Top 10 dog friendly beaches in the UK part 2

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Welcome to part two of our top 10 dog friendly beaches in the UK. Last time we covered Perranporth and Seaton in Cornwall, Hengistbury West Beach in Bournemouth, Lepe Country Park, Hampshire and Snettisham Beach, Kings Lynn.

We have holiday cottages within easy reach of all of these so your dog is well served if you’re staying close by. Those aren’t the only dog friendly beaches around though. There are hundreds dotted around England and Ireland. Here are five more.

  1.        Balmedie Beach, Aberdeen

Heading north now to Aberdeen and to Balmedie Beach. It offers five miles of lovely coastline with sandy beaches, dunes, gentle seas and lovely scenery. There are literally miles of beach to explore and to run and play and is one of the friendliest beaches in Scotland.

  2.        Gairloch Beach, Highlands

Gairloch Beach is set inside the lovely Scottish Highlands. It’s a secluded bay beach set amongst the dramatic scenery of mountains, islands and highlands. It offers a large beach that is somewhat sheltered from the wind, plenty of space to run and play and everything you and your dog needs for a day at the seaside.

  3.        Blundellsands, Sefton

Blundellsands not only has miles of golden sands and lots of dunes to explore, it also features that statue of Antony Gormley looking out to see. It takes a while to get used to, but it’s a point of interest in a beach full of them. A great place to run and play for all the family.

  4.        Rhossili Bay, Gower

Rhossili Bay has often been voted the Best Beach in Britain and for good reason. It’s a lovely stretch of Welsh coastline that goes on for three miles. There are lots of green spaces bordering the beach ripe for exploration too. Located at the end of the Gower Peninsula, this is a great day out for everyone.

  5.        Burnham Beach, Burnham on sea

Last but certainly not least is Burnham Beach by Burnham on sea. Another year round dog friendly beach where our four legged friends can run and play to their hearts content. Six miles of lovely sand, dunes, sea and lots of space to stretch your legs make this one of our top ten dog friendly beaches in the UK!

Holidaycottages.net has a wide range of dog friendly cottages spread across the UK and Ireland. Now there’s no need to keep your faithful friend in a kennel when you have a holiday, they can come too. It’s a fantastic way to spend family time and we regard time away with our dogs as time well spent!

Top 10 dog friendly beaches in the UK

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This week’s posts are going to feature ten of the best beaches in the UK to take your dog. With the weather slowly warming up, the beach is returning as one of the most alluring destinations either for a day out or an explore with our four legged friends. So this post and the post on Thursday will feature what are considered excellent beaches for both you and your dog.

If your dog is anything like mine, they will smell the sea a mile away and begin running towards it before they can even see it. Whenever we take him with us to a holiday cottage, we have to be near the sea. We love it, but he loves it more. So with that in mind, here are what we think are some of the best dog friendly beaches in the country.

  1.        Perranporth, Cornwall

Perranporth is in north Cornwall and offers miles of golden sand and is dog friendly all year round. There’s plenty for humans here too, with plenty of space, lots of sea and sand and some facilities dotted along the coast. Much of Cornwall is dog friendly, but this is one of the best.

  2.        Seaton, Cornwall

Staying in Cornwall, Seaton beach is another dog friendly beach with a lot to offer. It has miles of coastline where you can walk to Looe in one direction and Downderry in another. Dog walkers also meet up on weekend mornings to let their dogs run and play together in the sand and the sea. There’s also a café, parking and fresh water for the dogs.

  3.        Hengistbury West Beach, Bournemouth

Hengistbury West Beach is another dog friendly beach that allows year-round access off lead. There’s miles of sand for humans and dogs, there are usually other dogs to play with and it’s a great spot for all the family. Being near Bournemouth, we have a few holiday cottages within easy reach too.

  4.        Lepe Country Park, Hampshire

Lepe Country Park is a dogs paradise. Miles of beach, acres of woodland, cliffs and all sorts of new smells. The park also has a café, play area and some fantastic views of the Isle of Wight. Dogs can play all year round but are restricted to a large section of the beach during summer.

