate Quarry. The quarry is quite famous, having also featured in Willow and Street Fighter. It is also home to the National Slate Museum, so is worth a day out if you're staying near Snowdonia.

Die Another Day

Wales features prominently in this James Bond film that stars Pierce Brosnan. Penbryn Beach in Ceredigion is turned into North Korea for this film. Not only has it been immortalised in film, it's also a beautiful beach. It's popular with stargazers as it receives almost no light pollution.

Harry Potter & the Deathly Hallows

Harry Potter & the Deathly Hallows is one of the most popular of the iconic movie series and was filmed partly in Wales. The main protagonists hide in a recreation of Shell Cottage which is in Freshwater West, Pembrokeshire. The real cottage is made entirely from seashells.

Freshwater West is also featured in Robin Hood, Snow White and the Huntsman and the Lion in Winter. During the filming of Robin Hood, Russell Crowe liked the beach so much he camped there for a few nights instead of going back to his hotel.

Merlin

The BBC TV series Merlin did a lot of shooting in Wales. Many of the scenes were shot across the country, including Cosmeston Medieval Village, the Brecon Beacons National Park, Castell Coch and Caerphilly, Chepstow castle and Raglan castle. We have holiday cottages near all of those!

Doctor Who

No discussion about Wales on film would be complete without mentioning Doctor Who. Being based in Cardiff, the show shot many scenes within the Roath Lock studios. You can't get inside the studios but you can visit the nearby Doctor Who experience. It's a worthwhile visit if you're a fan of the show.

Gavin and Stacey

Another Welsh classic is Gavin and Stacey, a comedy that put Barry firmly on the map. So much so that the locals have seen a multiplying of tourists since the show was first shown. They even run coach tours to show visitors where the scenes were shot.

Explore Wales on film

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Wales is a beautiful and fascinating country. So much so that it is often used as a backdrop for movies and TV series. If you're staying in one of our many Welsh holiday cottages, there are plenty of places across the region that you have seen on screen but would never know.

Here are just a few.

Clash of the Titans

The reimagining of the classic movie Clash of the Titans was partly filmed in Harriet Hole in Dinorwic Slate Quarry. The quarry is quite famous, having also featured in Willow and Street Fighter. It is also home to the National Slate Museum, so is worth a day out if you're staying near Snowdonia.

Die Another Day

Wales features prominently in this James Bond film that stars Pierce Brosnan. Penbryn Beach in Ceredigion is turned into North Korea for this film. Not only has it been immortalised in film, it's also a beautiful beach. It's popular with stargazers as it receives almost no light pollution.

Harry Potter & the Deathly Hallows

Harry Potter & the Deathly Hallows is one of the most popular of the iconic movie series and was filmed partly in Wales. The main protagonists hide in a recreation of Shell Cottage which is in Freshwater West, Pembrokeshire. The real cottage is made entirely from seashells.

Freshwater West is also featured in Robin Hood, Snow White and the Huntsman and the Lion in Winter. During the filming of Robin Hood, Russell Crowe liked the beach so much he camped there for a few nights instead of going back to his hotel.

Merlin

The BBC TV series Merlin did a lot of shooting in Wales. Many of the scenes were shot across the country, including Cosmeston Medieval Village, the Brecon Beacons National Park, Castell Coch and Caerphilly, Chepstow castle and Raglan castle. We have holiday cottages near all of those!

Doctor Who

No discussion about Wales on film would be complete without mentioning Doctor Who. Being based in Cardiff, the show shot many scenes within the Roath Lock studios. You can't get inside the studios but you can visit the nearby Doctor Who experience. It's a worthwhile visit if you're a fan of the show.

Gavin and Stacey

Another Welsh classic is Gavin and Stacey, a comedy that put Barry firmly on the map. So much so that the locals have seen a multiplying of tourists since the show was first shown. They even run coach tours to show visitors where the scenes were shot.

How to keep the children occupied during a wet half term

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It's half term for many this week and it leads into Easter which means there are a lot of children with not a lot to do. This is prime time for getting away from it all and our holiday cottages are busier than ever. Given the weather so far hasn't been great, there are probably a few families out there looking for things to keep children occupied indoors.

Here are just a few. All are simple but effective ways of keeping kids entertained whether you're in a holiday cottage or at home. They go to show that it isn't all about games consoles and expensive computers. Old school games can still be fun too.

We hope they help!

Reading together

Parents reading to and with their children is something we should all do more of. It sparks their imagination, gets them interested in books and makes learning interesting. It's also a great bonding experience. Considering it's a very simple pastime that can keep children occupied for hours, everyone should try it.

Let's pretend

If your children are still of an age where they can build a den or have a tea party with their invisible friends, why not encourage it? It's a healthy way to let children explore their imagination and have a little fun without making a fuss, a mess or causing mayhem.

