Tag Archives: bank holidays

Follow in the footsteps of the Tour of Britain

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2014 Tour of BritainThe 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!

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!

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!

Bank holiday getaways for two in a lovely holiday cottage

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What better way to say “I love you” than by sweeping your other half off their feet and taking them away for a romantic break for two this spring bank holiday weekend? We have some lovely holiday cottages here that would be the perfect location for a romantic getaway.

It doesn’t need to be a special occasion to want to get away from it all. While Valentine’s Day or an anniversary make a perfect excuse, you don’t really need one to benefit from a little alone time with the one you love.

Imagine their reaction when you whisk them away somewhere having packed their things. You pull up in front of a quaint little holiday cottage somewhere nice and welcome them to their new home for a while. Who wouldn’t love that? To make it even better, this kind of break doesn’t have to cost very much either!

Amazing holiday cottages

Our idyllic holiday cottages come in all shapes and sizes so there’s bound to be one that’s perfect for you. We have thatched cottages, small cottages, period cottages, modern cottages, rustic cottages, seaside cottages, secluded cottages. We have cottages set in lovely countryside, set next to towns and cities or by rivers, mountains or forests.

In fact, we have some great holiday cottages pretty much everywhere. There are over 15,000 of them right now and each offers a little something different.

Self-catering seclusion

One of the key advantages of our holiday cottages is that you’re completely on your own. It’s yours to use and yours alone. It’s the perfect setting for a getaway where two people can connect in peace and quiet and go where the mood takes you.

You can sit in front of a log fire, cook a meal together to eat on the patio, sip a nice bottle of red while listening to music or watching the sunset. Whatever you want, you can have. Just select a holiday cottage with the features you’re looking for and book it. It couldn’t be easier than that!

We work hard, spend longer than ever away from home and have to cope with myriad distractions in any average day. That makes it important to take time out from the world and reconnect with that person who is most important to you. What better way to do that than with a lovely romantic holiday cottage?

Check out our range of amazing self-catering properties today. The perfect getaway is in there somewhere!

The top ten mountain bike routes in the UK Part 3

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In the final part of our top ten mountain bike routes in the UK series, we round off the best places to take your bike off road. What better way to enjoy a holiday cottage somewhere rugged than by taking your mountain bike with you?

So far, we have covered Swinley Forest in Berkshire, Fort William in Scotland and Coed y Brenin in Wales, Afan Forest Park in Wales, Coed Llandegla in Wales, Glentress in Scotland and Grizedale Forest in Cumbria.

Each has some immense riding and a range of ideal holiday cottages nearby. Perfect for a weekend away with your bike. So without further ado, let’s complete our list!

Calderdale

Calderdale in Yorkshire has the Mary Towneley Loop which forms part of the Pennine Bridleway National Trail. It begins near Waterfoot and stretches for 75km over the Pennines.

It’s not only a great trail to ride, it’s also an amazing opportunity to see parts of the Pennines that you simply wouldn’t be able to see by car. The trail isn’t technical but demands your complete attention and a decent level of fitness. Combined with the other trails in and around the area, it’s well worth a visit. Calderdale.

Kirroughtree

Kirroughtree in Scotland is another of the seven stanes like Glentress and is a great location for some dedicated mountain biking. The area has routes for all skill levels from blue to red and a range of trails that will really punish. If you’re fit and can handle your bike, this is the place for you.

Located near Newton Steward in Scotland, Kirroughtree has a range of trails with lots of technical rocky sections. The singletrack sections stand out the most, with some punishing but rewarding trails, as well as gentler ones. Kirroughtree.

Bike Park Wales

Bike Park Wales is a purpose-built trail centre that offers everything you need for a mountain biking holiday. It offers bike hire, a café, shop, repair service and even an uplift service, a mountain bike version of a ski lift. If you don’t fancy testing your legs with the ascents, let the minibus take the strain!

The riding is varied, with everything from beginner to professional. The trails can be fast, technical, rocky and challenging, making this park near Merthyr Tydfil a must-see for anyone serious about their biking! Bike Park Wales.

So there you have it. The top ten mountain bike routes in the UK. Each offers amazing facilities, challenging and rewarding routes and all are within easy reach of a premium holiday cottage. What more could you need?

Spring family breaks in a luxury holiday cottage

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Family holidays are about spending quality time together, reconnecting outside of busy schedules and for having fun and enjoying yourselves. Having somewhere nice to do all that is at the centre of what a spring family break is all about. That’s where a holiday cottage comes in.

With accommodation taken care of, you can concentrate on enjoying each other’s company, finding things to do, learning new skills, trying new activities and growing together.

A luxury holiday cottage from holidaycottages.net is just the ticket!

Base of operations

Using one of our high quality holiday cottages as a base of operations is the ideal way to begin a spring break with the family. We have thousands of self-catering properties, in almost every part of the UK and Ireland. So no matter where you want to go or what you want to do, we can help.

