Tag Archives: holiday cottages

Where to find the UK’s best Christmas shopping

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It’s December and a little over three weeks to go until the big day. For many of us that means spending weekends searching for gifts, late nights surfing the internet and hoping the items can be delivered in time and panicking in case we’re not ready for the day itself.

For others, Christmas is a time to relax, enjoy the festivities and spend time with family. In order to help all our customers become the latter instead of the former, holidaycottatges.net has put together this list of the UK’s best Christmas shopping.

This two-part post will highlight ten towns and cities that have the variety of shops you need, Christmas markets for you to enjoy and the festive decorations and events going on that make shopping a bit less of a chore.

Oxford Street – London

Oxford Street is probably the most famous shopping street in Europe, if not the world. With that in mind, the Borough of London goes to great lengths to make sure it feels festive and always has something going on. Oxford Street also has a huge range of shops, from individuals to chain stores and department stores. If you can’t find it here, you won’t find it anywhere!

Westfield Stratford City – London

Staying in London for a moment, Westfield Stratford City is the third largest shopping centre in the UK. That makes it prime territory for Christmas shopping and for a day out hitting the shops. It gets busy this time of year, but if you need to buy gifts, this is an excellent place to do it.

The Trafford Centre – Manchester

The Trafford Centre is the North’s most famous shopping centre and one of the largest. It’s bigger than Westfield Stratford City and has just about every shop you can think of. There are also displays, exhibitions, a food court and a whole lot more to make your shopping trip more enjoyable.

Bull Ring – Birmingham

Birmingham’s Bull Ring is a great piece of modern architecture and a great place to shop. Not only is it home to one of the best Selfridges outside of London, it also has one of the best Christmas markets anywhere, it’s all pedestrianized and surrounded by bars, cafes and restaurants.

Princes Street – Edinburgh

Princes Street in Edinburgh is great for shopping at any time of year, but it and the Royal Mile really come alive around Christmas and New Year. Famous for its New Year’s Eve celebrations, it’s also a great place for shopping with stores, the Christmas market and lots going on.

Those are just five of the top ten places to find the UK’s best Christmas shopping. If you’re planning a shopping expedition or are having a winter weekend away in one of our holiday cottages, all of these make a great day out.

Join us next time for the final five UK’s best Christmas shopping destinations!

Holidaycottages.net’s top five UK winter walks

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Winter is about more than just Christmas and New Year. It offers more than just an opportunity to wrap up in a blanket with a hot cup of tea. Tackled right, winter is a great time of year for getting out and about and seeing our country in a whole new light.

As long as you have the right clothes, there’s no reason why a wonderful winter walk shouldn’t be a highlight of your year.

Hadrian’s Wall -Northumberland

Hadrian’s Wall is spectacular all year round, but in the winter it really is something special. Spanning Northumberland and Cumbria, the wall is 84 miles long and most of it is very accessible. It offers some amazing views of moorland, country, wood and field. It’s a great place to walk, especially in winter and especially if you’re wrapped up warm!

Wastwater – Lake District

Wastwater is our favourite of all the lakes in the Lake District. It’s much quieter during winter and the scenery can be much more dramatic. Get the weather right and you could be in for some jaw dropping scenery and some amazing walking. Surrounded by mountain peaks, wooded hills and verdant green countryside, this has to be one of the best places to walk in the world.

Dartmoor – Devon

If you like your winter walks desolate and beautiful, Dartmoor is the place to come. You can walk the majority of the moor as long as you’re properly equipped but there are also structured walks out of Princetown and Postbridge. After your walk you have Exeter in one direction, Plymouth in another an Tavistock in yet another. It’s a great part of the country to walk.

Wild Atlantic Way – Ireland

No list of winter walks would be complete without mentioning what is undoubtedly the best walk in Ireland. The Wild Atlantic Way stretches across the entirety of Ireland’s west coast and takes in some truly astonishing scenery. Add in that legendary Irish hospitality, some lovely towns and villages, as well as some fantastic holiday cottages and you have an amazing package.

Richmond Park – London

Richmond Park is one of many parks in London, but it’s definitely one of the best. Containing acres of ancient woodland, parkland, wildlife and even fallow deer, this is a true oasis in the city. Walk along to King Henry’s Mound and get a fantastic view of the city skyline, including the iconic St Paul’s Cathedral.

