Tag Archives: Spring holidays

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!

Explore West Sussex from your holiday cottage

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Arundel CastleHolidaycottages.net has a wide variety of lovely holiday cottages spread across West Sussex. We have properties near towns, villages, by the sea, in the countryside and just about everywhere else you could think of.

But when you’re there and you feel like a day out, what can you do? This quick list of the top attractions in West Sussex should help.

Arundel Castle and Gardens

Arundel Castle and Gardens is the official home of the Duke of Norfolk and is over a thousand years old. Located in Arundel, near Littlehampton, the castle, gardens and chapel are full of history as well as beautiful flowers, statues and architecture. A great day out for all the family.

Chichester Cathedral

Chichester Cathedral is over 900 years old but doesn’t look a day over 500. It’s an excellent example of how places of worship should be, open, welcoming and involving of everyone regardless of faith. The cathedral has many works of art, fantastic architecture, lots of history and always has an event or two going on.

Wings Museum

The Wings Museum is a step into more recent past with a range of aircraft from the Second World War. Exhibits include aircraft seen in many recent TV and film productions, as well as firm favourites from the Battle of Britain, the Blitz and more. Despite the subject matter, it’s a cheerful, interesting place to visit with lots going on.

Picturedrome Cinema

The Picturedrome Cinema in Bognor Regis is cinema as it used to be. It’s a classic, Grade II listed building that echoes the type of place enjoyed by thousands during the heyday of cinema. Despite being dedicated to retaining that original character, it’s all digital with surround sound, so the movie watching experience is still top notch!

Huxleys Birds of Prey Centre

Huxleys Birds of Prey Centre near Horsham is a fantastic opportunity to see some of the world’s most beautiful birds of prey up close and personal. Meet and greet the birds, watch them in action and even have one on one time with them for a little extra. If you’re at all interested by birds, this is a must-see.

Goodwood Motor Circuit

No trip to West Sussex would be complete without visiting glorious Goodwood! This one is for the petrol heads. Drive cars around the track, watch the Festival of Speed and so much more from within the circuit. It’s full of history, things to see and do and offers the kinds of opportunities that don’t come around very often!

If you’re staying in one of our holiday cottages in West Sussex, there are plenty of things going on. These six examples are just a few of many and all are well worth your time. Let us know how you get on by leaving a comment below!

Enjoy the last of the summer sun in Berkshire

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Windsor CastleWith summer now officially over, the kids are back to school and the preparations for autumn are beginning, it’s a great time to think about a weekend away in a holiday cottage.

September is a month often filled with some lovely weather, quiet scenery and that calm after the summer break storm. If you prefer a little peace with your holiday, now is a great time to get away.

This time we’re looking at the royal country of Berkshire. A county full of history and things to do. Ideal for a short break in a lovely holiday cottage!

Windsor Castle

No visit to Berkshire would be complete without a trip to Windsor Castle. The sometime home of the royal family, Windsor Castle is the oldest occupied castle anywhere in the world. Built in the 11th century, it’s a place full of history and grandeur and an ideal activity for anyone.

Race Hut

The Race Hut in Slough is something completely different. This venue has a selection of professional race car simulators that you can drive to get a feel for live as a racing driver. Choose from F1, touring cars, rally, Le Mans and more. If you love driving and are in the area, this is well worth a try!

Windsor Great Park

Back to Windsor now and a visit to Windsor Great Park. The part covers 4,800 acres of prime land and much of it is open to the public. It’s an ideal place to enjoy a bit of fresh air and a picnic or a walk along the tree lined avenue up to the castle. A fantastic way to spend an afternoon in the sunshine.

REME Museum of Technology

The REME Museum of Technology near Reading is perfect for those interested in military history, innovation and all things mechanical. This museum celebrates the history of the Corps of Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers and the contribution they have made to the functioning of the army. It’s actually much more interesting than it sounds!

Ascot Racecourse

Berkshire is of course home to Ascot Racecourse and no visit to the county would be complete without a trip and a flutter. The Royal Ascot event runs for five days in June, but for the rest of the year, the racecourse is open to all. Even if you’re not interested in racing, it’s a fantastic place to experience and watch people if not horses.

Those are just five places in Berkshire to enjoy if you visit the county and stay in one of our lovely holiday cottages in the area. Each offers a little something different and each is a great way to spend a day. Try one for yourself and let us know how you get on!

