Tag Archives: October half term holiday

What to do on your Halloween half term

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

Here are some ideas.

English Heritage Halloween half term

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

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

Isle of Wight Walking Festival

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

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

Halloween Pumpkin Trail at the London Aquarium

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

Boo at the Zoo

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

Halloween Scavenger Trail

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

Wild Halloween Camp

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

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

Spend autumn half term in a holiday cottage

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

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

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

Get outside

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

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

Hit the city

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

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

Stay indoors

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

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

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

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!

Taking your dog to your holiday cottage

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We have hundreds of holiday cottages here on holidaycottages.net. Many of them are pet-friendly and will welcome your dog as warmly as they welcome you.

Taking pets on holiday is something that is become more popular by the year. We have always wanted to holiday with our furry friends, but have rarely had the opportunity. As holiday accommodation has woken up to this new requirement, a new market has sprung up for pet-friendly holiday cottages.

If you’re travelling with your dog for the first time, here are some useful tips for you.

Travelling with your dog

Some dogs are more than happy to travel by car. Some not so much. If you have to drive to your holiday cottage, plan on stopping to let your dog go to the toilet and have water on hand for them to drink. Dogs that are anxious get dehydrated very quickly, which compounds the problem.

Where practical, have a window open to provide fresh air. Air conditioning works well too if open windows won’t work. Keep the temperature in the car as cool as you find comfortable to prevent your dog overheating and further dehydrating.

Dogs and trains

If you’re travelling by train, you are legally entitled to take your dog with you as long as it is well behaved, under control and on a lead. It forms part of the National Rail Conditions of Carriage and all railway companies have to comply.

Check with yours before travelling though in case there are any restrictions.

What to pack

Most holiday cottages cater for human visitors only, as that’s what they are geared up for. That means you have to pack for your dog just as you would your children. Items to pack include:

  • Food and water bowl
  • Bedding
  • Toys
  • Lead
  • Poo bags
  • Dog towels
  • Chews

You might also want to add a ground anchor to secure the lead, shampoo and brush if your dog likes to explore and cleaning products to ensure your holiday cottage is left in the same condition you found it.

Routine and dog behaviour

Dogs are like humans in that they are essentially creatures of habit. They can adapt to change, but need a little time and a little reassurance in order to do it. When travelling with your dog, ensure you’re always close by and that they can see you at all times. Keep them company until they are used to the holiday cottage and bring as many of the dog’s things are you can manage.

Bringing the dog’s bedding doesn’t just ensure you don’t dirty the cottage, it also provides a link to the dog’s routine and comfort in something they recognise. Plan on providing more stimulation than usual in the first couple of days to help take their mind off the differences in routine.

Cleaning up behind your dog

A well behaved dog isn’t just a joy to be around, they also prove to the owner of the holiday cottage that allowing pets is a good idea. Cleaning up after your dog is an essential part of that. Not only to continue the goodwill from property owners, but also to prevent any big cleaning bills.

Holiday cottages are businesses after all. If that business has to pay for cleaning after you stay, it’s only right that they pass that charge on to you. Cleaning up after your dog means everyone goes away happy!

3 Simple Reasons You Need To Book Your Autumn And Winter Holiday Cottages Now

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With the school holidays now over and most children having been back at school for at least a week or two, we’re sure there are plenty of you out there who are relieved. Keeping your kids entertained for a weekend can be difficult enough, but for those who have had the full ‘joys’ of the summer holidays with your brood, you deserve a medal!

Most of us at HolidayCottages.net are parents ourselves, so we really do know just how challenging it is to keep the kids entertained during the holidays – and also how expensive.

With the October half term only six weeks away for most (and Christmas less than 100 days away!), if you’re planning on booking one of the many holiday cottages around the country for a family getaway, it’s important you do so now, for three simple reasons.

1. You could save a fortune

Let’s just get straight to the point – if you book any type of holiday as far in advance as you can, you’re almost always going to get the cheapest price possible.

You’ll of course be able to get some cheap last minute deals with most holidays, but there’s a huge risk factor involved. Imagine you waited until the weekend before you wanted to go and it turned out everywhere was fully booked. Then what do you do?

Chances are there’ll be something available somewhere, but nothing that fits in with your budget or suits your needs, which leads us perfectly onto the next two points.

2. You’ll be able to choose exactly where you want to go…

It’s a simple point, but it’s one that a lot of people forget about.

Just like the further in advance you book, the cheaper it will be, if you book at least a month or two before you travel, you’ll be able to choose exactly where you want to go (whether that’s in a rural area away from it all or close to the local attractions) and get your choice of which type of cottage you want to stay in – how about a cottage with a hot tub or swimming pool?

Everyone likes choice. No one wants to put their details and requirements into a website or search engine and find out that there’s only one or two cottages for them to choose from. It’s disheartening having to settle for second best!

We really do try to offer the widest selection of quality holiday cottages we possibly can, but there’s only so many available to offer (and with a particularly small window to book at peak times, the longer you leave it, the more chance there is that everything will have been snapped up).

3. …and when you want to stay

When you’re booking a break with restricted dates – the half term holiday is a perfect example – one of the most frustrating things about booking late is that you can’t often get to stay exactly when you want (or more importantly, need).

Linking back to your choice of cottages and destinations, you might be able to find somewhere that suits your needs, but what if it takes nearly a full day’s worth of driving just to get there? A three night stay could give you just one full day before you have to start thinking about getting ready to drive all the way back home.

Not really a relaxing break with the family, is it?

Sometimes you won’t be able to book holiday cottages in advance, we understand that. You might not know exactly when you can go, for example. You might not even know yet whether it’s a possibility if you do have dates.

But if you have your dates already worked out, the simple fact is, book now and you’ll be able to choose exactly where you stay, when you go and most importantly, all for the cheapest price possible.