Those are our top five winter walks in the UK. There’s something there for everyone and a walk to delight the senses. Each has at least a couple of hour wonderful holiday cottages nearby too, which is even more reason to try them!

The top 10 UK city destinations for a Christmas break

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If you’re looking to get away for Christmas and don’t want to spend hours and hours and hundreds of pounds chasing the sun, this is the post for you. We have scoured the UK for cities that have gone the extra mile to make Christmas that little more special. Here’s what we found.

Edinburgh

Edinburgh is one of the best cities in the UK for Christmas and was featured in our Best Christmas Markets article last week. It’s a city that embraces everything to do with the holidays and has lights, special events, lots of child-friendly activities and shops to spend your money.

As Christmas holiday destinations go, it’s hard to beat. We also have a few holiday cottages around the city too!

Durham

Durham is another city that knows how to do Christmas. Nice at any time of year, Durham offers shopping, Santa, a Christmas market, carol singing, a lantern procession, the Polar Express and more during December. That makes it prime Christmas real estate for all the family!

Cardiff

Cardiff is a great place all year round, but especially at Christmas. Cardiff Castle already featured in our Best Christmas light displays in the UK article and this time the rest of the city wants in on the action. The Winter Wonderland makes a welcome return this year, with ice skating, ice bar and more. The city centre is lit up, there’s a Christmas market too.

Cardiff is a great city to do Christmas is and we have some lovely holiday cottages nearby.

York

York does Christmas exceptionally well and it isn’t all Dickensian either. While there is a lot of old England on display, there is plenty of contemporary Christmas too. There are medieval markets, Santa displays, carols, the Festive Fayre, street displays, lights, shops, food and a whole lot going on throughout December.

Bath

The historic city of Bath is like going back in time. The amazing Georgian architecture, narrow streets and old buildings all make a lovely atmosphere that’s only enhanced by Christmas. Bath Christmas Market is a particular highlight, as are all the lights, the ice rink in Victoria Park and carol singing around the city.

Leeds

Leeds is already renowned for having a lively, vibrant city centre and Christmas brings out the best in that. There is usually a Christmas market, regular visits from Santa and maybe his reindeer. The shopping is also excellent, the city is lit up throughout and there is a real festive atmosphere that’ infectious.

These are just some of the cities that do Christmas well. Each has a little different on offer, making them truly unique. We also have holiday cottages within a short drive of all of them, making them an ideal destination for your last minute shopping or as a day out!

The best Christmas light displays in the UK right now

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There are many elements that make any Christmas a good one. Family, friends, happiness, relaxation, time away from work, the culture of Christmas and seeing everyone embracing the holiday season are just a few.

If you’re enjoying a winter weekend away in one of our lovely holiday cottages, why not see a Christmas light display near to where you are? They are one of the highlights of the season for us and we enjoy them every single year. If you’re close to any of these, they are well worth a visit!

Mousehole, Cornwall

The quaintly named Mousehole in Cornwall has the reputation pf being the best Christmas light display in the country. With thousands of lights strung throughout the village and across the harbour, this light show may not be the biggest, but it’s certainly the best. It has England written all over it, in the history, the culture, the displays and the pies!

Kew Gardens, London

A visit to Kew Gardens is a must for anyone at any time, but Christmas offers something special. The main building is decked out in lights, the lake is lit and a one mile trail throughout the gardens is lit. There are also light sculptures, giant snowflakes and the Tunnel of Lights too. Well worth a visit!

Westonbirt Arboretum, Tetbury

We have featured Westonbirt Arboretum on holidaycottages.net before and probably will do again. Not only is it a national treasure, it also always has something going on. The annual Christmas light show is just one of them. The trees are lit, a mile-long trail is lit, Father Christmas comes to visit, fairies haunt the woods and choirs bring Christmas to everyone. It’s lovely.

Regent Street, London

No list of awesome Christmas lights would be complete without mentioning Regent Street in London. The city does Christmas well, but this street does it better than most. The long shopping street is lit from above with lights, each shop window is full of Christmas displays and Hamleys Christmas display should never be missed, whatever your age.

Cardiff Castle, Cardiff

Cardiff Castle is another destination we like visiting at any time of year, but Christmas is especially appealing. The castle itself is lit up at night, the town centre has its own light show and there are always things going on, late night shopping and the usual Christmassy things.