  5.        Snettisham Beach, Kings Lynn

Heading away from the south coast up to Norfolk to Snettisham Beach. This is uniquely a west facing beach on the East coast. It’s miles of lovely beach, the sea goes out a long way and dogs have unrestricted access at all times of the year. Spring and summer runs along Snettisham Beach are a real highlight of the year!

So that’s the first five dog friendly beaches. Join us Thursday for the other five!

Get on your bike this spring!

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We have had quite a few clients asking about local cycle routes around their holiday cottage when making bookings since the New Year. We thought we would help by providing a quick overview of what you need to get on your bike. If you’re planning on getting fit, getting out on two wheels or exploring Great Britain or Ireland on a bike, this post is for you!

Spring is traditionally a time when the weather warms and people begin going outside for pleasure once again. We would encourage everyone to cycle as it’s relatively cheap, easy to learn and has far-reaching health benefits. Many of our clients take their bikes away with them to their holiday cottage as it’s a great way to explore the area around you.

If you’re planning to rediscover cycling, or want to enjoy the area around your holiday cottage on two wheels, bear these things in mind.

Rent before you buy

There are probably hundreds of thousands of bikes slowly decaying in garages across the country. Don’t let yours be one of them. It’s easy to get caught up in the moment and buy a bike and only ever use it a few times. If you’re unsure whether cycling is for you, rent one first.

There are plenty of places around the UK that will hire a bike by the hour or day. It’s a simple way to enjoy cycling while on holiday and trying before you buy.

Get the right bike for the terrain

Bikes come in all shapes and sizes and not all are equally suitable for every type of riding. Planning to spend most of your time off road? Get a mountain bike. Planning to use country lanes to get around? A road bike would be fine for this. Planning on mixing it up? A hybrid would probably be best here.

If you’re renting, talk to the people managing the rental. They will know the area and what bike would best suit.

Size is everything

Having the right size bike, right size helmet, jacket, rucksack gloves or whatever becomes even more important when you’re on a bike. To be truly comfortable, your kit needs to fit. It doesn’t matter how expensive or how cheap it is, if it doesn’t fit it isn’t going to work properly.

Be safe

Helmets aren’t compulsory but they are a very good idea. Get one that fits you well and you will soon forget you’re even wearing one. The benefits of wearing one far outweigh the negatives. If you’re planning on cycling with the children, you also have to set an example, so put that lid on!

Exploring the countryside by bike is a simple way to enhance your holiday cottage experience. Do it right and you could have the time of your life.

Ten ways to keep the kids occupied this Easter holiday!

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Easter is only four weeks away, meaning it’s time to begin planning an Easter break with the family. Or at least, coming up with ways to keep the children’ occupied while they are off school. Here at holidaycottages.net, we are always on the lookout for ways to enhance your time in one in our holiday cottages, so this is what we came up with.

Ten ways to keep the kids occupied this Easter holiday is our way of helping you manage to combine a relaxing Easter weekend in a holiday cottage and the demands children place on your time. All are quick, easy and simple to arrange and all will keep children occupied!

1.    A movie day – Ideal for if the weather isn’t agreeable. Pack enough DVDs to keep the kids occupied if it’s raining outside.

2.    Magic show – If the weather isn’t great, or you have already explored the area around your cottage, why not get the kids to put on a magic or comedy show? Preparations will keep them occupied for hours!

3.    Galleries or museums – Many venues lay on special events over Easter that will entertain the children as well as you adults. Check the listings where you are for something interesting and engaging.

4.    Easter egg hunt – Many National Trust properties are holding Easter egg hunts on their properties. Many other venues hold them too as they are great fun. Why not find one near where you are?

5.    Visit the zoo – A classic occasion for the school holidays. It’s a classic because it works. Nothing entertains children more than seeing the animals in a good quality zoo. Some might have special events for Easter too.

6.    Reading time – Reading to your children is a very powerful bonding exercise that brings you closer together. It also helps them value and appreciate books, utilise their imaginations and become good with language.