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!

Derrigimlagh – Wild Atlantic Way

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DerrigimlaghDerrigimlagh in County Galway is an interesting stop on the Wild Atlantic Way. At first glance, the idea of visiting a bog probably doesn’t sound like a good way to spend a day. However, give it a chance and take a walk out to the desolate area and you get a real sense of Irish history.

Derrigimlagh is notable for three things. It was the site of an important transatlantic cable link with its own station built by Marconi in the 19th century. It’s where Alcock and Brown crash landed after the first nonstop flight across the Atlantic. It’s also hauntingly beautiful.

While not much is left of the Marconi station, there are concrete foundations still present at Derrigimlagh. The site used to transmit and receive messages across the Atlantic Ocean and be staffed by over a hundred people. It was unfortunately burnt to the ground during the Irish War of Independence.

The flight across the Atlantic is now immortalised with the Alcock and Brown memorial within the bog. The memorial is an off-white wing-like structure placed at the location where the pair crash landed in 1919. They had taken off from Newfoundland, flown almost 1900 miles through weather, technical problems and the dark only to crash in an Irish bog.

Given the soft nature of the bog, both pilots emerged unscathed from the wreckage. Alcock then allegedly announced “Yesterday I was in America and I am the first man in Europe to say that.”

As with many elements of the Wild Atlantic Way, you can drive to Derrigimlagh and stand on a viewing platform to see most of what’s on offer here. But, we would always suggest leaving the car and getting out on foot. Take a guided walk from local historians or explore on your own. We think it’s the only true way to experience what Ireland has to offer.

The geography is flat and desolate, but also green and full of life. It’s easy to explore on your own, or with a guide. Just make sure you have a good pair of walking boots and waterproofs as it gets wet and windy in such exposed places.

Derrigimlagh is an interesting stop in the Wild Atlantic Way with lots of history on offer. While not as spectacular as the Cliff of Moher or Slieve League, it is beautiful in its own right and definitely worth an afternoon of your time.

Downpatrick Head – Wild Atlantic Way

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Downpatrick HeadContinuing along the Wild Atlantic Way route having visited Fanad Head, we move on to Downpatrick Head. Another part of an amazing coastline on the northern edge of Ireland.

Located a couple of miles north of Ballycastle village in County Mayo, Downpatrick Head is an impressive area of coastline that includes a lovely coastal walk as well as drive. Downpatrick Head itself is a rugged landscape that includes cliffs, a rock stack and thousands of wild birds.

Highlights includes the ruins of an ancient church, a holy well and a stone cross. All remnants of what was a church of St. Patrick. It is believed that St. Patrick himself founded this church, so plays an important role in local and national religion. You can often see pilgrims wandering around the ruins, walking in the footsteps of a saint.

There is a statue dedicated to St. Patrick in the grounds of the church. It was built in the 1980s to replace an original that had stood for decades before.

From Downpatrick Head itself, when the weather is agreeable, you can see the Staggs of Broadhaven. This is a small collection of islands beyond the solitary stack just off the coast. The big stack is called Dún Briste (broken fort) and stands hundreds of metres tall, holding out alone against the might of the Atlantic Ocean.

From a purely aesthetic perspective, the setting is amazing. The wild sea crashing against the solitary rock stack circled by seabirds all day long. From a geological perspective, you can see the layers and layers of rock from the various ages of the earth. If ever you wanted to see how the earth around you is formed, this is it.

Near Downpatrick Head is Céide Fields, a Stone Age field system and visitor centre. The location shows the old fields, ancient stone walls, settlements and tombs. All have remained in fantastic condition thanks to the peat soil in the area.

While not as old as Dún Briste, it shows how long this green and pleasant land has been home to humans and how we have constantly tried to mould the landscape to our own needs. It’s well worth a visit if you have the time.

Downpatrick Head is an amazing piece of landscape included within the Wild Atlantic Way. It’s dramatic, isolated, ancient and historic. It has something for everyone and plays an essential part of the whole that is the Way.

Remember, Holidaycottages.net has a huge selection of holiday cottages in the north of Ireland. Check them out if you're planning to walk the Way!

Join us next week as we visit Skellig Viewpoint!