Those are just five Christmas light shows being held around the country this December. If you’re staying in one of our holiday cottages and are looking for something to do while you’re there, these are definitely worth a visit!

Fantastic days out in Bedfordshire

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Bedfordshire is a county with a lot going on. Often overlooked by its higher profile neighbours, it is well worth a visit. Holidaycottages.net has a wide selection of holiday rentals throughout the area, making it a great place for a family break.

If you’re staying, or planning to stay in one of our Bedfordshire holiday cottages, here are a few things to keep the family amused while you’re here.

Whipsnade Zoo

Whipsnade Zoo is owned and run by the Zoological Society of London. The zoo is well maintained, the animals well cared for and a lot of investment goes into welfare and the enclosures. It’s not a cheap day out by any means, but it’s clear to see that money goes back into the zoo. Overall, there is a lot to see and do here, making it a great day out for all the family.

The Shuttleworth Collection

The Shuttleworth Collection is one of the finest collections of vintage aircraft in the world. It also includes the Swiss Garden with acres of landscaped grounds, 13 listed buildings and woodlands. Both together make for a very good day out, even if you’re only mildly interested in aviation history.

Stockwood Discovery Centre

Stockwood Discovery Centre in Luton is a museum covering many ages of history and gardens. Unusually, it’s also free to enter, making it a great day out for the family. The museum has everything from old coins to carriages while the gardens are a haven for flora and fauna, insects and more.

Birds of Prey Centre

The Birds of Prey Centre in Wistead is an excellent opportunity to get up close and personal with these magnificent birds. The centre is well run, the animals look well cared for and the people here seem to take welfare very seriously indeed. They offer experience days, exhibitions, special events and a whole lot more.

Wrest Park

Wrest Park in Silsoe is an English Heritage property that really is gardeners heaven. It’s 90 acres of park, garden, lake and buildings spread around woodland and grounds. The park also includes a bath house and manor house and has audio tours, picnics and more on offer.

Dunstable Downs

The little known Dunstable Downs near Whipsnade is a lovely part of the country. The downs of course are open country, but much of it is managed by the National Trust. They provide car parking, café, visitor centre, structured walks and more. There are quite a few trails going for miles in all directions, ideal for working up an appetite!

Those are just a few days out you could enjoy while staying in one of our Bedfordshire holiday cottages. Each offers something a little different while also providing a great day out for all the family. Just what holidays are all about!

Top royal attractions in the UK

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One of the biggest tourist attractions this country has is its history and royal family. People travel from all over the world in the hope to get just a glimpse of a royal or to check out their houses. We Brits do the same thing and that’s what this post is all about.

If you’re staying in one of our holiday cottages and feel like a bit of royal exploration, here are some of the most popular royal attractions in the UK.

Buckingham Palace

Buckingham Palace is without doubt the number on royal tourist attraction. The office and official home of the Queen in London draws millions of visitors per year. During August and September, the doors are opened to visitors so you can wander round to see how the other half lives. Changing the guard happens every day between May and July too.

Windsor Castle

Windsor Castle is the Queen’s weekend place. It’s also the world’s oldest continuously occupied castle and home to the State Apartments, St George’s Chapel and a wealth of history. It’s a great place to visit and is only a couple of minutes’ walk from the centre of Windsor.

Westminster Abbey

Westminster Abbey is where every monarch is crowned and where many major royals are married. It is over 1000 years old and has been the site of every coronation since 1066. It is also open to the public, has guided tours, lots to see and is within easy reach of the centre of London.

Kensington Palace

Kensington Palace is the current home of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. It’s also another building steeped in history where the public can have part access to. The tours are interesting, full of history and well worth taking.

Balmoral

Moving out of London and up to Aberdeenshire to Balmoral this time. This is the country retreat of the royal family and apparent favourite of the late Queen Mother. It’s a sprawling estate covering acres of prime highland. The estate is open to the public between April and July every year.

Sandringham

Sandringham in Norfolk is where the Queen traditionally spends Christmas with her family. It’s another country estate steeped in history and was once regarded as “the most comfortable house in England.” Like many other royal properties, Sandringham is open to the public when not in use, between April and November each year.

Those are just some of the many royal attractions in the UK. Each has its own character and charm and each can be visited by you or I when not in use. If you’re staying in a holiday cottage nearby, why not visit one and say hello to your neighbours?