Make stuff

Making things will be easier at home than in a holiday cottage, but it is possible anywhere. Make cakes, paper hats, marshmallow and cocktail stick molecules or whatever, but get your hands dirty with the children, teach them something and play.

Take pictures

If you have a digital camera, why not let your children loose with it? As long as it comes back in one piece, taking pictures is a fascinating insight to how their mind works. It's also very creative and very "grown up" which adds to its attraction for the child. If they take anything particularly good you can promise to have it printed when you get home.

Sink or float

Sink or float is a simple game that can be quite fun if you turn it into a friendly competition. Take a bowl of water and some random objects and bet with your kids whether each object will float or not.

Those are just five of hundreds of indoor activities you can try while the weather is bad this half term and over Easter. Whether you're staying in one of our holiday cottages or at home, they will work wonders!

More holiday cottage locations for lovers of horse riding

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In the second of our horse-related posts, we are going to explore more areas of the UK that welcomes horses. In the previous post, we explored the Cheviots, The Coleridge Way in Somerset, the Brecon Beacons and the North York Moors. This time we're trying another range of great rides.

Each of these locations has a holiday cottage nearby. We have hundreds of high quality holiday lets designed to help you make the most of your time away from home. Check out the interactive map if you want to know more!

New Forest

The New Forest is a fascinating natural resource that provides activities for all people of all ages. Horses feature quite highly there too. Not only are there hundreds of miles of trails, there are also wild horses and ponies roaming free. You can bring your own horse or hire one there. The supporting infrastructure is excellent, the pubs are horse friendly and the entire region is geared around enjoying the outdoors.

You can't get much better than that!

Isle of Wight

The Isle of Wight may not be the first place you think of when you're looking for horse riding trails, but there are miles of them on the island. Horse riding is a big part of the tourist industry here, so if you like your riding, this is a great place to visit. There are riding schools and stables, organised rides or trails and beaches for you to explore. It's an unexpected gem!

The Lake District

The Lake District is not only a firm favourite of hikers, it's also very popular with riders too. With hundreds of miles of trails and bridleways to explore, plus open fields to let loose, there's a lot to like about this part of the country. With a wide range of businesses built around horses, you won't go short of support either.

Wild Atlantic Way

The Wild Atlantic Way in Ireland is another amazing location to explore on horseback. It takes in mountains, valleys, forests and beaches and is one of the most fascinating trails on the island. With hundreds of miles of trail available along the Wild Atlantic Way, you can explore as much, or as little, as you like.

Cairngorms National Park

The Cairngorms National Park is the claimed home of pony trekking so it's right that we visit here on horseback. There are lots of stables and a few trekking centres in the area, as well as miles and miles of trails and bridleways that take in some of the best of this part of the country. If you like your scenery desolate and beautiful, this is the place to come!

Holidaycottages.net has a selection of high quality holiday lets within a short drive of each of these locations. Book yours today!

Holiday cottage locations for lovers of horse riding

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Exploring the countryside on horseback is not only an amazing way to travel it's also one of the oldest forms of transport known to man. A horse is a fascinating creature, skittish yet brave, easily frightened yet with a stout heart and a friend for life once you get close enough. Combining a holiday cottage with time in the saddle is our idea of heaven!

Being able to explore our fabulous countryside from the comfort of a saddle at a relaxed pace is one of our favourite ways to spend time. In the hope that you might try it too, we thought we would put together a couple of posts around horse riding. The next few posts will have horses in mind as well as your family. These first two will be a list of parts of the country that you can explore on horseback.

Cheviots

Our first ride begins in the Cheviots and does a loop though Northumberland National Park. It begins in Cliftoncote and takes you round the park along a range of trails from a few miles long to over a week of riding. The routes are being developed by the Northumberland National Park and the British Horse Society. Visit their websites to learn more.

We have a range of holiday cottages within range of Northumberland National Park, so check out the map to find yours!

The Coleridge Way

Named in honour of Samuel Taylor Coleridge, this is a 51 mile trail that runs through Somerset, across the Quantock Hills and into Exmoor. It's a fascinating landscape that will challenge horse and rider but is well worth the effort. From expansive moorland to dramatic coastal views, there is something for everyone here.

Brecon Beacons

The Brecon Beacons is a firm favourite of anyone who loves the outdoors. The variations in countryside, terrain, weather and scenery all combine to make an amazing place to spend time. There are over 600 miles of trails within the Brecon Beacons and most of them will be passable to horses. The website has a list of specific trails and the area has a range of stables and supporting business to help you enjoy your time there.