7.    A tea party – If your children are young enough, why not hold a “grown up” tea party with cups, saucers, cake stands and lots of cakes. To make it last a little longer, you could bake the cakes too!

8.    Play some outdoor games – Playing football, Frisbee or running around with the dog in the garden is a great way to keep them entertained, exercised and exhausted. It’s a good bonding exercise for all of you.

9.    Board games – It’s easy to forget that board games exist in these times of computers and smartphones. Yet a good family board game can provide hours of fun in the evening or if it’s raining outside.

10. Learn a new skill – Learning together can be fun too. Why not all learn origami or drawing or painting? There are lots of skills that can be picked up relatively easily and learned as a group.

Those are just ten of hundreds of ideas to keep the children occupied while spending Easter in one of our holiday cottages. If you have any to add, leave a comment below!

Great kids’ Easter recipes

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One of the great things about our holiday cottages is that many of them have a fully equipped kitchen for you to use while you’re staying there. That means you can enjoy all the comforts of home and have a little baking fun with the kids if you feel like it.

It’s raining here today and that made us think about how to keep the kids amused if you were in a holiday cottage right now. There are usually TV, DVDs, board games and books, but we wanted to come up with something a little more interactive. That’s when we thought of cooking.

We all cook with our kids and there’s no reason why you can’t so that while you’re on holiday, so here we are. Here are a couple of good tried and tested Easter recipes you can enjoy while in one of our holiday lets!

Easter Chick Marshmallow Lollies

Ingredients

  • 6-8 Marshmallows
  • 65g Yellow Wilton Candy Melts
  • 65g White frosting
  • Yellow food colouring
  • 3-4 Fruit gum sweets
  • 85g Desiccated coconut
  • Large plastic food bag
  • Brown M&M's or Smarties
  • 6-8 lollipop sticks

Instructions

  1. Heat the candy melts until melted.
  2. Insert the lollipop stick in each marshmallow and dip and roll marshmallows in the melted chocolate. Cover the marshmallow completely and allow to cool.
  3. Mix the white frosting with 1-2 drops of yellow food colouring and mix well. Set aside.
  4. Add the coconut to the freezer bag and add 1-2 drops of yellow food colouring. Close the bag and shake until the coconut is yellow. Set aside.
  5. Cut the fruit gum sweets into small triangles for the beak.
  6. Use a small spatula and coat each marshmallow with frosting. Place two small brown M&M's or Smarties for the eyes and 1 gum triangle for the beak. Then, dip into the coconut and cover completely.
  7. Repeat the process with the other marshmallows!

Hot cross buns

Ingredients

  • 300ml full-fat milk, plus 2 tbsp more
  • 50g butter
  • 500g strong bread flour
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 75g caster sugar
  • 1 tbsp sunflower oil
  • 7g sachet fast-action or easy-blend yeast
  • 1 egg, beaten
  • 75g sultanas
  • 50g mixed peel
  • zest 1 orange
  • 1 apple, peeled, cored and finely chopped
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon

For the cross

  • 75g plain flour

For the glaze

  • 3 tbsp apricot jam

Instructions

  1. Bring the milk to the boil, remove from the heat and add the butter. Leave to cool until it reaches room temperature.
  2. Put the flour, salt, sugar and yeast into a bowl and make a well in the centre. Pour in the warm milk and butter mixture, then add the egg. Mix well until you have a sticky dough.
  3. Tip on to a lightly floured surface and knead for 5 minutes until smooth and elastic. Put the dough in a lightly oiled bowl. Cover with oiled cling film and leave to rise in a warm place for and hour or until doubled in size.
  4. Tip fruit and cinnamon into the bowl with the dough and knead until everything is well distributed. Cover and leave to rise again for an hour or until doubled in size.
  5. Divide the dough into 15 pieces and mould each one into a smooth ball with your hands. Arrange the buns on one or two baking trays lined with baking parchment leaving enough space for the dough to expand. Cover with a clean tea towel and set aside to prove for a final hour.
  6. Heat oven to 220C/200C fan/gas 7.
  7. Mix the cross flour with about 5 tbsp water to make a paste. Pipe a line along each row of buns, then repeat in the other direction to create crosses.
  8. Bake for 20 minutes or until golden brown.
  9. Gently heat the apricot jam until melted and sieve to get rid of any chunks. While the jam is still warm, brush over the top of the warm buns and leave to cool.