Explore Hertfordshire from your holiday cottage

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Hertfordshire is a county rich in culture, history and character. It’s also only a short drive from London and has dozens of holiday cottages spread throughout. If you’re planning a short break, a weekend away or something longer, here are just a few things in the county that you can do.

St Albans Cathedral

St Albans Cathedral is the oldest continuously used church in England. It’s also a place that holds concerts, special events, special services, Christmas celebrations and more. Set inside the city of St Albans, the Cathedral and city itself are well worth a visit.

Natural History Museum at Tring

The Natural History Museum at Tring might just be the most popular museum you have never heard of. It’s a lovely Victorian building designed to house the collections of Lionel Rothschild, an ardent collector of things. It’s an excellent example of the results of an enquiring mind and is educational as well as entertaining.

Cassiobury Park

Cassiobury Park in Watford is 190 acres of open land that is free to use. It stretches from Watford town centre right out to the edge of town and has sports facilities, trails, woods, the Grand Union Canal and more. The woods nearby are worth a visit too. Not only are they lovely this time of year, they also featured in Star Wars The Phantom Menace.

Ashridge Estate

The Ashridge Estate near Berkhamsted is a National Trust location set in the idyllic Chiltern Hills. It is 5,000 acres of ancient woodland and rolling land with a working estate nestled in the middle. There are miles and miles of walking and cycling trails, as well as woodland, chalk downlands and the estate to explore.

Paradise Wildlife Park

Paradise Wildlife Park in Broxborne is definitely one for all the family. The park is a zoo and attraction that is home to hundreds of animals of all shapes and sizes. It has special events, displays, exhibitions, animal experience days and more. You can even sleep over. If that isn’t worth a visit, we don’t know what is!

De Havilland Aircraft Museum

The De Havilland Aircraft Museum in St Albans is one for the history buffs. Not only is the museum the oldest aircraft museum in the country, it’s also the only one dedicated to that British great, De Havilland. It is home to aircraft from 1923 through to 1983 from propeller to jet and is worth a visit if planes are your thing.

Holidaycottages.net has dozens of fantastic holiday lets spread throughout Hertfordshire. If you’re planning a break in this great county, check them out from the map. These are just some of the many places to visit while you’re enjoying time away, so check them out and let us know how you get on!

Top film locations in Britain you can visit

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Britain is surprisingly popular as a movie location. As a country who loves film as a form of entertainment, this gives us plenty to see when you’re out and about. If you’re planning on using one of our holiday cottages anytime soon, why not visit a film location while you’re there?

You would be amazed at the sheer number of films made on location on our shores. Not those who use the world famous studios at Pinewood or Elstree, but who use our countryside as settings. Here are just a few of them.

The Da Vinci Code

If you were a fan of Tom Hanks in The Da Vinci Code, you might want to visit Lincoln Cathedral. It’s where they filmed the interior shots of Westminster Abbey during the Knights Templar search. The cathedral is a great place to visit in its own right, but now has extra appeal.

James Bond

Being a home grown movie hero, much of James Bond is filmed in the UK. However, if it’s his cars you like, a visit to the National Motor Museum at Beaulieu should definitely be on your to-do list. Located close to the New Forest between Bournemouth and Southampton, this is an amazing place to visit for any reason, but especially as they have a lot of the cars featured in the films on display.

We have lots of holiday cottages in and around the New Forest, so this one is a must!

Pride and Prejudice

Pride and Prejudice with Keira Knightley and Matthew Macfadyen is a firm favourite, so if you want to see Mr Darcy’s house, visit Chatsworth House in Derbyshire. If you would like to stroll around Meryton Village like the cast in the film, make your way to Stamford in Lincolnshire.

The King's Speech

The King's Speech with Colin Firth was filmed across the country, including Ely Cathedral where scenes from Westminster Abbey were shot. The copy of the Coronation Chair featured in the film is now on display in the cathedral.

Harry Potter

Harry Potter is another home grown character that has filmed at locations across the country. Visit King’s Cross Station in London for Platform 93/4, the Glenfinnan Viaduct to see where Harry and Ron flew in their Ford Anglia and visit Alnwick Castle, the Bodleian Library in Oxford and Durham Cathedral to see three locations that formed Hogwarts.

Holidaycottages.net has holiday rentals near all these locations. If you’re into the movies and want to see where the magic happened, these are just a few of the thousands of locations featured in some of our favourites. All of them are within a short drive of some of our best holiday cottages. Check out the interactive map to find yours!