North York Moors

The North York Moors are another firm favourite of horse riders and lovers of the outdoors. With over 500 miles of trails to explore that take in moors, forest, fields, quaint villages and towns, there is little to dislike about this area. Add in the friendly people, outdoor infrastructure and support for all outdoors activities, it's a prime holiday destination.

We have holiday cottages near all of these destinations. Many will be within easy reach of stables if you bring your own horse or equine centres if you don't. Either way, they are perfectly placed to explore the countryside on horseback!

The Best Spring Walks in the UK 2015 part 2

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Continuing on from our blog post on Tuesday, we're continuing our series on the Best Spring Walks in the UK 2015. Last time we covered the Pennine Way, Pembrokeshire Coast Path, Millennium Coastal Path, Cotswold Way and the South West Coast Path. This time we're exploring more fantastic spring walks across the country.

Thames Path, Berkshire

The Thames Path crosses Wiltshire, Berkshire and London from the source of the Thames river in Cirencester into the capital. It takes in some of the best parts of the centre of England such as Henley, Windsor and Oxford and ends up in the centre of London. It's an interesting path that takes in the calm and serenity of the countryside before depositing you in the hustle and bustle of the city.

Hadrian's Wall Path, Cumbria

Hadrian's Wall is one of our most famous historical landmarks. Designed and built by the Romans to keep the Picts out of England, the remains of the wall still remains. Stretching from Bowness-on-Solway in Cumbria to Wallsend in Tyne and Wear, this is an excellent walk that traverses the width of the country.

Farndale, North Yorkshire

Farndale is another very popular walk that sees thousands of visitors each year. Famous for its daffodils and in the centre of the North York Moors, there's nothing not to like about this walk. Spring is a particularly good time for this walk as all those daffodils are in full bloom.

Wyre Forest, Shropshire

The Wyre Forest isn't as long as the Penine Way or as picturesque as the South West Coast Path but in spring it is amazing. This ancient woodland comes to life in an awesome way with thousands of daffodils, bluebells and celandines all coming into bloom while the rest of this forest begins turning green. It's a great place to spend time on a shorter walk.

Norfolk Coast Path, Norfolk

We have mentioned the Norfolk Coast Path before as it is one of the few truly great walks in East Anglia. The walk takes in come of the best eastern beaches we have, some lovely sandy cliffs and even a nature reserve. If you like your walking calm and tranquil, this is one to try.

Like those walks in Tuesday's post, we have holiday cottages within easy reach of all of these locations. What better way to spend Easter or a spring day than exploring one of these walks and then coming home to a warm, comfortable holiday cottage and putting your feet up?

Use the map on the site to choose your location. There's a whole country to explore and holidaycottages.net can help!

The Best Spring Walks in the UK 2015

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This week's two posts are going to feature some of the best spring walks this country has to offer. With the weather warming up, the days getting longer and the countryside around waking up from its winter slumber, now is a great time to explore the world around you. Better still, we have dozens of holiday cottages close to each of these walks!

Pennine Way, Derbyshire

The Pennine Way is probably the UK's most walked path. It is 429km of sometimes challenging walking that takes in some of the best scenery in the country as well as three national parks. It would take around three weeks to do the whole trail but it is easily broken down into smaller sections.

Pembrokeshire Coast Path, Wales

The Pembrokeshire Coast Path is another long one at 299km from end to end. Like the Pennine Way, there are lots of small towns and villages where you can break journeys up. As the name suggests, it takes in some dramatic coastline across Wales. St David's is a favourite starting point.

Millennium Coastal Path, Wales

Staying in Wales, we move to Llanelli and to the Millennium Coastal Path. This is "only" around 35km long and begins at the Discovery Centre in the town. It runs across coastline, town and countryside before ending at Pembrey Forest. It is open to walkers and cyclists and is traffic free for the entire length.

Cotswold Way, Gloucestershire

The Cotswold Way is another of the country's favourite walks. At just over 160km, it isn't the longest but it is certainly one of the most picturesque. It runs from Bath to Chipping Camden and includes some of the mid-country's highlights. There are also castles, hill forts and lots of history to take in too.

South West Coast Path, Cornwall

The South West Coast Path actually traverses Cornwall, Devon, Somerset and Dorset and is a staggering 1011km long. It takes in the entire coastlines of all four counties and some of the best coastline of anywhere in the world. Sometimes dramatic, sometimes peaceful but always scenic. Fortunately, like many of the longer paths in the country, it can be broken down into manageable chunks!

Holidaycottages.net has a huge range of holiday lets within a short drive of each of these fantastic spring walks. Each of our cottages represent excellent value for money and offer some of the best quality holiday rentals in the country. If you're planning to explore any of these walks this spring, they would make the ideal place to rest your feet.

Check you the interactive map to find your perfect holiday cottage!