The best time of year to visit Ireland

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With spring almost upon us we are slowly throwing off the sluggishness of winter and looking forward to sunshine, flowers and new life. It’s also a good time to begin thinking about your holidays and about what kind of holiday cottage you’re going to choose and where in the world you’re going to stay.

Ireland is a fantastic place to visit. Both Northern Ireland and the Republic have some of the most beautiful green spaces anywhere in the world. It’s also calm, friendly and very, very welcoming. Add in plenty of things to do, some excellent holiday lets and lots of things to see and do and you have a recipe for a truly unforgettable break.

When to visit Ireland

Ireland’s climate is influenced hugely by the Atlantic Ocean. As an island, we are surrounded by water but none is more powerful than the Atlantic. We usually get mild moist air all the way from the Caribbean which keeps the temperature under control but can bring unpredictability with it.

The weather is a constant topic of conversation here as we never really know what to expect from one minute to the next. But we love it that way!

Typically, spring runs from late February to April. Temperatures slowly climb from their winter lows during February and become very mild during April. Summer runs from end of May to July, where temperatures continue to rise until the highs of July and sometimes into August.

From there, August to October is autumn and November until January/February is Winter. July and August can get anything up to 18 hours a day of sunshine, so is often when most people visit Ireland and stay in one of our holiday cottages. While those summer months are great, there is a lot more to our beautiful island than that.

The rain brings a freshness to the air you can’t get anywhere else. Well, we think so anyway. It makes the fields shine, the birds sing and it makes everything look fantastic. Those early days of a new spring offer a feeling of hope and optimism that we love to share. Even the days of autumn have something to offer. Golden leaves in the woods and forests, early sunsets overs newly harvested fields and lots of opportunities to see wildlife prepare for winter.

Winter in Ireland is lovely too. The winter landscape offers a character all of its own. The air is crisp, the landscape quiet and eerily lovely. That feeling of getting home to a log fire after a bracing walk in the chill simply cannot be bettered.

Essentially, I think what we’re trying to say here is that anytime is a good time to stay in Ireland. The range of holiday cottages we have offer a huge variety of surroundings, locations, amenities and opportunities. There’s bound to be something here that will really make your stay!

Top five reasons why a holiday cottage is better than a hotel

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Anyone who has already stayed in a holiday cottage with holidaycottages.net will know why their experience was so much better than a hotel break. For those of you who have yet to try it or are on the fence, here are five great reasons why a holiday cottage is better than a hotel.

Fantastic value

It’s hard to beat value as a reason for choosing a holiday cottage over a hotel. While headline prices may look very similar, the pricing structure is very different. For example, a hotel room costing £120 per night will usually be for two people. A holiday cottage costing £120 per night could be for anything up to eight or ten.

Add to that the fact that you have an entire property at your disposal with multiple rooms and often a garden or some kind of outdoor space, it’s really hard to compare the two.

Privacy

Hotels can be fantastic to stay in but you’re always conscious you’re one of potentially hundreds of people all within a small space sharing many facilities. Walls are thin, you can hear what next door are talking about, or worse and people walk up and down the corridor at all hours.

A holiday cottage can offer the privacy of your own property, your own garden and are often detached too. That counts for a lot if you value your privacy.

Locations

If you love city life, a hotel is hard to beat. However, if you love the countryside and some exclusive locations, a holiday cottage is king. There aren’t many affordable hotels next to rivers, inside or next to National Parks, on the beach, in a forest or beside a lake. Yet we have hundreds of holiday cottages that offer just that.

We also have holiday cottages in towns, cities, quaint villages and just about everywhere you’re likely to want to visit.