Great days out in Cambridgeshire

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Given the sheer number of holiday cottages in Cambridgeshire, we thought it only right that it should be next on our county by county where to go list. We have dozens of luxury holiday homes within the county and around Cambridge itself, If you’re staying in one over the next few months, here are a few things you can do while you’re there.

University of Cambridge

The University of Cambridge has to be up there at the top of this list as it’s not only a centre of excellent for learning, it’s also beautiful, tranquil and visitors are free to wander around most of it. Walking around this Medieval area is like walking back in time, in a good way.

The River Cam

The River Cam runs through the centre of the city and is another big draw for anyone in the area. You can sit by the river and watch the world go by, enjoy a picnic in the sunshine, a punt in the river or watch rowers practicing in the northern part of the college area.

Imperial War Museum Duxford

The Imperial War Museum Duxford is one of the best museums of its kind anywhere in the world. It’s our premier aviation museum with both indoor and outdoor displays, exhibitions, events, special occasions, helpful staff and more exhibits than you could do justice to in a single day!

Linton Zoo

Linton Zoo in Linton, is more breeding centre than zoo. That means you don’t always get to see the animals, as they might be hiding, breeding or sleeping. But when you do they are much more relaxed and happy. The enclosure can seem a little wild and overgrown, but that’s the intent. To provide as natural a habitat as humanly possible to keep them happy. You still get to see a lot of endangered species whatever time of day you go though!

Anglesey Abbey

Anglesey Abbey in Lode, near Cambridge is a National Trust location with a country house, gardens and watermill. It’s a calm, tranquil place to visit and looks completely different with every changing season. A lot of work goes into keeping the property in excellent condition, making it a great day out for all the family.

The Raptor Foundation

The Raptor Foundation in Woodhurst is a bird of prey sanctuary and hospital. It’s an excellent place to watch birds of prey work, play and relax in 30 acres of land specially designed for them. There are over 300 birds on site at any one time and you can enjoy experience days, twilight flying, photography days and more.

Those are just six of the many great days out in Cambridgeshire. If you’re planning a short break in one of our many holiday cottages in the area, you’re not going to be short of things to do!

UK memorial gardens worth visiting

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With today being Remembrance Day, it’s only right that we honour that by listing the top memorial gardens that we know of. Places of reflection, places to honour the lost and places to remember.

Each has its own character, its own allure and reason to visit, especially on the 11th of November. If you’re enjoying an autumn break in one of our fantastic holiday cottages and are in the area, we encourage you to brave the weather and visit.

National Memorial Arboretum

The National Memorial Arboretum near Alrewas, Staffordshire is our national shrine to the fallen. It is a wonderful place that manages to balance relevance, beauty and memory into a single location. It’s an amazing place to visit at any time of year, but autumn is definitely a highlight.

Tower of London sea of poppies

The Tower of London sea of poppies is an amazing sight and one everyone should visit if they can. The Queen loved it when she visited last month and everyone who has seen it since has said the same. Spending a few minutes there while visiting the capital is well worth your time.

Palace Barracks Memorial Garden

The Palace Barracks Memorial Garden is outside Holywood in Northern Ireland. A quiet corner of the base has been turned into a garden of reflection and remembrance. Given that Northern Ireland has had its own troubles, the garden has a dual purpose, to remember the fallen of all conflicts.

Royal British Legion Remembrance Garden

The Royal British Legion Remembrance Garden in Royal Wooton Basset, Wiltshire is a poignant garden as the town used to be where service personnel were repatriated from Afghanistan. The garden has been created to honour the fallen from all conflicts and it well worth a visit if you’re in one of our holiday cottages in Wiltshire.

Lichfield Garden of Remembrance

The Lichfield Garden of Remembrance is a lovely little garden opened in 1920 to remember the fallen. Located next to Minster Pool within sight of the cathedral, it’s a nice, relaxing place to contemplate and remember. Lovely any time of year, it really comes alive during autumn.

There are hundreds of memorial gardens or remembrance locations across the country. Almost every town and city has one and there are hundreds of others in villages across the country. Each offers the respect due to those who gave their all and made that ultimate sacrifice.

If you’re staying in one of our holiday cottages this week, we suggest making a trip to one of the thousands of remembrance gardens, even for a couple of minutes. It’s the least we can all do.