Here are some ideas of the kind of spring break your family could be enjoying in just a couple of weeks.

Family seaside breaks – What better way to enjoy the spring sunshine than with a holiday cottage by the sea? As an island we have more coast than many countries so we should really make the most of it.

Have a short break in a seaside resort, or somewhere quieter among the sand dunes. It’s your break, have it your way.

Family fishing breaks – Fishing is one of the most relaxing pastimes we can think of. You get fresh air, sunshine and get to spend time next to the water. With thousands of miles of rivers and hundreds of lakes, you’re spoilt for choice when it comes to locations.

With thousands of holiday cottages near some of the best fishing spots in the country, we can help you find that perfect place for a spring fishing break.

Family cycling breaks – With cycling more popular than ever, what better time to spend time on two wheels than the Spring bank holiday? Get your kids into the habit of exercising while enjoying themselves, explore new roads, new forests and new trails, or get some miles in on some of the most challenging ascents and descents in the UK.

However you like your cycling, a family cycling break this spring bank holiday could be just what the doctor ordered.

Those are just three of the many holiday ideas you could enjoy this Spring bank holiday. Whatever you want to do and wherever you want to go, holidaycottages.net has the perfect cottage for you!

Golf weekends and holiday cottages

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Golf is one of our favourite pastimes, with thousands of people tramping the greens every weekend. If golf is your thing and you want to spend more time playing than travelling, a golf weekend in one of our holiday cottages is for you.

With hundreds of golf courses across the UK and Ireland, choice is something you’re never short of. Add over 15,000 holiday cottages in every town and city in the country and you have a marriage made in heaven!

Now you can combine a golf weekend with a luxury holiday cottage anywhere in the country. Whether you’re travelling alone, as a couple or with a group, we have some amazing holiday cottages in some truly idyllic locations.

Think of some of the most famous golf courses in the country. Think Royal Birkdale, Sunningdale Old, Woodhill Spa Hotckin, Royal Lytham & St Annes, Royal St George's, Saunton East, Wentworth West, Ganton, Swinley Forest, Alwoodley, Hillside White or Royal Cinque Ports. There are hundreds of top quality golf courses in the UK and we have a holiday cottage within easy reach of all of them.

The best of all possible worlds

Want a round or two of golf without leaving a golf widow or bored family? Our holiday cottages may be near golf courses, but they are also within easy reach of some other exceptional attractions too. You don’t need to go far in the UK to find something to do.

Whether it’s wandering around historic monuments, quaint market towns, busy cities, walking along the beach, exploring forests or walking along the thousands of miles of canals. While you’re off playing golf, your family can also be amusing themselves in numerous ways.

It isn’t often everyone is a winner, but this is one of them!

For many of us, spending a morning on the green and an hour or two in the 19th before going home is our idea of heaven. If you go home to a happy family who have also had a great day, that’s the icing on the cake!

If you’re planning a golf weekend this May bank holiday, choose a holiday cottage with holidaycottages.net. with thousands of high quality self-catering accommodation near to some of the best golf courses in the country. With enough around to entertain the entire family, it’s one time you really can please everyone.

Book your bank holiday break with a holiday cottage from holidaycottages.net today and make the most of the long bank holiday weekend!

Enjoy a holiday cottage this bank holiday weekend

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April and May are fantastic times of year. Not only are we enjoying some lovely spring sunshine, there are also three bank holiday weekends in a relatively short time. We have Easter, early spring bank holiday and Spring bank holiday all within a few weeks of each other.

What better time to get away from it all in a lovely holiday cottage?

Not only do we have some long weekends, the trees are green, lambs are out, flowers are budding and life is renewing once more. It’s a fantastic time of year, especially after the winter we had!

Wherever you live, wherever you want to go, we have a holiday cottage for you. With over 15,000 high quality holiday lets on our books, there really is something here for everyone. Whether you’re looking for a romantic cottage, something near the city, by the seaside, a holiday cottage for all the family, with a pool, a pet friendly holiday let or something else. We can help.

The origin of bank holidays

There are eight public holidays in a given year and we have had three of them already. That leaves just five for the remainder of the year. They are:

  • Early May bank holiday – Monday 5th May
  • Spring bank holiday – Monday 26th May
  • Summer bank holiday – Monday 25th August
  • Christmas Day – Thursday 25th December
  • Boxing Day -  Friday 26th December

Originally, bank holidays were exactly that. The Bank of England would close its doors for business to observe saint’s days and religious festivals and no business was conducted. This had a ripple effect, which led other businesses to close their doors too.

There were 33 bank holidays a year until the Bank Holidays Act 1871 which reduced it to four. They were Easter Monday, Whit Monday (which could fall anywhere between 11 May and 14 June), the first Monday in August (later changed to the last Monday) and Boxing Day  on 26th December.