Home away from home

Some people are happy leaving everything at home and experiencing a completely new environment without any reference to the old. Many people are not. For those, a holiday cottage is a perfect opportunity to have a holiday and explore somewhere new while also having familiar surroundings.

You can bring what you like to make you feel comfortable. There’s usually room for everything.

Bring the dog

There are a few hotels in the UK and Ireland that allow dogs but there are usually strict rules about where they can go and when. There are no such rules in your own holiday cottage. As long as you leave the cottage the same way you found it, your well-behaved dog is welcome at hundreds of locations across the country.

Our dogs are part of the family and deserve a holiday as much as we do. After all, they will love exploring their new surroundings, running through woods or along the beach so it would be a shame to leave them behind!

What to do with the kids this Easter

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Easter 2015 runs from 3rd April until 6th April and that’s really not far away. Taking a family break in a holiday cottage over Easter is a great way to enjoy time away from home and quality time with the family. There’s no better way to reconnect than getting away from it all.

If you’re staying in one of our lovely holiday cottages this Easter, you might be interested in these family activities running across the country. They are just five of hundreds of activities, but we like the look of them a lot.

National Trust Easter Egg Trails

National Trust Easter Egg Trails are an annual thing jointly organised by the National Trust and Cadbury. Held at a variety of locations, these Easter egg trails are great fun while also offering exercise and a challenging trail to follow using clues and puzzles they have to solve.

These are great fun and are happening at 300 National Trust locations across the UK. Check out the website here to find a location near your holiday cottage.

The John Muir Way and festival

The John Muir Way and festival in Scotland is going to be a good way to spend Easter this year. If you’re in one of our many Scottish holiday cottages, you should try it. John Muir was a famous naturalist who was responsible for creating many national parks in the US, including Yosemite. To celebrate his life, a 134 mile trail has been created from his birthplace in Dunbar to Helensburg.

During 17th and 26th April, a festival will be held with a range of events from fireworks, readings, music, theatre and a range of outdoor events.

Easter hatchings at the Bristol Science Centre

Easter eggs aren’t always made of chocolate as the Bristol Science Centre would like to demonstrate. To that end, they are running Easter hatchings at the At-Bristol Live Lab hatchery. Kids will be able to watch new chicks hatch, dissect daffodils and other plants, design their own mini garden and all the usual things that are going on at the centre.

The Bristol Science Centre is one of an increasing number of venues that aim to make science fun. We can imagine watching new life enter the world has to be something nobody wants to miss!

Chester food festival

The Chester food festival is an annual event that runs from 19th to 21st April and offers a little more variety for the taste buds after all that chocolate. With over 150 exhibitors offering talks, demonstrations, classes and chances to taste, there’s no reason we can think of not to go.

There is also a culinary school especially for children which makes this a fun and education way to entertain the little ones this Easter.

Willy Wonka at Kew Gardens

Finally, we think Willy Wonka at Kew Gardens will be a big draw for families this Easter. To celebrate 50 years of the character, Kew Gardens and the Roald Dhal Museum and Story Centre have partnered up to hold this special event. Kids will get to design their own eggs, taste different chocolates from through the ages and lots of other activities.

We think this will be a sure fire hit!

Enjoy Wales this spring!

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Wales is a fantastic part of the country that always has something going on. With a rich culture, vibrant energy and the kind of environment that just begs you to explore, it’s no wonder our Welsh holiday cottages are some of our busiest. There’s more to Wales than just walking though and this list of spring highlights proves that.

If you’re planning a spring break in one of our fabulous holiday cottages in Wales this year, here are just a few things you can do.

Crickhowell Walking Festival

The Crickhowell Walking Festival is nine days of guided walks around the Black Mountains and Brecon Beacons. It’s an ideal way to explore the local geography and trails through the eyes of an expert. It’s a great introduction and the perfect way to scout out the region while being able to call on the advice of an experienced guide.

The Crickhowell Walking Festival runs from 28th February until 8th March.