Fanad Head – Wild Atlantic Way

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Fanad Head LighthouseFanad Head on the Fanad Peninsula is our next stop while we traverse the Wild Atlantic Way. It is located between Lough Swilly and Mulroy Bay on the north coast of County Donegal in Ireland.

This section of the Way covers around 60km and has some of the most amazing coastal views imaginable. I think we’re going to be saying that a lot during our tour, so please bear with us!

The Fanad Head section begins in Letterkenny and heads north along Lough Swilly. The gradual incline takes in some of the lovely green countryside of County Donegal until you close to the coast and see Ballymastocker Bay. There are three amazing beaches in the bay and if the sun is shining is well worth a sit down to admire.

These beaches in Ballymastocker Bay have apparently been voted some of the most beautiful in the world. While we can’t comment on that claim, we find it easy to believe when the sun is out!

Head north to Fanad Head itself and you see the lighthouse. The Fanad Head lighthouse sits high on the dramatic cliffs looking north into the Atlantic Ocean. It’s an impressive sight that again, has apparently been voted the second most beautiful lighthouse in the world after the Lindau Lighthouse in Germany.

Whatever the truth of that claim, the absolute truth is that the lighthouse and the region is breathtaking. If you want to see Fanad Head from a different perspective, there are boat tours run by a charter company from Rathmullan. Well worth a try if you want to see the Head from the sea.

Heading west to the Rosguill Peninsula, you’re faced with some of the most rugged coastline of the Wild Atlantic Way. Follow the road further west and around the coast to Horn Head for a perfect example of nature at work and the awesome power of the sea as waves crash against the coast even on the calmest day. It’s something to be see and photographed extensively!

From here you can see the old signal tower and if it’s clear enough, Tory Island that lies 14km off the coast directly opposite.

The Fanad Head part of the Wild Atlantic Way offers spectacular scenery, amazing views, a glimpse of the raw power of nature and some of the best beaches anywhere in the world. For those reasons alone it’s well worth a visit. Holidaycottages.net has a wide range of holiday accommodation dotted along the Irish coast, so check out our listings for holiday cottages nearby!

Join us next time as we continue from Fanad Head to Downpatrick Head along the Wild Atlantic Way!

Five great gardens to visit this summer

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If there is one thing us Brits love, it’s our gardens. When our gardens aren’t enough, we like to visit other people’s. With that in mind, we have put together this quick list of the top gardens to visit within the UK while you’re staying in one of our luxurious holiday cottages.

Wrest Park

Wrest Park is Silsoe, Bedfordshire is one of the loveliest locations anywhere in the UK. Not only does it have 10 acres of pristine gardens, it has played host to some of Britain’s most notable names in history.

Highlights include the long water to the Archer Pavilion, The Dairy Sculpture Gallery, Queen Mother's Garden and The Kitchen Garden.

Kenilworth Castle

Kenilworth Castle on its own is well worth a visit, but combine with the fantastic gardens is a must-see. Built for Elizabeth I in 1575 by Robert Dudley her only love, the romance and beauty of the location is unrivalled. Located in Kenilworth, Warwickshire, it’s surrounded by lovely countryside too.

We have a range of holiday cottages in Warwickshire, so this should definitely be on your “to-do” list if you’re staying nearby.

Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens

Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens in Northumberland is dramatic to say the least. Designed to mimic the rocks and quarries of Sicily, these gardens are as surprising as they are astounding. There are wild flowers and native species as well as carefully cultivated displays.

Near Morpeth, Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens is another garden surrounded by amazing countryside. Perfect for a weekend away or summer break in a holiday cottage.

Brodsworth Hall

Brodsworth Hall, near Doncaster is a 15 acre garden that has recently been completely revitalised and renovated. The Victorian hall has been restored to its original condition and now serves as a display of Victorian life.

The gardens are fantastic, with a wide range of displays covering the entire spectrum of British gardening.

Witley Court

Witley Court in Worcestershire is another fantastic British seat with some amazing gardens. Now fully restored after a fire in 1937 and a long period of decline, Witley Court has some amazing gardens whose highlight has to be the Perseus and Andromeda fountain.

Those are just five of the hundreds of gardens worth a visit this summer. Each has an allure of its own and will have a number of our equally alluring holiday cottages nearby. If gardens or gardening is your thing, these are the ones to visit!

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?