August bank holiday was introduced in 1965 and formalised in law by the Financial Dealings Act 1971, which also reaffirmed the existing bank holidays. The Spring bank holiday was added in 1978 and the early Spring bank holiday was introduced to replace Whitsun.

So while the banks aren’t popular for much these days, at least they were the reason we get extra days off during the year!

If you want to make the most of your bank holidays, why not try a holiday cottage somewhere nice? Holidaycottages.net has a huge variety of cottages, of all shapes and sizes, across the UK and Ireland. Each has something different to offer and each will offer excellent value for money!

Check out our range of holiday cottages this bank holiday weekend. We think you’ll love them!

How to tell if a holiday cottage advert is real

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Holiday rental scams are never far from the headlines as a new scam or new victim is unearthed. These kind of scams are cruel in that they not only steal your money, they also ruin your holiday. A double blow that can easily be avoided by renting a holiday cottage from holidaycottages.net.

The big difference between holidaycottages.net and many other websites offering holiday home rentals is the fact we do everything by hand. We don’t have automated forms that allow anyone to advertise a holiday cottage. To advertise on holidaycottages.net, owners have to contact us directly.

This not only allows us to build relationships with our property owners, it also allows us to check them out too. While it’s no guarantee of reliability, it’s certainly far above what many other holiday rental websites offer!

If you don’t use holidaycottages.net to find your dream holiday cottage. Here are some tips on ensuring your holiday rental is genuine.

Talk to the property owner

While many of the holiday cottage arrangements can be made via email, it’s always a good idea to speak to the property owner over the phone. You can ask them questions about the property, the area and the local amenities as well as get a feel for them as people.

Most scammers won’t know anything about the local area or amenities, so it’s a good way to sort the real from the not so real.

Check references and feedback

Like any professional arrangement, if a business offers you references, take the time to check them. Whether it’s a plumber or a holiday cottage, asking others for their opinion is a great way of finding out about the reality of the transaction.

The holiday industry is one that benefits greatly from feedback. It’s always worth checking out your potential holiday cottage on feedback sites.

Do your research

Once you have a good idea of what and where your holiday cottage is, check it out on the internet. Search the property name, the address, check Google Street View and the owner’s name or business name.

Also look for negative feedback, scam reports and any other negative press. Don’t take it at face value as people tend to say anything online. Verify everything and bear it in mind when making a booking.

Get a contract

Each holiday cottage owner works slightly differently, but most will want to confirm in writing the dates, cost, who will be staying and when you will be arriving and leaving. Some will do this by email, others will issue a booking contract.

Check everything before signing and ensure you’re paying the owner directly. Not all holiday cottage owners will accept credit cards, but use one if they do.

We do everything we can to ensure every single holiday cottage on our website is real and that they offer great value. While we would always recommend using our site to book your next holiday, at least you now know what to look for if you don’t!

Enjoy a lovely holiday cottage this May Day bank holiday

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If the end of winter and the fact that spring is well under way isn’t enough to warrant a weekend away, what about the fact we have three set of bank holiday weekends to enjoy? If that isn’t a great reason to rent a holiday cottage somewhere nice, we don’t know what is!

Here at holidaycottages.net, we have thousands of the highest quality holiday cottages available to rent all year round. We have cottages in just about every area of the UK and Ireland, with some offering discounts for last minute bookings. Even on a bank holiday!

Check out our interactive map to find your perfect holiday cottage for May Day bank holiday weekend. Treat yourself or your family to a weekend by the seaside, a break in the country or by exploring a city you haven’t seen before.

Holiday at home this May Day bank holiday

Wherever you want to go, whatever you want to do, we have the perfect holiday cottage for you. Want a cottage with a pool? Check. Want a pet-friendly holiday rental? Check. A cottage by the sea? We have those too. Want to explore Ireland? We have hundreds of holiday cottage that are just perfect as a base.

Don’t want to spend hours at the airport waiting for a flight? Don’t want to contend with queues? Ever-decreasing weight limits for your luggage? Would you prefer to holiday your own way, at your own pace? Then a holiday cottage is for you.

Explore a different part of the country at your pace, at your leisure. We have cottages in every part of the country from Cornwall to Cork, London to Londonderry, Exeter to Edinburgh and everywhere in between. If there’s a part of the country you have always wanted to explore, this May Day bank holiday is the perfect time to do it!

With over 15,000 listed holiday cottages and ABTA registration, holidaycottages.net is the perfect place to plan your spring break. With great cottages and great savings, why go anywhere else?

Fancy something a little different? Holidaycottages.net also lists boats. If you fancy a long weekend on the water, we can help there too. We have hundreds of boats of all shapes and sizes from cruisers to narrowboats and all offer the same kind of quality as our cottages.

So wherever you want to spend your May Day bank holiday, holidaycottages.net can help. Book your next holiday today!

Want a last minute break? We have a wide range of holiday cottages available this week or next for anything up to 30% off the normal price!