FOCUS Wales 2015

FOCUS Wales 2015 is a four day event that happens in Wrexham each April. It’s a showcase of music from beginning to end and provides an excellent opportunity for local performers to reach an audience they wouldn’t normally get the chance to play to. It also gives a diverse audience and opportunity to listen to music they might not usually listen to. A packed itinerary lasts all day long for the entire period of the festival.

FOCUS Wales 2015 runs from 22nd until 25th April 2015.

RHS Flower Show Cardiff

The RHS Flower Show Cardiff is something to enjoy every year. It draws thousands of visitors every year and for very good reasons. If your holiday cottage is within driving distance of Cardiff, we recommend this show wholeheartedly!

The RHS Flower Show Cardiff is one of the largest and finest of its kind anywhere in the world. It’s an opportunity to wonder at fantastic plants and flowers and take inspiration for your own garden.

The RHS Flower Show Cardiff runs from 17th to 19th April 2015.

The Machynlleth Comedy Festival

The Machynlleth Comedy Festival is about much more than just stand up. It’s a festival of all things Welsh, including local food, culture, performers and more. The festival features lots of top comedians, but also theatre productions, music, food, drink, art and plenty of stuff for the kids. It’s a great day out for all the family!

The The Machynlleth Comedy Festival runs from 1st to 3rd May 2015.

Bangor Music Festival

The Bangor Music Festival this year celebrates the life and work of the very original Frank Zappa. While there will be a definite air of Zappa about the place, there will also be a huge range of contemporary music, jazz and all sorts of genres represented here. If you want to discover a new sound and are in Wales, this is the place to be.

The Bangor Music Festival runs from March 4th until 8th 2015.

Top spring food festivals in the UK

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It’s easy to work up an appetite when you’re staying in one of our holiday cottages. With lots to see and do, hundreds of miles of walks, forests and cities to explore, activities to enjoy and books to read, a great lunch is the perfect antidote. That’s why we have put together this quick guide to the top spring food festivals in the UK.

Food festivals and artisan producers are enjoying more popularity than ever before. Never in recent history have we been more interested in local produce, small producers and small scale food manufacturing. Artisan bakers, speciality brewers, famer-butchers and the like have never been so popular!

So here are some great food festivals for you to explore this spring.

Kendal Festival Of Food

The Kendal Festival Of Food is a weekend full of food. Set over two days in the picturesque town of Kendal in the Lake District, this festival has everything from chef demonstrations, food tastings, talks, stalls and more. Local and national chefs, farmers and producers will all be showcasing their wares and you can try and buy to your hearts content.

The Kendal Festival Of Food runs over 7th/8th of March 2015.

Ludlow Spring Festival

The Ludlow Spring Festival is one of the longest running festivals we know of. It’s one of the largest too, with over 60 exhibitors offering talks, demonstrations, new products and of course, the opportunity to try the best of what they offer. The festival also has its own pub, live music, a classic car show and much more.

The Ludlow Spring Festival is held in Ludlow, Shropshire on 9th and 10th May 2015. We have a few holiday cottages close by here…

Budleigh Buy Local Food and Drink Festival

The Budleigh Buy Local Food & Drink Festival is held in Budleigh Salterton in Devon. It’s a well-established festival with top chefs, local brewers, farmers and producers all congregating for three days of food fun. There are the usual stalls, demonstrations, talks, displays and a local version of Ready Steady Cook. It’s a good day out for all the family.

The Budleigh Buy Local Food & Drink Festival runs over 13th, 14th and 15th March 2015.

The Chocolate Festival

The Chocolate Festival should need no introduction and no convincing for lovers of the brown stuff to visit. Held in Islington, London, The Chocolate Festival is fast becoming the largest of its kind. Held in the huge business design centre, the festival includes The Cocoa Spa, Taste Zone, Chocolate Market, Chocolate Café, lots of stalls from chocolatiers, live music and everything you would expect from a festival dedicated to our favourite sweet treat.

The Chocolate Festival is held in Islington on the 27th to 29th March.